I'm currently selling my A6 2.7tT so that I can go back to an S4. While mentioning this to the guys that do my performance work they recommended a 2.0T S-line. This got me thinking a little bit more about what I was going to be doing so I went and test drove an 07 3.2 and 2.0T.

I then did a little shopping and came up with the following cars:

2006 S4 ~ $24000
2007 3.2 S-line ~ $23000
2007 2.0T S-line ~ $21000

Pros and cons:

S4 Pros:
- Sounds like Barry White gargling.
- Built for spirited driving.
- I'll be commuting only 5.5 miles to work but on AWESOME roads.

Cons:
- I averaged 11 MPG in my 04 S4.
- Upgrades are expensive for very modest HP/torque gains.



3.2L Pros:
- Still sounds throaty.
- Better mileage than the S4

Cons:
- Damn near impossible to find in an avant or manual.
- Same upgrade problems.



2.0T Pros:
- Simple chip upgrade turns it in to a rocket.
- Mileage is best of the three - BUT - my commute is short so who cares?


Cons:
- Sounds like a four banger.
- I've had two 2.7T A6's and they both had issues with the turbo's and/or other components.

Of course those are very basic over generalizations, but there is truth to the observations. But what do you guys think? The more I've been thinking about it this week, the more I'm liking the 3.2 to be honest.

 

From what people around here have said, the 3.2 has a lot less aftermarket mod support. You'll likely be limited to the 3.2's power or just a few horses more (for a lot of money).

If you can find an S4 (I couldn't), I'd go that route if power is what you want. Otherwise, I'd go with the 2.0T and spend the extra money on a more free-flowing exhaust with test pipe and Stage-2 APR and you'll have a really nice and quick car. Later on down the road, there are still worthwhile upgrades you can make to the 2.0T.

 

So it really boils down to preference I guess.

The way I see it, I could go the 2.0T route and with the savings over the S4, put that money in to chipping it along with an exhaust upgrade to put it in the same power range as an S4...

However the S4 is just more robustly built and won't be prone to the same minor problems I had when boosting my 2.7T. (Boots, blowoff/diverter...)

Let me ask you this though. As I mentioned I had an 04 S4 for a while (sold it because I started commuting 35,000 miles a year at the time when gas was $4.25 a gallon. I could afford the car, but not the gas. LOL.) and really enjoyed the handling, the sound, the looks etc, but I always felt the car accelerated gently.

Is that just because I was so used to the 2.7T or did I potentially have a problem with my engine that was going unnoticed? I thought this was supposed to have snapped my neck.

 

A friend of mine has an '05 S4 and it flat moves. Maybe you had something weird wrong with yours. I understand your fuel economy concerns, so the 2.0T might be a good option, but if you really have your heart set on the S4, you won't end up being happy in the end.

People with 2.0Ts here have been running chips for ages with no major problems. Get the D-revision DV valve and the upgraded PCV (covered in Blazer's sticky) and you shouldn't have boost issues.

I'm just not a fan of the 3.2. I really love my little 2.0T. Even with the automatic, it gets up and moves pretty well (I haven't done anything to it--it's bone stock).

 

Your kidding right? 340 hp vs 200 hp or maybe 250 chipped hp. Forget the 6cyl and the 2.7 bi turbo's problems. If I had some cash now it would be the S4 x 1,000,000

/thread. Happy shopping.

 

Well, it's a $3000 difference and turbos are $3500 so it'd be more like 340 v. 318. Later on spend another $500 for a chip and viola, 340 v. 359.

King has a point though, if I have my heart set already I'll probably end up regretting going with a 2.0T. (and that's not a slam at all, their both fine cars.)

 

2 weeks ago I purchased a CPO A4 2.0, I originally wanted a S4 and now sorry I didn't hold out for one.

 

You are then at the limitations of the 2.0 at that point and definately pushing it.

S4 352hp / 312lb-ft $499.00 APR ECU

If you got about 13,000 later on lol you could supercharge it to 450hp with Motodyne.

I would go S4 with a chip and some exhaust. The v8 sounds wicked and will lay you in the seat hard.

 

Oh and if you have never drivern a stock A4 it pulls like a slug hauling a trailer with a tug boat on the rear. Thats why I preach so much about needing a stage 2 upgrade just to getit out of it's own way to make it feel like it should have at the factory.

You will get an S4 after test driving the A4.

 

My first choice would be the S4, hands down. (If I could afford it I would get the RS4)My 2nd would be the 2.0T with a 6 spd manual tranny and money for mods. With the S4 you are already set for performance. And for the price difference, the '06 S4 seems pretty decent.

I love my 2.0T 6sp manual, and even with no mods I can cruise pretty good here on the German Autobahns. But even if I chipped it and did $$$$ in upgrades, it still would not have the sound (or performance) of the 4.2 V8 S4 or RS4.