bough a 2001 s4 in feb '07 for about 16k with 75k miles and all i have done to it so far is APR chipped it. i previously had a '97 m3 before breaking down and going for all-wheel-drive coz i live in michigan. i have been reading posts on this site for months and love the feedback you guys give.
my m3 seemed faster but im sure its coz BMW offers a different driving experience than audi. the s4 is extremely smooth but doesn't handle corners too well. is that typical of most s4's and what difference will aftermarket shocks/struts make? sorry for being a bit jerky but driving the S4 is kinda dull compared to driving the M.
anyways, im sure with some work ill get to love my audi. you guys sure do.
ps- what is 01 s4's0-60mph timewith just the apr chip?
glad to be part of the club.

 

I just came from a 97 M3 as well. You're right, it "seems" slower because the M3 makes a lot of noise and it has that instant seat of your pants surge when you press the gas. I loved the M3, but my chipped S4 is certainly faster. I wish I could have both. I also miss being able to disable the traction control and get it sideways when I want to have some fun. As far as handling, they both stay planted pretty well in my opinion, but the S4 has understeer. I'm more comfortable with slight oversteer.

I have read that a Stage I S4 does in the low 5's 0-60.

 

when it is a little wet outside i can get into some crazy awd powerslides, personally that tops rwd fishtailing anyday...

 

The S4 will never be as nimble as the M3. The steering feel will also never be the same. In fact, it will never corner as well. The car is much more heavy, & has a ton more weight in front of the front axle.

I can tell you, stock VS stock, the S4 is faster, chipped the S4 is way faster.

Suspension wise, it really helps to get some coil overs, TSB & sway bars, then get a good aggressive alignment. The S4 while being slower in turn-in can get on the power sooner, & the car feels a lot more stable then the M3.

 

^^^Agreed. Out of all the cars I've owned and/or driven, the S4 (IMO) seems to be very sure-footed and "planted" (mostly because of the weight, and distribution thereof), whether it be normal or spirted driving. Inherently the AWD imposes understeer, but this can be easilyreduced via minor suspension mods. The weight factor, unfortunately, will also be a bit of a hinderance unless serious reductions are performed.

And yes, donuts or drifting around sweepingturns on wet pavement w/ the AWDis waaay more fun! Ihad some perfect rings in the grass around our RV after Sebring this year... That's not as easy to do with RWD

 

Pretty much what 2ks4 said.. The feeling from the M will be much more responsive, probably feel faster, but it isnt. Although get some fueling and k04's that feeling will quickly change .... Sway bars can make a HUGE change...induce quite a bit of oversteer, id highly suggest looking into those, as well as some suspension. But i know i dont have to do a ton to get my back end to come out... Actually did it not intending too entering an entrance ramp[&:] to the freeway.. Doing a powerslide at about 90 mph when you dotn mean to can scare the crap out of you... im sure it looked amazing if anyone saw it... but yeah, scared me

 

 

Lol...thanks man... You know how it sort of rounds out before opening up to the freeway...well it rounded a bit more sharper than i had remembered... so i steered back hard and it swung right out..and powerslided around it all and then popped right out..it was marvelous...but terrifying.

 

Sorry coming in a little late. Zolensky - I have a 2002 S4 that is also APR chipped. I feel the difference the most in the top end when accelerating when moving. Not as muchfrom 0-60. From reading the posts APR sounds a little less aggressive then others....and I believe it. It probably drops the 0-60 from 5.9 to 5.6 (my guess, if nothing else is done).

Yes, the stock handling is a little disappointing for an S. $400 bucks for a swaybar will help make it handle like it should on the cheap. Huge difference and well worth it. Hope that helps.....

 

thanks for the input guys. well appreciated. ill invest in a sway bar.