Sport Rear Differential

[JSWhaler]

I'm looking to possibly pick up an S4 soon. A number of the ones on lots don't have the sport differential. After spending the last hour researching I can't find the answer (hence this post). Is it possible to add this differential after purchasing a S4? Thanks

[JSWhaler]

Never mind, test drove one today and found out from Audi.

[MrFunk]

Sorry didn't see this t'ill now. This forum is pretty dead.
No you can NOT add the sport diff after the fact...

Make sure you buy one with the Sport diff. this is one of the main elements which make this car what it is...

[nobbyv]

Sorry didn't see this t'ill now. This forum is pretty dead.
No you can NOT add the sport diff after the fact...

Make sure you buy one with the Sport diff. this is one of the main elements which make this car what it is...

I always forget this forum is here...

I agree, you definitely want the Sport Diff.

[andycooper]

I always forget this forum is here...

I agree, you definitely want the Sport Diff.

I will respectfully disagree with this - the "base" setup is more than good enough to get you arrested. Honestly, if you don't need to go at 10/10ths all the time, about the only time you'll really want one is in a bragging contest.

[MrFunk]

I will respectfully disagree with this - the "base" setup is more than good enough to get you arrested. Honestly, if you don't need to go at 10/10ths all the time, about the only time you'll really want one is in a bragging contest.

Incorrect. Even in average driving situations the sport diff is always active. The driving dynamics is far superior and understeer is virtually eliminated. If you drive in the snow it helps here as well in steering agility while slippery. It has nothing to do with bragging. I have driven a non sport dif back to back with a sport dif and it is apparent in all conditions. For the 1200 it is well worth it. I'm not sure why they even make the car with it as an option, should be standard equipment.

[andycooper]

Incorrect. Even in average driving situations the sport diff is always active. The driving dynamics is far superior and understeer is virtually eliminated. If you drive in the snow it helps here as well in steering agility while slippery. It has nothing to do with bragging. I have driven a non sport dif back to back with a sport dif and it is apparent in all conditions. For the 1200 it is well worth it. I'm not sure why they even make the car with it as an option, should be standard equipment.

No, I stated a matter of opinion, not fact and hence it cannot be deemed incorrect. Yes, it makes a difference. Yes, I've driven both back-to-back. I'm not arguing that it is an improvement, because it is. In my estimation, however, it wasn't something that I was going to miss. You, however, are entitled to your opinion.

As to the snow, snow tires make more difference than anything else.

[MrFunk]

Snow tires are day and night difference of course - I agree with you there! A must if you drive anywhere that gets any cumulative snow.

[Travis Grundke]

Incorrect. Even in average driving situations the sport diff is always active. The driving dynamics is far superior and understeer is virtually eliminated. If you drive in the snow it helps here as well in steering agility while slippery. It has nothing to do with bragging. I have driven a non sport dif back to back with a sport dif and it is apparent in all conditions. For the 1200 it is well worth it. I'm not sure why they even make the car with it as an option, should be standard equipment.

I would agree with this assessment as well. I've driven the sport-diff and non-sport diff models and those with the differential seem to have far sharper turn-in and less understeer. This is definitely one of those options that 1) increases resale, and 2) will regret not buying for the marginal increase in cost.

On to the point about snow shoes - I agree 100% that a dedicated set of winter rubber has more positive effect than just AWD alone.

[andycooper]

So in re-reading what I wrote, I probably wasn't all that clear. The OP seemed to suggest that there weren't any S4's readily available with the sport diff. My comment was more directed at the notion of "if you want the car now and don't want to wait 2-3 months or more for an order", IMO you're not going to miss it all that much.

That was almost the same choice I had - get a CPO 2011 S4 with all the options except ADS and sport diff (and 8,000 miles), or, for what would essentially be the same price order a 2013 with sport diff, ADS and not all the other options, and also wait 3 months for the order.

Given those constraints, I went for the "get it now" solution, and am quite happy without the sport diff. Would I have liked to have it, yes, but at the same time I'm not terribly concerned about it not being present.