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B6 S4 Performance vs B6 A4

Abe Froman

Abe Froman

Member
Hi all,

As you all know, I sold my modded B6 A4 S-Line Avant not too long ago. Unfortunately circumstances have changed and I am no longer able to get the car I was originally intending to upgrade to (originally an E60 M5, which later changed to an E46 M3).

I'm currently considering a B6 S4 sedan to get me by for the time being.

My question is, how does the B6 S4 performance compare to that of a APR stage 1+ B6 A4? Possibly even real world qtr mile numbers could help?? I know Alister briefly went from his B6 A4TQ to a B6 S4. Anyone else done the change and can comment?

Thanks in advance,
Linh
 
B6 S4 > E46 M3

4wd
V8
$10k-$15k cheaper for a comparable mileage same year car
Better interior
Its not a BM
Clarkson prefers it as a DD!


I am biased though...
 
Would've thought the S4 murders the A4 APR 1+!

I sold my A4 B6 APR Stage 1 this year and went to BMW 335i, and there's a vast difference in performance. The 335i and S4 (B6 and B7) stack up pretty similarly, so although its not a direct comparison, I would think you'd be pretty happy with an S4.
 
actually, ive heard different about the S4 vs 335i.

just to clarify, im not wondering which is faster - it's a no brainer that a stock S4 will be faster than a stage 1+ A4. im wondering about real world comparison's... my car two car's ago was a 12.3s wrx wagon so i know about speed. im more or less wondering how much different it would be... the S4 is more nose heavy so im wondering how different it handles... things like that.

i hope that makes sense... just came back from a bit fat work xmas lunch so im not thinking straight...
 
From real life experience driving a 335 and S4, the 335 is faster everywhere.

I'm sure the S4 is quicker than the A4 Stage 1 but uncertain about handling characteristics. The S4 engine hangs quite far beyond the front wheels and the weight is noticeable. It handles well but I wouldn't call it nimble and yes, there is a tendency for it to want to push the nose wide if you're rough with cornering.
 
Firstly, the best judge of how a vehicle drives/performs is going to be you Linh, so I can't recommend test driving a B6 S4 enough.

From my perspective though, I loved my B6 A4 TQ (which was at a 'Stage 1' level (exhaust, filter, DV, chip/tune)) but didn't consider it to be a fast car. The thing that struck me the most when I first got my B6 S4 was how much low down power it had. It would just pull effortlessly from idle whereas the A4 with the 1.8T was fairly slow off the mark in comparison. The B6 S4 certainly had the ability to give most cars on the road a bit of a run and that was enough for me (for a while at least!).

Being a NA V8, it was also very linear in it's power delivery. This can be seen as either a positive or a negative - in one sense it always had good power available in any gear, but if you like the rush that only a forced induction car can deliver you might be left wanting after a while.

The sound of the V8 S4 is fantastic, especially with an exhaust (I put a Milltek on mine), but don't buy one expecting to get big gains by modifying like you would in a turbo vehicle.
 
BTW the other thing I should add is that it's more than just the added performance that you're buying when you get an S4.

You also pick up the fully electric Recaro sports seats, bigger/better brakes and a number of other niceties such as the auto dimming rear view mirror.
 
ok thats more like the info that im after :) i knew you'd come through as always, Alister :)

the thing that pissed me off about my audi was that it was so slow and if i wanted to do the next step of stage 3, well, the minister of finance wasn't allowing me to do it at the time. hence why the M5 beckoned (get the cost out of the way in the purchase then just enjoy it, instead of always modding...).

as stated earlier, my new budget is.. well... ****. and the only thing i can see that's worthy(ish) in the 40k ish mark is the S4.

thanks again for the input though. not many B6 S4's in SA so will be hard to test drive but ultimately as you said, a test drive will answer my questions the most.
 
Phorte said:
OK. also, what's your opinion on the S4's handling with the heavier front nose compared to the A4TQ?
Click to expand...

They do carry some weight and I wouldn't describe it as the most agile car.

Relative to the A4 though they're still reasonable handler.
 
Linh
I was rather disappointed with my B6 S4, however it was an auto. I felt it lacked the agility and "fun" factor of the S-Line A4. I must say the engine note (when accelerating hard) was terrific but not quite the aural pleasure of a RS4 or E92 M3.

If you've been test driving e46 M3's, the S4 is not close to being in the same league but you probably already know that.
 
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