Building an RS4 alternative - Start with an S4 or a 2.0TFSI??

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Bad Sir Culation

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Hi folks. My first post here, so be gentle! I am currently deciding on what car I want next. I'm coming from an MR2 Turbo via a Subaru Impreza Wagon (classic) which is my winter car. Never been a huge 4WD fan, but am quite enjoying it in the Impreza.

I'm looking for something more modern for the next car, and will be looking to spend between £7k and £12k tops. I've read in various tests that the 2.0T Quattro is lighter up front due to the smaller engine, and have wondered if it would make a better base car than the S4 for modifying it to around 360BHP and building a cut price RS4 alternative?

Or would I be better going S4? Can I fit RS4 shocks directly to either car, and/or would aftermarket shocks or coilovers be a better bet? I don't want to go too extreme and lose the "Audiness" by modding it and making the suspension too harsh, but I do want to match the RS4's handling.

Does the RS4 have any gadgets the other two don't? And can a T3 40:60 diff be fitted to the 2.0T? What year did they start fitting this diff to the S4?

Sorry for all the questions. My Audi knowledge is not up to scratch.
 
Bad Sir Culation said:
Hi folks. My first post here, so be gentle! I am currently deciding on what car I want next. I'm coming from an MR2 Turbo via a Subaru Impreza Wagon (classic) which is my winter car. Never been a huge 4WD fan, but am quite enjoying it in the Impreza.

I'm looking for something more modern for the next car, and will be looking to spend between £7k and £12k tops. I've read in various tests that the 2.0T Quattro is lighter up front due to the smaller engine, and have wondered if it would make a better base car than the S4 for modifying it to around 360BHP and building a cut price RS4 alternative?

Or would I be better going S4? Can I fit RS4 shocks directly to either car, and/or would aftermarket shocks or coilovers be a better bet? I don't want to go too extreme and lose the "Audiness" by modding it and making the suspension too harsh, but I do want to match the RS4's handling.

Does the RS4 have any gadgets the other two don't? And can a T3 40:60 diff be fitted to the 2.0T? What year did they start fitting this diff to the S4?

Sorry for all the questions. My Audi knowledge is not up to scratch.
Click to expand...

Hello, and welcome.

First off, the 2.0T will be cheaper to mod to RS4 power, but won't have that V8 sound, where the S4 will.
Second, I'd stay away from fitting RS4 shocks. The RS4 uses DRC which is notorious for having issues with oil leaks, etc. Rather spend the cash on a decent set of Coilovers, and fit RS4 swaybars. This combo will give you OEM quality ride when cruising, and excellent performance when pushing it through the bends. One of my best mates has a RS4 and I'm running a 2.0T on Koni coilovers and his ride is teeth shattering at times, and we both prefer my suspension setup.

In terms of gadgets, the RS4's come with those sport seats which have little airpumps which tighten up the bolsters when you hit the "S" button, carbon trim, push button engine start. Everything else was optional on the lesser B7's
 
There is a company in the states that can change the ratio of the centre differential from the current 2:1 to 4:1. (Note you will need to take out your centre differential and send it to them)...im not too sure if the s4 diff would fit the 2.0TFSi..i'd have to check part numbers and find out.
 
Bad Sir Culation said:
Changing the ratio is cool and all, but it doesn't alter the normal drive to 40:60 does it?
Click to expand...
The current setup 2:1 diff gives between 33/66 to 66/33 front/rear split. The 4:1 upgrade would allow up to a 20/80 or 80/20 front/rear split. So as you can see the rear torque bias is increased massively.
 
just buy an rs4
if you get a 2.0T and mod it out for power looks and trim its gona cost as much as a rs4 would cost you
and your never gona get the sound right
 
solaris said:
The current setup 2:1 diff gives between 33/66 to 66/33 front/rear split. The 4:1 upgrade would allow up to a 20/80 or 80/20 front/rear split. So as you can see the rear torque bias is increased massively.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but under normal driving, with equal traction, it would still run as 50:50 and not 40:60 wouldn't it?
 
bez101 said:
just buy an rs4
if you get a 2.0T and mod it out for power looks and trim its gona cost as much as a rs4 would cost you
and your never gona get the sound right
Click to expand...

Or any of your money back... Seriously - just by and RS4 B5 or B7. Job done. Do some sums..
 
Pros and cons here, you also have to consider the road tax, insurance and maintenance costs that the RS4 carries not to mention the fuel economy in comparison to a highy modified 2.0T.
 
Big arches, bumpers, interior, steering wheel and all those other bits without even considering bodywork and paint will come to thousands! I've seen these cars come up for sale based on TDI's and 3.0L Quattros, they all say the same - 20k+ spent. And they only ever sell for half that!

The money he will loose building an RS4 will go a long way to subsidising the road tax, insurance and maintenance costs of running a reall B5/B7 RS4..

Just my opinion of course, I just hate to see people throwing away money. On the flip side, you could argue it is al about the experience of the build. A hobby, a past time - then who can argue with putting a cost against fun. ; )
 
Last edited:
I'm with Audisport and Bez on this., If you want a dog, no point buying a cat and trying to make it bark.
 
AudiSport said:
Big arches, bumpers, interior, steering wheel and all those other bits without even considering bodywork and paint will come to thousands! I've seen these cars come up for sale based on TDI's and 3.0L Quattros, they all say the same - 20k+ spent. And they only ever sell for half that!

The money he will loose building an RS4 will go a long way to subsidising the road tax, insurance and maintenance costs of running a reall B5/B7 RS4..

Just my opinion of course, I just hate to see people throwing away money. On the flip side, you could argue it is al about the experience of the build. A hobby, a past time - then who can argue with putting a cost against fun. ; )
Click to expand...

My comment was more directed on tuning the engine to match RS4 performance. I would definately agree with you chaps in that it would not be worth while making the modifications to the body.
 
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