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RR of the Day: 2001 Audi S4
The last generation (B5) of the Audi S4 was a force to be reckoned with. The twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, coupled to the automaker's legendary Quattro system made the S4 one of the great sleepers to come out of Germany. Unfortunately, the combination of misplaced weight, a high sticker and a duo of finicky K03 turbos made it a car for only the most dedicated of quad-ring enthusiasts.
However, one enthusiast by the name of Julia Howard, has pined away for the understated Audi since high school and was finally able to buy this example in 2004. It wasn't made clear whether Julia installed her go-fast bits personally or the previous owner added them, but the combination of power and handling mods gives her ride the distinction of being today's RR of the Day.
The turbo'd six's breathing duties have been enhanced with a trifecta of APR tubing, including a bi-pipe, down-pipe and turbo-back exhaust. A MTM Stage 3 chip handles the air and fuel ratios and an RS4 clutch has been fitted for extra bite. The Tanoga short shifter and H&R coilovers are installed to ensure Julia can get every tactile sensation while behind the wheel, and the BFGoodrich T/A KDWs, mounted on the stock rims, keep grip during prolonged G's.
Overall, Ms. Howard has kept her S4 in clean condition, not drawing attention to its high powered potential, insuring less attention from the cops and more attention to bone-heads that challenge her at stop light drags.
All this week we'll feature unrelated rides that catch our eye, but we're returning with a theme next week and that theme is "Best Autocross Car". If you've got a hot AutoXer, join the Autoblog Flickr Pool and submit your ride for consideration. More detailed instructions can be found after the jump.
How to submit to RR of the Day:
Create a Flickr account if you don't already have one. Search for and join the group called 'Autoblog RR of the Day'. Upload up to three photos of your ride to your own account at a size no larger than 450 pixels wide if possible and include as much information about it and yourself as possible. Even if your ride is sweet, it will not be chosen if there's not a lot of info accompanying it. Click on each photo and just above the picture it will say "Send to group". Click that and select the Autoblog group. You're done, that's it!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Erik 9:58AM (11/09/2006)
zzzzzzzzzz...
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Morgan 10:04AM (11/09/2006)
zzzzzzzz....Real sleeper indeed. Mine was actually one of the most reliable cars that I have ever owned. Very refined in stock form though (almost boring). You had no Idea what the thing was capable of until you made that "request" with a firm right foot.
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Riker 10:26AM (11/09/2006)
Hands down, my favorite car ever. Someday we'll meet, baby...
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Aaron 10:32AM (11/09/2006)
The bi-turbo S4 is far from "zzzzzz". The horsepower and torque can be bumped to 320 and 370 respectively with just an ECU chip. I really think it might be the next Supra. If you want added reliability and power, pop in some RS4 K04 turbos and fueling to get in the 400-500 horsepower range. There are a couple members on Audiworld.com who have thrown in some Garrett G28 turbos and are making 700-800 horsepower. The stock block is really stout too.
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David F 10:53AM (11/09/2006)
A 2007 S4 passed me as I was crossing the street the other day. It was heading towards a red light, but even as it started to slow down, you could hear an almost jet engine like techno-badass rumble/wine. It was definitely a sweet sound!
I think Audi's styling is catching up with it's driving intentions. Sure, this 2001 S4 looks as plain Jane as anything, but it sure is a sweet drive.
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Yoda2006 11:07AM (11/09/2006)
Have my babies...
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Shivang 11:10AM (11/09/2006)
I have the same engine in my A6...I wish it was stage 3 though :(
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BlahBlah 11:11AM (11/09/2006)
its decently quick, but she can't drive it worth a damn, and the interior is falling apart.
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epp_b 11:18AM (11/09/2006)
My neighbor has one of these. It's not a turbo-charged model, but a 3.0L V6. Sounds pretty good and looks very nice.
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Sebastian 11:14AM (11/09/2006)
Only thing that could make it beeter if it was hibiscus red
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J P 11:16AM (11/09/2006)
i dont know about the S4, but we had a 96 A4 (basically the same bodystyle) and it was hands down the least reliable car ever. the door locks failed, the A/C failed, the ignition switch needed to be replaced entirely, and little bits of trim kept falling off on the inside.
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Coachzed 11:30AM (11/09/2006)
epp- If it's a 3.0, it is neither a B5 nor a S4.
I'm glad to see some S4 love on this site. Reliability aside, this car is destined to be an absolute classic. Subtle, timeless design (who would actually guess this car is two model generations old?) and very good all-around driving dynamics. The B5 is the platform that resurrected Audi and deserves some serious recognition.
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dcc 12:44PM (11/09/2006)
About time a B5 S5 finally made it as reader's ride! And the comments about misplaced wight and finicky turbos are spot on. However, if we look back to the turn the grand year 2000, it was without a doubt the best combination of sport, design, luxury, all weather capbaility around. Oh and yeah, I priced out a 325xi at the time with similar options for comparisons sake...just 2K less then the S4 equipped the same so you could argue a REAL intro lux bargain at the time too. 6 years later, I still have mine and still love it!
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definitely not willis 1:21PM (11/09/2006)
Such a nice car. Almost makes you think it should be put into a bubble for safe keeping. Bet the owner loves the STERLING silver paint.
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PIITB AWOT 1:17PM (11/09/2006)
And we all know Silver is the fastest color... that easily adds 10whp
too bad the paint weight savings is offset by those anchors she calls wheels
Kinesis FTW!
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Tom Winch 1:20PM (11/09/2006)
"The last generation (B5) of the Audi S4 was a force to be reckoned with."
The last generation of the Audi S4 was the B6 with the 340 HP V8. The B5 cars were over with the 2001 model year. The B6 series ran from 2002 through 2005. The B7 was phased in in 2005 as a 2005.5 model. The B7 is the current generation, with the same 340 HP V8. The B5 cars were very good, but had some issues. Audi has definitely upped their game with the B6 and B7 series though.
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Mica 1:38PM (11/09/2006)
Julia wants to have sex with me. I told her no.
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Darryl 1:34PM (11/09/2006)
I'd hit it. Both the car and smokin' chick.
xoxo
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Cameron 1:46PM (11/09/2006)
Nice, I told audi to design a FAST sedan for rich HS students...and they did that with the B5S4. I like what the owner has done with the car.
Sadly, the owner is NOT my type...I prefer women who are a size 2/love silicone enhancements/and toys made out of glass.
Oh well, back to the car....my next plan to help the automotive community is to influence the chinese automotive manufacturers to make a luxury sedan for the "urban" market. If it worked for chrysler....
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Justin 1:48PM (11/09/2006)
very nice car. but probably spent way too much money on it. I will give the credit to a cheap highly modified daily driver that is made of junkyard and fabbed parts and tuned on the street; none of that plug and play one size fits all air/fuel map PROM crap.
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