I've been trying to find the answer but still haven't. Ideally I would be able to drive both but there isn't that kind of availability around here.

I have have chance to pick up a low (87k) mileage 87 with close to no rust but don't know if I should hold out for an S5 or not.

Is the extra 14hp and 1000rpms of the S5 worth holding out for?
I do like that the S4 has manual seat belts and is a little lighter.

I plan to use the car for autox and hopefully mostly track days an some DD. I don't plan to put much $$ into modifying it though.

Thanks!

 

hey mate, i think you should hold out for a S5... they have a better engine, so i have been told... if you end up wanting to do so mods you will get more power out of a s5 than a s4....

i have a s4 13Bt and i have a fair few mods and a big Extend port done to mine and one of my mates has a s5 with less mods and a mild port and we running the same power....

 

You probably won't be able to find an S5 as cheaply as you can get an S4 and I doubt the 14 HP is worth it. I'd go with the lighter of the two. Plus if you get a S4 I think you stand a better chance of getting and LSD unless you get a S5 TII or GTUs.

 

For performance, get the S4. The S5 is only superior in terms of cosmetics, and that in itself is subjective...

S4s have clutch type LSD, are lighter, and have better quality parts in terms of some suspension bushings...

How much are you paying for this?

 

Honestly, get what you find in good condition. The 14 hp is barely noticable, especially since s4's weigh less.

 

The S4 is the base model so, I'd have to add the 5 lugs/brakes and the lsd. It has a sunroof and cruise but not p/w p/m.

What about the extra 1k rpm redline of the S5?

 

Get the S4. The extra 1krpm and 14hp aren't worth it at all. I was told that extra rev is only due to the higher compression rotors.

 

5 lug + brakes + lsd + condition

i would worry about that more than s4 v. s5
and i would not get a base model s4

 

Buy the best condition car you can find. That's the most important thing. With an S5 I wouldn't put much stock in whether or not it's got an LSD, chances are it's no good at all any more. The 4 pot brakes and 5 lug will have more performance potential and wheel choice down the road.

 

^^ Above posts are all true, unless you can find a swap for cheap...but even still, it saves you so much of the trouble...

I also wouldn't pay too much for an N/A, to leave some money left over when you're done with the stock power levels...it took me a while to realize that my S4 N/A was somewhat of a dead end street, in terms upgradeability - it's always so much easier to just buy a turbo. Of course, unless you buy the car for cheap enough so that you have money left over for a swap or something...

 

i have two s4 GXL's and one 91' A-package (everything but leather and LSD) the s4s are much better, not gunna lie, clutch type LSD FTW

 

s5

 

As far as the NA vs TII endless debate, it depends what you want to do with it which is right for you. NA has its advantages too. I've track driven my NA several times and I'm not really feeling a need for more power. To go faster it'd be good, but not in order to have fun and still be able to pass people. Plus it's more reliable, cheaper and uses the cheapest gas.