Originally Posted by markcincinnati

S4's are equipped with sport suspensions. The literature on the cars says the "S" cars come with special "S" calibrations. I always have assumed that meant that the "S" cars' springs are stiffer and the dampers are "calibrated" with higher capacity and stronger "hydraulics." "S" cars sit lower, presumably lower even than the sport option on the non-S cars. So, you could have an A4 -- without sport suspension, an A4 -- with sport suspension and an S4. Each of these cars has a different ride height, the S4 would have the lowest.

The adjustable suspension, I am led to believe, retains the "S" calibration and replaces the S4's "dynamic" dampers with adjustable dampers. The adjustable suspension allows the driver to set the dampers: comfort, auto, dynamic. The differences relate to how quickly the damper permits the compression and, primarily, decompression of the spring. Think of it as "tensing" your muscles (like the Hulk when he is obviously pissed at a foe).

The adjustable dampers, left in auto mode, presumable will vary their range of "stiffness" between comfort and dynamic. When I had mine, on an A4 with the sport package, I typically kept the setting at dynamic, then on an Interstate marathon trip, I would set it to comfort.

The differences were noticeable if not substantially different. I took several test drives of an S3 with the magnetic shocks option and found dynamic to transform the S3 into a car that felt like a go-kart. It was, in that mode, "darty," not a compliment.

Presumably the 2018 S4 has "new" tuning of the suspension to make it both able to provide more control AND greater compliance. I notice that in comparison to my 2014 S4, the 2018 is able to take washboard roads, and especially curves that have become washboarded over time, with much greater control. The 2014 S4 felt much stiffer than the 2018. The 2014 in comparison was almost harsh. The 2018 somehow manages greater control with improved smoothness.

The net or bottom line for ME was that the 2018 sport suspension would probably be left in auto mode and would little change my enjoyment of the S4, since I drive, mostly, near where I live. I live within the 100 mile Interstate bypass highway that circles the big town (or small city) of Cincinnati. I drive, therefore on Interstates: I-71, I-75, I-275 and I-471. They are in such repair, I liken them to "driving on the moon," they are so cratered with pot-holes and poorly rendered "fixes" and expansion joints that have become gnarled with age. Plus they are often so crowded, 20MPH is a speed to be lusted after.

Then, I exit the Interstate du jour and drive on primary highways (which are generally in better condition, moon crater wise, and "surface streets" also in fairly good condition, with a few pot holes of epic proportions.)

I have my secret "back roads" that have, mostly, somehow managed to avoid becoming pock marked. These are the roads where 2nd gear acceleration and paddle shifting is "fun fun fun, until daddy takes my T-bird away." These secret roads, alas, are becoming increasingly crowded with other drivers who, unlike me, don't find a curve marked "15MPH" as a challenge worthy of trying to take it at 45MPH -- party poopers.

So here I am, often alone, in a 2018 S4 with prodigious accelerative and cornering capabilities only able to exercise them "occasionally" -- which does, of course, lead to some frustration and ennui. I often think, "If I had an RS4 or RS5, I'd require therapy," I'd have so many frustrations, "pent up demand" and the "need for speed," it would be damn near unbearable.

Frankly, many of these same emotions and sensations accompany my daily drives in but a lowly S4. I can, on Interstates, sometimes, reach triple digit speeds -- when I'm in the middle of nowhere (a place that is becoming increasingly hard to locate.) Most of the time, I feel like Clark Kent, unable to fly without giving away the big secret. An S4 is more capable than the majority of cars -- but you already knew that.

What is really more accurate is that an S4 is more capable than ALL but a few cars that are rarely encountered at least on my weekly driving. Yesterday I did come across what I believe was a BMW M2, or perhaps a bit older M3 (2-door), it had an exhaust system, however, that made it sound like one of those big-*** muffler/tailpipe contraptions I see and hear sometimes on de-badged Honda Civics that have wings on the trunk almost the same size as the rest of the car. I chased it for several miles on I-71 and the only reason I stopped was the ease I had pacing this noisy machine. I also had some fun keeping up with a Mercedes C class (4-door sedan) which had the AMG treatment.

Perhaps both of these cars could have pulled away from my lowly S4, but doing so would have pushed our driving from "rude" to risky (on Interstate-71). I'm not willing to get to risky business insofar as it would or could involve others.

So, I remain, mostly, in Clark Kent mode in an S4. It's enough, sometimes, to make me wonder why I just didn't go for a fully optioned A4 Prestige. Ok, maybe "rarely" instead of "sometimes." The point is, the S4 is supremely capable and, as the saying goes, the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

I do wish Audi would've let me buy the red brake calipers -- I'm scheming to do this now.

Love this car. Frustrated by traffic. Makes those secret roads all the more precious.

Originally Posted by dbuxton13

I think 80mph is our highest traffic sign? Unfortunate, when the car can easily go double that.