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Hi Guys

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I have seen 2 cars I like, a 2000 S4, 60000 miles, and a 1999 S6, 30000 miles. Both about the same price. The wife says, S6 is bigger, we should get that. I reckon the S6 won’t handle as well though. What I was wondering was, what are the relative maintenance and running costs of an S4 v S6, the insurance quotes I have seem to favour the S6 which I though was strange. I know a bit about the S4, cambelt, water pump, turbos etc, but zilch about the S6, which is normally aspitated – may be easier to maintain???? Any thoughts? Has anyone driven or owned both – how do they compare??

Thanks for your help and opinions!
Matt

i think you are right about the s6 maintenance costs should be lower with out turbo problems. the 6 is definently a better family car than the 4. the 6 is physically bigger on the road but the quattro helps a lot in the handling.

Get an S4...there's an S6 local to me and I spank it on a daily basis!!

S6 Avant, or S6 saloon? I've seen both.

Fuel costs will be higher in the S6.

It all depends what you want out of a car?

How come you never asked the same question on the S6 Forum - could it be that your heart truly belongs in this camp

Unless your family extends beyond a wife and two nippers then their is plenty of room for nappies and cargo - in fact your wife might want to wear a nappy once you get the go faster modification bug

Rik, both the S4 and S6 I've seen are Avants

Simon, yea, I've figured out that there is about a 5mpg difference between the two, I do want it as a 'family' car for holidays and trips to the Grandparents etc, but I also want to have a bit of fun when I'm on my own - the car will be my daily driver to work, the missus has an A3 Sportback for her everyday stuff - shopping, coffee mornings etc.

My thinking is that the S4 is a compromise on space, but that the S6 is a compromise on handling, so I'm also trying to factor running and maintenance costs as well!

Also, I was previously only looking at S4's, the S6 is the only one I've seen at anywhere near the condition and mileage, so am trying to figure out if its worth a punt on a bigger but less fun car, that may or may not have higher running costs, bearing in mind it appears very well priced, or if I should stick to searching out a mint S4

dazzer wrote:How come you never asked the same question on the S6 Forum - could it be that your heart truly belongs in this camp

Unless your family extends beyond a wife and two nippers then their is plenty of room for nappies and cargo - in fact your wife might want to wear a nappy once you get the go faster modification bug

The S6 forum has posts on the first page that extend back to 2003, whereas the S4 forum has posts on the first page that only extend back a week or so, just figured the memebers were much more active in this forum than the S6 one!

My heart probably does belong to the S4, but I still have to convice the missus!!

S4 is a much for fun car to drive.

If size is what you want, then go for an S8. Sounds awesome.

Matt,

I also looked in to this a while back and I have an S4.
As people have already said the S4 is much more fun and involved to drive. I think all S6's were semi auto's.
The S4 is also cheaper to run - mind you I haven't had a turbo that needed repair yet. I can see over 30mpg on a run and I doubt very much you'd get anywhere near this with the V8. The S4 really can be driven sedately to achieve sensible mpg or like you know what off a shovel to get single figure mpg.
Also a big factor is the tunability and enthusiastic owners of the S4. It is a far more popular car owned and driven by plenty of people that are interested in their cars and the tuning of them (just look at this forum!), hence their are more products on the market for this.

However, the S4 is much shorter on space, particularly the rear leg room. It should be ok if your kids are not too small and aren't in a big child seat, I have found that a 2 year old in their child seat can happily kick the back of the front seats but this wouldn't be a problem as they grow and sit in a seat that is more like just a booster cushion - if you see what I mean.

Good luck on your choice.
John

QuantumJohn wrote:Matt,

I also looked in to this a while back and I have an S4.
As people have already said the S4 is much more fun and involved to drive. I think all S6's were semi auto's.

However, the S4 is much shorter on space, particularly the rear leg room. It should be ok if your kids are not too small and aren't in a big child seat, I have found that a 2 year old in their child seat can happily kick the back of the front seats but this wouldn't be a problem as they grow and sit in a seat that is more like just a booster cushion - if you see what I mean.

Good luck on your choice.
John

Hi John
Coming from a Honda Integra Type-R, which is just like a big Go-Cart, I have to say that the S4 appeals to me soooo much more than the S6, but the comment about child car seats may just put the nail in the coffin of my S4 dearm
Little'un is 9 months old, hopefully another on the way soon, her car seat is HUGE, though its fine in the back of our A3. Will have to try fitting it to any potential purchases I think - or maybe I just need a Zafira!
Matt

Rear facing car seat wouldn't go in mine unless I pushed the front seat forward. I was a little shocked as it fitted fine in the rear of my BMW 3 series

With child number 2 on the way for me, I am finding the S4 smaller than I would like (I will have to move my seat uncomfrotably far forward to give enough room to either a rear-facing baby seat or my 2 year-old's forward-facing seat). However, I couldn't live with the S6's fuel consumption given my mileage (300-500 miles a week). When I DO out-grow the S4 (probably this time next year) I plan to look at A6 2.7T's or other marques (BMW 5 series is the likely alternative )

In your case I suspect neither an S4 nor an S6 would be the right answer for me.

Your position, I'd go S6 on size grounds.

one big advantage i see with the s6 is that you could lpg the v8 and run that mostly, with 2.7t being on boost would mean your on unleaded more, it would be something i'd consider for a daily, but i made the compromise a6 2.7t, still got the space, lot of bhp possiblity with all the s-line interior in 6th i got 30mpg on the motorway. there is a considerable difference in rear leg room between 4 and 6 i suggest you test both rear leg room and see what you can live with.