I am looking at replacing my wife's '99 A6q with a urs4. I currently have a '01 S4 Avant 6-sp, but have not found a local urs4 to drive and evaluate (found one S6 Avant that was sadly beat to a pulp and drove horribly - at least I hope it was beat to a pulp, otherwise my old '85 GTI could take urs lunch money with aplomb...)

So - how does the urs4 compare? I am assuming I would chip the s4 to the 275hp level... is it nearly as quick as my '01 Avant? How is lag on these cars? Please tell me it is sprung stiffer than the '99 A6q u-boat... I believe it will "feel" smaller than the A6 (my wife complains that the A6 is too big) yes?

Any help would be most appreciated...

Alll in all, the current S4 is lighter, equally as powerful, and is a smaller car than the UrS4/6. These elements simply make the car faster on the track and just has a quicker feel in general. Modifications are easy and abundant, making them relatively inexpensive. Due to the shortcomings in the suspension the mods are needed to help balance the suspension.

The UrS4/6 20 v Turbo, just has a much greater level of refinement as an engine. The engine has had much greater testing and time proven durability, with the potential for more power than the Bi-Turbo, albeit at a fairly high cost. I chose the UrS4 based on a few factors. First and foremost, I got a car with 59,000 miles for $12,500 (add $6,000 in mods and I have a rocket ship at a low cost). I had an A4 and the back seat is just way too small, I really wanted more room for myself and my passengers out of such an externally big car (if I wanted that kind of room, I would buy a WRX). The final straw was in the UrS4's weight distribution. It's almost a perfect 50/50 split making this heavy car feel very lively and agile even in the most demanding roads. I feel as though I can dive into a corner with much more predictable results with the UrS over the current model.

Where do you live? I am sure that there is a very proud UrS owner somewhere that would be willing to show off their car.

JMHO

I agree with Maynard's comments. I have a 1993 S4 and love it. Re: your size issue, our friends have a 1998 A6 and my Ur-S4 feels smaller. It really isn't much different outside, but the inside feels smaller on my car, the new A6's are simply cavernous inside. (Although no one has ever complained of my car being tight inside).
Jim
93S4

If I could find a 59,000 mile example for 12,500 I would buy it in a heart beat, generally I see cars with double that mileage for 12.5k... gotta be in the right place at the right time, I guess.

I am in Los Angeles, with a move back to NY likely in the next 6 mo or so...

Definitely appreciate the input, exactly what I needed to pick up the pace on this!

I have both. The S6 is perhaps the best built car I have ever seen and an extremely comfortable highway car. I love the 5 cylinder engine, particularly the way it sounds, and the skill reuired to keep the boost up when driving fast. I also think, with 17 in. wheels, it is a beautiful car, certainly prettier than the current A6 2.7T. I also like my S4 largely becuse its size is more personal and tossable, but the ride/handling balance is particularly good. By comparison, the S6 ride is less fluid and fails to absorb small irregularities in road surface. The S4 interior is much less sumptuous than the S6 too. My recommendation: find a good S6, and invest in a good riding tire like the Dunlop SP9000 or the Pirelli PZero Rosso.

(under 80k) and on top of that, in your area and for a good price. Keep your eyes open and look long and hard.

even from Carousel Audi in Wayzata, MN!!!!

I'm in San Francisco, moving to Boston and will be driving...should be a really fun trip. If you are ever in Boston, and want to drive one, I know of a couple of UrS owners. Also, somewhere in this forum, there is a link to the NY Metro Quattro Club.