Decision time - C63 or all-out daily S4

B8 S4
#1

As the title says. I’m 50-50.

Car 1:
I picked up an awesome deal on a loaded 2013 C63 - all the goodies including the forged motor, LSD, brakes, speed limit. I took over a lease with $900 payments and a buyout of $33K CDN in less than a year. I can drive another 50K km in the next year on the lease, it still has warranty. Stock except for 245/275 rubber on the stock 19s.

This was the car I was intending to keep - until a sweet old lady forced me off the road last month and caused $17K in damage - replacing most of the front suspension and subframe. Not sure if I want to buy it back now.

Car 2:
The S4 is a DSG, Prestige w/ADS and sport diff. It’s been stock for the last little while, but I have an arsenal of parts either been removed from it’s previous incarnation, or never been installed:
Brembo GT 380mm BBK
APR stage II w/pulley, fully loaded ECU w/4 tunes
JHM stage II crank pulley
Roc-Euro intake
EC sways and adjustable end links
Adjustable upper control arms
RE-11s

Mrs Spazz is currently driving the S4, but will trade for an SUV - how typical lol.
Car has 100K km - the motor has 50K km

I have another track car, but I’d rather use one of these two in the next year for daily (120km) and track duty. I go once a month.

If I keep the C63, it’s getting COs, sways, track alignment, long tubes, upgraded oil and trans cooler, sticky track buns, and maybe a tune. I like the V8 a LOT.

If I keep the S4, it’s getting all those parts plus a track alignment, maybe an exhaust too.

SO. what would you do. vote!

#2

if you want a daily that is AWD, fast, interesting and fun, it’s tough

AWD - a bunch of Audis, and a couple $80,000 (used) AMG cars
fast - loads of options
fun - a lot less than you might think, but still a good list
interesting - for me this is key. Interesting is a unique car, that sounds great, looks great and is just…interesting. Otherwise you’ll sell it in 11 months.

Basically that list is real short if you want all of those things. For me, it eliminates all teh V6 cars because I don’t like the sound. If you like the sound, keep the S4. End of discussion…because it ticks all the other boxes.

If you want to move on, that leaves I5T, V8, V8T Audis, and a couple of V8T AMGs (E63 S). The I5T is out because the TTRS isn’t an ideal daily

It’s a REALLY shortt list.

RS5. Excellent car, great looking, rare, sounds great. Nominal upside modifications wise since JHM hasn’t bothered with it yet, and everything else out there is almost doing nothing. Still, if you believe ARin, you can just about run stage 2 S4 times when you’re stock. They’re expensive as hell though…not losing value. That’s a good thing of course if you own one, but if you’re looking, it’s less good. Take over a lease and buy-out is the only way to get one for under $50,000. I’d grab one if I could get over 2 doors.

S6 - the new V8T S6 is awesome. A bit big, and soft, but excellent. THis is the only other car I’d want right now. A bit boring to some. If you like the S7 looks, that’s the other option. I personally can’t get past the hump, so S6 it is.

The C63 is great. Love it…but RWD and 400 ft lbs of torque means a waste of time in my opinion. Constantly fighting to put power down sounds really cool for about 4 days, and then you just wish it would do what every Audi does.

Since your leased one got smashed to shit, I’d just lease return it. There are dozens of them out there, and if you want another, you’ll have plenty of options.

#3

Option C: 2016 C63S ;D

#4

I don’t think much of the new C63S - even if it’s faster around the track - the shape and sound bugs me for some reason. Can’t get over that.

In a way Sak, I’m not enamoured with the 3.0T - I missed a NA V8. Love the big AMG 6.2 V8 sound. And torque. A loose RWD car is lots of fun, I don’t mind not having AWD, even in winter. I’ve driven 400-500 hp RWD cars all winter the last 10 years, and I’ll drive this one all winter. Dig traction in the C63 isn’t as bad as the guys we see at the track make it seem - I think they must have pretty bad reflexes lol. You try it when we’re out.

The C63 is a blast at the track - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMl-vgPeGok - But looks like boro has some luck with the S4 - hopefully I can learn some tricks to dial out the terminal understeer.

I actually love the looks of the B8. But I want the v8. If they brought that B8.5 RS4 I would have bribed my way in line to get one. I like the RS5 - all those reasons. Lady at my kids school has one - already motor issues. I want to see more people put miles on that motor - there were some early failures, and if Audi are really not putting that motor in anything else, I’m a little worried about the likelyhood of replacements and fixes for the common problems that usually the aftermarket/forums figure out.

Anyway the choice is between the S4 and the C63 for now.

#5

^^ if that’s the case, don’t forget about the ISF! :wink:

#6

Out of curiosity, what type of RS5 motor issues did you hear about, Jspazz?

There’s a few owners who I know here that have them and they’re daily driven, and at least one other is tracked.

#7

RS5 would be the shit! If you want a V8, then I wouldn’t settle for the S4. But your B8 is pretty dialed in with all the right mods. Alignment will help, maybe CO’s, but if you are running with the EC goodies, adjustable upper control arms, have the sports diff…and still don’t like the understeer…then the S4 probably isn’t the weapon for you.

I do notice you don’t have an exhaust on your B8, I personally love the car with an exhaust, as it is whisper quiet stock. But you do get some drone at highway speeds. I’ll see how I like the milltek res setup. It’s no V8, but it still sounds good in my opinion.

I know the DB factor is higher, but what about an e90 M3? The torque isn’t the same as the 6.2, but the high revving motor would be great and the track prowess is impressive. Plus, those cars have dived in value compared to something like the RS5. And the DCT should be better than the benz or S4, from what I’ve felt driving them and riding along at the track.

The other option would be going domestic, not sure how you feel about that. A GT350 with the flat plane motor sounds demonic, and it would be a hell of a lot of fun showing up all the track guys with the M3’s and Caymans. Plus that car is ready for dual duty out of the box. Or a boss 302.

I personally wouldn’t want to buy the C63 if it has damage to the subframe and suspension. Especially if you are taking it on track. You can probably recover some cost from the S4 through a part out.

#8

I think there are 2 conflicting things here. One is character.
We all love the V8 in the C63 'cause of the character. The sound, the power delivery, the theatrics. All great things, and let me tell you, I do miss driving a V8 since going to the S4. That said, if we’re talking dual duty track weapon, and you’re after absolute best lap times… You’re going to have to do some research. I don’t know what is available for the C63 parts wise. I also considered the C63 before going S4. Buuuuuuut the earlier ones had really nasty interior (imo) which I didn’t like, but I also didnt like the look of the face lifted cars shrug. If we’re talking subjective style…in my eyes, the audi looks much better both inside and out. Aftermarket stuff is easily accessible, and not having bespoke parts make it much less of a headache service wise. So long term ownership? I think the win goes to the S4.

What you really need to do is a test drive to settle your thoughts. We can talk all we want, but the end decision is yours to make and you need to judge for yourself. You should really drive a properly setup S4…and I don’t know any better local one than my own :slight_smile: You are welcome to try it out if you like. By the sounds of all the tracks you go to, we shouldn’t be far from each other. PM me if you’d like to give it a whirl.

With my current setup and driving normally, I can pitch it sideways on the street. The on power rotation is pretty fierce. In the rain in sport mode (all systems off not even needed!), you can go all gymkana everywhere. This is my first awd car, and now knowing how to set them up, I’m no longer adverse to awd for track use (I originally was–and to be frank, I hated how the car drove in stock config). On track, I also have good trailing throttle rotation. It drives nothing like an awd car “should”, based on most generalizations of how awd cars tend to drive. In short, you can make this car handle. The double wishbones up front help that out a tremendous deal.

I will also say that coilovers isn’t as important as most people make them up to be. Roll stiffness is important–yes. Bars will fix that problem. The real battle is alignment to make it work for you.

#9

I’m biased but I’d stick with the B8 and give it a few years and then pick up something else… Especially with the Benz having that much damage from the accident, that would eat at me constatnly…

#10

I think he could show those guys up if he was driving a minivan lol

#11

Tough call.

If the C63 had a lot of damage, I agree that turning it in may be the best option. It seems like resale would take a huge hit down the road, and the lease turn-in gives you a pretty good out without having to deal with that headache. I’d be worried about it’s track worthiness after $17k in damage, but you probably know if it’s safe or not. I’m assuming you wouldn’t be asking this question if you felt it wasn’t.

I say tough call because it sounds like (to me) that your heart is pretty well set on the C63 or similar, and reluctantly letting the wife trade in the S4 for an SUV. Is it safe to assume that if the C63 hadn’t been wrecked, your mind would be made up?

I think the easy/logical option is to keep the S4, and convert it into your track toy, but I think you have to decide if you can live with that when/if your heart is set on something else. Obviously, you’re probably going to get more people here that think the S4 (or RS5) is the way to go, but you’re the one that has to live with it every day. I like the RS5 idea, but I don’t have to worry about the maintenance on a car I don’t own (yet!).

#12

lol interesting how the reply quoted me with drob’s post.

Back to the topic at hand.

Echoing prime’s comment, the damage would bug me.

I really like the RS5 (obviously).

And since you’ve already have had a S4, do you really want to go into the same car again?

Also, do you still have the NSX?

#13

I think he’s not talking about getting another S4…he already has the same (white) one. Just deciding does he take that from his wife, and get her an SUV, or does he get another C63 and leave her with the S4.

#14

C63 just too small for me. My girlfriend used to have C350 and to me they just come ass a girls car. If I were getting an AMG it would be an E63 or nothing. Can you trade the C63 for an E63?

#15

Lol there’s always a lot of new track drivers in exotics - it’s always fun.

The C63 had everything replaced instead of straightened - basically the curb ripped the wheel and mounts off the subframe without any body damage. Even the fender was ok. So everything was replaced up front (subframe, rack, all suspension etc). I’m not worried about the longevity but rather not excited about the diminished value of a $17K claim on record (carfax or whatever).

Between the other V8s:

I don’t know enough about the ISF to comment Cloch

drob, I’m not sold on the looks of the E90/E92, but it is a neat motor. Maybe I should have a look or we should ping Bear to come to the track.

I would seriously think about a GT350 - I have a strong Mustang bias due to my brother’s and dad’s past ownerships. It is the best sounding flat plane v8 I’ve heard, nicer than the Ferrari or the McLaren I “hear” a lot. A little weird feeling about going domestic now though, I admit it.

Psyk I’d seen the RS5 failure on AZ, plus the mom I know. http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/599201-Three-month-old-RS5-dead-engine . You don’t know of any others? Good news.

I don’t love the looks of the C63, the facelift is a lot better I guess, but not as appealing to me as the B8. But the motor is sweet out of the box, and even the transmission is so well sorted compared to the DSG. The driving position and view out is perfect for me in both cars - and that’s a huge factor to me being a short guy who sits low but wants the wheel in my lap nascar-style. I’d consider a BS C63 for sure.

Boro - (and drob) for sure we should meet at a track…let me know anytime - shanny is a little far for what it is, but Mosport and TMP easily. I’d love to go to Bogie in the car, only done bike laps there when it first opened - and I crashed twice that weekend lol.

Psyk - I’m keeping the NSX forever…people are starting to ask “what is that” again lol. Will be nice to have when the new one comes out. It’s just so weak in a straight line - but FI motors seem to only last 10-20K. And half its miles these days are track miles.

Having all the S4 parts already, and the potential for deep 11s is exciting me - having a well sorted track car would be great too. Having a motor that hopefully can be easily (ie not $20K) swapped is a factor, which I assume will become more and more likely with the 3.0T. Everything on paper says the S4. I just know I’m gonna miss the big V8.

You guys are helping me get more excited about it - thanks.

#16

Oops double post

#17

how about 11.999 or better first…did you ever make an 11 second pass? I have you as 12.08 or something on the list.

good point about the 3.0T. Audi used the shit out of those in a bunch of platforms here over the past 5 years (A6/S4/S5/Q5/Q7/A7/A8). Must be pretty easy to get a hold of one.

#18

Yeah, I saw that thread on AZ. I haven’t had an issue on my car - though I’m curious about carbon buildup. Maybe I’ll have Achtuning take a look at it next year (and post whatever findings). I’m over 20k miles (coming to 23k I THINK lol). Not that there’s any stuttering or anything.

There’s a few RS5s in the area and they seem to be going strong so far. Haven’t heard of anything.

#19

Yeah true. Shouldn’t count my chickens before they hatch - but consistent pump 11s would be my goal. And a race gas 11.5 would be nice. I’m curious but I believe my full options car handicapped by a tenth on the others - so doubt I’d ever be a record holder.

#20

You could always take the seats out, and remove the exhaust…