Ari Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Over a second quicker round the track in the dry!! One second off of the Lamborghini's time! The comment was made that if it had been wet the BMW wouldn't have seen which way it went! Rock on Audi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabs Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 It did look impressive round the track. Amazing really with such a heavy lump up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 yeah i couldn't belive that result either... especially as the s4 was slower in a straight line! would have expected the m3 to corner quicker! ave some of that tempted to test drive one! anyone had a go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Result but only what we audi nods have known all along.. after all didn't audi pinch some BMW bods to set the car up?? Well done Audi.. rock on the RS4!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted May 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Notice the comment also about the RS4 pace car at Le Mans. Apparently they brought it out in the wet to slow the field down for some reason, and the one of the Lister Storm drivers radioed the pits to ask if the RS4 could ease up as he was having trouble keeping up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabs Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 [ QUOTE ] Notice the comment also about the RS4 pace car at Le Mans. Apparently they brought it out in the wet to slow the field down for some reason, and the one of the Lister Storm drivers radioed the pits to ask if the RS4 could ease up as he was having trouble keeping up! [/ QUOTE ] Yes that Lister Storm driver must have been gutted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo-S3 Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Excellent result !!! AUDI's ROCK !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 MMmmm I want one. Better start saving.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punjabi-A4 Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 This is the one episode i wanted to watch and i missed it!!! ...@ 8.43 while sat in my m8 car looking for a flat i realised what i was missing.....whhhyyyy??? At least now i can bring this up in conversation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabster Posted May 18, 2003 Report Share Posted May 18, 2003 Yeah but the M3 is so much more fun and is so much sexier. The S4 looks right boring.....now if they brought out a coupe version I could be tempted, I would get the M3, one second round a track when your talking 1 min 30 against 1 min 31 is nothing. On a larger track with longer straights I think the M3 would be better. Lets be honest if we all had a S4s we are more likely to race a M3 off the lights in a straight line and loose than challenge someone to a race around a track. I love Audi but just think the red S4 is cold and looks dead boring...that M3 in Lagana Seca blue looked awsome, even when I sat in a S4 it dosent feel that special. Audi had an 18 month gap over the launch of the M3 and the S4 and still it at best it is arguably equal with an M3 there no way it spanks its arse, bit let down with the S4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsheldon Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 2 years left with the S3, i know what i'm getting next. The RS4 story wasn't at Le Mans, it was in the British GT Championship, i think at Snetterton or Brands, reason I know is my best mate was the pace car driver that day. I remember him telling me about it and getting a radio message from race control because the cars were struggling to keep up and the field was getting stretched out. He thought the RS4 was modded with a slightly bigger turbo, but apart from that standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted May 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 Agree red the wrong colour for the S4, the silver one looked so much better. But is it boring or is it subtle? And is that second quicker round the track the result of an experienced racing driver in both cars? My guess is that if you and I were to drive both cars and time the laps we would find that we would be much much quicker in the S4 just because the 4wd makes the power so much more accesable to someone of more typical capibilities. Then factor in rain, or bumpy corners or road dust or other real world road conditions compared to the smooth clean dry track they were using. My guess is that in the real world on real roads and driven by good road drivers not race pilots, the M3 wouldn't see which way the S4 went... And that is before you factor in the S4's better interior, more modern looks (anyone else feel that the 3 Series is just beginning to look a little dated?), four door practicality, lack of 318i stigma etc etc. I couldn't argue that the M3 is a bad choice of car, it is a fabulous car, but I'd argue the S4 is even better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snez22 Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 no chance is the S4 that much better than an M3. I still prefer the M3. It looks much meaner, S4 looks like a normal A4 with bigger wheels, and has more street cred. Not sure about that green though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted May 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 Boy racers! Nah, can't argue with your choice, driven the M3 and it is a terrific car. But for Audi to finally upstage it, even if by the briefest of margins, well that is unheard of and speaks volumes for the depth of ability of the S4. Just wish it had been raining (like it usually is) when they track tested them...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snez22 Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 didn't audi headhunt a few of the BMW engineers. i remember autocar saying something about it. maybe the fruits are beginning to show. did anyone see them slag off the new A3 at the start? an Audi badged golf i think they called it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadW Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 RE; new A3; first it was un-ccol, then cool then eventually un-cool! RE: RS4 pace car, if it is standard, then how do they get the front fog lights to flash on and off! A red one is used on some circuits in the Touring Car (BTCC) races, other circutis usually use a Mercedes Estate thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 [ QUOTE ] if it is standard, then how do they get the front fog lights to flash on and off! [/ QUOTE ] Ummm, flick the switch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veracocha Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 I think the S4 looks pretty good but maybe understated. Clarkson said the handling of the S4 was sublime - just about as good a complement that you can pay to a car. I really like the look of the M3 and would rather test drive both before making a decision. It is obvious to me that the S4 is a step ahead in advancement because it is heavier with 4WD and slower in a straight line (albeit by a small amount) but still goes round the track a second quicker which is a decent difference in terms of sports cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted May 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 Yes, and more to the point within less than a second of the Lamborghini Murcilargo (yes I know it's spelt wrong, but you know which car I mean!! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsheldon Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 When i said standard, I meant mechanically, ie brakes, suspension, wheels, tyres etc which are performance related. The pace cars have a light bar on the roof aswell, along with pit to car radio. The fog lights flashing I think is done with a strobe kit, same as on police cars. I'm not sure if they had roll cages, I'll ask my mate. RS4's are also used for other races, and bikes I think. et if you did a search on the Audi website you'd find something about it, I'd do it but cant't be arsed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragdude Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 Just had a quote for an S4 avant from my dealer. 12 - 14 week delivery AND he has offered me a discount! I'm seriously tempted. I had an order in for an M3 when the current E46 model was launched but they are now so common place on the road that I cancelled. The subtle look of the S4 makes it a superb Q car for swift cross country motoring and less wide-boy racer than the M3. It has to be the thinking man's express. Personally I like the red but I think the Dolphin grey would be more discreet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadW Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 [ QUOTE ] Ummm, flick the switch [/ QUOTE ] LOL! Blimey that switch must be pretty robust then and well synchronised too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4dreamer Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 What sort of dicount did he offer you ragdude ? I'm hoping to get an Avant on order later in the year, and it'd be nice to know what the dealers are dealing out. Trev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 I managed to miss Top Gear last night - bugger ! (I dont; suppose it is repeated at all ?) For those of you who did see it, what did the S3 look like going round the track - was it all understeer, or did it seem to match the M3 as far a soversteer was concerned ? chers sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammyS3 Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 The S4 you mean? It looked really good, not quite as leery-oversteery as the M3. But that tidyness would have contributed to the excellent time. I have to say I was well impressed that it was quicker in the dry (wet is a given). Considering how good the M3 is (and it is MUCH lauded) I think Audi have done very impresively. To make a faster car on the track as well as in everyday situations that is much more subtle and practical than the M3 is well... WOW. Well done Audi, I think this bodes well for the RS4 and the new ®S3 Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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