the wik

I wonder if some of you have seen the comparison in last week's Autocar (Brit magazine) comparing the Subaru Impreza P1, Mitsu Evo VI, and Audi S4.

They admit the S4 has a much nicer interior but....

At the end they write something like, "We invited the S4 to challenge the refinement of the Subaru, and it didn't even do a good job of that. Which is not surprising because the S4, frankly, is not a very good car."

I (non s4 owner) was shaken by this ridiculous statement. I mean sure, on a track those two Japanese racers would beat the S4. But so what!? Being a "good car" should not require sub 5-second 0-60 times.... I should remind that these Japanese cars cost just as much as the more refined, (likely) more durable, safer, etc. S4

merlin

The British automotive press has never been a model of consistency regarding unbiased opinions, and the British automobile industry is noted for its general inability to produce anything worthwhile unless under the direct influence of an American or German parent company.

That being said, I must add that I've lived in England and like and respect the Brits in many ways. They are, like us, enthusiastic, knowlegeable, and resourceful. So, just because some dimbulb dumps on the S4 is no reason to get excited...he's probably working some personal agenda and his editor is dumb enough to let him get away with it. Besides, WE all know that as a complete, well-rounded high performance road car (not race car), the S4 has few equals in the world, regardless of price or reputation. Anyone who disputes that is either ignorant (in the true sense of the word) or has some personal axe to grind.

Enjoy your ride.

Nordschleife

The S4 is a nice car. Frankly it simply does not have the chassis dynamics, road handling or performance of the Evo VI, Imprezza P1 or Skyline GT-R.
Neither does it have the "rice-boy" image. The car is aimed at a more discerning market - a nice to drive, market, not an earth-bound X-Wing fighter market.
Its horses for courses, which opens up a whole new question - what are those guys doing sticking on huge wings and other rice-boy accoutrements? If that is the market they are after, why not get the Evo VI in the first place.
FYI many of the F1 drivers have the Nissan Skyline GT-R, even if they drive others for PR and contractual purposes. Villeneuve drives a green S8, Bernie Ecclestone also drives Audi (did anybody think they would ever hear anything nice about poor Bernie?)

Reggie

Yeah it had great racing compoenents and great specs - but in the end the Vette was a better road car.

Must have been an article geared to create some controversy (read that publicty for increased circulation) or as others said some agenda on the writers part.

Reggie

98.5 2.8QMS

RoCKZ

The potential of the Lancer Evolution... Impreza WRX... Skyline GTR... is immense... and are all built with one thing in mind... RACING and SPEED. Performance and functionality are the key ideas that the Japanese pride very highly...

Audi S4 is a sports sedan.... with luxury....

I wouldn't compare these cars... Manufacturers had different goals... Audi is a great performing car..that keeps functionality and luxury....

=)<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=4329"><img SRC="http://www.netdrive.com/MyDrive/get.jsp/%7Elchao/My%20Pictures/chaotic-s4.jpg" BORDER=0></a>

RS4.org - DaveH

I prefer a high degree of drivabilty from my cars and for me the S4 doesnt make the grade. I agree with most of the comments in that article excpet the one you quoted.

The S4 is not a bad car, its just been marketed between exec cruiser and ultimate drivers car and for many its perfect, for some its far to hard and myself its far to soft.

I have driven the EVOVI several times and i have no doubt on track or road it will trounce a stock S4 and is imorally fun to drive.

However the EVOVI build quality is terrible, many compents are simply self taped into the engine bay and the interior is basic and platicy to say the least, but thats not what the cars about, its purly a very cheap very very good drivers car. (cheap compared to the UK list price for the S4)

But the S4 can fight back, with the aid of suspension mods, uuc shifter, uprated brakes and a chip the S4 can easily live with both of these cars, has superior top speed, an excellent interior, brilliant safety. fantastic styling (who wants a power ranger toy in the drive) and exceptional build quality.

I just wish it was a little less eager to understeer and wash the front out.

A well modified S4 has got to be one of the best point to point cars in the world in any weather. I really love my car, never thought i would say that when i bought it.

E-Ticket

And I totally agree.

I was VERY impressed with the Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS from a fling-it-about country roads point of view. Great fun! I think an awful lot of it is due to relatively low vehicle weight and a lower CG with the flat boxer motor. All it lacked was a major motor. (165hp - no matter how "peppy" just doen't cut it in the performance arena) Now, interior fit-n-finish: well, the sound system, bells-n- whistles, interior definately reflect the price range.

Now the Audi S4: amazing motor with a surprising amount of low-end torque. That and the AWD really work together to pull out of tight corners. Fit-n-finish, bells-n-whistles... excellant. Driving at the edge: well, this is where the vehicle weight and softer springing/dampning rears it's ---- head. While not "bad" by any means, it definately starts moving around a lot at 8/10ths on fast transition/rougher roads.

I ended up getting the S4 as the new Suby won't be coming to the US until Spring 2001 - and it's rumored that it will still only be 200-220hp. Which ain't bad, but the WRX running around loose everywhere else in the world.... Plus, I was worried about the Suby - you know - going to the store for milk turning into Stage 4 of the Olympus Pro Rally...

Long-term approach: buy the new Suby some day and give it the full yahoo race treatment. Until then, maybe change the shocks/dampning on the S4, change the shifter, probably chip it once it's broken in. And then, continue to put Premium go-juice and Mobil 1 in it as fast as I can! And enjoy it for what it is - a great performance sedan.

[BTW, picked up the Nogaro S4 last night and instead of setting the clock - put 300 miles on it. yippee! fun car.]

Cheers! - E-Ticket

RS4.org - DaveH

It over works tyres, brakes and suspension, But if you want quality body work, interiror and loads of toys its going to get heavy.

Some of the Scoobys are very light, WRX sti R (i think 2 door coupe) wieghs 1250 kgs with 280bhp.