Whats the difference?
Audi Drive Select with quattro Sport Differential $4000 Option
Audi quattro Sport Differential $1500 Option

 

ADS gives you the adaptive suspension where as sports diff does not.

ADS also gives you dynamic steering which controls the steering ratio, where the sports diff gives you control of the steering stiffness only.

 

Ads and sports diff all the way.

 

Those are the only differences? Doesnt seem to be worth the extra money. Is the s4 steering as stiff as older bmws? Cuz thats how i like it. And whats adaptive suspenstion do? With the sport diff the ride is going to be more rough?

 

I agree.

 

Seriously those are the only differences. Both the Sports Diff, and full Driver Assist package (ADS) give you control of certain features in your vehicle. I find this very difficult to explain via text, but I will try.

Each setting below can be changed from (Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic). Comfort is really tame, and Dynamic means full bore. Auto is "Medium".

Sports Differential: Throttle Response, Engine Sound, Steering Stiffness, Sport Differential, Shift Speed [S-tronic only]

Full Audi Drive Select: Throttle Response, Engine Sound, Dynamic Steering (Ratio), Sport Differential, Shift Speed [S-tronic only], Adaptive dampening

Throttle Response - Does exactly what you think it would. It changes the throttle map to rev faster with less pedal input.

Engine Sound - This is controlled via a "Soundakator" which is a mini speaker in the engine bay that is still a bit of a mystery. It reproduces engine sounds to make the car seem louder while driving. It does not change anything in the exhaust.

Steering Stiffness - Changes steering stiffness

Dynamic Steering - Changes the ratio of the wheel and stiffness

Sports Differential - Look this up on the Audi website. It accelerates the outer wheels on corners creating an "over steer" sensation. It really changes the whole feeling of a 4000lb AWD sedan. Comfort pretty much turns it off, while dynamic has it engage on every turn.

Shift Speed (S-tronic only) - I have a 6MT but I assume it shifts more aggressively.

Adaptive Dampening - This changes the shock dampening rate. Comfort makes you feel like you are driving a Cadillac STS, and Dynamic really stiffens up the ride.

If you don't get Navigation you will have 1 button that will allow you to put your car in Dynamic, Auto, or Comfort. It will not allow any customization between the settings unless you manually change it with a VagCom cable. With the navigation package (which now comes with the premium model) you will be able to create an "individual" setting that you can individually select what mode you want each setting to be in.

Overall if you plan on doing coil overs DO NOT GET ADS. If you want to possibly lower the vehicle on (Stasis Touring, H&R OE, Eibach, KW) Springs you will still keeps your ADS functionality.

Overall you should AT LEAST get the sports differential since it's only $1500 and gives you many options. If you plan on keeping your car stock, I would recommend getting the whole package $4000.

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Good luck car shopping!

 

Without ADS just with sport diff($1500) is the steering wheel stiff? the sport diff package is basically the same as acuras SHAWD? im not planing to mod my car but i think the $1500 package is good enough i dont really care if i get a rougher ride.

 

Yeah you can make it quite stiff.. However the 2013 models have electronic steering vs Hydraulic steering in the 2010-2012 models. I personally really like it, but many people don't.

The Sports Differential is Acura's on steroids. You do not get a rougher ride with the Sports Differential, it has nothing to do with the firmness of the ride. It just means you cannot control the suspension like you can with ADS. The standard suspension in the S4 is firm, but I would never say that it's harsh.

 

My 2 cents.. I went with the Quattro Sport Diff only.. I didn't want to spend the $4000 on the ads.

The sports diff is really apparent mid corner to exit. It put power to the outside wheel to pivot you around it quicker. I have driven one without the sport diff as well and you can definitely feel it on the track.

The way I thought of it was.. I am buying an S4, I think Audi would put a great stiff suspension on it and the did! No need to soften it ever!

 

Sorry for the spelling errors! On my iPhone!