I don't want anyone in the Audi camp or in the Volvo camp to flame me for some of the following, I really did consider each thoroughly before buying the V70R in June. Also, for those who frequent the V70R.com forums, this was posted there a few days ago since I remembered my password there, but forgot how to log onto SS until we got back into town today.
Out of total luck, I found what was the closest match to my R at the VW/Audi/Porsche dealership in Portland that it was uncanny. So the salesman pulls the car up and I get in and as I tried to move the seat forward, there was no response from the seat. While the passenger side moved right away, the driver's seat would only move after the car had warmed up over about 15 minutes. After that, we were off.
Summary points in favor of the S4 Avant:
- Shifter feels smoother than the R
- The engine response is immediate (great pull at low rpm w/o the lag and no bogging feel)
- While published breaking distances are similar, the Audi's feel "tighter"
- Turning radius is materially better
Summary point in favor of the R wagon:
- Better price for the R is hard to ignore ($10k)
- More room front (1") and back (3")
- Instrumentation is less distracting at night
- The S4 suspension is harsh, rather like the Advanced mode, so the R is much friendlier
- Though the NAV is a bit pricier in the R, it seems a better system
- Seats are more comfortable
- Stereo is significantly better
- There is no integrated phone with the S4 as with the R
- The R is an ULEV and the S4 is LEV w/ the $1,700 guzzler tax
- Yada yada yada
I had to drive with the sales person in tow, who while friendly (eager to make a sale and under the impression that me and the wife need a second car) didn't care how hard I drove the car. We did about 10 miles with some hwy miles, some stop-and-go traffic and then (at my request) some dark rural roads. The moment I hit the gas pedal, the S4 roared and the car shook as the 4.2ltr engine is more appropriate for a farm truck than a family hauler. The car JUST GOES when you hit the accelerator and it occurred to me that this car is tuned to be a performance car, and unlike the R, does not offer an appealing ride to a very wide range of drivers.
And for everyone who gripes about the xenons on the R, the S4 lights are certainly no better. After taking the S4 out on the dark (no street lights) rural roads I then hit the very same roads with my R and I could not tell ANY difference between the two systems.
Johann has empirical data to support his case against Volvo. While I certainly wish him luck (and hope that it may benefit all current and future 04 R owners) I for one cannot say that I regret my purchase at all. However, I walked away from my short time behind the wheel of the B6 S4 Avant wishing that my R felt more like that... instant response from the engine at the lower-end of the rpm band. I only got the S4 up to 5k, but it was sweet and pulled hard the whole way there!
On paper, there is very little to differentiate the two cars, and even Audi's site (S4 Avant MT6 vs. V70R MT6) can provide very little evidence to support the price premium over the V70R, however if the R specs are in fact not 100% correct, some purchase decisions will weigh in favor of the S4 Avant. The S4 Avant was not available in June for me so who knows what a hands-on test would have done for my order. I certainly hope to see Volvo make a north-south I-6 twin-turbo in the next R, or else I may have purchased my last Volvo (for a while). At least this could improve performance and the turning radius.
Sorry for the long post. I welcome constructive comments. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif I may not sound really pro-R here, but I do love my car. I was reminded just how much I love it all the way back to NYC from Maine.
Out of total luck, I found what was the closest match to my R at the VW/Audi/Porsche dealership in Portland that it was uncanny. So the salesman pulls the car up and I get in and as I tried to move the seat forward, there was no response from the seat. While the passenger side moved right away, the driver's seat would only move after the car had warmed up over about 15 minutes. After that, we were off.
Summary points in favor of the S4 Avant:
- Shifter feels smoother than the R
- The engine response is immediate (great pull at low rpm w/o the lag and no bogging feel)
- While published breaking distances are similar, the Audi's feel "tighter"
- Turning radius is materially better
Summary point in favor of the R wagon:
- Better price for the R is hard to ignore ($10k)
- More room front (1") and back (3")
- Instrumentation is less distracting at night
- The S4 suspension is harsh, rather like the Advanced mode, so the R is much friendlier
- Though the NAV is a bit pricier in the R, it seems a better system
- Seats are more comfortable
- Stereo is significantly better
- There is no integrated phone with the S4 as with the R
- The R is an ULEV and the S4 is LEV w/ the $1,700 guzzler tax
- Yada yada yada
I had to drive with the sales person in tow, who while friendly (eager to make a sale and under the impression that me and the wife need a second car) didn't care how hard I drove the car. We did about 10 miles with some hwy miles, some stop-and-go traffic and then (at my request) some dark rural roads. The moment I hit the gas pedal, the S4 roared and the car shook as the 4.2ltr engine is more appropriate for a farm truck than a family hauler. The car JUST GOES when you hit the accelerator and it occurred to me that this car is tuned to be a performance car, and unlike the R, does not offer an appealing ride to a very wide range of drivers.
And for everyone who gripes about the xenons on the R, the S4 lights are certainly no better. After taking the S4 out on the dark (no street lights) rural roads I then hit the very same roads with my R and I could not tell ANY difference between the two systems.
Johann has empirical data to support his case against Volvo. While I certainly wish him luck (and hope that it may benefit all current and future 04 R owners) I for one cannot say that I regret my purchase at all. However, I walked away from my short time behind the wheel of the B6 S4 Avant wishing that my R felt more like that... instant response from the engine at the lower-end of the rpm band. I only got the S4 up to 5k, but it was sweet and pulled hard the whole way there!
On paper, there is very little to differentiate the two cars, and even Audi's site (S4 Avant MT6 vs. V70R MT6) can provide very little evidence to support the price premium over the V70R, however if the R specs are in fact not 100% correct, some purchase decisions will weigh in favor of the S4 Avant. The S4 Avant was not available in June for me so who knows what a hands-on test would have done for my order. I certainly hope to see Volvo make a north-south I-6 twin-turbo in the next R, or else I may have purchased my last Volvo (for a while). At least this could improve performance and the turning radius.
Sorry for the long post. I welcome constructive comments. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif I may not sound really pro-R here, but I do love my car. I was reminded just how much I love it all the way back to NYC from Maine.
