2013 S5
 

(which will debut this June) will have this tech from the RS5:

The all-wheel-drive system is upgraded with Audi’s first use of a self-locking crown-gear center differential, and it helps cut nearly seven pounds out of the drivetrain. The new center diff will make its way into other Quattro models as well, and it can direct up to 85 percent of the power to the rear wheels or up to 70 percent to the fronts as grip dictates. Under normal driving, the power distribution is split 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear.

I wonder if that will help correct the biggest knock on the car--the understeer problem.

Have you driven a 10+ s4 with the rear sport diff? It understeers less than any awd car I've driven, 335xi's included. Actually it understeers less than a 911 rwd.

The current power split is 40/60 anyway, I doubt this will change the car dramatically. It could change the attitude under power, but quattros do not understeer on throttle anyway.

I have driven an S5 with sport diff, but unfortunately not under circumstances that would really test the potential problem (like a highway exit ramp taken at speed.)

Looks like the critics don't think the tech solves the problem. But we may be talking about nitpicking I would never perceive. But, I dislike a nose-heavy feeling car, which the S5 might reveal itself to be over time. Other issue is steering feel. S5 goes to electronic also with this mid-model refresh.

From a comparo between RS5/M3/CTS-V:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

To counter its nose-heaviness, Audi applies a few chassis fixes that aim to give the RS5 a rear-drive feel. Fighting understeer is a stability-control system that attempts to stop front-end plow before it happens. It squeezes the brakes on the inside wheels to effectively drag those tires enough to pull the car into the corner. There’s also an active rear differential that can apportion power between the rear wheels to create a similar effect, or even oversteer. In normal conditions, all-wheel drive delivers 60 percent of the engine’s torque rearward, rising to as much as 85 percent, depending on conditions.
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-original.jpg



The net effect of all of these add-ons is that the RS5 feels more balanced than its engine placement might indicate—in most driving. But when approaching the limit, the chassis still acts more like a front-driver by exhibiting a higher degree of understeer and leaning on its front tires far harder than do its peers. It may be supremely easy to drive quickly—and a skidpad figure of 0.98 g is nothing to scoff at—but its competitors, despite having slightly less grip, offer better-balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis

If you are worried about feel so much, you should be keeping your e46 m3. There is no doubt that audi's & non xi bmw's feel different. The audi, to me, feels very good for an awd car. It weighs 55.5% front and 45.5% rear with manual and the 4-cylinder. Total weight is somewhere between 3500 and 3600 pounds.

Does it corner like an M or even a sport 3er? No, it just needs to be driven differently. If you drive it like how the car needs to be driven, you don't get much understeer. Same applies to the 911.

That's what worries me...Maybe I could adapt. But it's that push through the corners that delights me.

I think you have to decide what you really want - will it be a sporty and nimble vert, or a cruiser.

I don't think, aside from the BMW 1 series, there are many 4 seaters that will give you the kind of fun the E46 vert currently delivers. They're all larger, heavier and softer than what you're used to.

If you can "adapt" t cruiser, more possibilities open up; used 6's, A5's and S5's, the newish Merc 4 seater, etc.

Of the bunch, just for sheer style, I'd probably go S5 vert and just "adapt" to the new lifestyle - it's a beautiful car.

:+1