tranquility

There appears to be 2 choices for rear diff when optioning out the S4:

(1) one is just for the *Sport Differential* (rear diff+Drive Select) for $1,500; and

(2) the other is *Sport Differential*+Dynamic Steering System/Adaptive Suspension Damping System/Variable Throttle Response/Variable Gear-Shifting for $4,000.

Which is better value and why? Thanks.

mellow_sparky

Tons of posts on this, so you might want to poke around a bit. It seems most folks (myself included) feel the sport diff is the best value. It gives you control of steering boost, throttle response and the torque vectoring diff (and something with the shifting for the auto trans).

You need to decide if adjustible suspension and adjustible steering ratio is worth the extra bills. I'm personally happy with the stock suspension and didn't feel it was worth the money.

Drive both before you decide.

WatchNut

Agree completely.

Reds4Phil

I have drive select and if I ordered the car today I would save the money and just stick with the sport diff.

tranquility

Really? Not worth it or no use for those added features?

Needsdecaf

The only added feature you get with ADS is the suspension.

Sport diff with has what's colloquially called "ADS Lite" on here. It still has the adjustable steering, throttle and transmission settings, but does not have the adjustable suspension.

sworksone

I have ADS and wouldn't go without it. If you can afford it, imho you should get it. The adjustable suspension makes it two cars in one - more comfortable than a base A4 suspension when having a leisurely drive, and tighter than the S4 suspension when you're in a racier mood. It's particularly useful when on rough roads.

Reds4Phil

With the ADS I USE the comfort setting less and less. It's just not that big of a deal for $2,800 extra. I test drove a S4 with (SD only) before I ordered my car and ended being disappointed that there was not a bigger difference with my ADS.

tranquility

Hmmm, so w/ ADS, you can choose a setting softer *and* firmer than the default? That would mean that the default setting for a S4 w/o ADS is in the middle?

hk007

Wrong. You get Suspension and Dynamic (variable ratio) Steering.