2011 Sti v. 2011 S4
- Thread starter Kent
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ShobThaBob
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- rosooftw
If you must, then be safe. Go with the STi instead of the S4 which is a few months from being completely out of warranty. If you can't afford to buy a new one, you can't afford to buy a 2 or 3 yearold one and fix it when it breaks. It's a pity too, I really love Audis to death 
E - There's also the middleground between the two of the Golf R(32).
E - There's also the middleground between the two of the Golf R(32).
- 9,058
- Murica
- BasedAckbar
Depends on what you are looking for Kent. The luxury of the S4, or the balls to walls fun in the STi.
Personally I'll go for the S4 because it'll make transporting the family easier, but as Shob said above, out of warranty Audis can become a nightmare at the cashier's register.
Personally I'll go for the S4 because it'll make transporting the family easier, but as Shob said above, out of warranty Audis can become a nightmare at the cashier's register.
- 8,191
- Southern Louisiana
- GTP_Kent
I do have the 2011 sti, just considering the switch... Over and over I see problems reported on the net and unlike my sti you dont have to poorly tune for problems to surface. Sadly, Im already seeing this thread as a moot point.
Audi seems unreliable between diff leaks water pumps and electical problems. More over its awefully expensive.
Then again the drive in the 7 speed audi was impressive with shift speed and torque.
Im going to keep considering the option but at the end of the day Im not sure I can match the Sti's value as a daily driver for the enthusiast.
Maybe I should consider the IS350 and others of the sport sedan luxury ilk?
Audi seems unreliable between diff leaks water pumps and electical problems. More over its awefully expensive.
Then again the drive in the 7 speed audi was impressive with shift speed and torque.
Im going to keep considering the option but at the end of the day Im not sure I can match the Sti's value as a daily driver for the enthusiast.
Maybe I should consider the IS350 and others of the sport sedan luxury ilk?
- 9,058
- Murica
- BasedAckbar
Try to find an IS350 with the F-sport package. My brother has a 250 with the package and it makes the car great. Feels planted.
- 4,213
- Puerto Rico
- motortrend
I think I'd go STI and since it's probably a little cheaper spend the rest on mods to my liking. I'm also not sure of the V6T on the S4.
You could consider the F30 328i, it drives great from what I've read, even sportier than the 335 and with a tune you can get that four banger up to 300 horses, though again I'm not so sure about long term reliability, From experience the engine has given me no problems (on an X3) and the torque feels great
You could consider the F30 328i, it drives great from what I've read, even sportier than the 335 and with a tune you can get that four banger up to 300 horses, though again I'm not so sure about long term reliability, From experience the engine has given me no problems (on an X3) and the torque feels great
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
My mate had an STi (It met a cliff about 4 weeks after he took ownership) and I've also ridden in an S4.
Granted, both were older models than these, but I wasn't entirely sure how my mate lived with his STi on a daily basis- It was loud and uncomfortable. The Audi had way more creature comforts, and while it seemed less quick, I would have preferred it.
Granted, both were older models than these, but I wasn't entirely sure how my mate lived with his STi on a daily basis- It was loud and uncomfortable. The Audi had way more creature comforts, and while it seemed less quick, I would have preferred it.
ShobThaBob
Premium
- 2,651
- rosooftw
I do have the 2011 sti, just considering the switch... Over and over I see problems reported on the net and unlike my sti you dont have to poorly tune for problems to surface. Sadly, Im already seeing this thread as a moot point.
Audi seems unreliable between diff leaks water pumps and electical problems. More over its awefully expensive.
Then again the drive in the 7 speed audi was impressive with shift speed and torque.
Im going to keep considering the option but at the end of the day Im not sure I can match the Sti's value as a daily driver for the enthusiast.
Maybe I should consider the IS350 and others of the sport sedan luxury ilk?
When it comes to cost of ownership, I think G37 and IS350 are in a league of their own.
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Wouldn't the S3 hatch be a more direct competitor for the STI hatch?
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- WRBWRXMAX
- Max Archer
If the STI is already yours I'd stick with it. Given two used cars, I might go with the Audi only because it's likely to have been abused less than the Subaru, but since you don't have to worry about history with the STI it's probably the safer bet.
- 6,041
- Puget Sound
- Crash852
Though Audis make nice cars, my friend's Audi was unreliable and expensive to own and maintain.
I don't think the S3 was ever sold in the US.
I don't think the S3 was ever sold in the US.
Ibonibo
Premium
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Audi. 200%
I may be a bit biased, owning one.
And I have no idea where the whole "unreliable" comes from. Maybe US audis are put togehter in Mexico?
I never had a problem with mine.
my dad drives Audi's for 30 years. Each one has made over 300000km in a short period of time (5-7years) and was sold afterwards, never heard a compliant from the buyers. Only had a problem with one, which we got exchanged as it was obviously a Monday Car. My brother has an A3, no problem. My S3 with 170000km has still the first turbo and goes like hell for an 1.8t. Build quality is awesome, only Lexus could reach in some ways.
Cost are more expensive than other makes, but that is the case with all the premium German Cars.
I have driven the 2012 S4. And it's a beast. The 3.0l TFSI is an incredible piece of enginering. Add a Abt engine tuning package and it's incredible bang for the buck.
I may be a bit biased, owning one.
And I have no idea where the whole "unreliable" comes from. Maybe US audis are put togehter in Mexico?
I never had a problem with mine.
my dad drives Audi's for 30 years. Each one has made over 300000km in a short period of time (5-7years) and was sold afterwards, never heard a compliant from the buyers. Only had a problem with one, which we got exchanged as it was obviously a Monday Car. My brother has an A3, no problem. My S3 with 170000km has still the first turbo and goes like hell for an 1.8t. Build quality is awesome, only Lexus could reach in some ways.
Cost are more expensive than other makes, but that is the case with all the premium German Cars.
I have driven the 2012 S4. And it's a beast. The 3.0l TFSI is an incredible piece of enginering. Add a Abt engine tuning package and it's incredible bang for the buck.
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I guess to me, they seem like radically different ends of the spectrum. Even if Subaru has significantly added to the luxury of the STi over the years, it by no means is a direct competitor to the S4. I suppose that, in my mind, you'd have to choose between the raw performance of the STi, or the civilized abilities of the S4. There isn't much of a medium here.
I mean, when you're throwing down $40k, there are a lot of interesting options made available, both used and new.
I would say that, if it were my money, I'd be looking at something that'll hold up for a while but also give you some cheap thrills. I'd want something with a warranty that could also be serviced at a wide variety of dealers. You know, if you're out on the road, you can take it somewhere, instead of having it trucked around.
If I were spending that much, I'd probably be going for a big American luxury sedan. The Ford Taurus SHO or Chrysler 300C would be at the top of that list, both of which dance around in the same $40K range.
But realistically, I'd rather save a ton a money and go for something a bit different. The Ford Focus ST and Mustang GT come to mind immediately as incredible bargains. Something like the Buick Regal GS would be interesting, but they seem to be quite rare, and I'm uncertain of their resale values. I'd likely consider something like the Cadillac ATS, just for the driving dynamics alone.
But even then, I'm a fan of cheap thrills. The Chevrolet Sonic RS and Scion FR-S would be at the top of my list of things to buy right now.
I mean, when you're throwing down $40k, there are a lot of interesting options made available, both used and new.
I would say that, if it were my money, I'd be looking at something that'll hold up for a while but also give you some cheap thrills. I'd want something with a warranty that could also be serviced at a wide variety of dealers. You know, if you're out on the road, you can take it somewhere, instead of having it trucked around.
If I were spending that much, I'd probably be going for a big American luxury sedan. The Ford Taurus SHO or Chrysler 300C would be at the top of that list, both of which dance around in the same $40K range.
But realistically, I'd rather save a ton a money and go for something a bit different. The Ford Focus ST and Mustang GT come to mind immediately as incredible bargains. Something like the Buick Regal GS would be interesting, but they seem to be quite rare, and I'm uncertain of their resale values. I'd likely consider something like the Cadillac ATS, just for the driving dynamics alone.
But even then, I'm a fan of cheap thrills. The Chevrolet Sonic RS and Scion FR-S would be at the top of my list of things to buy right now.
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- GTP_GT916
- Nii916
I'd totally go for the STi.
- 9,058
- Murica
- BasedAckbar
Audi. 200%
I may be a bit biased, owning one.
And I have no idea where the whole "unreliable" comes from. Maybe US audis are put togehter in Mexico?
I never had a problem with mine.
Only VWs are really guilty of that crime, as my brother's 2006 Rabbit, friend's 2000 Jetta, and another friend's 2002 GTi can testify to that.
I only know of one person personally whose 2002 S4 started going whack with the electrics a cool two months removed from warranty. And it hit him hard.
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- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
Forget the Audi, unless you can afford 4-digit repair bills.
Ibonibo
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^Yep, alone a new set of brakes don't come cheap at Audi.
Does somebody know why there is such a big difference in quality between US and Euro models of the VAg group?
It would really interest me, it's not a question I ask to troll.
The only real problem VAG got here in Europe was with the 3.2 engines, as Dennisch already pointed out in the engine thread. Otherwise VAG models here are considered safe option, in both quality and depreciation
Only VWs are really guilty of that crime, as my brother's 2006 Rabbit, friend's 2000 Jetta, and another friend's 2002 GTi can testify to that.
I only know of one person personally whose 2002 S4 started going whack with the electrics a cool two months removed from warranty. And it hit him hard.
Does somebody know why there is such a big difference in quality between US and Euro models of the VAg group?
It would really interest me, it's not a question I ask to troll.
The only real problem VAG got here in Europe was with the 3.2 engines, as Dennisch already pointed out in the engine thread. Otherwise VAG models here are considered safe option, in both quality and depreciation
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- 8,482
- Rockay City
Have you followed the news/car press lately? Especially the 1.4/1.2 TSI engines are notoriously unreliable, main problems being cam chains loosening up/breaking into bits and excessive oil usage, electronic parking brakes failing, as well as failing DSG transmissions. On top of that: they have issues with the paint that mean you can dent/scratch it by just pressing your thumb (not nail) in it. And not with a whole lot of kilometrage either (e.g. before your 1st or 2nd scheduled maintenance).
VAG are under fire all over Europe because of it, mostly because of blaming it on their customers. Dealerships and importers are pissed too, because they have to front the repair bills. The CEO of Pon (big NL/EU importer) even came to local detailing/washing shops to check out the issues with the paint on cars that needed detailing, because they were getting so many complaints on brand new cars. VAG has been cutting a bit too much costs lately. They can still ride it out on their reputation, but that won't hold if this keeps up...
Just check some of the regular car press magazines/sites/forums for info on this.
That said: those problems shouldn't be a issue for the S4 mentioned. 👍
- 8,191
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- GTP_Kent
On the S4 Ive mostly seen failures reported on the water pump, seals in the diff, electric parking brake, and ocassional reports of clutch problems.
The more I research the less Im considering the switch. Fact is, I really like the Sti and I dont the the s4 has got what it takes to be a replacement... Maybe the is350 f sport is worthy of a look?
The more I research the less Im considering the switch. Fact is, I really like the Sti and I dont the the s4 has got what it takes to be a replacement... Maybe the is350 f sport is worthy of a look?
- 4,213
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- motortrend
Right now I have an IS250 and even though it lacks that bit of power the 350 will give you, it's quite a great DD. It is really comfortable, has nice luxury and TBH with a good set of tires it has more handling than you should ever need outside of a racetrack. Only downside is that it's not a crazy vehicle at all, I bet it can take a ton of beating and still be perfect especially engine wise but the electronics like the traction control are not made for going crazy and drifting or "hooning" from what I've seen even though there are videos of them drifting and such and at least in the 250 the car tends to understeer to stay on the safe side, though that can be fixed with some suspension tuning or maybe even the F sport model.
Also, as the used ones get cheaper the price between the 250 and 350 becomes very close, which is bad if you buy new but good if you buy used
Pros of IS: Comfortable, luxurious, decent MPGs, Good looks, Holds resale value relatively well, reliability
Cons: Not very "hoon-able", not as mod friendly as other cars, no option for a stick on 350s
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Have you considered a 335i Kent? Same luxury levels as the Lexus and goes like stink (in a straight line at least).
- 8,191
- Southern Louisiana
- GTP_Kent
Ive heard so much about BMW maintainance costs that Ive tried to avoid them, more over the cliches associated with BMW drivers. The sales prices might be the determining factor. I will do some research and get back to you guys regarding beemers.
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- motortrend
The problem with the 335s is the HPFP and sometimes other problems with the turbos, and if you are getting a used one it's nearly impossible to find one that hasn't been messed with. The BMW cliche is sort of migrating to audis and at least the forums I visit the owners seem to be friendly people, the more d-baggy ones being usually the ones with the newer loaded cars which are way over budget, usually using the word "bro"
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How about an Evo?
