Review: The best four door performance sedan for the money?

There is something definitely missing on the Audi S4 sedan - racing stripes. Let's face it, the normal A4 has one of Audi's smaller engine compartments, and cramming in a 4.2-liter V-8 engine is like supersizing a mini-burger.

There's barely room for your fingertips between the engine and the edge of the engine compartment.

Not content with a whopping 340 horsepower, Audi tweaked the suspension and put on 18-inch wheels to make handling as good as can be and give the competition a run for the money.

The six-speed manual transmission shifts effortlessly and gets the most out the S4's 302 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Full review here

Matthew1 - 11/28/2005 2:58:02 AM

+1 Boost

While the review was bare, I can tell you first hand the interior quality of the S4 far surpasses any Lexus product.

The panel fit/finish is amazing, and I was constantly delighted by the attention to detail in the interior. You know how some cars have decent quality dashboards, but skimp on material quality when it comes to areas you seldom come into contact with, such as B-pillar lining and rear-view mirror etc.

The S4 has a lovely, almost sports clothing like material that is wrapped tightly around the A, B and C-pillar, and seamlessly joins the roof lining like it was hand built.

The exterior was elegant, but the front-end was imposing and more than hinted at the power lurking underneath. Not surprisingly, the doors closed with a solid reassurance, unlike flimsy Japanese rivals. The entire car felt solid.

Now I'm usually not one to blow the quality trumpet, and as an Italian car fan I usually don't care too much for exact panel gaps, but I was deeply impressed with this Audi, infact the entire range.

Not only was it beautifully built, it had character.

janos2769 - 12/1/2005 1:47:34 PM

+1 Boost

When I shop for a hot performing small car, Audi is on top of my list. Subarus or Mitsus are not anywhere on my list. If I wanted to compromise on everything but performance then I may show up at a Mitsu dealership, but don't count on it anytime this century. So, getting back to the article, a complete car makes for a better car without any compromises, so by far, Audi is a better choice. IF the article was refering to the best bargain sporty car, then maybe some would chose the Mitsu or Subaru (I personally would ride the bus).

Regarding the comparison of the RS4 to the M3 or C55/C63. To argue that the comparison is unfair is -excuse my language- stupid! Sure, the car mags compare them appples to apples, but lets face it when a real person shops you don't just look at one particular class and leave cars in other classes that you also might like just because it's not fair to compare them. This comparison is as fairest as they come, the fact that the RS4 (by that matter also the S4) kicks ass over any M3 or AMG C-Class is the main reason for objection here. The comparo is made because BMW and MB simply have nothing better to show in 'this class'.