zamboni27

Just picked up a daytona gray 2018 S4 with sport package, and loving it so far. Looked at the M3 and E43, decided the S4 was the best combination of sport and luxury for my daily commuting needs.

One of the reasons I went with the S4 was the hope that there will be aftermarket tuning support to unlock some potential. I know it's early and these are just getting into the hands of the likes of APR and other well knowns like dinan. I've seen the Renntech and DTUK boxes and I'm starting to do some research. My inclination is to wait for Dinan or APR to come out with something that includes a warranty.

I've not seen much in the way of updates, wondering if anyone has been able to crack the ECU and offer a stage 1 yet.

Does anyone have any experience on the Renntech powerbox?

Damon44

My gut and previous experience tell me wait for apr or Dinan. Isn't Renntech the Mercedes specialist ?
Just power is not representing driveabilitty. Liveable transmission responses, mpg, comfort. And avoiding stress on engine with psi unsafe levels. Good ecu tunes are coming.

markcincinnati

I'm going to wait for the ultimate tune, I believe it'll be called an RS5-SB. I've been lectured before that my previous experience is irrelevant to today's -- but I'm going to stick with what comes with the thing "at birth," or, go for the next thing up the ladder. Assuming the RS5 SB is to S5 is to the S4, and considering there will be a cold day in hell before Audi lets us actually have an RS4 in the US, I'd say the analog to the RS4 that's close would be an RS5 Sport Back (same wheel-base as the S4, I'd assume.)

Perhaps you'll spend less than $10 or $15,000 on your tune, but so often over the years, "one thing leads to another" and someone buys an S4 and mods and mods and mods it until it has no warranty whatsoever and costs close enough to the factory upstream vehicle to not be a factor anymore.

If you are full of the strategic impatience of so many, you may regret not going for the RS after all. Me? I know if I started down the path of trying to improve upon my S4, I would spend a fortune -- how do I know? Been there, done that, over the years, with home theater components, large format TVs, HD TVs and UHD TVs -- gawd don't get me started with cars. I will bide my time and go for a "proper" RS when the time is right (and the cars are available.)

HurrayFive

All I can and cannot say is that APR already has some very exciting items for this platform, it's just a matter of delivery

I'd wait for them (or anyone else putting effort into said problem; hint, it's not flashing the ECU) to resolve that bit and then go that route. Previous two Audi's ran both the stage 1 and stage 2+ versions of their software without issue and it made for a hell of a car.

NHman

I agree, I have also spent enough $ on car modifications on past vehicles. Going forward, factory configuration only. Let's see what Audi will bring to the states in the form of an RS model (whether 5 or 5SB).

In-terms of the home theater, been there as well. I run B&W 802's in my main system. I had an Sony XBR850 for the display and just upgraded to their XBR A1E. Picture qualify, one word, fantastic! I feel that I have the black levels of my earlier Pioneer Kuro Elite. I thought I would be downsizing the system. Perhaps this is my stopping point.

Stankia

An S5 tune to make the same power as a RS5 - $600
A RS5 - $15k or so more.
Easy math really.

markcincinnati

There's a lot more to the RS configuration than $600 will get you.

As I said, I know that the first thing I do costs $1,000. Then, I say, "I need to upgrade the suspension, the exhaust, perhaps the tubro, then the wheels, tires and so on. . ." Pretty soon I've narrowed the distance between the S and the RS -- probably NOT $15,000 -- but every dollar I spend gets me further away from my warranty and a dollar closer to the RS with the warranty and all of the other upgrades that go along with the "real thing."

I am finding myself wondering what it is that $600 gets -- is it hardware, software? What costs $600 and adds 100HP?

Finally, if anyone wants to spend their money to modify their cars, I am not critical of that decision -- not even a little bit. What I said was I would save my money and get the ultimate upgrade -- from S to RS. In my case my thoughts are to replace the S4 with an RS5-SB in a couple of years from now. IN MY ESTIMATION -- applicable ONLY TO ME -- modding the S4 is a waste of [my] money.

You modding yours, on the other hand, is only a waste of [your] money if YOU SAY SO.

I've have been participating in these forums for years and years and have posted thousands of times. I also participate in other forums too. I have read probably tens of thousands of posts here, read the AW stories and read a ton, maybe two tons of Car and Driver, Road and Track and European Car plus the odd Motor Trend and AutoWeek. I have marveled (and been there myself) in how often people will buy an Audi and before the first 1,000 miles are put on it will buy high buck wheels and tires, cat back exhaust kits, new springs, anti-sway bars, struts, turbos (and superchargers) and software and software and more software.
I literally find myself stunned at the fortunes spent on modding cars rather than going ahead and buying the next one up the ladder.

I don't understand why this expensive approach has been taken -- and detailed extensively -- here over the years.

I don't need to understand.

I don't think I'd do this -- as I said, been there.

On the other hand, if such an approach makes sense and provides you with what you want, I am glad for you, I applaud your getting what you want.

markcincinnati

OK, I've now done more than a little and less than a lot of "research" regarding the RS cars. It seems to me that if TODAY you're looking for maximum stock performance in a "smallish" Audi, the RS3 is a reasonable alternative (thinking of the $ outlay). It seems that the back seat takes a bit of a hit in size. However, if you rarely have rear seat passengers and ultimate performance (for the $) in one of your criteria for your automotive purchase, the RS3 is a relative bargain -- and it has the 7-speed DSG, too.

The RS5 test report (first drive) in Road & Track and several of the extended YouTube RS5 drives have certainly piqued my interest, especially since the claim is made that there will be an RS5-SB. After reading the test report/review of the A5 SB (wherein it was compared to the same wheelbase sized A4/S4), it seems that Audi of America may know its market probably wouldn't take enough RS4's (in an Avant body) to make certification costs justifiable.

In the final analysis, TODAY, the RS3 is a great alternative to the S4 IF your thoughts include a sense that the S4 is underpowered and would require modification (keeping in mind the RS3's cramped back seat.)

If I can get to drive an RS3 (they all seem to be already spoken for at my dealer), I'll do so and make an attempt to compare the power to weight ratio via the seat of my pants.

amorrone09

Any update to the APR tune?

ibu11et

Everything I've heard is that they still can't crack the ECU. I can tell you that I will soon be an official DTUK distributor. I also have the ability to do custom tuning. We had an S5 Sportback running 12.2 1/4 mile runs at the notoriously slow Fontana track. It's a viable option. Contact me if you have more questions.