New S4

[Dippy]

I was just checking used S4 prices on the Audi UK site, so I then decided to have a look at the new S4. It's standard spec seems quite good, much better than the old one. Seems to me that Audi have effectively made the S4 a few grand cheaper.

[Rob_O]

Seems to be going the opposite direction here in the States. Kit doesn't seem any different really, but prices will reportedly increase several grand (USD). I think the outgoing sedan was $39k MSRP while speculative base pricing on the B6 S4 sedan have it in the mid-40s.

I spec'd an Avant using the UK configurator and it came to £44k. Pricing conversion from the UK to the US isn't perfect, but subtracting VAT and using current currency rates the car would be well into the $50s here. I only paid $44k for my well equipped '01 avant. In addition to UK pricing not perfectly translating to the US, I notice you have to pay for some options which are standard on US cars (dipping mirrors, front center armrest, alcantara/leather, etc.). Plus, you only get two color choices standard (red and black) and are charged for any other color! The only added-cost color here was Pearlescent White ... all others from the S4 palette were considered available at no charge.

Eh ... still looks to be a nice piece.

[Bushy]

Nice one Rob

I notice that you chose Moro BLue, just for your info my dealer suggested not to order this colour as it seems to chip easily and is quote soft

Not sure the full story but thought I would share that with you

BTW this was on a TT for the missus

[Dippy]

I only paid $44k for my well equipped '01 avant.

Indeed. I paid about $46K for my well equipped '01 ('02 in US-speak) Avant, BUT this was as a personal import from Germany. If I had bought the exact same car from a UK dealer I would have paid around $59K [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

I didn't go into it in detail, I just noticed that the base UK price has been held at around £37K, but that the standard spec includes a few extras such as Recaro seats.

Audi have made the new S4 a bit better value to UK customers, however there is still no doubt that UK buyers are being fleeced. Even the warranty issue is now quite weak as all personal imports come with 2 years warranty from Audi, and Audi UK are now only providing the 3rd year of warranty for all those extra £££.

Nevertheless I'm glad I don't live in Denmark as those guys pay 180% luxury tax on new cars!

[JAMES]

talking of recaros i have an rs2 but may change for an s4 as i cant afford an rs4,i looked at your website and read about your seat dilema. did you have to wait long for delivery of seats from recaro as most s4's did not come with this option.
are the back seats not also recaro with the recaro upgrade from audi. [img]images/graemlins/biggrin2.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

IIRC the lead time from Recaro UK was 4-6 weeks, and mine were about 4 weeks.

I'm not sure about the back seats. As you say, most UK S4s were not supplied with Recaros. However for my UK spec import, I could only get the front seats as Recaros, not the rears. Maybe a true German spec car would have had the rears as Recaros too.

Recaro UK will supply the rear seats as well if you want. I decided not to as there really is little difference in terms of comfort and support. I feel that my car is fine with Recaro fronts and Audi OEM rears, and NOBODY has ever said "oh - your front seats are different from the rears".

But if you have spare cash and want your seats fully matching like the RS4, then get the rears done too.

Cheers,
Dave

P.S. If you go ahead, note that Recaro can personalise the stamping on the seats (i.e. why the RS4 and RS6 have those motifs on them). I thought about having S4 stamped on mine, but didn't bother in the end (I did not even find out the price).

[Rob_O]

Nice one Rob

I notice that you chose Moro BLue, just for your info my dealer suggested not to order this colour as it seems to chip easily and is quote soft

Not sure the full story but thought I would share that with you

BTW this was on a TT for the missus

Well, my Nogaro has pitted quite easily and proven very soft as well. It's depressing how many stone chips I have on the hood and front bumper consider I've not lived in places where gravel is dropped on the road for winter conditions. Can't imagine if I was how bad the paint would look. [img]images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

And if my wife doesn't get the Amulet A4 1.8T Avant she so wants later this year, my next S4 Avant will be in that beautiful shade of red. [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Riz_RS4]

my next S4 Avant will be in that beautiful shade of red.

Misano Red! [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]