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Having owned an 85 euro 5 speed and now own an 87 S4 5 speed, the great thing about the sticks is you have better control of the launch. The additional torque of the S4 lend themselves to a lower RPM launch vs. the euro. The euro was a more "raw" car. Would get sideways easier, but that's more attributed to the final drive ratio being MUCH lower. The engine did seem to rev "faster" and had more of a race car sound and feel. I would like to have a lower final drive ratio on the S4 but it get's up to speed just fine.
Having driven both around a track (albeit not the same track) there are advantages to both but all of that pales to the improved brakes on the S4. I always felt the 85 was too much car for the smaller brakes on the euro. I always wanted to find an 86 euro. Oh well. I've never had the opportunity to drive my S4 on the autobahn though. The euro was hell to handle at 140. Just didn't want to go much faster and "walked" the lanes but this was of no fault to the car. You have to remember most cars in Europe are small (read much more narrower than a 928) and the slight grooves in the road were narrower than the 928 which left it hunting the grooves. My 2003 M3 was much more stable and confident at speeds over 150. I'd like to compare it to the S4 but that'll have to wait a few more years. Okay, I've rambled long enough. Bottom line refined vs. raw. Youth vs. experience. What are you looking for in a GT?
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