Finally, an all German car Lineup!

[frencjas]

Well, I finally did it! I sold my 2000 Nissan Maxima 5spd and purchased a 2000 Audi S4 with 6 speed and no sunroof, thus completing my all german car lineup, along with my 1977 911s lightweight w/3.6 Vram. I was initially contemplating getting a 1990+/- C4 for daily use, but after driving a few Audis with the 2.7t engine, and thinking about overall utility, the Audi got my vote. I must say, I couldn't be happier with my decision.

One of the major plusses is the tunability of the S4, and the ability to get well over 400 HP with minimal investment in Porsche $ terms. I hate to say it, but some of my Porsche vigor has been replaced with my newfound enthusiasm for Audi and their well engineered autos. I anticipate spending more money on the S4 in the next 2 years than my Porsche (which is a pretty much complete track car for me).

My first 2 hours in the S4 after I bought it included a no drama (somewhat unintended) 4 wheel drift on a windy road in the area, with 3 ADULT PASSENGERS with similar automobile enthusiasm as me! Can't do that in a 911!(or the Maxima due to its propensity to heavily understeer) I still feel that there is no substitute for Porsche, but Audi gets my vote for 4 door auto bliss!

See you in the 911 forum,

[audi2.7t]

Congrats on the S4 but be careful with chipping etc. ,those
Ko3's can't handle to much boost . Check audiworld.com for a wealth of info on these cars....
Sam.

[kach22i]

The Audi system is AWD and not 4WD, right?

Does it feel like a FWD car until there is wheel slip?

Also, from what I've read you can't tow, is that correct?

[84porsche]

Welcome to the All German Car Lineup Family. My family is close, I think all we need is a Benz now. The parents have Toyotas but the rest of us got the right idea.

My brother: BMW 528i
My sister: Audi A4
Me: VW Jetta
Porsche 911

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'd be curious about your feedback on the S4 as well, in six months or so I may be facing a similar decision (S4 vs. 911) for a daily driver. My current A4 is an incredibly high quality car, but the driving experience is a little bland. Good, but not exciting. I love the car, but I want the excitement that an S4 might give me. Of course, when the time comes it'll be hard to resist another Porsche.

[UconnTim97]

Originally posted by kach22i

Also, from what I've read you can't tow, is that correct?

My roommate had to get his towed via flatbed a few times...

[frencjas]

Sam, I'll probably chip if it isn't already. It seems very fast for the heavy car that it is, but it could very well be stock. It does have lowering springs (not coil over), so the mods may have not ended there. I'll run the K03's till they crap out, or for a couple of years, whichever comes first, then go with the K04's.

Kach, It is and feels to me like an AWD car with phenomenal launch grip due to the AWD. Nairy a chance of lighting them up unless you are hard launching in the wet, or powering out of a corner in second gear, in the wet, of course. I have only lost traction dropping throttle mid corner, and burying the throttle on a wet onramp. Both instances, the result was 4 wheel slippage. The tendency for the car is to understeer, but oversteer can DEFINATELY be induced.

As far as the rest of my family, they're all pretty much hopeless, except my brother who is a VW fanatic. My wife drives a Suburban, and my parents drive GM products too! My son is into the Jeep scene. My daughter on the other hand shows signs of good taste in automobiles, as she currently likes the Z4 from BMW, and was into Boxsters for a while.

Matt, My buddy has an A4 with 2.8 and 5 speed, and the driving experience tends to be as you said, a bit bland. The S4, on the other hand, has the power to thrill, but is still quiet and refined. Definately not a 911, but then again, you can haul more than just 1 adult passenger if need be, and fly fast under the radar. The key for me is that I don't yearn for the 911 when I'm driving the S4. The S4 is more useful in real world use, bumpy roads, wet roads, rain, standing water, snow, etc... and won't bite you as bad when you make a mistake.

I'm a Porsche guy first and foremost, but Audi is right now a close second for me!

[kach22i]

Originally posted by frencjas
feels to me like an AWD car with phenomenal launch grip due to the AWD.

I'll have to look into one soon. I will be looking at 5-year old cars soon as I only drive 5,000 miles a year (+ P-car fun) and my old ride is dying from rust and age. Don't know if I'll get the hovercraft running anytime soon (towing reason - way less than 1,000 lbs with trailer), as the Porsche keeps begging for my attention.

Towing on a flatbed is not what I had in mind Uconn, but's that's a funny take on it.

[rcm]

I have an A4 Quattro that is great for an everyday ride. Living in NH it's the only way to go. German line up

A4
911
Mini ?
Our dog is a German Shepard
My wife has a little German in her. (no comments please)
I work for a German based distributor...ski biz
How am I doing?

[Fast82930]

That's a fine car to add to your collection Jason.

My wife's daily driver was an 87 Carrera until May of 2000... Then we took delivery of the first Imola Yellow S4 to show up in Seattle.

Since then the Carrera's role has changed to "fair weather" only use. In fact, my wife has never taken the Carrera on the big track, a single skills day and autocross are all it has seen.

The S4 on the other hand now makes around 340hp and has H&R Ultra Coilovers, Stoptech big front brakes etc... She's had this car out at Pacific Raceway a half dozen times and ran it at Portland for Rainbonnet this year.

These cars are so easy to drive fast it's sick... And talk about braking...

Enjoy!

Lyall

[audi2.7t]

It is a great car BUT do NOT under any circumstance buy one that is not CPO (certified pre owned)......the 2.7t (S4+ A6) is a car that needs a warranty...period !.
Sam.

[Steve 82SC]

Jason,

My buddy bought a 2000 S4 new. He had a myriad of problems, all stemming from ignition-related issues traced back to the coils. They went bad on him one-by-one. Audi would not replace all of them at one time, but would only replace them as they went bad, which necessitated a few flatbed tows. Finally, they acknowledged that a particular production run of coils were bad. See if you can check the history on your car related to this issue.

Steve

[frencjas]

Originally posted by audi2.7t
It is a great car BUT do NOT under any circumstance buy one that is not CPO (certified pre owned)......the 2.7t (S4+ A6) is a car that needs a warranty...period !.
Sam.

Oops, too late!

I'll take my chances, and pay for problems as they arise (and they will, no doubt!) I'll take my 7K+ in savings over the CPO cars, and use it for repairs.

Lyall, I am stoked about taking it to the track, as from what I can tell, it will be a blast, especially in the rain! Once I drive it for a while in stock form (except for its current lowering springs), and shake out all the bugs, I am going to go with a simple chip upgrade to bring it to just over 300hp. Then in the next couple of years, i will probably bite the bullett and go with the K04 upgrade if I don't get into too much trouble with 300+ hp. Oh yeah, the brakes, they feel faultless, but I'm sure a 40 minute session at the track will prove otherwise (fade?) I can't wait to find out!

[audi2.7t]

Originally posted by frencjas
Oops, too late!

I'll take my chances, and pay for problems as they arise (and they will, no doubt!) I'll take my 7K+ in savings over the CPO cars, and use it for repairs.

Oh well, hopefully you'll be lucky... it's a great car, takes a while to really learn how to use the Quattro system though, you have to program your brain to understand that you have to hit the gas to make it effective, it's a little disconcerting at first because your automatic reaction is to ease off the gas when it slides, this cancels the ability of the Quattro system, once you learn to nail it when it breaks loose it's a blast, also, get used to checking your oil on a very regular basis, the bi-turbo likes to drink a few quarts between changes (synthetic of course) but it does hold about 7.5 qts. Don't rely on the alarm for theft prevention, it's a joke and lord have mercy when you have to do something simple like change a signal bulb... you'll see.
Good luck though and enjoy.

[kach22i]

A4 sounds nice, but I've been thinking about a Vehicross. They only made 5,000 of these and go for more money than I want to spend. If I can hold out till spring, things may look different.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/index.php?s=

[onewhippedpuppy]

Jason, in regards to the coil issue, I believe that several Audi models had that problem during a certain production run, but call Audi and give them the VIN and they can check your car for outstanding recalls. The number I've been given is 1-800-822-2834, I wanted to check my car just for the hell of it. Right now there is a new recall pertaining to control arms wearing out that I think might apply to your car, if your suspension is non-stock it wouldn't apply though. Not sure if you've ever checked it out, audizine.com is also a good site, not as much info as Audi World but less $hit talking too.

[frencjas]

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Jason, in regards to the coil issue, I believe that several Audi models had that problem during a certain production run, but call Audi and give them the VIN and they can check your car for outstanding recalls. The number I've been given is 1-800-822-2834, I wanted to check my car just for the hell of it. Right now there is a new recall pertaining to control arms wearing out that I think might apply to your car, if your suspension is non-stock it wouldn't apply though. Not sure if you've ever checked it out, audizine.com is also a good site, not as much info as Audi World but less $hit talking too.

Thanks for the info. I'll call the number and see what they want to replace on my car! What can it hurt? My car has lowering springs, but I think otherwise the suspension is stock.

I have already been playing with the Quattro system, and working the gas in a slide. Gawd... the car is awesome! Wet onramps are beautiful!