Out with Big Blue, in with Sweet New! (joining Fonzie)

[ZCD2.7T]

I don't post much, but I lurk often. As you might have gathered from my screen name, I've owned a 2004 A6 2.7T S-line for 6 wonderful years, but it just felt like time to replace it.

Though I did consider an RS 6, in the end I bought this instead:

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp733%3B%3B%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3 A%3EWSNRCG%3D35%3C6343%3A66337nu0mrj

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp7339%3B%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3A% 3EWSNRCG%3D35%3C5%3C%3B%3A699337nu0mrj

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp733%3A8%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3A% 3EWSNRCG%3D35%3C6343%3A67337nu0mrj

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp733%3B9%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3A% 3EWSNRCG%3D35%3C6564865337nu0mrj

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp733%3A8%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3A% 3EWSNRCG%3D35%3C6884%3A%3B%3B337nu0mrj

Selected Details:
2011 S4 Prestige
Quartz Gray with Black leather/Alcantara
Audi Drive Select
S-Tronic (DSG)
Stasis ECU tune (400+hp)
Stasis Touring Suspension (1" drop in ride height, bigger rear anti-roll bar, stiffer bushings)

It's a dream to drive, and I dare say would at least run neck and neck with an RS 6 in a straight line. In corners, there'd be no contest. The smaller size, better weight distribution and Sport rear differential on the S4 would see to that.

So, though not an RS, it's pretty da*n close, and I couldn't be happier. :s4Addict:

Happy motoring!

[speedtrapped]

nice looking car, congrads

[MaxRS6]

Congrats! I'm hangin on to my hay wagon...

[Elevens]

Beautiful car. Represent, get it tuned as soon as possible................

[ZCD2.7T]

Beautiful car. Represent, get it tuned as soon as possible................

Thanks.

Ummmmm:

"Stasis ECU tune (400+hp)"

:applause:

[covertw12]

Congrats ! It's a beauty..... and the Stasis setup transforms the car. I have a friend in MA that just got one and he's in love..... A good alternative to the RS6 I ahve to say.....and given the wide use of the 3.0 supercharged motor there's likely to be lot's of fun stuff developed for it that will allow for more tuning....

Enjoy !

[Ruergard]

Congratulations!

Great car and with the mods you've put on it, it's even better! :thumb:

[vitalian]

Hello, I'd like to piggyback and ask a question. I'm considering buying a 2003 RS6 (81K miles, one owner who took good care of it), and the only thing that gives me pause is the cost of maintainance and repair (especially give Audi's not-so-great reputation in the reliability department). I love the car, but I'm not a billionaire. I'd like to hear from other RS6 owners as to how their cars have performed over time, and whether they had to spend a mint on it or not. Thoughts?
Signed,
Badly Wanting a Beast!

[DonS]

Love the wheels. Love the LED lights. Very nice can and options.

Tell us more! Did you buy it with the options or add them later? How's that DSG shift? How 'bout some shots of the interior!

[as350]

Congrats!

I like your car and the options you picked.

[ZCD2.7T]

Love the wheels. Love the LED lights. Very nice car and options.

Tell us more! Did you buy it with the options or add them later? How's that DSG shift? How 'bout some shots of the interior!

Thanks!

I bought the car used, believe it or not, with only 2495 miles on it. I had been looking for a new car for months, but hadn't been finding the right "deal". This one appeared for sale on Cars.com, I called the seller within an hour of the ad going live, and within 45 minutes and 2 phone calls we'd agreed on a price, pending it checking out during an inspection. I arranged that inspection with another Audi-phile local to the area where the car was, and it passed with flying colors. I thought about flying out to pick it up (~1000 miles away), but ended up connecting with a shipper on uShip.com, and they picked it up on a Monday evening, and delivered it Wednesday morning - worked out perfectly!

The story is that a guy specced it the way he wanted it, ordered it, drove it for 2 months, and then decided it wasn't for him. He also arranged for all the Stasis stuff, so I'm the beneficiary of his planning. (Incidentally, he's planning to get an M5 whenever the new one is released, and he drives a Boxster as his DD, so he's not suffering....)

The DSG shifts perfectly - the engine note change is really the only way you can tell that it has shifted. Whereas a stock RS 6 accelerates in a series of (very impressive) lunges punctuated by gear changes, this S4 just flat flies in a sustained blast of acceleration. It's also supremely torquey, so left to its own devices it short shifts like crazy in search of fuel economy, but the powerband is such that even 1/4 throttle puts you WAY out in front of traffic. It's addictive.

It's also amazingly quiet when cruising, but lets out an impressive wail when the throttle is buried, punctuated by a very cool (or very annoying, depending on your perspective) "fart" during gear changes at full chat.

The handling seems amazing, though with our weather and temps this time of year, I can't push it too much. I will say that the Audi Drive Select, which allows tailoring of ride quality, throttle response and steering quickness, is a very cool piec of kit. In "Comfort" mode, the thing rides amazingly well, particularly for something so low. In "Dynamic" mode, all the responses are dialed to "Eleven", and it feels every inch the sports sedan it really is. Dynamically, it feels 1/2 the size of an RS 6, though in reality it's more like 90% in size and capacity.

I'm like a kid on Christmas morning - this is just a stupendously well-conceived and well-finished car - it's the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove.

Audi is really on a roll right now, and this car shows exactly what they do best. Audi's designs are the best in the business, and they've now figured out the dynamic portion as well. MB and BMW are worried, and with good reason.

Thanks for reading, if you've made it this far...

Here are a couple of (semi-crappy) interior shots:

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp73397%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3A%3E WSNRCG%3D35%3C5%3C%3B%3A69%3A337nu0mrj

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp733%3A2%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3A% 3EWSNRCG%3D35%3C6%3A577%3C%3A337nu0mrj

http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp733%3C2%3Enu%3D32%3B2%3E857%3E96%3A% 3EWSNRCG%3D35%3C6%3A577%3C%3B337nu0mrj

[skribe]

Nice! Back seat is too small for my giant kids and giant dog... That said, at some point I'm adding one to the fleet anyway...

I for one like the DSG. Reminds me of speed-shifting my 2-stroke dirt bikes back in my motocross days.

[ZCD2.7T]

Nice! Back seat is too small for my giant kids and giant dog... That said, at some point I'm adding one to the fleet anyway...

Thanks!

Ya know, I'm not going to try to tell you that it's roomy back there, but I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs., and I fit in the back seat even with the driver's seat adjusted EXACTLY where I want it. If I slide the driver's set up just a bit (to where I can still drive comfortably), it's even better.

Honestly, the back seat room was one of my biggest concerns, because I've never owned a car in this size class. I do occasionally take clients out, and I'll still be able to; it will just be snug back there for 2 of them! Besides, they'll be too busy enjoying the ride to worry much about it! ;-)

[DonS]

Great story and a man like me. Buying a car sight-unseen is not for the faint of heart (bought mine 1500 miles away). uShip gets you a transporter at affordable rates. And to top it all off the car sounds hot! You are a lucky SOB!

[Fonzie Audi]

nice ride my friend.

[skribe]

Yeah... It really is too small in back. Teenage son is huge, I'm only 6'0" but have orangutan arms and generally need the seat way back. Dog is 80lbs...

I originally had every intention of buying exactly your car when my BMW got totalled by a texting driver... But we loaded in and it was just too cramped back there :-(

Car has to tote 4 peeps + gear + big dog to the weekend house on occasion... Dealbreaker. Then I figured I'd just cave and ge an S6... But I flogged one on a test drive and just didn't like it. So I give up and start the hunt for an RS 6, it takes me almost a year to find the right one. First used car I've ever bought in my life, and I absolutely love the thing.

Like I said, very good chance I add an S4 to the garage in 2012... What part of chi you in?
You offering test drives? :)

[Fonzie Audi]

** make sure you're respectful to the forum though..

yes, the new S4 would outhandle the C5 RS6, but that's 7+ years of audi engineering helping out.

and yes, a properly tuned new S4 would run and possibly walk on a stock RS6, but against a properly tuned RS6.. would be a different story

:addict::s4Addict:. respect

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x239/slikjoseph/AudiS46.jpg

[snoopra]

Nice catch! and nicely put Fonzie. I too bought my beast sight unseen, roughly 4000 miles unseen!

[ZCD2.7T]

Like I said, very good chance I add an S4 to the garage in 2012... What part of chi you in?
You offering test drives? :)

I understand. I probably wouldn't have bought it if we didn't have an '08 Acura MDX for the times that I really need extra space.

I'm WAY in the NW suburbs - Near Volo. I'd be happy to let you drive it if you're ever in the area...

[ZCD2.7T]

Oh, and BTW - I can confirm that Launch Control works as (not) advertised. ;-)

Nothing like a 4-wheel burnout to make one's day!!! :hihi:

[skribe]

I understand. I probably wouldn't have bought it if we didn't have an '08 Acura MDX for the times that I really need extra space.

I'm WAY in the NW suburbs - Near Volo. I'd be happy to let you drive it if you're ever in the area...

We have an '08 range rover hse and a '07 ford f350 crew cab for boat/trailer duty too... the RS 6 is my daily driver and has to take fat German clients out to dinner sometimes :)

Volo is way west and a little north. PM me if you ever get down in the loop during the day.

I finally got my beast back from a nasty deer accident today. She is running strong. Got to say, i'm looking forward to a roll-on with an S4 :)

[mmaturo]

I finally got my beast back from a nasty deer accident today. She is running strong. Got to say, i'm looking forward to a roll-on with an S4 :)

How does it look??? And ummm count me in on the roll-on...although i will get it if he takes it to Autobahn (DE w Chicago Audi club) in April...assuming i blow $$$ on new rotors. TT may get a little track duty although waaaaaayyy slower...still fun.

[skribe]

Looking perfect and running strong. The Ultimate Paintshop did a really, really good job re-doing the bodywork. Dealer did a TON of work... that's a different story.

USAA was very stand-up about sparing no expense to fix the mistakes.

Thanks again for the tip on "The Ultimate" Mark -- good guys who do great work.

Saturday I had the good fortune of merging onto 94 behind a brand new BMW 550 (tt V8) -- he went WOT right off the bat and got a big jump... but the beast pulled on him so easily :) Mua ha ha ha ha.

I did forget how dangerous this car is... 140 comes up so damn fast. Jailbait!

[micdee]

:applause: Congrats with the beauty. Wish ya a lot of happy fast km´s, oh uhmm miles.. :doh:

[mmaturo]

Looking perfect and running strong. The Ultimate Paintshop did a really, really good job re-doing the bodywork. Dealer did a TON of work... that's a different story.

USAA was very stand-up about sparing no expense to fix the mistakes.

Thanks again for the tip on "The Ultimate" Mark -- good guys who do great work. Saturday I had the good fortune of merging onto 94 behind a brand new BMW 550 (tt V8) -- he went WOT right off the bat and got a big jump... but the beast pulled on him so easily :) Mua ha ha ha ha.

I did forget how dangerous this car is... 140 comes up so damn fast. Jailbait!

I am glad Joe and the group took care of you. I have not had a shop do such great work over as much time as i seem to be consuming. I need to get back out there for my newest parking lot hit (I have no luck with this car...a through the paint hit every 6 months) which will be fun as they love seeing my car so another RS6 they must have liked. Best shop in 16 years I have dealt with. The cars lying around being worked on tell the story. Keep selling them on QW website.

Your kill made me giggle...yep not laugh but giggle...just did the same coming home after work to a 335 on Wells trying to think they could take on the nondescript 4 door gray sedan. Bite me and my rear end. I have the car paid off and useless to trade in but still enjoy the heck out of it. I'm not sure Audi remembers how to make an RS like this. I'm in line for the RS5 but i just do not think it will be an RS like this RS. I think the 6 is going to stay put in the 'collection' I seem to be about to create/expand on. There really is nothing like this car.