Is the UR S4 really worth it

[Brett Dikeman]

At 8:31 PM -0700 4/29/03, Eric Pipas wrote:
>Not to start a FLAME, but is the Ur S4 (I-5 Multivalve Turbo) really worth
>it. How does it compare bone stock to a 87 5kcstq running 14 pounds of
>boost. I have been looking at them, and lusting after them (Ur S4's) for 4
>years now, and the price has held just about constant. I have a hard time
>justifying the 400% premium one has to pay as compared to the 5kcstq. Is the
>Ur S4 really 400% better, or would I enjoy driving it 400% more. I am
>curious to hear form people who have owned / own both.

The S4 is more refined, has quicker spoolup, far more power(esp with
a chip), better headlights, stiffer chassis.

Brakes are worse- they're basically the same as your 5000.  Speaking
of which, the car's MUCH heavier than your 5000, which will dampen
the Go a little;  the s-cars are something like 3800lb(200q20v is
3600-3630 I think.)

If you want a good "in between", doesn't get much better than a
200q20v.  They're a complete bargain comparatively- don't have
suck-ass brakes(unless they've been converted to the G60s), lighter
than an UrS4/S6 by a few hundred pounds, and near equal power.  A
serious step up from a 5000 interior-wise, but not the C4 chassis,
which is a step up from the 200q20v(though not in a major way, just
more of a refinement.)  S-car owners love to tout the 'stiffer'
chassis of the C4, but IMHO that benefit is offset by a -heavier-
chassis.

S-cars also have historically had problems with broken trannies, the
1st gear on some is weak.  200q20v had no such problems.

Especially with the later s-cars, engine diagnostics are superior;
the 200q20v's ecu was Audi testing the waters with more advanced
diagnostics(non-volatile fault code memory, some live-readable
registers), but it's kinda half-baked.  Ignition on the S-cars is
solid state but that seems to be offset by occasional ignition system
problems(coilpacks), whereas the 200q20v's ignition system is
bulletproof reliability-wise, just fussy about its plugs(and hence
perhaps underpowered for the high compression/power.)

As for maintenance/repairs, you'll find it easier to work on for a
bunch of reasons.  a)no CIS crap.  b)crossflow head means everything
isn't jammed onto the side of the car with the least amount of space.
The s-cars in particular have lots of room and things are neatly laid
out; the 200q20v is still somewhat of a rat's nest.  Brake
maintenance is far easier up front on the UFOs, they're a joy to
service, just expensive....but 12.2" rotors under 15" wheels!  Vented
rears on both the 200q20v and S-cars(shared with the V8 as well) are
expensive, and like their 10v counterparts, will make you sorry if
you don't keep them in good shape.

Tires are a little hard to find for the 200q20v, it's an oddball
shape; wide for 15" rims.  The rims themselves are practically
feathers, at 16lb.  Flared wheel arches let you stuff much bigger
tires in, if that's your thing.  S-cars have 16" wheels, I think it's
generally easier to find tires for 'em, but I've never had to.

Well, that's all I can think of for the moment...

Brett
('91 200q20v)
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