Had my S4 a good few weeks now, thought I would do a little write up on how I'm finding it.
Before purchasing the S4 I often used my wife's c class 220 cdi estate, I'm relieved to have a throttle that is actually connected to stallions, rather than a seaside pony, and not to have that box of spanners sound track on start up anymore, but now a V8 at the business end, which sounds great on start up, letting you know something special's up front.
On the go, and it has plenty of go, with moderate acceleration it growls which is real nice. After that to full chat I personally find from the drivers seat the noise somewhat mechanical as opposed to stirring, a Milltek or other will be needed to rectify that.
Handling, well it is limpet like, sure really push on and understeer raises its ugly head, but I'm nevertheless very happy with it. I will keep an eye out for an RS4 rear anti roll bar though. The ride in comparison with the Merc is stiffer which is expected and I like that, but a friend of mine has an A6 le mans and that's like a go kart, it has no give, the S4 seems to have the best of both worlds. Brakes do their job without fuss, but don't inspire with the confidence the Mercs.
The Interior is nice place to be, but probably only the Great Recaros really set it apart from the merc, the chubby boxes under the seats is a nice touch. The Sat nav screen is smaller than I'm used to but nevertheless functions fine.
People always comment on its thirst, well sure it can be abysmal if you rag it, or live in a city, but on a drive home last week it registered 27 mpg without me really trying. Which means Miss Daisy my wife could top 30 indicated mpg.
Failings, exhaust for me is too muted, I understand why they do that, but I don't have to agree.
A stiffer rear anti roll bar from the off wouldn't really hurt it's place in the "S" branding either.
Ghost in the sunroof is not the end of the world and an easy fix.
Rear legroom is not a strong point of the b6.
Mine has tip gearbox, which can be quite brutal on take off, I've learnt to be gentler on pull away now mostly.
Not played with paddles that much yet but they are easy enough to use.
As a versatile Q car it is a great bit of kit, and I'm happy to own one.
Now to make it louder so the wife won't want to keep borrowing it, better still leave it low on fuel, that will send her scuttling back to the Merc
