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Features Comparison: Mercedes-Benz SL vs. Audi A4 / S4 / RS4
| Model Year | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 |
| Model | SL | SL | SL | SL | A4 / S4 / RS4 | A4 / S4 / RS4 | A4 / S4 / RS4 | A4 / S4 / RS4 |
| Trim | SL550 | SL600 | SL55 AMG | SL65 AMG | A4 2.0T Special Edition | A4 3.2 | S4 | RS4 |
| Engines | ||||||||
| Transmissions | ||||||||
| Drivetrains | ||||||||
| Tires | ||||||||
| Audio Systems | ||||||||
| Accessories | ||||||||
| Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Minimum speed around 30 mph. Replaces regular cruise control, and includes its value. | ||||||||
| Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||||
| Decklid can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | ||||||||
| Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||||||
| Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||
| Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||
| Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade. | ||||||||
| Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors. | ||||||||
| Homelink. | ||||||||
| Removable or foldable barrier extends upward behind the front seatbacks, preventing cold air from entering the front seat area. | ||||||||
| Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||||
| Rear disc brakes. | ||||||||
| If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||
| Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||||
| In some convertibles. Automatically raise when a rollover is sensed. | ||||||||
| When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||||||
| Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||||
| Torso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||||
| Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||||
| Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||||
| Can be driven deflated for about 50 miles. Usually harm ride quality. Cars with these often have no spare tire. | ||||||||
| When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||||
| Cargo Management | ||||||||
| Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||||||
| Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior. | ||||||||
| Climate Control | ||||||||
| Automatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air. | ||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
| Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
| Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||||
| Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||||||
| Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||||
| Provides heat for an extended period of time after the engine has been cut off. | ||||||||
| Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||||
| Heating elements defrost area where front wipers rest. | ||||||||
| Drivetrain | ||||||||
| When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | ||||||||
| Engine / Motor | ||||||||
| Only included if California/Northeast emissions equipment costs extra. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Permits a higher top speed before fuel cutoff kicks in. | ||||||||
| Exterior | ||||||||
| Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||||||
| Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||||||
| Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||||
| One or more glass panels in the roof that cannot be opened or removed. | ||||||||
| Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Gas Guzzler Tax | ||||||||
| Infotainment | ||||||||
| Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||||||
| Includes CD player. | ||||||||
| CD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player. | ||||||||
| Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | ||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||||
| Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||||
| XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||||
| XM or Sirius with one-year subscription. | ||||||||
| SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader. | ||||||||
| In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||||
| Includes frequencies for weather channels. Only listed when pricing a single model because incomplete data for all model. | ||||||||
| Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||||
| Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
| Passenger-side rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
| Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||||
| We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||||
| Lights illuminate area just ahead and to the side of the vehicle when the turn signals are used or the steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||
| Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog. | ||||||||
| Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||||
| Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
| LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||||||
| Front row reading lights. | ||||||||
| One or both exterior mirrors tilt down when the transmission is in reverse, to provide view of the curb. | ||||||||
| Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||||||
| Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||||
| Mirrors fold and unfold with the touch of a button inside the vehicle. Good for narrow roads and parking lots. | ||||||||
| Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||
| Reports engine speed. | ||||||||
| Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||||
| Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||||||
| Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||||
| Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | ||||||||
| Won't be listed in conjunction with wood or aluminum trim even if they are available together. | ||||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||||
| Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||||
| Leather beyond the seating surfaces, door panels, and IP top. No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||||||
| Manually adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||||||
| Manually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
| Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||||
| Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||
| Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||||||
| Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Usually also includes synthetic suede on the pillars. | ||||||||
| Seating surfaces are part leather, part synthetic suede. | ||||||||
| Synthetic suede steering wheel rim. | ||||||||
| No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||||||
| Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||||||
| Real wood comprises part of the steering wheel rim. | ||||||||
| Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||||
| Hydraulic semi-active struts severely reduce body roll in turns and can be used to adjust the ride height. | ||||||||
| Each damper (shock absorber) is hydraulically connected to the one at the opposite corner of the vehicle. This reduces roll and stabilizes the ride. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Transmission | ||||||||
| Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. | ||||||||
Option Package Contents
Sport Wheel Package
Premium Package
AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package
designo Package
Sport Wheel Package
designo Edition
Premium Package
AMG Performance Package
designo Edition
designo Edition
Titanium Package
Cold Weather Package
S Line Interior Package
Cold Weather Package
S Line Interior Package
Prestige Package
Black Optic Package
Titanium Package
Black Optic Package
Convenience Package
S Line Competition Plus Package
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2008 Audi A4 / S4 / RS4
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed manual AWD
6-speed manual AWD
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed manual AWD
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD