Introduced in late 2004, the fourth generation B7 S4 was more a facelift than it was a new platform for Audi. While this model featured sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing design cues compared to its predecessors, not much was changed in light of suspension geometry, engine configuration, and overall ride quality. Under its hood, the same BHF 4.2L engine found a home, producing the same 339 horses and 302 lbs ft of torque as originally equipped in the B6 version of the same designation. Suspension-wise only slight changes were made to coil springs and dampers, and as our subject B7 S4 is a 2006 model year, it did not have the updated T-3 Torsen center differential which gives an asymmetrical 40:60 torque split. Our project vehicle is on loan to us from our good friends at M&M Motors LLC in Clinton CT, who have graciously provided the vehicle for our review of this chassis’ ownership experience. Mike and Mac have helped us out with content in the past, with the former filming several Audi DIY’s from their shop. While project B7 S4 came to us with 110K on the clock and celebrating its 11th birthday, it was surprisingly in great shape, having recently had paint work done to touch up a few scuffs on the front and rear bumper.
For our initial road test, I grabbed Nate and Michael, our resident race car drivers, and we took project B7 S4 for a spin. As soon as I hopped in and took the wheel, I immediately appreciated the factory Recaro leather seats as they hug the body and are extremely comfortable. Having both an Audi B5 S4 and B6 A4 at my disposal, I noticed almost immediately how familiar the cabin was and how not much bigger this car really is to its predecessors. At 5’10”, average male height, I felt very comfortable in either front driver or passenger seat, while an over 6" tall Brand Manager was pretty cramped in the back seats of our 4-door. The cluster on a B7 S4 is quite busier than older models as this B7 came with the Audi Navigation system (equipped with a Bose stereo system that needed to be serviced) and a digital vehicle systems indicator in between our gauges, all features I did not really care for. But who needs any of that when this car, even in factory trim, comes with one of my favorite soundtracks!
Right off the bat, as soon as you start one of these up, you become victim to the intoxicating rumble of the 4.2L engine. One of the reasons I wanted to have others with me as I road tested this car was to try and cover the maniacal grin that comes over me while accelerating. This thing is a blast to drive, no ifs, ands, or buts. I could immediately feel how effortless the acceleration was and how well-suited the 4.2L, combined with the Audi Quattro system, are to the S4. Now, I would not say it is particularly fast, as I have driven much faster factory trim vehicles, but I have to be honest in saying I haven’t driven a car this fun in quite a while.
Almost immediately taking it down the road though, I noticed one of the first issues we were going to have to tackle on the car, a light clunk coming from the front suspension over bumps. This model Audi, and most others for the past 20 years, feature a multi-link front suspension, where each side of the car will have four different control arms attaching the spindle to the front subframe. Failure on any one of the end points (be it ball joints or bushings) could cause that noise I was hearing. A common problem on any Audi really, and typically the first order of business in repairs for a new Audi owner. Knowing I would have this car for some time and that I would enjoy it, I decided to let Nate (one of the pilots for our AER C300 race car) take the wheel and see if we could get some non-biased feedback (I was already smitten from project B7). He almost immediately noticed the braking feel or stopping power in project B7 S4 seeming to be a bit lacking. As these models are offered with significantly larger discs and a massive caliper compared to their base model counterparts, something was a bit off with the bite. Cruising on the highway and enjoying the audio from the dual exhausts, we started to talk numbers and what someone would be looking at if they were in the market for some V8 goodness. Now, a B7 S4 in the trim we tested will range anywhere between 12-16K which is considerably more than a traditional Audi A4, but when compared to other vehicles of the same vintage and genre, will be in line with similar/great condition E46 M3’s and poor condition/higher mileage C63 AMG’s in the used market and in our area.
But here's the difference between a B7 S4 and its competition: both the E46 M3 and C63 AMG are what we in New England call summer cars. That means they are only taken out of storage and driven after mid-spring and before mid-fall. Half an inch of snow or some heavy rain and either vehicle's owner is parking it, whereas project B7 S4 will not care about what’s going on outside, it's always ready to play! Also, as I can tell from first hand experience having driven all three, the B7 is the easier to tame, providing the most practicality and space. With our initial review wrapped up and the rain starting to fall heavier, we decided to bring her home so we can begin tackling the issues on our new project car. Excited for what we have in store for this car and can’t wait to share more with you.
