Sarge

I'm really wishing for an R8 convertible, and it's probably coming in a year or so, but in the mean time I'm having trouble deciding between an RS4 and a modded S4 cabrio.

First to the S4 cabrio considerations:I live in San Diego, so the top can always be down. I like that - when I want. And 'chicks dig it'. Even more, a nice DP-back resonated Milltek exhaust and open air box (CAI) along with the Stasis coilovers mit Ohlins, and a chip to make it all work together would conceivably be pretty quick (6MT a given). Probably silver, grey or black on silver or ebony interior, so as to minimize what I otherwise think is kind of a feminine looking car (the pre-07 model particularly as that's what I'd buy - I try to buy used for the depreciation when possible). Buy used for $40k or less, throw $10k in mods on it, max. OTD for under $50k, sell in a year or so when the V10 R8 'spyder' is availble, lose $10-15k but have fun, open air and all.

Or, the RS4 with the DP-back Milltek, resonated with valved muffler (make it road-trip livable). Probably Daytona or Avus on Ebony. After reviewing the custom order options, there's nothing I can get that really rocks my world enough to justify the cost - Amulet red, volcano black, etc are not available, only current colors, of which Daytona seems most interesting anyway. The interior options are nearly non-existant, save for a full-leather red interior at a rumored $14k, which isn't worth it. All I really want is some more Alcantara.

So any thoughts, for daily driver use, on the S4 cabrio mit mods? I know cowl flex, not as good at the track, etc, but for 'smiles per mile' here in sunny SoCal, it's a tough call...

I haven't had the opportunity to drive either of those cars yet, only driven the S4 6MT avant and sedan to date, so I'm wondering whether the RS4 would be that much more fun than the modded S4 cab, I guess. Anyone have seat time in both? Is the RS4 in a whole other league wrt acceleration, performance, etc over a modded S4 cab, or is it just a 'noticeable' improvement - i.e. not a 'whole new world'?

.02's appreciated

Silver Fun

I had 2 S4's B5 and B6, love my RS4. If you don't plan on going to the track however you will have a lot of performance you will be risking going to jail for if used on public roads. This is true to a lesser degree with the S4.(You could certainly go to jail in the S4 also) I like the extra's in the RS4 interior, but most are available in the B7 S4. Pick your poison, I think you are right in expecting the cost to drive the RS4 as being higher due to depreciation of a new vs. lightly used S4. PS: I bet a cabrio R8 is 2-3 years away or may never show up with the Lambo in the US already.

Bob W.

I rented a S4 cab (Hertz at the San Diego airport has , or had, a few of them when I was there for a conference 2 years ago). I had it for 3 days and it was a blast, even with the tiptronic tranny. The top was down the entire time. Sounds great, and there really isn't any discernible cowl shake/flex....it's the most solid convertible I've ever driven. The M3 cab feels squirrely in comparison.

The RS4 is in a completely different world in terms of acceleration, handling, and braking. If you drive one, you won't want a S4. I guess if you just want a sporty, fun, open-air car to drive around San Diego, the S4 cab would be great. But if you plan to spend some time carving up canyons or doing the occasional track event, you'll have a lot more fun in the RS4. As I said, you're lucky in that you could just go down to Hertz at the airport and rent a S4 cab for a couple of days...it won't be a 6spd, but I think you'll find that the latest generation of tiptronic is pretty damn good. Espcially in sport mode.

BTW, Volcano Black is (was) pretty much identical to Phantom Black, which is a standard RS4 color....and it's common, so probably easy to find an available car in this color. As far as the interior, you do realize that you could get the seat inserts covered in any color alcantera you want for about $2k from any auto upholstery specialist? I know several people who have done this. It's not OEM, but you'd never know from looking at it. I also know a guy who had the leatherette seats in his A4 replaced with actual leather for about $1200....so you could do red leather for way less than $14k.

KyuRS4

I have both and its hard to choose in the morning which to take out

RS4SPKS

RS4 is in a different league accleration / handling wise compared to S4...

Silver Fun

Agree completely! If you drive both be prepared to buy the RS4...

Sarge

I have this bug to buy one of the new Wranglers too, which would satisfy the convertible itch in some ways.

To some extent it will also come down to what the news on the forthcoming (or not) R8 and/or R8 cab/spyder

If the Rumors of R8's hitting showrooms by Dec are true, that would be awfully tempting.

I think I'll see if I can't find an S4 cab to rent in the next couple weeks just to feel it out.

I'm driving my buddy's Meyers Manx today, and the open top is really enticing. I'd liken it to a four-wheeled Harley; it handles like a bug, stops even worse, but GOES like a raped ape, and with only a small turbo for a muffler, it's loud as all hell.

I'm imaging an S4 cab with a full DP-back exhaust WOULD be a lot of fun in some of those regards. Decisions decisions.