Review: RS4 for the Day

[Durgesh]

So yesterday, we (My Business Partner and I) were handed the keys to a RS4.

Mission: Drive 120 West, Install a Router, And drive back !

Got to test the car, in Town, Motorway, and some very nice A/B Roads.

So what's it like?

The inside is very nice place to be, the build quality is top notch, you can feel it as soon as you shut the door.

The Nav screen is really high res, interface/menu layout a lot like the Apline systems.

Clutch and Steering are ultra light, however steering does get harder once you start moving faster.
Both the clutch and steering have no feedback at all. Therefore clutch tend's to give un-smooth changes until you have got used the bite point.

Power is on Tap, and very linear, same all the way through the rev range. Engine sound very nice, however not as loud as I thought it would be.

Nice amount of torque low down, more than Lambo had.

Amazing drive on the motorway, effortless...

"Sport button", does improve response, but its not the night and day, effect like the M3/CSL.

Again, the 4WD system let me down, car not playfull enough, like the Lambo she does not step out of line, even if you want her to. You can put all the power down through all the gears everytime.

Got straight into the CSL afterwards, and knew then I still own the right car for me.

I did prefer the RS4 over the Lambo, but even then the CSL is much better.

Much more of a thrill, its not that its all over the place, its just the power delivery, and handling are much more connected to the driver than the RS4/Lambo, it "feels" a lot faster.

If I was spending circa 45k, I would buy the RS4, but only because the new M3 is not out.

Can't wait to drive that, I have a feeling she is not going to let us down.

Durgesh

[RoRu]

It's nice to hear that the M3/CSL still cut the mustard even though their a few years older than the RS4.

It was the 4WD of the Impreza that finally made me sell it, even though it was as near a damn it 400bhp you could use it when ever where ever you wanted driving wasn't a challenge any more, a good RWD chassis is far more rewarding IMO.

[Black Sabbath]

It seems to be a problem for Audi that their cars just haven't got the "extra" bit that they need to make them an awesome car,because looks wise it is really cool.

[mysticm3]

because they are both Audi diggy :D

[rahrah]

..ive had soo many audis and the main problem i feel is that there is just no steering feel with the s and rs cars, and the thing that really annoyed me was that you could hardly hear the engine!

[Raj]

Nice review Digs. I guess the thing with Audi is that they try to produce cars that are seriously fast, but that also can be handled by anyone too. The likes of the CSL, etc are for purists who actually want to feel connected to the car and road, and also want to use their own skill to actually get the car to do what they want. Have to say though, would still love an RS4 (but avant though).

[churchwa]

I still love them, each to their own, some people want to feel thrilled by speed, otheres empowered. I am of the latter, i would rather the rear end never came out and i could floor it in any conditions. Having said that, i do drive an S2000. lol

[Juber]

My fav car manufacturer is begining to move from BMW to audi now :o
Their range of cars are just so nice, Q7, RS4, RS6, TT, and evan better the R8!!

The RS4's are an absolute beast! i love them sooo much (sorry to say but ile pick an RS4 over an M3) .
Theres a nice light blue convertible RS4 @ Basingstoke Audi. awesome looking car, the best thing about the New RS4 is the recaro seats, they are spot on.
Thing is you pay £70k one min next min they are £45k :(

I do like the RS4 Avant better than the saloon must admit, but if you have got money to buy a car like that then you have 2 just get the convertible, that way youl hear the noise, feel the wind etc :)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/jubzsta/pic02.jpg

[Nickleback]

Good review Digs, I also find Audi's "Sterile" based on owning A3's & A4's :( , If they could just get them to give far more driver feedback & involvement, BMW would have some really serious competition then !:eek:

[churchwa]

Audi are not trying to take on BMW, why would they. They have their own appeal, not everyone looks for the same thing in a car. I would have an RS4 over an M3/CSL any day of the week, not that i dont like the CSL, it is just not the car i would want if given the choice. I am happy Audi stick to what they do best, and BMW stick to what they do best. Audi offers 4wd, it is part of their history and as such gives a very different feel, some like it, others dont.

[Silver]

luv tat yellow rs4 nice!!..

audi faster around tracks and drag. Downside is...there no fun...it feels too safe.

But then again...i happy with either those 2 cars..i wont b complaining.