Boxster vs. Audi S4 (B5) & Rally cars? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

chaudanova · 08-21-2007, 02:25 PM

We all know our boxsters are great in autocross and on the tracks.... I have a friend with a chipped turbo Audi S4 (B5). I know these things are rockets with stellar AWD handling capabilities, though does anyone here know from experience how the boxster fares against these S4's in autocross and on the tracks? Perhaps how it would do at Buttonwillow?

And also, these AWD cars like the S4, Lancer EVO, WRX, STI, etc... How does the boxster fare with these cars on the track?

Perfectlap · 08-21-2007, 03:14 PM

in my local club, The EVO's and STI's are in my autocross class and along with the base Carrera our times are all very similar. I've matched or beaten them all on more than one ocassion. Although some of the better drivers who seem to gravitate towards the EVO/STI are tough to beat in those cars. And our atucross courses are very wide open where at least one event this had a third gear section. In track time trials Carreras/Boxster brakes seem to a bigger advantage than on the autocross lot over the EVO/STI.
I don't recall a driver ever showing up with an S4. Its not really a car that seems to bring out that type of driver, if you know what I mean...kinda like the Mercs, rare birds.

SD987 · 08-21-2007, 03:53 PM

I know these things are rockets

Can you define rocket? In fast-car discussions neither the current or previous generation of the S4 often come up. The RS4 sure...

chaudanova · 08-21-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD987

I know these things are rockets

Can you define rocket? In fast-car discussions neither the current or previous generation of the S4 often come up. The RS4 sure...

Woops, I meant to say, his is.... His S4, modded with 415lb-ft torque on tap... definitely no slouch.

Pat · 08-21-2007, 07:58 PM

I've put 150,000 miles on my B5 A4. Tons of mods, faster around a track than a chipped S4. I love the car, but it's not made for auto-x. An S4 is even worse for an auto-x due to the extra weight up front. They make great power and handle well, but it's difficult to get our cars to rotate, especially in tight corners, without significant suspension mods and/or a Stasis center differential. My B5 has seen many track days, and is more finely tuned than the vast majority of other B5s out there. On road courses I regularly hang with 911s, Vettes, etc. HOWEVER, I would get my ass handed to me in an auto-x by a 911 or Boxster. My car's turn-in is much better than stock, but still nothing like any Porsche I've driven. There's just no comparison. Don't forget, a B5 S4 has probably 60%+ of it's weight on the front wheels. It's designed as a luxury sports sedan, and it never lets you forget it.
400+ torque doesn't mean a lot in auto-x.

chaudanova · 08-21-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat

I've put 150,000 miles on my B5 A4. Tons of mods, faster around a track than a chipped S4. I love the car, but it's not made for auto-x. An S4 is even worse for an auto-x due to the extra weight up front. They make great power and handle well, but it's difficult to get our cars to rotate, especially in tight corners, without significant suspension mods and/or a Stasis center differential. My B5 has seen many track days, and is more finely tuned than the vast majority of other B5s out there. On road courses I regularly hang with 911s, Vettes, etc. HOWEVER, I would get my ass handed to me in an auto-x by a 911 or Boxster. My car's turn-in is much better than stock, but still nothing like any Porsche I've driven. There's just no comparison. Don't forget, a B5 S4 has probably 60%+ of it's weight on the front wheels. It's designed as a luxury sports sedan, and it never lets you forget it.
400+ torque doesn't mean a lot in auto-x.

Awesome, thanks for your response... This is what I wanted to hear!

TMM986 · 08-21-2007, 09:45 PM

I agree with Pat about the autocross - Boxsters can take an S4 (and a lot of other cars) in a cramped series of turns because sheer HP and torque are less important than handling there. However, if your friend's S4 is a full "Stage 3" and has coilovers etc. he will leave you behind on a track like Buttonwillow that has some decent straight sections.

My wife now drives my old B5 S4 and it's a great car in stock form but can be a real monster with some carefully chosen mods. It's much easier to get big power gains on turbo cars than NA ones.

J-RAD · 08-21-2007, 09:50 PM

S4's are extremely popular up here. Heh, my brother even owns one. I concur with Pat. S4's are terrific cars and are very quick (especially the B5 models when chipped). However, they are also very heavy. Lugging around the weight of the AWD system becomes very burdensome for that car. As a result, they are not nearly the track car that Boxster is. While power is more than fine, they simply don't have the agility and brakes are taxed. Nonetheless, you see a number of them around at DE's.

In fairness, the Boxster would make a crappy rally car.

MNBoxster · 08-22-2007, 09:04 AM

Hi,

Who tf cares??? If you don't love the Boxster solely for what it is, not how it stacks up in relation to other cars, then sell it and find something you like more. These My Car is Superior to Your Car threads are, IMHO, silly. No matter what car you drive, it is certain that someone, somewhere, sometime, is going to produce one which is superior to it...

Happy Motoring!... Jim