Any new S4 owners here?

4.2 V8 40v Naturally Aspirated - 339bhp
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Gareth
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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Gareth » Sun Sep 21, 2003 4:59 pm

Welcome to both Wayne and DocB [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]
Let us know your feelings on the car.
What did you have before Doc?


come on guys, do tell... [img]images/graemlins/s4addict.gif[/img]
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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by JamesB » Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:10 pm

Sorry to take so long - weekend was a bit more hectic than expected.

It seems like there is quite a lot of debate about the new S4 on this forum. I don't claim to be an expert but just add what I think after 4000 miles in mine (for what it's worth!).

Firstly, why a new S4? I was looking for a new saloon/coupe with a bit more entertainment than the Rover 75 that my company had given me for the past few months. Not hard, I hear you say. So I went out and did a lot of reading up and some test drives. After ruling out some slower stuff and deciding to bump my budget up to £40k max, I was left with the S4, M3 and even the S60R (I know, I know). The S60R was ruled out quickly by some absolutely hopeless staff at my local Volvo dealer who made me determined to never put business their way. I'm now glad I didn't decide to wait as the reviews have been poor to say the least. So I tested the M3 and an S4 Avant. I actually enjoyed the M3 more to drive but can't say I had a bad time in either of them. The M3 certainly feels quicker, which I guess is no surprise when you look at the power to weight ratios - and I was in the S4 Avant - but I tested the S4 on a wet day and found the 4WD came in handy.

I chose the S4 in the end for a number of reasons. 4 doors are very useful for me with one child and another brewing. The 4WD is a plus – firstly for the cornering and secondly for security because my wife will drive it and she isn’t as confident with that much power. The famous understated look is appealing and will answer anyone who asks why I didn’t look at an Impreza or an Evo (softer ride too, I’ve heard). The S4 is also that much cheaper. Although I hadn’t driven the saloon, I was confident that it wouldn’t suffer in comparison with the Avant in terms of driveability.

With a bit of hard negotiation, I managed to get £2000 off at a UK main dealer on a car to my spec, which I was quite pleased with.

Since then, I’ve had a lot of fun, apart from a sweaty two weeks after an incident with a GATSO – it must have been faulty, your honour! [img]images/graemlins/suicide.gif[/img]

The engine took a good 2000 miles to really start delivering. Does anyone know if there will be further improvement? There is acceleration from low down in pretty much all the gears but you certainly know where peak torque is delivered (around 3500 revs). Having said that, the torque holds up surprisingly well after that considering the engine is normally aspirated, although I’m sure not as well as on the B5. I wonder if a slightly smaller engine with one or two turbos might have made it the M3 beater that I suspect Audi had in mind to begin with (1 extra bhp can’t be a coincidence). There is a little bit of understeer but you have to push pretty hard for that and I’m probably being picky. The ride can be a little fidgety on A-roads. This however is more than compensated for by the stability and grip you get in return on the smaller roads. I only mention it because most of my driving is on A-roads. I also like the steering, the weighting seems to suit me. No strong feelings about the brakes. Nice interior. My only real complaint was the very high clutch, which took quite some time to get used to and probably proves that I’m never going to be Michael Schumacher!

I’m thinking about looking into modifications at some stage but don’t know very much. Can anyone tell me what impact it has on warranty, servicing and insurance? Would it also mean I’m obliged to run it on 98 RON? I only seem to be able to find 97 around where I live.

You can wake up now, I’ve finished.
[img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
Last edited by JamesB on Tue Aug 31, 2004 10:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
James

Former S4 and RS6 owner

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by JamesB » Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:20 pm

Well, almost finished.

Just wanted to say thanks for the welcome, Biturbo. As mentioned, I was previously afflicted with a Rover 75 2 litre automatic [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img], which was some way worse than the Fiesta Popular 947cc that I had as my first car. Words fail me when I try to describe how much I hated that car.The only good thing about it is that it made the memories of the Volvo V40 2.0 turbo more pleasant - company car, no real choice.

Before that, I lived in Paris so just had a Mondeo turbodiesel estate for lugging stuff to and from England.

But before that I had a Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo, which was a surprising amount of fun. I think you either love them or hate them. I loved it - it was my first reasonably quick car (the Astra SRi is probably best not mentioned) and I now get all nostalgic when I hear the words torque and steer in the same sentence.
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Andiroo
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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Andiroo » Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:24 pm

Hey Doc, very good write up [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

She should start to loosen up all the way up to 12k miles which is the norm for most n/a engines. As for tuning we are well aware that AmD have a solution to taking you to over 400bhp, but the downside is it's all hardware with a n/a engine ie. highflow cats and exhaust, which depending on your serice manager could be a problem on warranty - you never know till you ask [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Please keep us posted as the miles roll on [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Andiroo
Previous :RS4 B5 (Noggy Babe), 934 GT2, 996 Cup.
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RS246 Live! CLICK HERE for details of the big RS246 event for 2008 **And how it died on it's arse**

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Riz_RS4 » Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:24 pm

Wonderful review... enjoy that car. [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by TimJMS » Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:31 pm

Hi Doc B. Great introduction and welcome [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I was particularly interested to hear how you felt the engine loosened up after 2k miles.(Just edited to say I wrote that before Andy posted!) I test drove an S4 a little while back, and made the point that the car I drove was brand new.

I am sure I speak for everyone here that we would love to see you at the Oulton Park meet in the near future. Sounds like you have chosen the car for all the right reasons. Congratulations [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Gareth » Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:02 am

Nice write up.

Having now driven 3 S4's (2 std, 1 modded) I'd go along with most of what you've said so far.

The AMD route to extra performance and added character is definately the way to go IMO, plus a decent dealer should not have any issue with the mods.

As for your comments about fuel I'd be interested to know just how bad (or good? [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]) the mpg is. I've seen an average of between 14 and 17 in the S4's I've driven and that's really pretty [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

p.s. what's the colour and spec of yours?

p.p.s. £2k off a new S4 is pretty damn good, well done [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]
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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by wayne7 » Tue Sep 23, 2003 7:47 pm

Also sorry to take so long in replying .. Work etc ..

My car has now done 1500 miles, not yet loosing up, but it’s difficult to know as, unfortunately, it has felt slower than my STI from day one. The reason for the change from Subaru to Audi was not just speed so not such an issue ..

The reason is a bit of a long story .. so please jump to CONTINUE if not interested.

I had an Audi 1.8 T Sport (company car ) and a Lotus Elise 135 Sport ( fun car ~ [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] ) .. When the company car came up for renewal I decided to get something to cover both needs .. every day and fun …

Along came a blue with gold wheels, tea tray version of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK ( what a name ) .. 265 BHP.

Good fun to start with .. covered one side of the need list well … 18 months later my list of issues were growing daily … The every day bit was a problem

1) Too hard on long trips ( fun of short ) nodding dog syndrome [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img] on long 4 hour rides
2) Seats too small .. Sides pushing on legs ~ dead after an hour, falling off after 3
3) Too boy racer ~ You’re too old to drive a car like that she said
4) Too poor in build quality .. my previous car was solid .. the Subaru wasn’t
5) Sound system .. Too poor .. .
6) Too etc, etc, etc

So after taking a large loss, which will never be spoken or written about again .. the S4 arrived …

CONTINUE ~ The Audi

Fast enough for now, will need mods at some time .. ( years if the wife’s reading ), possible less !!

When I was running the car in, I started to think, that I had made a mistake and that I had swapped one single sided car ( Impreza ~ fun only ), for another ( Audi ~ every-day ) .. Thankfully once run in and the car could be pushed a little .. the handling and performance put the smile on my face [img]images/graemlins/jump_clap.gif[/img] that I needed .. For a big and heavy car, the S4 can be thrown about quite well …

The steering is great, once the weighting has been got used to.

First long trip, 4 hours, was totally different from the Subaru .. If I wanted to relax I could .. Bose on .. no problems … Off the motorway A272 ( good road ) here we go again .. The Subaru had knocked the stuffing out by the time any nice roads were reached ..

Bad things … I agree the clutch is too high, also the break is too high I can’t heal and toe ( which was very easy in the STI ) .. lastly, and I think this is a fault, the gear box crunches and knocks when changing from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd …

But at the end I changed my “Boy Racer Rocket” for an “Exec Rocket” and luckily for me I think is the best of both worlds … which is fortunate as when I sold the Caterham, Lotus and Subaru, claiming they were not quite right .. my wife and 3 young Girls said and I quote “You are allowed to keep a car for more that a year you know …. “ they were starting to think I was a bit mad !!

Well I'm 2 months in now and I still like it .. not bad for me !!

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Andiroo » Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:33 pm

Nice one Wayne, another good write-up [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Looks like we need to get Audi sorting these gearbox issues, it's like the RS4 all over again [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Andiroo
Previous :RS4 B5 (Noggy Babe), 934 GT2, 996 Cup.
WIP :to be advised.....

RS246 Live! CLICK HERE for details of the big RS246 event for 2008 **And how it died on it's arse**

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by JamesB » Tue Sep 23, 2003 11:20 pm

Thanks for the positive response. [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

Tim - I've always been interested in the idea of track days, childhood dreams of being the next James Hunt (apart from the dying part). But I'm probably going to be a little busy/knackered for a while with new baby due in a few weeks.

Gareth - I checked my trip computer on my way home this evening and have averaged 19.1 mpg over the last 400 miles or so. I'm actually surprised it's that high as it frequently reads around 12 mpg and I'm not convinced I'm always the most conservative driver. [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
The car is Nogaro Blue. I didn't take many options as I didn't really want that much in the way of whistles and bells. I've never had satnav so don't miss it and belong to that strange minority who prefer not to have full leather. In the end I just took a CD changer, Bose sound system, solar sunroof (well, after this summer can you blame me?), the paint and minor bits and pieces.
The £2k off was the result of a kind of Mexican stand-off. I went in to the dealer who had shown me the car with the price I'd got from DrivetheDeal, said to him that he'd been very helpful so far and I'd give him the chance to match my price and get a sale. But I told him that if he offered anything else, I'd just walk out of the door back to the broker, no skin off my nose. I was a little more friendly than this of course but it had the desired effect! [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Wayne - I can understand that the heel and toe situation must be frustrating coming from the Subaru. I believe you can get pedal covers that I imagine would bring your accelerator-foot contact point higher.
And I haven't run into any gearbox crunching with mine. The shift from first to second isn't 100% smooth but it's barely noticeable. I see from Andy that this has been a problem with the RS4 so might just be an ongoing problem that my less refined driving hasn't detected but still wonder if it's worth a trip back to your dealer.
Although the S4 may never be as quick as the Impreza, I'm confident you'll get more out of it over the next 1000 or so miles. Whatever the outcome, I guess the only thing that really matters is that you continue to enjoy the car. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
James

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Andiroo » Wed Sep 24, 2003 12:11 am

Doc, if you are like me and trying to relive you're lost youth, then trackdays are an absolute hoot [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] For the forthcoming ones, especially the RS246 day @ Oulton Park, the CREW will be helping any novices on speed/lines etc etc , and with it being our own trackday and open pit, you will not encounter the normal track traffic [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] We will hopefully have more than one instructor so professional advice will be available at most times of the day [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Even if you just turn up and don't drive the circuit it would be appreciated mate [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Andiroo
Previous :RS4 B5 (Noggy Babe), 934 GT2, 996 Cup.
WIP :to be advised.....

RS246 Live! CLICK HERE for details of the big RS246 event for 2008 **And how it died on it's arse**

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by TimJMS » Wed Sep 24, 2003 8:25 am

Tim - I've always been interested in the idea of track days, childhood dreams of being the next James Hunt (apart from the dying part). But I'm probably going to be a little busy/knackered for a while with new baby due in a few weeks.


Doc when a new addition to the family comes along, I find it important that the father has time away from the household in order to let mother and baby bond together. Your partner / wife although they may not realise it yet will actually thank you for it. A long weekend at Hockenheim in the same situation as yourself worked a treat for me last year [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Oulton could just be the tonic you need! The S4 gestation will be complete by then [img]images/graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Bushy » Wed Sep 24, 2003 12:00 pm

I am quite interested in seeing one of these S4's in action.

Seems like the Reading one should attend the Windsor meet which is tonite I think

Good write ups and looking forward to seeing a car at Oulton

Cheers

Bushy
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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Gareth » Wed Sep 24, 2003 3:21 pm

Doc

12mpg is a little worrying... [img]images/graemlins/jesterlol.gif[/img]

Thanks for the views, good to hear that you new owners are enjoying the car and it's meeting your expectations.

As an all round performance car it seems a very good option, especially in Avant form.

Interesting to also note that there are not many round on the roads at the moment. I've only seen 2 since launch...so perhaps that's good news for residuals, or they are not selling at all [img]images/graemlins/033102bigblink_1_prv.gif[/img]
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Re: Any new S4 owners here?

Post by Gareth » Wed Sep 24, 2003 3:23 pm

Wayne

Nice review. Seems that your S4 is also meeting the all round requirements you ask of it so far.

I still think that the AMD mods are vital to give the S4 the character and performance it lacks IMO.

Any answers to the issue of the clutch/biting point?

Also anyone feel the S4 std brakes are up to the job?
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