Driving impressions 88S4 VS 84 Euro

[Mrmerlin]

Having owned both and 88S4 Auto and an 84 Euro S auto 4 speed.

I have noticed some differences in the way each car drives.

The 84 Euro S is more of a raw driving experience, the early LH system has a interesting feature, when you let off the gas it starts slowing down with the engine still providing braking.
The car seems to be less refined in the ride, but its still well connected to the road.
The transmissions are both similar, and the Euro has a bit more cabin noise.
But I would say that the chassis is still built like a vault, the doors close with a resounding clunk , the engine seems to be a bit more lively and it revs somewhat quicker.
The controls all work the same, and its fun driving with the roof open.
The Euro seems to accelerate briskly and the driveline seems to transfer more of its vibrations to the cabin, not in a bad way but i can feel it ( think more of a connected feeling).

The S4 OTOH is more refined, the ride has more of a smooth controlled feeling.
Its definitely quieter with the windows and roof closed.
The transmission can be kept in the D mode and it will seemingly loaf along, however drop it down a few notches, and the drive line comes alive.
The engine is also more powerful, though it seems to have a slower response while revving compared to the Euro.
When letting off the gas the car has more of a coasting feel as the later LH shuts off the gas.
The ride is not jarring, but controlled and connected .
I have Bilstiens on the 88 and red Boges on the Euro.
S4 is a great car for long drives and since its quieter it results in less driver fatigue.

Both cars are fun to drive and both have their own character. I enjoy both of them. For around town driving i would take the Euro, for a long ride say 500 miles or more I would take the S4.
That said the Euro would definitely be fun for a long drive as well

[MPDano]

Very cool comparison. Now I know. Someday when I finish my Euro, I'm getting an S4.

[Normy]

I came to the same conclusions 10 years ago when I went shopping for a 928. The one S4 that I test drove was exactly what you've described- it was quiet, smooth...it seemed to ooze around town like a cat stalking its prey, waiting to pounce.

The S2 that I eventually bought on the other hand did nothing smoothly or quietly. It was much louder [bear in mind, the S4 had a stock exhaust, while what eventually became my car had what looked like a sewer pipe hanging off the bottom...], and it rides far harsher [Bilsteins], the steering felt quicker and lighter, and I remember it felt way more powerful. It's obvious that when Porsche redesigned the car for the S4 model, they spent some time reducing NVH.

The S2 just felt like it wanted to interact more with its' driver, so I chose it over the S4. The guy wanted too much for the S4 anyway.

N

[Danglerb]

84 Euro and S4 should have basically the same AT, 4 spd, with maybe slightly higher ratio final drive on the Euro, and a couple hundred less pounds in the S2, maybe some of the differences are due adjustments in the controls etc.?

How do the two cars compare off the line?

Does the S2 kick in as the rpm goes up, or pretty much tear from the get go?

I was thinking the higher mid rpm torque on the S4 might be something you could really feel as faster than the S2.

[Mrmerlin]

Euro is faster off the line but the S4 will catch it once it gets going.
Both have the 4 speed auto.
Since the Euro doesnt have the flappy control it just seems to take off, the S4 OTOH is a bit slower on the launch but once the flappy opens it takes off as well with less drama

[BLK87S4]

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?

[sonett3]

The s4 only has 9 more hp that the euros

[Mrmerlin]

Torque for an 84 Euro S is 295
S4 =317

[Alan in AZ]

I don't know why the coast-down results would be the way you describe... since the S4 cuts fuel on decelleration (down to idle) I'd expect the engine braking to be at least as effective as in the '84...?

Anyone have any idea why it would be different?

Alan

[Danglerb]

Rear end ratio, the higher ratio on the Euro means the engine rpm is higher for a given MPH, which means more slowing force.

[Mrmerlin]

Alan what it feels like on the Euro, is that the fuel isnt being shut off when the throttle is released like it does in the S4,
So if you let off the gas in the euro you have engine braking, as the engine is still slowing with the fuel on.
I have not driven any other Early LH cars so I dont really have anything to compare it to