how would the performance of an S4 compare with a chipped A4 1.8T (Quattro or not) running 200bhp?

same for running costs? from what i've read it seems that if you have to ask about the running costs of an S4 you shouldn't bother...

thanks all

 

I have a chip A4 1.8tq and I can say that the car cost me at least 2000$ to 3000$ a year in maintenance ... I have no idea how much it cost to maintain a s4 but i can tell you, as for performance, my friend have a V8 S4 and I'm not even close ... S4 are in a different league as for performance ... you will need one hell of a modified A4 1.8t if you want to be at the same level as a stock V8 S4 ... but understand that I'm talking about V8 S4, I don't know about twin turbo S4 but those with this engine will only need to boost a bit more and then again, they will be in a different league as for performance ... It might cost more to maintain a S4, but I think you get what you pay for ... more $$$ more power ... just my opinion ...

 

well i usually think of it this way with cars, more turbos more trouble lol. not usually the case but a lot of the time it's that way. i don't think anybody could give you an exact number but you would think the s4 would cost more than the 1.8t but it's not always the case. i guess your question is will you be able to find an S4 that was in goods hands and has it's maintenance consistently kept up. i think the S4 would cost a little more because you'd need to replace quite a bit more stuff when it's gets into the 100k mileage but like sadik said you get what you pay for lol

 

well i assume you are comparing a b5 s4 vs a chipped b5 a4... the S4 is still going to be faster and handle better and be an all around nicer car, plus the 6th gear is always nice for hw runs. However, a properly done K04 A4 is about equal in speed to the stock b5 s4.

B5 S4's are known to be unreliable, especially as time is goin by and they are gettin older. I dont know a single person that has one and is completely happy with it. On the other hand, they are mcnasty machines that can be somewhat easily modded to "run with the big dogs" for sure. With just a chip, you have some definite ***** in a b5 s4.

Now, why I chose to stay with my A4 avant, 1) less maintenance 2) cheaper to mod and maintain 3) you feel the power alot more out of a single BAT 4 banger 4) and incredibly more easy to work on.
S4's are obv nicer and can be taken a lil further than the a4's, but we have our place for damn sure.

 

I thought the B5 S4 came with the 2.7tt, not a V8?

Like hiwords said, the nature of having twin turbos will lend itself to more costly repairs/mods. Think of the mods you read about here for the 1.8, big turbos, BOV/DV upgrades, intake tubing, etc....there are two of all of those things on an S4.

That said, I still want one because they're f*ckin sweet, but you need to be ready to throw some serious cash at it.

All other things equal, I'd say go for the 1.8T. It will cost you less and cause you fewer problems in the long run.

 

[QUOTE=CCA4;1060689]I thought the B5 S4 came with the 2.7tt, not a V8?

You are right, My friend S4 is a B6 ... I just compare with the only S4 I drove ..

 

S4's are moneypits no matter what way you look at them. And no chipped 1.8t will beat a stock S4. A K04 will give it a good match but a chipped 2.7t will still spank yesterday's crap outta it. I'm looking for a S4 as soon as I can sell my A4 but besides the ~$15k price tag for a <50k mile S4 I'm gonna have 10g's put aside for performance and maintainance. It's not a cheap hobby.

 

thanks for the replies everyone. i ask because you can get a B5 S4 for £3k in the UK which is immense bhp per £, but if its a false economy i guess you could easily spend £3k again on repairs. for a similar price you can get a B5 or B6 A4 1.8T and easily take it to 200bhp without breaking a sweat. how do people rate the FWD compared with the Quattro? do they lose much bhp through the quattro system? ive heard audis have very efficient drivetrains.

 

Well i have had mine for just over a year (1 year and 17 days to be exact) and lets just say they are REALLY expensive to maintain! I have probably dropped $3500 into it already. It's nuts. HOWEVER when it runs... it runs SO WELL and is SO fun to drive! My S4 is chipped btw.

josh

 

i was going to reference you in this post josh... i would say yours has been a bit worse than most, but nevertheless, it gives an idea of how they are.

quattro is actually the opposite. they lose about 22% through the torsion awd, whereas a fwd takes around 12% if i remember correctly. But quattro more than makes up for itself in functionality.