My friend is now choosing between a S4 or an 8.
What do you guys think?

 

RX-8 100% of course

 

definately the 8.

S4's are nice cars but you have to pay a ton in maintenance like every other audi.

The 8 even looks better.

 

It's a tough one I'll admit, but like the others I'd have to go with the 8 for these reasons:
Cheaper maintanence costs
More creative design
Smoother engine
^-- Rotary engine

Though the interior of the S4 is much nicer, the rear seats are more cramped that the 8

My thoughts
-Strider

 

I don't think the s4 is more fun to drive than the 8 either although it is quicker. S4 rides like a luxury car, ie you don't get much feel for the road. The 8 is much more tossable as well.

 

I'll say that if you can't afford the price of a new S4 then don't buy a used one, because I bet the maintenance costs and repairs will cost you about as much. I would take the RX8 for reliability alone over the Audi.

 

Well,

I have been fortunate to own both! I have had at least one Audi in my garage since 1987! I owned a 2001 Audi S4.

I got about 500 miles seat time in my new RX8 now.

Your decision is going to depend upon what your needs are. If you live in a snowy climate, the Audi is a strong choice due to the quattro. However, you must have good tires for the quattro to be useful!

Audis are very weak when it comes to being driver oriented. They finally are getting it right today, but they still face the problem of nose heavy cars with front wheel drive bias. Their cars are out of whack dynamically because they understeer terribly with too much weight up front. The RX8 is exactly 50-50, which makes it a delight, handling wise. Audi is working hard to move the engine back toward the firewall so that this weight problem can be improved. Audi engines sit way out in front. Audi is using technology gained from their relationship with Maserati to fix this. And their new BMW boss is determined to get it done. We won't see the results for the first time though until the next A4 in 2008.

Prior to 2003, and the introduction of the RS6 and 2004 S4, Audi just did not know how to make a driver oriented car.

Their exhaust tuning sucks, their gear shift boxes have been rubbery (the previous generation S4 is well know for this), their suspensions have lagged well behind the suppleness of all previous BMW's, I could go on and on. Now, the big improvements in this regard are finally arriving. The new RS6 and the S4 have changed that, and exciting new products from Audi will keep showing up. But if you buy an older Audi, you will see the consequences of their past dullness.

Having said that, the Audi quattro driveline is tremendously secure and confidence inspiring for it's road control in a straight line, or exiting a corner. If driving dynamics however, are not as important to you, the Audi is a good choice.

If you covet a rewarding drive, the RX8 smashes the B5 (2000-2002) Audi S4. It's not even a contest and not worth debating.

Engine smoothness - RX
Handling - RX
Balance - RX
Fun to drive - RX
Exhaust tuning - RX
Reliability/cost of ownership - RX
Looks - subjective
Brakes - RX (due to balance)
Rear seat room - RX
craftmanship/component quality - Audi
Rear seat leg room - RX
Crashworthiness - Tie
Gearbox - RX
Clutch takeup/feel - RX
traction/stability - Audi
Depreciation - RX (Audi absolutely sucks at this, and this just compounds the cost of ownership for the Audi)

 

I would vote the 8. The S4 can be made to go much faster, but maintenance is a biotch.

 

Which S4 :
- A6 based 2.2 I5 Turbo ?
- A4 based 2.7 V6 Twin Turbo ?
- late A4 4.2 V8 ?

Anyway, for having tested all three against the Mazda, I'd say : RX8.

 

The S4 ain't a bad car for sure. But it's a completely different car than the 8.

The S4 is a high powered standard car, the 8 is a special concept sports car. We had an 1999 S4 as pool company car once, it was widly known as the highest mileage car in the company (average 25,5l / 100 km, that's nearly twice as much as my 8) .

If you're looking for something special and affordable, get the 8.
If you're looking for a high powered "normal" car, you may want to consider the M3 too. BMW is more driver orientated than Audi and from my experience they build very good cars.

 

-8-

the new s4 completely overshadows the old one.

 

ahh the days of driving both cars was fun
what color s4?