Drive an S4 Avant (long)

[Derek Daily]

Samir, 

Couple thoughts from a current owner.

The S4 Avant is a great ride and is perfect for me,
but there are some areas that might have to be
considered.

-  Turbo v NA.  The S4 will be quicker than the 540
and the S6, IF you really push it.  Additionally,
there may be ecu (etc) changes made to make it even
quicker.  But the easy grunt of a normally aspirated
V8 cannot be overlooked for everyday driving.  I think
either the 540 or S6 would be a great everyday car. 
I'm never going back to non-AWD so the S6 would be my
choice here...

-  Roominess.  The S6 will offer the back seat
passenger a much more comfortable surrounding. I also
love the A/S6 interior and feel that it better
represents the high cost of the car.  While I do love
my S4 interior, I can nitpick about dash plastic
around the center console, etc...just not luxurious
(note: I have the sport / alcantera interior..the full
leather+ wood gives more a feeling of luxury.)  The
rear seats ARE too small for frequent passengers and
even if you disagree there, just look at the multitude
of scratches and marks left in the rear panels of the
front seats after a few trips.  Once the passenger is
IN, its OK...the getting there is the problem.  Cargo
is great in the S4, in fact, the are behind the rear
seats appears deeper and more useable than that in the
A/S6 avant.  With rears folded down the A/S6 is wider
and longer, but still lackig in height.  Close call. 
Not sure of 540, but similar to A/S6 if I recall.

-  Manual v Tip.  Again, I'm a manual person, but
driving the tip is a good compromise.  (If you could
call driving around a ~$60k car a compromise).  

If you're serious about wagon performance, has anyone
heard anything more about the M5 wagon?

Derek Daily
01 S Wagon



=====
Derek Daily
dtdaily at yahoo.com



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