Everyone keeps mentioning the lighter weight of the S4, but:
Base S4TII is 2850 lbs and 182HP=15.7 HP/Wt ratio
Base S5TII is 2987 lbs and 200HP=14.9 HP/Wt ratio

As numbers tell the story, and as gearing is the same, the S5 is a better performer.
Now, if you add in the PS and ABS option on the S4, as they were not standard equipment, the difference between the two is even greater.

Even the base manual model S5 has a better HP/Wt ratio than the S4-17.8/18.6

Just some more fuel for the fire!

 

"veryone keeps mentioning the lighter weight of the S4, but:
Base S4TII is 2850 lbs and 182HP=15.7 HP/Wt ratio
Base S5TII is 2987 lbs and 200HP=14.9 HP/Wt ratio

As numbers tell the story, and as gearing is the same, the S5 is a better performer."


According to your numbers. the s4tII has a higher horsepower to weight ration, how exactly does that make the s5 a better performer.

Power to weight ratio is a big player in the performance aspect of a vehicle and being that the S4 has a higher power to weight ratio that would make the S4 a better performer. Your analysis confuses me a little bit here

 

I am biased but it has to be the S5.
The body, engine, interior... aren't these the things all the S4 owners upgrade to S5?
That has to say something doesn't it?

 

Nope, matter of fact I have an s5 with an s4 motor. I could care less about the interior they both suit my needs on that aspect. And I think both body styles are sexy. We need a third option on this poll for those of us who just love the FC in general

 

Like many others said I prefer the looks and more HP of the S5 as well as the black interior, but the crap auto seat belts, omp, non clutch type LSD's (on the few models that actually got them) and non replacable ball joints make me wonder if I made the right choice in buying a S5.... I've since swapped over to S4 control arms, as well as the diff, but the auto belts are gonna be tough to get rid of... Would have been easier to start with a S4 and go from there...

 

Good call, but just a ratio reversal. It's early. The S4 has 1 Hp to move 15.7lbs while the S5 has to move only 14.9lbs. Let's say it WT/HP to be clear.
Take a new ZR1 Vette with 620 HP 3324 wt.=5.36 Wt/HP. Don't believe the S4 is quicker.

 

That makes more sense, Thanks.

 

It's early so I apologize for being a dumby lol

 

well.... let's see
I see the s4's as a more purposely oriented car
and s5's as the "they look cool" car

pros of s4: 1988 gtu had lsd... and that's what i have, so I'm lucky =P
mechanically operated omp
looks oldschool... i guess that's a pro too
safer to do a turboswap onto a n/a engine
lighter

cons of s4: lower compression engine as compared to an s5
mechanically operated auxilery ports
not as modern looking

pros of s5: looks cooler
higher compression engine
modernized, with electronic seatbelts
they do have cool foglights.

cons of s5's: electronic omp's fail
not safe to go turbo on the n/a block
n/a's do not have lsd, except for the gtus
....

i'm sure there's more.

Out of my personal experience, (as in working on a bunch of s5's that just keep breaking), I prefer s4's. I like the looks of S5's... and that's why i have
a

1988 gtu
s5 front and rear bumper conversion
mazdaspeed lip
some sideskirts.... iuno what kind, got them for free
s5 tail-lights
and more interior stuff.

so pretty much, s4 chassis with s4 power and drive train, but with s5 looks. IMO, the way to go unless you have a s5 GTUS with absolutely no problems and low miles.

 

not all

Yes.

 

the only things that s5's have on s4's are SUPERFICIAL, aka tail lights, wheels, etc.

im sorry but id rather have a better running, more reliable, less-funky car that has ugly tail lights (which i actually like s4 tails) than have nice tails, wheels and bumper and electric OMP and **** like that.

 

yep. i like the s4 tails though. and if you can get a black 10th ae interior in your s4 = mega win.

 

I think we should all just agree the the FC pwns the FD lol

 

^^Agreed...function over form any day and ive owned 2 s5's and 6 s4's hehe and im only 25. i hated both my s5's they always seemed to need to be worked on where as my s4's just needed routine maintaince. my s4 TII's felt faster than my s5 TII's

 

^ not just function I think the FC looks great

 

And the weight argument is hilarious considering that unless you track your car every weekend you won't even notice the difference.

 

Yeah, and all the small power differences are basically negated once you start modding (not like any FC is making as much power as it was 20 years ago anyway) but the S5 n/a intake is superior to the S4's though. TII's are basically equal in my book, though the S4 may have a slight advantage at higher boost levels due to it's lower compression. S5 rear irons are FTW though.

 

S4 car for all the reasons Icemark mentioned (dude knows his ****, plus he's a good guy), but with s5 tails, and a body kit or s5 body and trim. Plus, lower compression engines=more boost.

 

Technically the 87.5-88 was the S4.5, with the updated injectors/ECU and the minor interior and exterior changes.

But these polls are always silly because most people vote for what they have, and have never driven original versions of both of them (or all three if you want to include the S6; as a couple people seem to bring up in this thread) to really compare.

Don't forget the heavier rotors of the S3 and S4 models, have radically longer life slots/seats for the apex seals. All the S5 and later engine rotors (until the reni) tend to flare the apex seal slots at the top, after a while of use; from the apex seals slamming back and forth.

 

Making S3/4 engines superior because they wear the apex seal seats slower, I presume?

and that aside, the heavier rotors' weight is a bit of a disadvantage, if raw short-term performance is all that's being considered, right?

BTW, it was great to meet you in person, Mark. I'd come to realize you were a pretty cool guy through my time on here, but you're even cooler in person.

 

do s5's have the nice front brake ducts?

 

Give me an S4 with S5 interior and tails, I'm good to go.

I voted S5 though, just because the updates to the exterior and interior make for a better looking car. IMHO

 

well your opinion sucks. 80's cars FTW!!!!


.....just kidding man, your opinion is just as valid as any other, just said that for dramatic effect....

 

both my cars are pieced together from both series. I prefer the S4 chassis to the S5, but my motor is mostly s4,5,6.

 

sooo.....which is it mostly? s4, s5 or s6??