So, a 2007 Black/Black is at my local Audi dealership ... just came in today. I looked at up some specs ... the RS4 weighs almost 4000lbs and is spec'ed at 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds (SLOW), and I read some posts here that it does the 1/4 in 13.0-13.2 (SLOW) ...
So basically, I know that stock it is slow ... but what about availability of aftermarket forced induction modifications? Is there a turbo kit available for it yet? If so, what type of gains are we talking about and for how much $$$?
I would be trading in my SL55 for it, but only if it made financial sense to make it faster than my SL55; as fast or almost as fast wouldn't cut it. Additionally, I don't want to hear the "its fast in the corners" arguement ... I just recently sold my 2004 M3 so I know all about fast in the corners, but slow in the straights and I just don't like it. I want fast in both.
I think my Jeep SRT-8 could outrun a stock RS4.
Also, I just got done reading a bunch of threads about how Audi service blows ... I'm unsure of what I'd receive with my local dealer but it doesnt leave a good taste in my mouth.
So although I really like the 420HP w/ AWD and Manual transmission, the excessive weight of the car thus slowing it down really turns me off the point of not wanting it unless there was a turbo-kit that brought it up to atleast 480-500 AWHP. (not to the crank, to the wheels)
well, first thing that came to mind was, I think you are looking at the wrong car! If I read it on paper that its "SLOW", then personally I would had moved on by now rather than try and figure out how to make a better dragster out of a car designed from day one for the corners, like your M3. Audi put AWD on it mainly for one reason, better traction around the corners, not better 60' times. Granted, many do drag race Audis, they use the B5 platform that is lighter and already Turbo charged from Audi thus making it easier and cheaper to just upgrade and moddify. The RS4 being a NA V8 cramed into such a small engine bay is difficult to Turbo or supercharge, as all S4 owners will tell you after 3 years of making due with just exhaust, chip anf intake mods to gains some 60HP extra. Do they make a SC or Turbo for it? they will, they do for the S4, but they are VERY expensive. My guess is you will be looking at about $7k in the low end when they do become available. Your SRT8 MIGHT be faster, dont know, but so are a lot of things that go fast straight. The trick to me has always been balancing HP with handling, in which case the RS4 is a prime example of what can be achieved in a 4 dr sports car that does a lot of thing right, not just a couple. I would get the RS4 and keep SRT for the straight track, but thats just me dreaming.
< Message edited by drsus -- 12/31/2006 11:09:18 AM >
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2005 Black S4 2001 RC51 Honda track tool (www.rc51.org) 2006 Softail FXST project toy 1990 500hp+ 454SS chevy p/u (www.454ss.com) 1998 Land Rover Disco crawler (www.discoweb.org)
I know all about fast in the corners, but slow in the straights and I just don't like it. I want fast in both.
Then why are you looking at a 4dr luxury sedan? Why not get a 2dr sports car?
There are trade offs with every car. It sounds like you don't want to make the trade offs that come with owning an RS4. Buy a used Cayman and put a supercharger on it, do a few suspension mods and it will outrun your current cars in every curve and straight. That's one idea anyway. There are a lot of other options that would kill an SL55 on the track.
because i shouldn't have to trade off. There are other faster 4 door luxury sedans but not with AWD or 6spd which are both 'tre cool'. Has anyone even cracked the ECU code for the 2006+ RS4 yet?
Really? The laws of motion apply equally to everyone, so you may be out of luck. Speed on the track is about weight, torque and a few other set up items. If you buy a luxury sedan, by it's very nature it cannot compete with many other cars made more with the track in mind. How much the car cost has nothing to do with it.
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There are other faster 4 door luxury sedans but not with AWD or 6spd which are both 'tre cool'.
Like the M5? The Cayman I described above would smoke it on a road course. And not just the Cayman, but a lot of other cars too. Why? Because the M5 is a heavy 4dr sedan. It's still fast as hell and all that, but it can't compete with modified sport coupes with the same type of driver at the wheel.
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Has anyone even cracked the ECU code for the 2006+ RS4 yet?
Since the RS4 is non-aspirated, changing the ECU alone probably offers minimal power gains. If you wanted to change some of the other engine internals, I'm sure that there are some set ups used in DTM racing that get more power out of that engine. Could be a pain for a daily driver though.
Right, but they are going to need to crack the ECU before they can even offer a turbo kit. Getting a properly tuned ECU to match the turbo's is usually the main difficulty as that is the leading cause of ENGINEBOOM.
Ok, let's back up so I can better understand what you are looking for. Are you looking for a car that holds more than 2 people? Do you want to maximize 1/4 mile times or have fun track days on road courses? What is your budget? Does the car have to remain a street car/daily driver or are you ready to go full race? Would you be willing to change out parts between registration/emissions testing? Are you wanting to stay German?
If the RS4 isn't quick enough for you, then we need to look at other options - including what else can be done to your current Benz.
Ok, let's back up so I can better understand what you are looking for. Are you looking for a car that holds more than 2 people? Do you want to maximize 1/4 mile times or have fun track days on road courses? What is your budget? Does the car have to remain a street car/daily driver or are you ready to go full race? Would you be willing to change out parts between registration/emissions testing? Are you wanting to stay German?
If the RS4 isn't quick enough for you, then we need to look at other options - including what else can be done to your current Benz.
Well, I would like to have an AWD for traction off the line, as well as in the rain ... transmission can be auto or manual. I would like to be in the very low 12's or high 11's on the 1/4 and still be able to have fun on autox courses (not meaning I want to win, just be able to keep up ... the SL does it well.) I am up for mods ... though gutting the inside isn't my style, some subtle weight reduction and engine performance mods are fine. Yes, I would be willing to change parts out between emission testing. Yes, I want to stay Bavarian I don't want American.
The brands I would consider: BMW, Mercedes, Audi
I also want a later model car w/ full options (NAV, SIRIUS, PARKTRONIC) and if available keyless go.
Looking at these requirements I think I am basically listing everything that a twin turbo mercedes could do, apart from the AWD ... I really wish Merc would come out with AWD.
How sure are you that a turbo for the RS4 will be produced? $7000 is just fine for such a kit ... I would do <$10,000 for a reliable turbo kit.
< Message edited by GoFast -- 1/2/2007 8:53:43 PM >
Im not 100% sure, but many companies are just now offering SC kits for the B6/B7 4.2 V8 S4s, which is, more or less, the same basic engine they started with when making the RS4, so......it only makes sense that with a little more R&D those same companies would have the SC kits for the RS4 at some point. Now, the $7000 is an educated guess based on S4 entry level kits....the RS4 might be more by a little or a lot, who knows.
doesnt the RS4 run in the 12's already? I dont think it would be TOO hard to get it in the 11's...but then again i concern myself with lap times more than 60' times so.... i really wouldnt know
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2005 Black S4 2001 RC51 Honda track tool (www.rc51.org) 2006 Softail FXST project toy 1990 500hp+ 454SS chevy p/u (www.454ss.com) 1998 Land Rover Disco crawler (www.discoweb.org)
ya man i agree with you a b5 s4 would be a perfect car for you man just put some $ in it that you wouldve bought a supercar like the m5,rs4,amg and get a crazy fast s4 like this guy lol his car is crazy fast and nice...but i never saw his 1/4 mile times but his track times are amazing!
Posts: 597
Joined: 10/5/2006 From: Boston, MA Status: offline
Seems like he wants that "baller" appeal. The B5 S4 isn't really going to give you that. BUT with new turbos (k04) and other goodies the s4 will eat your sl55 alive. A lot of people on this forum as well as audizine, run the APR kit and they are pushing mid to low 11's.
Also the fastest stock turbo (k03) is now running low 12's (12.2).
You want a little american bling and a lot of speed get yourself a new Z06, and put some new pipes on it. Interior isn't as nice, but hey...its not easy running 11's with tv's in the headrests and everything that an m5 or rs4 has. You take some, you leave some.
GoFast - After reading your last post, it sounds like the RS4 is the perfect car for you. It is a very quick car with amazing handling and all of those interior goodies that you like. How often are you going to get to drive it at even half of it's potential anyway for more than 15-25sec anyway? If you do track the car often and use more of it's potential, then I think you will be having a great time.
I don't know about the chances of turbo kits and superchargers for the RS4 in the future. Anything is possible with money. MTM has a supercharger for the 4.2 for $12,000(?) right now. I don't know if they claim that it works for the RS4 as well simply because it is based on the same engine, but I doubt it. You will compromise reliablity with either turbos or SC no matter what. My guess would be that after some company figures out how to work with the existing compression ratio, they will write some code and build a kit. There are probably some other issues to work out as well. The fact that the RS4 is already considered very quick and will be built in such limited numbers compared to other cars(like an A4) - that will also work against huge after market support. Those companies can't make their money back if they only sell 200 kits or something, so you may have to go custom. You better have a tight relationship with your Audi mechanic.
What performance mods do you have on your Merc? If you don't want to swap cars unless you will see big gains, maybe you should put some money into your 500 until you have shaved another second off your runs. Just a thought.
< Message edited by pturbo -- 1/3/2007 7:19:16 PM >
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Thinking about trading my SL55 for an RS4 ... Should I?? - 
Speed on the track is about weight, torque and a few other set up items. If you buy a luxury sedan, by it's very nature it cannot compete with many other cars made more with the track in mind. How much the car cost has nothing to do with it. 
