I drove the S8, and it’s an absolute beast, but the head room in it just is obnoxious (I’m 6′0″ tall and felt VERY CRAMPED in the S8). My wife who is very claustrophobic couldn’t stand it.

However she fell in love with the Q7 with the full panoramic sunroof. So we bought it. While we were waiting to get it, I was wandering around when I see the RS4 sitting at the front of the show room. So I ask to take it for a test drive (they have to literally remove every car from the showroom to get it out), and I proceeded to get to take it on a back road adventure (I live in Pasadena, CA we have lots of twisty hillside roads), and instantly fell in love with it. So with some creative financing, I ended up convincing the wife that we can afford 2 cars, and I got my car, something “I would enjoy driving” and the practical car (her new 2009 Q7). It was a best of both worlds.

Having the RS4 for 4 weeks now, I still am enthralled with it, can’t wait to spend more time in it (I literally am looking for excuses to go out driving), and to drive it for many years to come. My only let down was not seeing this review before I bought it, but had I done so, I probably would have felt biased buying the car, instead seeing it after the purchase, I can’t agree more about what a fun car this is to drive, plus it’s big enough to drop the kids off at school in.

I have recently purchased a 2007 RS4 and have yet to go through the 6k mark on the speedo, I traded up from a BMW 335 Coupe. This is my first Audi having been a BMW man for a long time and all i will say is, it will be a long long tine before i considering going back, Whilst i am mile late in the response to the review i am still in dreamland as to what this Imola Yellow Flying machine is capable of. We do not see much American Muscle over here in the UK however the competition from Mercedes / BMW in my opinion are not close in terms of the overall year round performance and that includes the new M3 and the C63 AMG, all you have to do is put a little water on the surface and then ask where the M3 & AMG are in comparison.

My hats off to you. This is automotive journalism perfection. You have captured the true essence of what a car like the RS4 is about, and for that I applaud you.

It is a rare occasion to read an automotive review and be left giggling like the 6 year old boy I once was, and scared at the same time of V8 monster on the loose.

Congrats Johnny

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Could comment on the decision by AUDI to not import the Cabriolet version of the RS4? And what could be done to make them change their mind?

Thanks,

PS: Great review…

I have long been eligible for a mid-life crisis, and some would say that I now have more money than sense. After testing the Arnage and Flying Spur (a fabulous car), I decided against the wanton excess of Bentley (for now), and I followed the predictable M3, M5 and M6 path. All are quite superb, but when a man my age drives one of those cars, he is proudly announcing his testosterone deficiency……all the more if he tries to squeeze into a Porsche.

Your review inspired me to take a look at the RS4, and I now own one. It’s been about 2 weeks, and I have barely 1,000 miles on it, but the car has become a consuming passion. The “vulgar joy” of driving the car is magnified by its unforgettable sound….a mechanical symphony….and the car defies the laws of gravity.

My 16-year old motorhead son lusts mightily for the car, but he will not touch it until I am dead and in the ground. On second thought, I want to be buried with the car. Cheers and thanks for an inspiring review…..Audi should put you on salary.

Still, if the E39 M5 is the best BMW ever, the simple fact is that the RS4 is more powerful, has a smaller engine, revs higher, is faster, handles better, is lighter (not by much) and when new cost less.

Here’s a fun little vid of an RS4(avant) v. CSL drag race
http://www.revlovers.com/pages/videos:show:vidid,264?p=

And 5th gear’s comparision of the two doesn’t reflect the utter dominance you proclaim either.

I know TTAC hasn’t done a head to head yet, but I think RS4 v. M3 would be a great way to get that party started (preferably with comments from both you and Farago…).

Like I said, I tried really hard, and could only get it to understeer when in second gear going through a turn of 90 degrees or more.

Though I think that had more to do with having to brake like mad and get the wheel turned than it did with the chassis.

I’ve taken slower cars through the same corners — like the Fusion — and they can handle it no problem, but the RS$ is so damn fast that it builds up too much speed on the straights and for my meager driving skillz.

It’s fun to debate the various performance factors and in the end it is all preference. It reminds me of the eBay ad where two guys are sitting and they are considering selling their lime green VW bug and the one guy says to the other, “Who would want that thing!?”…….then they list it and the next scene is of a guy sitting at his lime green PC in his all lime green house/room and he sees the lime bug go for sale on line and just goes mad clicking to purchase it – there’s something for everyone.

If anyone of you with the R8’s are ever cruising through Seattle, I’m going to need to request a pitstop for a “demo” ride and discussions about how many times you evaded the cops on your way to Seattle. :)

My two cents on cars:

M3: Great car.
M3: 07/08 – scary appearance, probably decent performance.

M5: previous bodystyle: awesome, the rims are nice.
M5: 06: ok but still too close to the lame 3 series body.

Z06: crazy fast car for the money, decent looks. Needs to be updated every few years though so it looks fresh and not like Night Rider.

I probably came in a little too hot and that’s why I got a little understeer into the first corner and couldant really hang it out into the second apex.

I only had the RS4 for an hour, so probably don’t know how to drive it properly.

My point being, is the RS4 seemed liked it was dialled in with some underster for safety while the M3 would pretty much do whatever you want.

Either way, it wasn’t an extensive test. Just an observation. I’ve got my order in for the R8, so let’s hope this banger kicks ass!

I tried really, really hard.

With the Traction Nanny off, the rear-end just slid in full blow oversteer.

What were you doing?

HP/Liter fans always cite F1, but the fact is, they have no choice due to regulations on displacement, so they have to conform to the sanctioning bodies whims to remain legal.

Please go drive a lowly 70 HP per liter C6 Z06 that happens to make well over 500 HP and get better mileage than a 330 HP E46 M3 and tell me if it is a “serious performance product.” Incidentally, the Z06’s 7 liter motor weighs the same or less than the iron block S54, and is dimensionally more compact, despite having over double the displacement. It avoids the gas guzzler tax while still running 11 second quarter miles and near 200 mph at the big end.

Don’t get me wrong, the S54 is a wonderful motor, but it is to the Z06’s LS7 what the S2000 is to the S54.

I agree the RS4 suffers due to the engine being up front.

Well let me say as someone who has had 4+ months in my RS4, its understeer just isn’t there unless you are taking it to 10/10ths on a track. Do you really plan on tracking an RS4 more than once or twice a year? And that understeer doesn’t mean it underperforms, it just means it gives up a bit of it’s perfection at the highest extremes. The RS4 is nothing short of magic and masterpiece.

The M3 motor is an S54, not S51, and why does HP/liter define how good a motor is?

My mistake. You’re correct. Let’s leave forced induction out of the debate for the moment. I think HP/Liter is a good measure on how much design and development has gone into an engine. Think about F1. If I am spending serious dollars on a car, I want to know every effort has been made to extract as much HP/Litre as possible. In my view, if you’re not producing at least 100HP/Litre in 2006, you’re not serious about your “performance product”

However, it’s all about personal preference. I LOVE Naturally Aspirated engines that rev hard & fast, with instant throttle response. Engines that scream and wail all they way to redline! That’s what I believe a serious engine should be, in the purist form.

I’ve owned a yellow S2000 back in 2001 and yeah I agree. No torque. Which makes it a bit of a dog on the street, but keep it spinning above 6k and it’s lots of fun.

And yes, you’re correct. The M5 and M6 do produce more than 100HP/L and using this logic, I would expect the New M3 to match this formula.

BUT, one thing I have noticed, the NEW M3 will certainly be much heavier than the E46 and so, I’m concerned about what this might do to overall performance.

From a design perspective though, BMW have definately dropped the ball. If the New M3 looks anything like the 335i, then I don’t want it. It looks like a Civic/Lexus from the rear.

quantimouse

Yes, I hope the mid-engine in the R8 does solve the understeer problem and I agree the RS4 suffers due to the engine being up front.

Hopefully the R8 will share as much tech as possible from the Lambo and it will be an awesome machine!

I chose the R-Tronic because I love BMW SMG II so much, I can’t go back to a standard Manual Gearbox!!

I haven’t driven a Gallardo yet, so I’m not sure what their E-Gear is like, but I’ve heard it shifts hard.

Good luck with the R8!

About understeer in Audis. You are incorrect about the reasons, it has nothing in the case of the RS4 to do with AWD, and it has everything to do with the front weight bias, given that the 4.2L engine is sitting ahead of the front axel.

The AWD is not the limiting factor, and you also are mistaken, although the torque split is 60/40, the RS4 can give up to 100% of it’s torque to the rear when needed.

It’s true that the 911 defaults in the opposite way, by giveing only 5% up front and then gradually giving more as needed, where as the RS4 starts out 60/40 in normal conditions and dials back torque when needed.

In either case, the R8 will NOT have understeer. For holy moly sakes, its engine is in the middle, it will be nearly perfectly balanced and it uses the AWD system from the Gallardo, which according to the head designer of the R8 defaults to a rough average of 70% torque in the rear and up to 100% where needed.

New review in Evo magazine has him quoted as saying that when the ECS is turned off, the car will oversteer like a Lambo and you can induce powerslides easily.

Make no mistake, the R8 will not fail to dissapoint on these points, and forthcoming changes to the B8 platform will put the engine slightly further back over the front axel to help weight distribution.

Now to address your points about the RS4. It is supposed to be a more refined car, it is a luxury performance car first, not a track car. I prefer the smooth gearbox, you call it dambpened, I call it like butter. I love it. I say that recognizing that technically the M3 gearbox is a better gearbox for the track.

As far as understeer in the RS4, it can be dialed out if you want to track the car by changing cambre settings, as well as installing a Stasis motorsport suspension using much stiffer spring rates in the front and rear. Default DRC in the RS4 has low spring rates since DRC does a mock job of countering motion through it’s hydraulic system.

The RS4 is perfect for what it is. I’m not sure what you mean the M3 has hardest revving. What does that mean? The RS4 revs easily, its just throwing itself at the limiter.

I look forward to the R8, however mine will be with a gated shifter. Why did you chose R-Tronic (aka modified Lambo EGear?)

The M3 motor is an S54, not S51, and why does HP/liter define how good a motor is?

Using that flawed logic, the Honda S2000 engine is superior to the S54 (120 hp/liter), and we all know that’s not true….it’s all about area under the curve, unless you live in Japan where larger motors get hit with the displacement tax.

Anyway, considering that the M5/M6 make 100 HP/liter from their 5 liter V10s, and there is already a 300+ HP 335i turbo, I have no doubt that the next M3’s V8 will have 400+hp from its 4 liters…but more importantly, it will out torque the S54’s piddling 262 lb ft or torque.

M3 SMG
1. The M3 has the hardest shifting & fastest gearbox on the market.
2. M3 has the hardest revving engine in this catagory.
3. M3 is 6 Years old and still develops more than 100BHP/Litre.
4. M3 is very adjustable on the track at the limit. Great feedback.
5. Overall a very RAW and Focused package.

RS4
1. Wow, what an engine, the sound is incredible. Revs damn hard.
2. Great spark cut rev limiter. Makes driving this hard an aurale pleasure.
3. AWD still gives understeer on the limit even with the 60% rear bias.
4. Gearbox is primitive and slow compared to SMG.
5. Gearshifts are subdued and dampened.
6. It maybe faster than the M3 but it feels a little to refined. M3 feels more ferocious.

So, will the NEW BMW M3 have the goods?
I doubt it. The 4.0 V8 will not match the output per litre of the S51 3.2L. This is a jewel of an engine.

Should AUDI futher develop the Quattro system to reduce understeer?
Yes, AUDI will need to develop AWD similar to the Porsche 911 Turbo (997) System or Lambo system. On the limit, these AWD system feel like a rear wheel drive. Audi need to address this fast.

Is BMW dead?
Unfortunately, I think so. They make great engines and gearboxes (SMG II/III) BUT Audi has the better overall package and finer attention to detail.

What about the R8?
I’ve actually just ordered one. I was the first order at my dealership. I hope the R-Tronic gearbox shifts hard and I hope understeer doesn’t spoil my day. Fingers crossed for Aug 2007 Delivery!!

especially in silver or dentist copper (sorry porsche fans)

LOL.. That’s got to be a classic.

There is no reason to have this car, it blows its own doors off and it guzzles too much gas………but that is what an enthusiast kind of vehicle is…..and it takes one to know one.

I had the pleasure of riding in one at the Audi Driving Experience (where I took 3 times more than my fair share of lap turns with the pro-driver – just to hear it wind up), I can tell you that this car is the real deal.

I am an american muscle car fan so the comments about the Z06 are relevant. The Z06 is amazing car for the value but there is something “up” with the the branding of a vette, just like the comments about the Porsche too. The branding of the vette is such that in two years you’ll have to have to latest vette to retain the “presence” of the vehicle and with Porsche, they haven’t changed their body style in uh……never. Its essentially the same frame for 100 years………especially in silver or dentist copper (sorry porsche fans).

I grew up with my dad’s 67 vette’s, mustang cobra’s and yes even an el camino with copper rims and I can tell you this car is all the muscle but you get the fancy interior too. It makes you feel special everyday you get in it, even though let’s face it, you aren’t, you’re just another toolbag on the freeway of life……but at least you can CRUSH anyone else on the road with the flick of the pedal.

I’ve also had guys at gas stations call the RS4 a “panty dropper” and warn me that the car will wreck my marriage. Women notice this car wherever I drive it. Again, not that I care, I had no way of expecting this attention from this car.

I think your friend not only has no clue about cars, but probably has no clue about women either :)

And I respect your car credentials Jonny, but if you think new 7 series is a stunning design statement, and not a toaster oven on wheels, then I don’t know what to say. We disagree I guess.

The 3 series sedan is “OK” by me. The new 3 series coupe on the other hand is a miserable joke.

He only buys cars based on he [i]thinks[/i] women will perceive him.

He really didn’t like the looks of the RS4.

“$70,000? How will anyone know you’ve spent $70,000?”

The new 3 is dreadful. It is a cop out — a half measure. The 7 is a stunning design statement — a victory. The 5 is a misfire — especially the hood — but at least trying.

The 3… double yuck.

If so, that would explain our different tastes. I think the RS4 is gorgeous and the 7 and 5 Bangal designs are hideous. The new 5 has a rear end that is so pinched and big that its an eye soar.

And then to make things weirder, I happen to think that the 3 series (the new one) is the only one that “gets away with” the bangal design without making me want to puke. I also can tolerate the Z and M Coupe with the bangal design as well.

It’s funny you think the RS4 is generic. I thought it was going to elicit that response as well, but I’ve since lost count of the hundreds if not thousands of people at gas stations, sidewalks, etc. who’ve been caught in a bambi in headlights-like stare at this car.

Go figure eh?