Just a quick poll.

I know both series pretty well, and imo, and imo only, I like the S4 better. It uses less cheap materials, more reliable, less electronics, easier to work on. All this compensates for the 14hp less it has, which can be easily gained anyhow. But the S5 looks better estheticly.

What about you?

 

S4 for me.

Ive lately been contemplating keeping the trim black when I install the body kit over the winter since, well, I kinda like it That and everyone would go "man thats stupid" which I also like

--S4, its better cuz it was first--

 

Body-colored trim and different tail lights do it for me. Of course I'm biased because I have an S5. S5 > S4

 

You say the S4's more reliable with better materials, but they made some improvements in other areas in the S5's, mainly the engine, making several improvements in some weak areas that the S4's have (like the rear iron), doing some things to improve durabililty and lifespan (rotor housings for instance) as well as making it more powerful. They also got rid of the stupid exhaust activated 5/6 ports on the NA's which are problematic for people who want to change exhausts and gave them better intake manifolds and gave them a better OMP to help reduce oil consumption. They didn't give any cars the tiny 4 lug brakes and phone dial wheels. In Canada we never got the stupid automatic seatbelts, so that's one less thing that people don't like about the S5's. To me the S5's look a lot less dated as they don't have the black trim and square blocky tailights that scream 80's.

So it depends on where you look, there's things from each series that are better than what they did for the other. It doesn't really matter in the end though, they're both good cars and in the end it depends on your personal preference as to what's "best".

 

the S5 turbo >>> S4 turbo

 

Black91n/a - Your statement about the 6PI system may be a bit misleading, although I think I know what you meant and you're right. The 6PI system is still used on S5 NA's, but instead of using exhaust back pressure, it uses the air pump.

So on S4's you may have problems with the 6PI after exhaust work, and on S5's you'll have problems if you get rid of the air pump. There are ways around it if one searches the list.

As for choosing, I can't, because the ideal to me is a combination of S4 and S5.

 

S5 Body style(Color Matched molding, Tails, bumpers) > S4 Body style(black molding, tails, bumper)
S5 Engine w\improvements(thicker plates, manifold, etc.) > S4 Engine
S5 Turbo > S4 Turbo
S4 metal thermostat housing > S5 plastic thermostat housing(easily fixed though)
S4 Rear end > S5 Rear end(or so I've heard)

Of course there is more but I can't think of any right now.



*edit*
I don't think this poll will have an accurate result. Many more S4 FCs were sold in the US, therefore more people on this board will have them and most likely be partial to them.

 

I have an S4 but i would much rather the S5 turbo. S5 looks better, very clean lines.

 

I'm pretty content with my s5.

 

I keep hearing people say how the s5 FC's have so many electronics and electrical issues. The only additional electronics I know of are the electric OMP and US sliding seatbelts in coupes (which are free warrantied for life). But several other improvements were made. The TPS is more accurate and self adjusting...the ECU has an additional ground and for the most part the 3800 hesitation and other dumb s4 issues are gone. The s5 cars in general usually have FAR less flaky electrical issues such as blinking seatbelt lights, flashing shift up lights, random beeping from the dash, etc.

In my experience (hundreds of FC's) the s5 is more of a "plug and play" setup that you turn the key on and go, while the s4 is more of a "tune and adjust" setup that requires a couple weeks' worth of tweaking to get it stabilized and idling, running smoothly across the board, etc.

 

s5 > s4 anyday :P

 

S4 clutch diff > S4 torsion diff
S4 standard seatbelts > S5 crappy auto belts
S4 sway bar links and front lower control w/ replace ball joint > S5 plastic links and one piece control arm
S4 taillights < S5 tailights
S4 moulding/trim/ rear bumpers/sideskirts < S5 moulding/trim/ rear bumpers/sideskirts
S4 interior < S5 interior (with the exception of the 1988 10th AE's)

 

I'm an n/a guy; I don't really know a significant amount about the turbo cars, so I really can't comment on those.

As for what car I'd prefer, I'll take my s4, with painted trim and s5 tails and the Tornado Silver paintjob any day My car is a daily driver (at least, during the summer) so having a mechanical OMP is a huge comfort for me. I do wish I had an s5 front bumper, though...

I guess I'd agree with the OP that S4 stands as a more technically solid car in some respects(better-made pieces, mechanical OMP), but the s5 was definitely the more attractive of the two. Oh, and the engine in the s5 was just straight up better, I think because of lighter rotors.

And yes, there was a difference of 14hp between the two cars, but the s4 is notably lighter, almost making up for the difference in power.

 

s4 tails FTW

 

Stock for Stock, I think the s5 wins.

 

I want an S5 with S4 engine parts and what not, b/c S5 body's are teh sexx

 

IMO The wieght difference is worth going S4, but i am baised as i own a S4 TII.

Althought S5 bumpers and lights are a must, and personally i'm gunna paint my trim to match the body.

 

i have one s4 and two s5s and the s5s are teh nicer

 

Yea, I guess I should have said that they god rid of the exhaust actuation of the 5/6 ports.

There was never a Torsen diff standard, and the S4 LSD is superior to the S5 for performance driving.

 

I'm only missing the front and rear bumpers for my s5 conversion.

 

An s4 is like your current GF/wife, while an s5 is that hot chick you see at the mall. Even if you dress your s4 up like an s5, when you're inside her you still think about the s5 you want.

 

LMAO...well said kevin

 

with the amount of mods done to these cars, I've gotta say the s4 wins for one reason only.... lower compression rotors = more potential for power.

I like the looks of the s5 better, and the trim, and the interior...
but motor wins it for me.


and with my car (blk on blk) I like the s4 tails better

 

Hahaha nice one, Kevin.

And yeah, I suppose I do beat my dick like it owes me money while looking at S5s on a nightly basis...

 

Damn...lol.

That, and my last post, have to both be sig worthy material for someone on this forum...