Mr. M
Tire Trailblazer
- Messages
- 6,803
Quoted wholesale:
Hi everybody!
Nice forum here... I went on a drive on my friend's RS4 yesterday, thot I would post my thots.. Enjoy!
Just a little intro...
Current ride
Maserati 4200GT
BMW Z4 (other half is driving)
Previous rides
Audi A4 1.6 (the old old model)
BMW 320 coupe
BMW 325 Cabrio
EVO IX GSR
***********************************************************
I had a date with the RS4. I have been waiting so long to experience for myself this new wonder car from Audi, so when the opportunity came, I jumped at it without hesitation. How often do you get to sit in one of the motoring world’s finest creation in recent times?
The owner obviously took good care if his stallion – groomed and polished to reflective light from all angles; beauty both inside and out. I opened the door and the feel-good factor was taking over my emotions already.
Settling into the front passenger seat I am immediately cushioned into plush leather and the seats wrap around me just like a well made sofa.. The dash was of impeccable quality- befitting of a marque as reknowed for workmanship as AUDI. Those folks really know their stuff. The steering wheel is a boy racers favourite toy – thick and of just the right diameter to execute those quick sweeps of the steering. The start buttons at the centre console fires up the V8, which roars to life, before settling into a soft, baritone rumble. Music to the senses. The feeling is one of anticipation, of eagerness and purpose, of something truly special.
First gear is engaged with little fuss and the owner takes this 1.7 tonne-over beast out of the garage. The insulation is just about right, I can hear the exhaust burbling softly in the background – nothing intrusive, just a gentle hum in the background. I was reeling with excitement already.
We make the turn into the main road and a jab of the throttle hurls this monster with G-force inducing ferocity into the horizon. The needle sweeps to the red line like a knife cutting through butter with ease. A swift clutch-in, a flick of the left hand, and 2nd gear connects, propelling us into stratospheric speeds. All done with the composure, refinement and tenacity of a thoroughbred machine honed to deliver only its best. I let out a silent yelp as my driver grabs the stick and guides it into 3rd – this is motoring nirvana I tell myself. It made my maserati feel fidgety and unresolved. Forget the italians, forget the blue and white propellor, forget AMG. This is a true enthusiast car in a practical and unassuming body. As we pass lesser cars on the road, the ride continues to amaze me with the right combination of sporty dampening and gentlemanly comfort. Road bumps are glossed over with disdain, and no unnecessary noise is allowed into the cabin – only the soft blowing of the aircon and the sweet supercharger-like whine of the 4.2 litre V8 combined with its glorious and intoxicating exhaust note. Music in a car never felt better. Who needs a radio if a car can be built to orchestrate a symphony with the conductor as your right foot?
We reach our first brake point and the car sheds speed with so much grace it would put to shame those $10,000 aftermarket brakepads that other car nuts tour the world over to freight them in. We attack the first corner like a big-eyed young driver having his first run out on the tarmac. The quattro AWD makes the car feel half its weight entering and powering out of a corner, and coupled with the superb dampening characteristic of the hydraulic suspension, bodyroll is hardly detectable – a remarkable achievement for a car of its weight.
We hit the freeway and traffic slows us down. A good time now to admire the craftmanship of the interior. Carbon fibre trim adorns the cabin. The leather seats are stitched with unerring accuracy and precision. The driver cluster displays just the right amount information and the white dials with the red needles are a joy to behold. The built-in stopwatch is another simple yet effective function – you can start-stop the watch via buttons on the multi-function steering wheel – lap times on Sepang has never been easier. Indeed, such is the attention to detail and pursuit of driver satisfaction that sets this car apart from its competitors. The rear looks inviting enough for two, and the centre console is uncluttered, unlike those Japanese high-end Toyotas which try to squeeze every imaginable button and gimmick into every conceivable space. It is true that less is sometimes more. There is no hint of rattle or shake or the slightest tinge of bolts or nuts vibrating. It is quiet, and only the 420 horses under the bonnet entertain our aural senses, but never breaking into a sweat. Such refinement.
We exit very soon, chosing to avoid the mad rush home on the freeway. We could have continued into the traffic snarl and remain unflustered, the bose audio system keeping frayed nerves in check and the suite-like cabin forming a cocoon around its occupants.
After exiting, my smooth operator in the driver seat grabs the gear stick, blips, and we are away. The entire exercise of flick-shift-throttle brings us this time into real pace-gaining momentum. This is so wonderful I think to myself – I want to buy one!
I then took my friend on my Maserati and the difference between the 2 cars became apparent. The Maserati exuded italian charm and flair, but the Audi RS4 was scientific, business-like and fuss-free. The power between the 2 cars were very similar – the slightly lower engine output of the Ferrari-engine V8 churning out 390 Bhp in the Maser was compensated by its lighter curb weight. My friend didn’t particularly like my new toy – a set of shimmering TUBI quad pipes delivering what I call a real sports car exhaust note. Nevermind about that, I like the roar enough to live with the mild drone at 2000rpm.
We took the same route and on the stretch of bumps, the Maserati with its skyhook suspension set to sport mode was certainly firmer and the car didn’t seem to enjoy the bumps. I prodded the throttle, and the V8 roared and screamed to the red line, but the rev wasn’t as smooth as the Audi’s. Perhaps it’s the cambiocorsa F1 gearshift imperfections… but once 1st gear was dispatched, the remaining gears was executed with as much gusto as the manual box in the Audi and the sporty rawness of the Maser clearly surfaced. Insulation was not as good, but never unsettling. The car felt heavier turning into the corners, and any over zealous throttling would throw the rear wheels out. (perhaps 19 inches would help..) Driving the Maser required a lot of input and practice on weight balance, whereas sitting in the Audi gave one the feeling of total control and command.
2 very different yet similar cars indeed, but with startlingly different aspirations. The Audi RS4 is your track day hero and parents-in-law favourite – comfortable, quiet and spacious; on the road – a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. The Maserati wont be happy on the track but it will continue to turn heads wherever it goes, especially with its low slung, sleek and futuristic look. The long bonnet with the huge bulge with the roar of the quad pipes will invite its fair share of road visitors in your rear mirror, but with a 0-100kmh timing of 4.9 seconds (just one second shy of the RS4), you need not be overly concerned. 1st gear in the Maserati is a torrid affair at times – trying to get the computer controlled cambiorcosa gearshift to synchronise with your right foot. The trick is to prod the throttle hard on move off – the sound of the quad pipes make up for the retardation in engagement. But it still remains a slightly jerky and awkward affair. Hopefully the next generation Maserati will address some of this problem. DSG style maybe? The smoothless of the Audi manual box is indeed marvelous in comparison. Rear seats are bucket and spacious enough, but certainly the Audi rear is better. Rattling has also been a problem in Maseratis now and then, and mine is not spared either – the driver window goes cluck-a-cluck once in a while, contributed in part to the frameless windows perhaps. No such glitches in the Audi one can be sure.
For refinement, build quality and sublime yet ruthless execution of V8 power, nothing comes close to the RS4. The M3 had better be special, as it would need to improve by leaps and bounds based on the current E46 M3 to beat the Audi. The Maserati is still the connoisseur’s horse carriage – tactile, sensous, flamboyant, and with enough leather to wrap a dozen Louis Vuitton bags to keep your wife happy for 10 wedding anniversaries. It is flawed but beautiful, and in more ways than one.
But the ride in the RS4 still hovers in my head. And yes, I really like it.
Hi everybody!
Nice forum here... I went on a drive on my friend's RS4 yesterday, thot I would post my thots.. Enjoy!
Just a little intro...
Current ride
Maserati 4200GT
BMW Z4 (other half is driving)
Previous rides
Audi A4 1.6 (the old old model)
BMW 320 coupe
BMW 325 Cabrio
EVO IX GSR
***********************************************************
I had a date with the RS4. I have been waiting so long to experience for myself this new wonder car from Audi, so when the opportunity came, I jumped at it without hesitation. How often do you get to sit in one of the motoring world’s finest creation in recent times?
The owner obviously took good care if his stallion – groomed and polished to reflective light from all angles; beauty both inside and out. I opened the door and the feel-good factor was taking over my emotions already.
Settling into the front passenger seat I am immediately cushioned into plush leather and the seats wrap around me just like a well made sofa.. The dash was of impeccable quality- befitting of a marque as reknowed for workmanship as AUDI. Those folks really know their stuff. The steering wheel is a boy racers favourite toy – thick and of just the right diameter to execute those quick sweeps of the steering. The start buttons at the centre console fires up the V8, which roars to life, before settling into a soft, baritone rumble. Music to the senses. The feeling is one of anticipation, of eagerness and purpose, of something truly special.
First gear is engaged with little fuss and the owner takes this 1.7 tonne-over beast out of the garage. The insulation is just about right, I can hear the exhaust burbling softly in the background – nothing intrusive, just a gentle hum in the background. I was reeling with excitement already.
We make the turn into the main road and a jab of the throttle hurls this monster with G-force inducing ferocity into the horizon. The needle sweeps to the red line like a knife cutting through butter with ease. A swift clutch-in, a flick of the left hand, and 2nd gear connects, propelling us into stratospheric speeds. All done with the composure, refinement and tenacity of a thoroughbred machine honed to deliver only its best. I let out a silent yelp as my driver grabs the stick and guides it into 3rd – this is motoring nirvana I tell myself. It made my maserati feel fidgety and unresolved. Forget the italians, forget the blue and white propellor, forget AMG. This is a true enthusiast car in a practical and unassuming body. As we pass lesser cars on the road, the ride continues to amaze me with the right combination of sporty dampening and gentlemanly comfort. Road bumps are glossed over with disdain, and no unnecessary noise is allowed into the cabin – only the soft blowing of the aircon and the sweet supercharger-like whine of the 4.2 litre V8 combined with its glorious and intoxicating exhaust note. Music in a car never felt better. Who needs a radio if a car can be built to orchestrate a symphony with the conductor as your right foot?
We reach our first brake point and the car sheds speed with so much grace it would put to shame those $10,000 aftermarket brakepads that other car nuts tour the world over to freight them in. We attack the first corner like a big-eyed young driver having his first run out on the tarmac. The quattro AWD makes the car feel half its weight entering and powering out of a corner, and coupled with the superb dampening characteristic of the hydraulic suspension, bodyroll is hardly detectable – a remarkable achievement for a car of its weight.
We hit the freeway and traffic slows us down. A good time now to admire the craftmanship of the interior. Carbon fibre trim adorns the cabin. The leather seats are stitched with unerring accuracy and precision. The driver cluster displays just the right amount information and the white dials with the red needles are a joy to behold. The built-in stopwatch is another simple yet effective function – you can start-stop the watch via buttons on the multi-function steering wheel – lap times on Sepang has never been easier. Indeed, such is the attention to detail and pursuit of driver satisfaction that sets this car apart from its competitors. The rear looks inviting enough for two, and the centre console is uncluttered, unlike those Japanese high-end Toyotas which try to squeeze every imaginable button and gimmick into every conceivable space. It is true that less is sometimes more. There is no hint of rattle or shake or the slightest tinge of bolts or nuts vibrating. It is quiet, and only the 420 horses under the bonnet entertain our aural senses, but never breaking into a sweat. Such refinement.
We exit very soon, chosing to avoid the mad rush home on the freeway. We could have continued into the traffic snarl and remain unflustered, the bose audio system keeping frayed nerves in check and the suite-like cabin forming a cocoon around its occupants.
After exiting, my smooth operator in the driver seat grabs the gear stick, blips, and we are away. The entire exercise of flick-shift-throttle brings us this time into real pace-gaining momentum. This is so wonderful I think to myself – I want to buy one!
I then took my friend on my Maserati and the difference between the 2 cars became apparent. The Maserati exuded italian charm and flair, but the Audi RS4 was scientific, business-like and fuss-free. The power between the 2 cars were very similar – the slightly lower engine output of the Ferrari-engine V8 churning out 390 Bhp in the Maser was compensated by its lighter curb weight. My friend didn’t particularly like my new toy – a set of shimmering TUBI quad pipes delivering what I call a real sports car exhaust note. Nevermind about that, I like the roar enough to live with the mild drone at 2000rpm.
We took the same route and on the stretch of bumps, the Maserati with its skyhook suspension set to sport mode was certainly firmer and the car didn’t seem to enjoy the bumps. I prodded the throttle, and the V8 roared and screamed to the red line, but the rev wasn’t as smooth as the Audi’s. Perhaps it’s the cambiocorsa F1 gearshift imperfections… but once 1st gear was dispatched, the remaining gears was executed with as much gusto as the manual box in the Audi and the sporty rawness of the Maser clearly surfaced. Insulation was not as good, but never unsettling. The car felt heavier turning into the corners, and any over zealous throttling would throw the rear wheels out. (perhaps 19 inches would help..) Driving the Maser required a lot of input and practice on weight balance, whereas sitting in the Audi gave one the feeling of total control and command.
2 very different yet similar cars indeed, but with startlingly different aspirations. The Audi RS4 is your track day hero and parents-in-law favourite – comfortable, quiet and spacious; on the road – a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. The Maserati wont be happy on the track but it will continue to turn heads wherever it goes, especially with its low slung, sleek and futuristic look. The long bonnet with the huge bulge with the roar of the quad pipes will invite its fair share of road visitors in your rear mirror, but with a 0-100kmh timing of 4.9 seconds (just one second shy of the RS4), you need not be overly concerned. 1st gear in the Maserati is a torrid affair at times – trying to get the computer controlled cambiorcosa gearshift to synchronise with your right foot. The trick is to prod the throttle hard on move off – the sound of the quad pipes make up for the retardation in engagement. But it still remains a slightly jerky and awkward affair. Hopefully the next generation Maserati will address some of this problem. DSG style maybe? The smoothless of the Audi manual box is indeed marvelous in comparison. Rear seats are bucket and spacious enough, but certainly the Audi rear is better. Rattling has also been a problem in Maseratis now and then, and mine is not spared either – the driver window goes cluck-a-cluck once in a while, contributed in part to the frameless windows perhaps. No such glitches in the Audi one can be sure.
For refinement, build quality and sublime yet ruthless execution of V8 power, nothing comes close to the RS4. The M3 had better be special, as it would need to improve by leaps and bounds based on the current E46 M3 to beat the Audi. The Maserati is still the connoisseur’s horse carriage – tactile, sensous, flamboyant, and with enough leather to wrap a dozen Louis Vuitton bags to keep your wife happy for 10 wedding anniversaries. It is flawed but beautiful, and in more ways than one.
But the ride in the RS4 still hovers in my head. And yes, I really like it.
