Diesel

I have a 470LbFt RS4 but miss my STi V big time on the back roads.

John's very objective opinion on the S4/RS4 handling here backs up my own objective perf car driver feelings (and the deaf ear/my unpopularity on RS4.NET ) The car lacks compliance and feels overdamped. I would slaughter my 450bhp RS4 in my (now nicked ) 'soft' 300 bhp STi V...period.

HOWEVER I much prefer to cart my baby about in the hewn from solid 12 airbag RS4... The RS4 is a much better proposition in the bank manager's car park - it screams I'm grown up classy not teenage tarty!!! The engine is also a thoroughbred and is absolutely awsome - breathing so well at 7500 and not out of any turbo puff as John suggests!

Unf there is simply no other option for me in having a sporty, practical, safe well built family car (that can stomp past flat out Boxster S's with my a big dog in the boot laughing at him sat next to a secondhand sideboard!!!!) and that all in a car that looks great, is special, holds its value, and projects an owner image that works well for my business. There is nothing else out there.

I still want a modded STi V though...

D

john banks

I think unless you've tried a sorted Evo/Scooby it is difficult to imagine how planted these things can feel and how they laugh fairground style at wicked compressions and cambers and encourage you to try harder next time. It is not handling finesse in the slightest though. When I was in the market for the Scooby first time I was trying all sorts of German stuff, some considerably more expensive, and the back road test route for the Scooby just astonished me what was actually possible in a road car, especially one so relatively under-tyred. But apart from being cheap, that is all they really excel at. Had I never tried the Scooby I think I would think the German stuff could not be beaten in any department. And I would also not look and feel like a tit driving German stuff and the neighbours would approve

Diesel

John, it is nice to see I am not alone in my conclusions! I think the Audi guys are just as bad as the Scoob guys in their rather un-objective car appraisals. It's always based more on recemt sales invoice matters than any longer term variety of driving experiences!It remains unbelievable how planted, flattering and forgiving a simply sorted Impreza is. Fabulous car - much better than most of their drivers even, and that statement is as good and as real as it gets. Still sticking to my posh hearse though

Edit - have you had a dig in the ECU etc yet J? Sounds really nerdy to say but the ECU is FABULOUS on the car ans seemingly so much more responsive and sophistiated than other cars I have driven. I never need throttle to reverse uphil in a tight drive for e.g - ECU ensures engine NEVER stalls - SO responisve.

Trem

iTrader: (3)

Are the RS4's the mega dear ones?

Diesel

I hope so mate! 28 - 35...
http://www.rs246.com/modules/copperm..._AudiRS4B5_008
Phat wings & tyres

Diesel

Useless link sorry - looked good under 'properties'...

Try http://www.rs246.com/modules.php?op=...80&cat=0&pos=7 if THEY play ball?

Jeff Wiltshire

Your arguement (both of you) also works another way round. If you've never driven a well sorted 944 Turbo or 968 or a host of other cars you'd never realise how dynamically challenged an Impreza really is. A well sorted RWD car is always going to out handle a 4WD car. The blinkered approach from the RS4 owners on rs246.com is a nothing compared to the religious fervor that is Scoobynet and Impreza's handling aka the "twisty bits" (TM Scoobynet). What the Scooby does is flatter the drivers ability

john banks

Agree on handling Jeff. But that was never my point, it was body control and weight distribution, and yes, flattering my naff driving.

Is a 944 Turbo in a different league to a 993 C2 for body control on a tricky road? I have followed a 993 to the point where I would now (like with bikers) not go anywhere near them for fear of leading them to push too hard and do something silly on my account based on what I've seen. The 993 was bottoming out and hitting the back end off the road over yumps which the Scooby could easily take faster. I have no doubt they are great on a smooth track or for handling finesse.

I'm basing these on what I've seen, not on some recycled religious fervour.

However, Evo magazine mentioned that the 911 Turbo was faster across challenging roads in a group, but only because it had more power not because of some suspension or body control magic.

I don't think my car is the best in the world, Trem wanted opinions from Scoobynet users who've tried an S4, that is all I gave (for an RS4 which most agree is more competent out the box). He might try it and think it suits his needs - I am not saying it is a "bad" car, just that I personally was bitterly disappointed compared with the hype, a potential step up has for me been obviously deleted from the wish list.

Jeff Wiltshire

John

You have every right to your opinion and for you the Impreza works ƒº ¡K..Very few people are brave enough to really push a car down country roads or have the country roads that would allow you to find the limits of a car without being locked up or killing some innocent bystander. I live in the South East of England and the roads around here are either too narrow or too heavily used to attempt to find the limits of my S4 body control (or not).

A 944 or 968 has the engine in the ¡¥right¡¦ place and is much more controlled down a country road or a track because they have the fabled 50:50 weight split with the transaxle in the back. If you ever have the chance to try one you will immediately understand the difference between a sports car and a 4-Door Japanese (or German !) saloon with a great engine and 4WD system. The steering and handling is on a different planet. You can also get the same effect with a Elise or VX220.

Standard UK Impreza (MY00) has suspension that is typically Japanese which is overdamped and undersprung and needs some serious work with anti-dive, ARB, suspension and geometry to get anywhere near the fabled Impreza in the "twisty bits" (TM Scoobynet).

I've also never suggested that your driving is naff, I'll just have to take your word for it

So is it understeer you suffer from or are you just skidding

john banks

My driving IS naff though I probably need to grow up as well

Maybe I also forget what standard Scoobies are like.

ADP

CORNER


whats the servicing costs and miles on these...............seems like a whole lot of car for the money to me

Jeff Wiltshire

I've just done the big service on mine (80K) and it cost £800 which is the belts, waterpump etc. Mine is modified and I get 21-22 around town, 26-28 on a run and 7-9 on track

ADP

Ok scooby mpg then, whats the service intervals? or is it BMW style

Jeff Wiltshire

10K normally

HONDA_RVF400

iTrader: (1)

alright lads, just been reading this thread sounds good,

well anyway, i went to my work today (peugeot garage, dont laugh!) and last nite they had a trade in,s4 sreg 103k in black looks well nice thinking of buying it off them what would be a good price for it??

oh yeah, also started it up and sounds like heat shield rattle, is it very expensive to replace or what do you do??

reply asap

Thanks
Adam

FletchCSL

Drove an S4 years ago when they fisrt came out. Remember being very impressed, but found it to be more of a cruiser which it excels at. If your interested in the S4 check out the C43 AMG also. I ended up with an M3 Evo at the time as i found it to be more fun to drive whilst being faster.

The S4 looks really nice IMO especially in that Negarno blue colour (think thats what it was called). Classy, understated, refined and wont attract desirables or give you a bad image.

Go for it!

Jeff Wiltshire

S reg S4 is pre-facelift and the rattle is a known problem with the early cars....it's the inner 'skin' of the manifold come away from the outer skin. Cost to repair is £2200 as it's an engine out job.....Most people replace the turbos as well as they could be damaged.

Most pre-facelift cars had this work done under warrenty. This doesn't effect post facelift cars (post oct/Nov 1999).

I would guess that the car is probable worth £5K with the rattle and your going to have to spend 2.5-3K to sort the problems (manifold and new K03 turbos).

FletchCSL

May as well put on KO4's then Aren't the standard turbo's 1k each i heard?

Jeff Wiltshire

K04 conversion is a £6K with full Milltek exhaust, Intercoolers, RS4 Injectors, Fuel Pump, MAF. Turbos, remap etc etc.....

HONDA_RVF400

iTrader: (1)

ok cheers guys, il have to see how much they want for it

Trem

iTrader: (3)

Let me know as well Honda.

Thank you Jeff and John. Some great, constructive comments.

I still want one, this manifold thing is worrying me lots though.

I think I'm leaning towards an S3 for some reason. You know to ease me into grown up car ownership.

I have enquired about another S4 Avant which is £13'000 and they say I will have to give them £7000 as well as my car, thats a decent price to be honest. I am going to mull it over this week.

Thanks again lads.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Speak to AmD in Bicester nr Oxford. Quality advice on all things VAG/Porsche etc.

HONDA_RVF400

iTrader: (1)

Just spoken to the sales guys and they want £7500 for the car as it is,

im no expert i no but it does seem to have a rattle coming from somewhere at the bulkhead, so could be the heatshield!
if anyone wants it let me no and il pass your details on

its in West Sussex by the way



[QUOTE=Trem]Let me know as well Honda.

Trem

iTrader: (3)

Will they take my car in part ex? 1999 S reg UK Impreza 5 door turbo.

I am deffo interested as the rattle will make me get the turbo conversion thing anyways.

My phone number is 07736312345.

HONDA_RVF400

iTrader: (1)

I dont see why they wont take a px,
Give Mark (Sales manager) a ring on 01243 782163
and tel him Adam from parts gave you his number.

Let me no how it goes.....

Adam

steige

Just noticed these for sale on ebay. Thought they may be of interest to this topic!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...521870785&rd=1

Trem

iTrader: (3)

Thanks Adam. Will be ringing later today although Sussex is bloody far away from me(Stoke). Does it have leather seats and did you notice if it has the BOSE stereo upgrade?

Did you try telling the sales manager what the rattle is and how much it would cost to repair? If so wouldn't he knock any off the price?

Going off what Jeff said I think £7500 is a bit high seeing as I will have a £3000 bill straight away.

If you can provide answers to these questions then it will save me asking when I ring.

Thanks again.

Jeff Wiltshire

I would have a serious look at this one if I was you...

http://www.rs246.com/modules.php?op=...l&cat=51&de=38

HONDA_RVF400

iTrader: (1)

Just had a look and she's got full leather, ive had a look at the sterio and its got a audi connect head unit so i take it is not the bose upgrade...

i really dont no about the price im sure if you haggle he might do a bit...

anyway up to you...

thanks
Adam

teknobod

If it has the Concert headunit fitted, it may still have the BOSE upgrade. Easiest way to tell is switch on the headunit and the first thing that appears is "BOSE".

Andy