S4 Test Drive - Over 50 Version

[Don Muirhead <dmr@kwic.com>]

I'll keep this short...

Did my allocated 30 minutes behind the wheel plus I got a few minutes to 
peek under the hood and ask questions to an Audi NA Rep.

A tour around the block to explain everything then I got to sit behind the 
wheel.  We head for the #401 (highway) with a plan to drive west to the 
#402, then to Lambeth and back along Exeter Road.

Turn onto the ramp to the highway in 2nd at 50 km/h hit the gas at 120 km/h 
and into 5th before we got even 1/2 way along the merge lane.  Pulled onto 
the highway behind a couple of transports doing 100 km/h dropped into 4th 
hit the gas around the trucks into 6th at 150 km/h and coasted to 110 km/h. 

In town at the lights once you get out of 1st it's very quick for an Audi 
especially above 3,400 rpm.  Clutch has a firmer and nicer feel than our A4 
& S6 but if you're a lightweight you could get bushed in stop-and-go 
traffic.  A very quiet ride, hard to hear the engine but the twin turbo's 
do sound nice under power.

To me it handled the same as our A4 but in all honesty hard to compare 
since I was only on the highway and city streets.

Braking however is exceptional and if I didn't have my seatbelt on hitting 
the lights (my planned panic stop) in Lambeth I would have probably been 
through the windshield and half way down the block.  About 60 - 0 km/h in 4 
car lengths.

Under the hood, the Audi Rep stated that the turbo's "could be" serviced 
from below but yes you probably had to pull the engines to 
remove/replace...hmmm he didn't answer the question.  Some basic 
maintenance/service will require additional time on this car, there's a lot 
of plumbing staring you in the face when you lift that bonnet.

IMO this car is quick and has "real" brakes but I still can't see paying 
$18k difference for twin turbo's and 6 speed transmission between the S4 
and the A4 2.8.  The 6 speed box is fun but I find 6th gear functions more 
like an overdrive.

Did I drop more cash on the table?  Nope for (tax/tax/prep/license and a 
kiss on the cheek) $66,297.50 CDN no xenon lights and with no options it 
isn't worth it today.  I'm going to hold out and see how this car performs 
in the marketplace then I'll decide.  I didn't ask for my deposit back and 
told my dealer I'd let him know in the spring - who knows maybe it'll be on 
sale.

Don
Canadian Price $56k with 5 speed Automatic.
Options
SD 2579 			6 speed manual 			N/C
Silk Nappa Leather 			N/C
Alcantara combo 			N/C (need sport interior pkg.)
WMM Sport Interior Package	Alcantara combo 			N/C
PCX Convenience Package	Glass sunroof/auto dimming/homelink 	$1,675
Ski Rack								$210
PBS Bose								$920
7A2 CD Changer							$750
PNL Nav system							$1,860
PMT Phone								$725
* Note Xenon Lights not available in Canada