Hey guys, this is probably going to be my deal breaker between buying an 05 or an 06...04-05 is the only AP2 to NOT have drive by wire throttle correct? Has anybody driven both variants of the AP2? Noticeable? I do NOT like the drive by wire feature in my current 06 A4, to this day, I still have trouble with clutch engagement and pressure/timing. Is there a noticeable difference between the AP2s with a cabled throttle and drive by wire system in ANY aspect? Thanks!!

 

I have DBW 07 and have driven an 04-05. It felt like much better throttle response to me. The non DBW that is.

I would try to find a dealer with each so you can test drive them both and decide for yourself.

 

I hate DBW, although when I drove an 07, I couldn't tell that it was DBW at all. The lag issues are usually related to the ECU programming as manufacturers program them for emissions and mpg at the expense of feeling natural imo. I think with the S at least the system works.

 

I have no issues or complaints with the DBW on either my S2000 or Accord.

 

I sold my 05 and bought an 07 primarily to get VSA---driving them back to back (I had the 05 for a month after I got the 07), I liked the DBW better--engine seems to run much smoother with the electronic throttle controls.
Try to drive one of each before you decide--can't go wrong with either one

 

DBW gets a bad rap because many cars have failed to pull it off properly, from a driver's point of view. I need to get off the throttle half a second earlier in my friend's Chevy HHR when shifting because the lag is so noticeable. The S2000 executed DBW fairly well.

 

This issues comes up at least once a month. And, nothing has changed. The Honda implementation of DBY in this car, in conjunction with the VSA is superb.

 

I owned an 04 for over a year then bought an 06. The car does seem to run smoother with the DBW. The 06 out of the box also felt like it had better TQ as well.

I did notice a barely noticeable delay in response when releasing the throttle @ high rpm. probably a few 10ths of a second. This was fixed with my Hondata reflash.

There are just too many benefits of the DBW to not get it. Like VSA, and most importantly FlashPro. You'll be able to easily reflash the ecu for any mods you do like i/h/e and get a huge jump in mid range power with a reflash which lowers vtec. Plus you can reflash the ecu with a higher redline like 8600 which will allow the F22 to stretch its legs a bit more @ high rpms. Highly recommended.

Sure you could buy AEM EMS for the 04, but then your looking at twice the cost and your at the mercy of your tuner, and it wont adjust as well to atmospheric elevation changes.

 

I've driven plenty of AP1's, AP2's and DBW AP2's. The DBW is seemless to me, and the added VSA is a huge bonus duing crappy weather, or worn tires.

I wouldn't kick a DBW S2k out of the garage.