bellevue rs4

Drove my old 2000 S4 for a bit tonight (readying it for sale). I was actually shocked at how "old" it felt.

Apart from the obvious (massive) power differential to the RS4, everything else just feels "wrong" now. All this is relative of course, but the seats weren't comfy anymore, the shifter was notchy, the ergonomics wrong (remember how you had to reach back for the window controls?), steering and clutch felt heavy and the handling dynamics...well let's not go there, even the B6/7 was a massive improvement here over the B5. I was living without Nav (and of course MMI) and XM before, which seem like absolute necessities now after only a month in the new beast

O.K. you get the picture. Not to beat on the B5, but tonight was more eye opening than driving the RS4 for the first time. The B5 was the best car I ever owned and I never tired of it for 6+ years, but this was a last reminder of how much of an upgrade the RS4 is for me. Amazing.

Oh, and two last things:

- the turbo rush still felt great, but I ain't trading, and;
- the handbrake still hits the armrest, in the RS4 I mean (guess we can't have everything -- memo to Audi for the B8!)

Bob W.

agree 100%

NogaroHiro

agree, but my decision is different now. I love turbo climax. I must miss it, if...

VerrÜckt

I'm guessing your B5 is stock, or close to it.

Reach back for the window controls??? How long are your arms? ;-)

s4for5_TTfor2

So I still (after 1+ years) hit the wrong window switch every so often.
No RS4 here but your comments still hit home.
I do miss the tossability of the B5 chassis sometimes, along with the turbo rush, but that's about it.
I also do NOT miss worrying about a visit from the turbo lady though, glad that part is in my past.

meisterkleef

Yup I hit the back window switch by mistake all the time.

2000s4biturbo::Uli

srsly

Pete S4

....a car 7 years newer costing twice the amount would feel nicer.