View Poll Results: Faster in a straight line race? IS 350 or new S4
Audi S4
36
36.73%
IS 350
44
44.90%
Even race
18
18.37%
Voters: 98. You may not vote on this poll
IS350 vs. AudiS4
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 3
From: TX
This isn't even a comparsion. I would hands down take the S4 with its Recaro seats, V8 345hp FSI motor, and Quattro. An APR or GIAC chip runs about $700 with flip switch that will add 20 plus hp and 30 plus lb/tq. I know Audi has its bugs here and there but as long as you have warranty you will be fine IMO. Thats my 0.02.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV.
This isn't even a comparsion. I would hands down take the S4 with its Recaro seats, V8 345hp FSI motor, and Quattro. An APR or GIAC chip runs about $700 with flip switch that will add 20 plus hp and 30 plus lb/tq. I know Audi has its bugs here and there but as long as you have warranty you will be fine IMO. Thats my 0.02.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 15
From: wisconsin
Magazine data:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=4462
"The Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires grab hold immediately, and the IS 350 leaps off the line. For our best acceleration runs, we left the transmission in full auto mode, letting the computer perform the upshifts, which it did quickly and smoothly at or near the 6600-rpm redline. The Lexus blasted to 60 mph in 4.9 sec. and to the quarter-mile mark at a blistering 13.5, which bests even the more expensive V-8-powered Audi S4."
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=4462
"The Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires grab hold immediately, and the IS 350 leaps off the line. For our best acceleration runs, we left the transmission in full auto mode, letting the computer perform the upshifts, which it did quickly and smoothly at or near the 6600-rpm redline. The Lexus blasted to 60 mph in 4.9 sec. and to the quarter-mile mark at a blistering 13.5, which bests even the more expensive V-8-powered Audi S4."
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: NY
I was close to getting a 2005.5 S4 auto before settling on the IS 350. The S4's engine is more fun for sure - just had that sports car feeling to it much more than the IS. Handling was also better, and there have definitely been a few times when I really wish I had AWD. But overall Lexus won me over with killer exterior looks, fantastic nav/electronics/convenience features, much better mileage, and obviously reliability. Even though acceleration may be about the same, the S4 feels faster, especially in sport mode. That is one cool car. 
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: CA
wow you guys give the S4 too much respect...lets face it. the V8 makes 340 hp and still cant beat out a 300hp V6. it has quattro which means it will be faster in the rain, but in the twistys? the S4 weighs more than 400 lbs more, costs 12k more (without options!), and gets mid teens in fuel mileage. the interior is the same as you get in the jetta. so what exactly does the S4 beat the IS350 or 335i in? theres no value, you can pick up a one year old used S4 almost anywhere for 35k.
im sorry but the S series in audis lineup is sort of lost. definitely not up to the M series BMWs or AMG of MB and really no better than the top tier entry levels of other brands.
im sorry but the S series in audis lineup is sort of lost. definitely not up to the M series BMWs or AMG of MB and really no better than the top tier entry levels of other brands.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: CA
This isn't even a comparsion. I would hands down take the S4 with its Recaro seats, V8 345hp FSI motor, and Quattro. An APR or GIAC chip runs about $700 with flip switch that will add 20 plus hp and 30 plus lb/tq. I know Audi has its bugs here and there but as long as you have warranty you will be fine IMO. Thats my 0.02.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: MS
wow you guys give the S4 too much respect...lets face it. the V8 makes 340 hp and still cant beat out a 300hp V6. it has quattro which means it will be faster in the rain, but in the twistys? the S4 weighs more than 400 lbs more, costs 12k more (without options!), and gets mid teens in fuel mileage. the interior is the same as you get in the jetta. so what exactly does the S4 beat the IS350 or 335i in? theres no value, you can pick up a one year old used S4 almost anywhere for 35k.
im sorry but the S series in audis lineup is sort of lost. definitely not up to the M series BMWs or AMG of MB and really no better than the top tier entry levels of other brands.
im sorry but the S series in audis lineup is sort of lost. definitely not up to the M series BMWs or AMG of MB and really no better than the top tier entry levels of other brands.
+1
Besides if you wanted real V-8 power.......and you cared about going fast, and suspension.. why not get a Vette? And please lets not get into the subject of realibility. The C6 is awesome and quite a competitor... but then its not a sedan, however it still falls under that *sexy* category. :P
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: KY
The S4 may have 34 or some HP more but considering it's a V8, that's too low! Just look at the IS-F, it has V8 and it's gonna put out more than 400+HP!!
So, as for getting more RESPEC.........it should be the IS350 coz it's got smaller engine, less HP, better interior, MUCH cheaper, and almost same performance while being in a different class!!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 960
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
i never understood why the s4 only had 340hp for a v8. seems really disappointing. if you're gonna spend like $50K for a fast, v8, luxury (if you wanna call the s4 luxury) car, it better have at least close to 400hp.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: NY
Go drive an S4 before you say all this stuff about it people. It's a great car, and the interior is many notches above "Jetta". Recaro sport seats are cool, steering wheel is better than ours, you can get it with real metal or carbon fiber unlike the crappy "metallic" plastic in ours... Obviously I think the IS 350 is a better car overall, and that's why I bought it, but no disrespect to a great car. The engine is small for a modern V8: only 4.2 L. Not totally fair to compare it to the 6.0 L beast in the C6.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: New York
i have drove One i mean yes is nice but not worth it imo... Speed wise its not in a diff class from our is350... Another thing that really gets me agitated is the rs4 has a detuned gallardo engine for all that money and the numbers are really that good... Just a splurt on audi SorRRy
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: NY
The RS4 has a detuned Gallardo engine??? No way dude. The RS4 has a super-tuned version of the S4's engine, which is in turn a variation of the A8's base engine - it's Audi's V8 4.2L. The Gallardo has a V10. You may be thinking of the S6 and S8, which both have the V10 as well.