[s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?

[Jack Gagnon]

Erik,

I sold my 92 S4 last spring for a 2001 6 spd allroad.  I chipped it within a 
week of owning it so I am reporting on a GIAC chip (supposed to be around 
320 hp).  The car is a different animal than the new S4's even though they 
both have the 2.7T.  The allroad is heavier, but I believe it is geared 
shorter to make up for the difference in weight.  It feels real fast off the 
line for such a heavy car.  It does rev kind of high on the highway though. 
I think it isabout 3500 rpm @ 75 mph.  I drive 50-55 mph roads a lot so it 
is geared perfectly for that.   The engine is silky smoth a low revs and 
gets a but coarser above 5k.  The low end torque is amazing!  It feels kind 
of like a turbo diesel but with more range.  After owning a really low 92 
S4, the added ground clearance is nice.  I put a hitch on it so I can tow 
snowmobiles and ATV's.  The pneumatic suspension automatically compensates 
for the added tonge weight and loads inside the car.  The adjustable 
suspension is accessible with VAG-COM and many people mess around with the 
ride heights. I think you can lower the car about 1" below stock.

If you can't tell I like the Allroad.  I think black looks best and that's 
what I got.  The polished aluminum looks great in my opinion and the plastic 
bumpers and rocker panels are really holding up well for a car with 135K. 
These care can be had for arounf 10k, which is a bargain.  Buyer beware, 
repairs can get expensive,  turbos 4k, air springs 400 per corner, 
suspension air compressor $1000?.  For me the gamble has been good so far, 
Even if I put 5k into the car for repairs, what other car can compete for 
15k?  There are many upgrade options for this engine and 450 hp is very 
achievable.

Jack
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Erik Addy" <erikaddy at yahoo.com>
To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 6:16 PM
Subject: Re: [s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?


>I too recently had my first child and am trying to decide on a new (used) 
>wagon for my wife.  I would like AWD (2WD might be OK, prefer ltd slip 
>diff, RWD ).  I want it to have stability control and be 2002 or newer. 
>Prefer manual tranny.
>
> The way I look at it, there aren't a lot of good choices for cars outside 
> of warranty.
>
> Volvo V70R- almost perfect, but I don't like the idea of paying for that 
> electronic suspension outside of warranty.  Plus, the AWD seems to have 
> some components prone to expensive failure.  Perhaps the regular T5 (fwd) 
> model, but then stability control was a bit of a rare option, and so was a 
> manual tranny.
>
> VW Passat W8:  Also almost perfect, with the somewhat rare manual.  But I 
> hear that engine is a major pain to work on and somewhat prone to failure. 
> Something about narrow crank journals?  Big $$$ repair.  2.8L V6 strikes 
> me as a really boring, mediocre mill.  1.8T with manual was available 
> 2004/5.  Not a huge fan of that engine, but would be OK with a new turbo- 
> this might be my best option.
>
> A4: Too small
>
> A6 3.0:  Well, still not a fan of the engine, but it's OK.  Autobox only. 
> This may be another good choice.
>
> Allroad:  Manual avail.  If there was an A6 Avant 2.7T manual, I'd buy it 
> (or the 3.0 TDI!).  I don't really care for the look, and the 
> height-adjustable suspension does nothing for me. I've heard you can dump 
> it and convert to coilovers though...wonder how much $$$ for that?
>
> Dodge Magnum: Roof line leads me to believe storage in the back may have 
> some restrictions, plasticy interior.  Auto only.
>
> Lexus IS300 Sport Cross: Don't know much about this one...pretty rare 
> around here.
>
> Merc E-class: Spendy, no manual
>
> Saab 9-5 Aero: Possibly another good choice.  FWD but manual tranny avail. 
> Don't know much about what the problem areas were for these cars.
>
> Any insight on any of these options?
>
> Erik
>
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