S4 Owners... exciting drive?

[EddieRS3]

I have got a new S4 on order and I am wondering whether or not you find the S4 exciting to drive or not?

Or is it too heavy / clumbersome for some spirited driving? Just trying to establish what sort of car it will be. The S4 sedcuded me in with the decent level of power and acceleration, but coming from an RS3 I'm a bit worried it will be a little lacklustre

I have test drove one for all of about 5 minutes and my salesman was not too encouraging if you get me!

Looking for some genuine owner opinions

 

[Jimbbobw1977]

Not being funny by would you order it if your not to sure and you were only given a poor 5 minute test drive?

It's an expensive car and they should of be bending over to facilitate a long test drive. My previous car I had, my dealer gave me the kys and said off you go on your own for as long as you like, and that was a Ford....

 

[monkey66]

Still running in but I went for a 90min country road drive. Lots of manual gearchanges and was grinning ear to ear.

But I bought this car as an all rounder, refinement and quality. It needs to do chilled as well as spank.

If you just want spank go for something more hardcore but for an all rounder it is stunning.

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[Daggerit]

Don't know if this might give an insight into more spirited driving?

 

[monkey66]

Another good video.

 

[EddieRS3]

Not being funny by would you order it if your not to sure and you were only given a poor 5 minute test drive?

It's an expensive car and they should of be bending over to facilitate a long test drive. My previous car I had, my dealer gave me the kys and said off you go on your own for as long as you like, and that was a Ford....

I can appreciate that but I've bought so many cars without driving them and don't mind. Genuinely, the main reason I bought this is for the practically of space, and the interior (I think one of the nicest places to sit in any modern car!) which you can get a feel of by just sitting in the car. That was enough to sell me. The short drive showed I can drive it practically etc, the fast driving is just a bonus!

The secondary reason is the performance, hence why I am asking that's all!

 

[Daggerit]

In my drive in it I threw it around a fair bit on some twisty B roads. I liked it but it's no 911 obviously. It's got plenty grip, power, brakes and sound to make it fun (in my opinion) and then you still have the practicality you're talking about.

It's a laugh to drive but just don't expect BMW-type steering feedback and I'm sure you'll enjoy.

 

[Joetidman]

Just finished running in my S5 and I must say, once in the right settings yes definitely. IMO the right settings are Dynamic plus manual (or individual if you have the right settings). With control over gearing, the right exhaust noises, its major grin time


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[Joetidman]

To add to the comment above, if it's not in those settings then perhaps you won't get the excitement, but I think that's the point. On my commute there are pretty boring sections with traffic and with the car in comfort and gearbox in drive it just feels like a luxury GT (which I want) but not 'exciting' per se, so I do think you need to judge on different set up, which the demo doesn't always give you


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[Thundercliffe81]

To add to the comment above, if it's not in those settings then perhaps you won't get the excitement, but I think that's the point. On my commute there are pretty boring sections with traffic and with the car in comfort and gearbox in drive it just feels like a luxury GT (which I want) but not 'exciting' per se, so I do think you need to judge on different set up, which the demo doesn't always give you


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Exactly. It's a compromise but it's done better than anybody else I feel. I feel like I'm driving a £50k car. Easily. Luxury and refinement but, in dynamic it all pulls together and does offer a great drive.

Just spanked a Golf R on twisty B roads tonight on way home. It handles its weight well with the sports diff. Exhaust is louder than you think. Good move by Audi. But, yeah...it's no RS3. Not meant to be. Just feels more grown up mate.


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[TipToe]

The car is absolutely brilliant, the refinement, exhaust note and power is amazing. I am still amazed how quickly the car climbs up the speedometer and it never seems to run out of puff.

I agree with the comment above that is feels like the money you are paying for it, I really like it and can't complain about anything.

Just reached 1000 miles today, with every mile is a smile

 

[Greg Goulding]

Is agree with all above. Went from a Z4 to the S4, and it's a much quicker car. It doesn't have the edge that the RS would have, but for me it's absolutely ideal with all that space, power and noise. It's so easy to be a brilliant driver too. My mate couldn't keep up in his Ferrari F430, as the S4 is so forgiving I could give chuck it into any corner and know it'll grip. Lacks any real steering feel, but that is a real benefit when driving casually to work in the mornings etc


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[Thundercliffe81]

Is agree with all above. Went from a Z4 to the S4, and it's a much quicker car. It doesn't have the edge that the RS would have, but for me it's absolutely ideal with all that space, power and noise. It's so easy to be a brilliant driver too. My mate couldn't keep up in his Ferrari F430, as the S4 is so forgiving I could give chuck it into any corner and know it'll grip. Lacks any real steering feel, but that is a real benefit when driving casually to work in the mornings etc


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spot on. I've left R8s for dust in both my B8.5 and my B9. Very underestimated platform.


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[monkey66]

Took Mrs Monkey out for a spin today and she asked me to ease off as she was going to be sick!

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[Dave70]

My mother-in-law thinks its very smooth and quiet, my daughter calls me rather than my wife when she wants picking up and I seem to find lots of excuses to find the long way round. I've learned how to drive it economically (40.4mpg to work) and after accidentally nudging the gear selector over to left had lots of fun with manual. The low growl at 2,500 revs is an addictive sound, the sheer grunt as it goes up to the redline and the gear changes sound brilliant as do the pops when you drop it down - I don't know what it sounds like outside because a) the wife hasn't driven it yet ("it looks complicated to start going") and b) even if she did, I doubt she would want to "pop it like a hooligan". It's great for overtaking, showing up boy racers and pulls like a train up hills. Oh, and it can carry tons of stuff to the tip

 

[Thundercliffe81]

My mother-in-law thinks its very smooth and quiet, my daughter calls me rather than my wife when she wants picking up and I seem to find lots of excuses to find the long way round. I've learned how to drive it economically (40.4mpg to work) and after accidentally nudging the gear selector over to left had lots of fun with manual. The low growl at 2,500 revs is an addictive sound, the sheer grunt as it goes up to the redline and the gear changes sound brilliant as do the pops when you drop it down - I don't know what it sounds like outside because a) the wife hasn't driven it yet ("it looks complicated to start going") and b) even if she did, I doubt she would want to "pop it like a hooligan". It's great for overtaking, showing up boy racers and pulls like a train up hills. Oh, and it can carry tons of stuff to the tip

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[Brasso]

I've learned how to drive it economically (40.4mpg to work) and after accidentally nudging the gear selector over to left had lots of fun with manual. The low growl at 2,500 revs is an addictive sound, the sheer grunt as it goes up to the redline and the gear changes sound brilliant as do the pops when you drop it down

40.4 is impressive. I've never managed more that 37.8 so far and that was driving miss daisy albeit I have quite a few roundabouts on the way to the office so quite a bit to speeding up slowing down.

I love mine. Much more refined than the S3 but just as quick and the ride is excellent. Fun on the B roads and happy to cruise down the motorways.

Get loads in the back, noise is perfect not to quiet not too noisy, growl in dynamic is perfect.

So far very pleased.


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[monkey66]

Just finished running in my S5 and I must say, once in the right settings yes definitely. IMO the right settings are Dynamic plus manual (or individual if you have the right settings). With control over gearing, the right exhaust noises, its major grin time


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Having done a few more drives I have found the same. I use auto or comfort on the motorway or in town. As soon as I hit a country road dynamic and manual and it is a whole new car ...and damn fast.

When I just want a little lift in town I knock the shift back to 'S' and that is a good middle ground.

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[EddieRS3]

I've got my dealers S4 for a full day Saturday now, really looking forward to it! Although mine should be here by about July time so not long to go.

Getting a bit more excited about it now, got the exhaust booked in to be fondled with to give it some more noise already! Should have it for a week before that happens.

Just wish they'd sort out a map for it, nobody can crack the ECU yet so looks like a tuning box is only way forward at this stage

 

[monkey66]

I've got my dealers S4 for a full day Saturday now, really looking forward to it! Although mine should be here by about July time so not long to go.

Getting a bit more excited about it now, got the exhaust booked in to be fondled with to give it some more noise already! Should have it for a week before that happens.

Just wish they'd sort out a map for it, nobody can crack the ECU yet so looks like a tuning box is only way forward at this stage

Is a tuning box a poor alternative to a remap, sorry if that is a dumb question.

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[Joetidman]

Is a tuning box a poor alternative to a remap, sorry if that is a dumb question.

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Yes in a way as you won't get the gains that you would from a custom map...however you might avoid a TD1 flag as you are fooling the ecu rather than tinkering directly with it, so it's the somewhat safer choice. It also doesn't require cracking the ecu as you are effectively creating a slightly false set of input readings which mean the ecu follows its standard maps and increases boost etc on its own


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[monkey66]

Many thanks for the explanation.

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[EddieRS3]

Apparently the ECU in these is particularly hard to crack!

 

[gone]

To respond to the OP, my local dealer handed me the keys to an S4 this morning, "it's fuelled up, off you go, have fun and don't need to top it back up" fantastic attitude, showed me the important controls first then off I went, staggering car, I drive a Freelander currently so a big difference
3-4 week wait now and I will once again have permagrin.

 

[cuke2u]

Apparently the ECU in these is particularly hard to crack!

They said that the ECU in the A3 would never be cracked, but it was. There are always going to be ways and means even to breaking the seals and replacing the chip with a reprogrammed one. It will happen..

 

[EddieRS3]

Well I've had the car for a full day today. Did about 150 miles in it.

Not on the same level as excitement as the RS3, but I am not expecting it to be genuinely. The exhaust note sounds good but there is zero difference between comfort/dynamic in terms of noise. It doesn't get quieter or louder with any switch of modes from what I can tell. Tried this a fair few times.

Handling is good, there isn't the mass of understeer like the RS3 which is great, however I think you'll need the adaptive suspension to help with the bodyroll.

There is no doubt this car is brilliant. But that is all it is, brilliant. It isn't thrilling to drive, but it isnt meant to be. I think with a map and a few exhaust tweaks this car could get that major excitement factor. I've already booked the exhaust tweaking in, just need to wait for a map now

 

[Thundercliffe81]

Well I've had the car for a full day today. Did about 150 miles in it.

Not on the same level as excitement as the RS3, but I am not expecting it to be genuinely. The exhaust note sounds good but there is zero difference between comfort/dynamic in terms of noise. It doesn't get quieter or louder with any switch of modes from what I can tell. Tried this a fair few times.

Handling is good, there isn't the mass of understeer like the RS3 which is great, however I think you'll need the adaptive suspension to help with the bodyroll.

There is no doubt this car is brilliant. But that is all it is, brilliant. It isn't thrilling to drive, but it isnt meant to be. I think with a map and a few exhaust tweaks this car could get that major excitement factor. I've already booked the exhaust tweaking in, just need to wait for a map now

Who's doing the exhaust? Plans?


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[EddieRS3]

Who's doing the exhaust? Plans?


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There is a chap who is very well known in the BMW scene, I've enlisted his help with this. Will be the first S4 he has done, probably first S4 in the country to have exhaust modified so I am quite excited. He specialises in modifying the standard exhaust to have a 'sports exhaust' style. Will see what he can do with the S4 exhaust, might make it worse, might be much better ! Who knows, but I have got to try and don't want to spank £2.5k on a Miltek.

 

[Thundercliffe81]

There is a chap who is very well known in the BMW scene, I've enlisted his help with this. Will be the first S4 he has done, probably first S4 in the country to have exhaust modified so I am quite excited. He specialises in modifying the standard exhaust to have a 'sports exhaust' style. Will see what he can do with the S4 exhaust, might make it worse, might be much better ! Who knows, but I have got to try and don't want to spank £2.5k on a Miltek.

Goes without saying, I am very interested in the results. Keep me posted?


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[EddieRS3]

Absolutely mate I intend to. I should take delivery around early July, got the exhaust mods booked in for 17th.

 

[Thundercliffe81]

Absolutely mate I intend to. I should take delivery around early July, got the exhaust mods booked in for 17th.

What is it that's getting done? Any cutting? I'm on pcp so not sure I could do that


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[EddieRS3]

What is it that's getting done? Any cutting? I'm on pcp so not sure I could do that


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He will have to cut open the back box and potentially the rear silencer/resonator. But they are all welded back properly.

I'm also on PCP, modify at your own risk but I've modded all my cars on PCP and had no issue. You just can't excerise your right to the GFV after your term if the car is not as standard basically. No issues if you intend to sell, return to stock or intend to keep

 

[Thundercliffe81]

He will have to cut open the back box and potentially the rear silencer/resonator. But they are all welded back properly.

I'm also on PCP, modify at your own risk but I've modded all my cars on PCP and had no issue. You just can't excerise your right to the GFV after your term if the car is not as standard basically. No issues if you intend to sell, return to stock or intend to keep

Haha. I'd be trading in if they do t let me sell. As it will be before the 4 year term is up. ****** haha.


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[Spaceman_RS3]

Mine should be number two s4 he does in August can't wait t hear yours Eddie. Wonder what spring options will come out for the s4 over here

There's one space left for Scotland for the exhaust mod in August if anyone fancies

 

[5pot]

I've also enquired about this but Paul (BMW exhaust welder) doesn't touch the cats.

So I'll be going custom and removing the cats. What I'm not sure about yet is if I should do the whole exhaust and get rid of the valves or keep the back box.

 

[EddieRS3]

I've also enquired about this but Paul (BMW exhaust welder) doesn't touch the cats.

So I'll be going custom and removing the cats. What I'm not sure about yet is if I should do the whole exhaust and get rid of the valves or keep the back box.

The valves do nothing mate. Literally nothing.

Honestly the difference between dynamic and comfort is nothing...

 

[Thundercliffe81]

The valves do nothing mate. Literally nothing.

Honestly the difference between dynamic and comfort is nothing...

You're coming from an RS3 though mate You're desensitised! There is a difference. It's just not mammoth is all. I've got the flaps open constantly now via an unplug and it is better. It's a subtle car though isn't it?


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[Joetidman]

Definitely a difference, I flick between them a lot and have covered 1500 miles. Not saying it goes from Austin metro to Lambo, but there is a destinct difference. You will never get the same noise from an S model as you will from an RS, Audi wouldn't allow it, they are just different targeted cars.


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[EddieRS3]

Definitely a difference, I flick between them a lot and have covered 1500 miles. Not saying it goes from Austin metro to Lambo, but there is a destinct difference. You will never get the same noise from an S model as you will from an RS, Audi wouldn't allow it, they are just different targeted cars.


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Honestly the car I drove yesterday had no difference between comfort and dynamic. ALTHOUGH - I only did this at motorway speeds, not pulling off etc. But there was a complete difference in comfort/dynamic at 70mph in the RS, whereas the S4 genuinely no difference that I could tell.

I've no doubt that with the valves unplugged it will make a difference, it's just I couldn't tell between comfort/dynamic

 

[monkey66]

Very strange, mine has an undeniable change in sound and attitude between comfort and dynamic.

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