Used RS4 B8 Which Optional extras are a must have

[boff]

chuckle - and then it goes on and on - I guess why at the beginning of the thread the right response was - it's personal.... And that is the Major difference between the B7 and B8; what I absolutely love about the B8 is the sheer amount of things you can personalise.

There are opinions on everything; and at the end of the day - that's what they are I guess; hopefully it helps you to make the choices that you want.... I mean mines got heated rear seats? WTF? lol

[MikeFish]

I didn't reaIise that not all B8s had the start /stop button. I though this was a standard feature.

[RossDagley]

I didn't reaIise that not all B8s had the start /stop button. I though this was a standard feature.

Nope - part of Advanced Key

[boff]

Yeah Exactly - part of Advanced key; it does confuse me somewhat - two ways to start the car.....

Although it has become mega useful when my hands are full - still lock it with the button; don't trust the handle....

[carsarecool]

Yeah Exactly - part of Advanced key; it does confuse me somewhat - two ways to start the car.....

Although it has become mega useful when my hands are full - still lock it with the button; don't trust the handle....

B7 was worse.....key in ignition, clutch pedal down AND start button. I've never put the key in the ignition and always use the "touch to lock" function....if door mirrors close the car is locked

[johnnydog]

When I was looking for my RS4 on the Audi UK website, as it was a feature I wanted, the ones fitted with the advanced key were easily identifiable with the silver start / stop button on the centre console to the left of the gear lever. There are a lot that don't have it. Same for the HHA; the small button directly behind the actual handbrake switch. Saves going through all the listed spec when searching for the right car, although having said that, the listed spec isn't always correct anyway..... I found the pictures the quickest way to check what spec the car has.

[Snotsicle]

Yeah Exactly - part of Advanced key; it does confuse me somewhat - two ways to start the car.....

Although it has become mega useful when my hands are full - still lock it with the button; don't trust the handle....

B7 was worse.....key in ignition, clutch pedal down AND start button. I've never put the key in the ignition and always use the "touch to lock" function....if door mirrors close the car is locked

I use the same trick - set mirrors to fold-when-locked to give some reassurance that touch thing worked. It's a shame that they don't unfold when unlocked but I have learned not touch the door handles unless I actually intend to get in.

[RossDagley]

just jetwashing locks and unlocks the car though - the handles are sensitive!

[Outtlaw]

just jetwashing locks and unlocks the car though - the handles are sensitive!

Yep, very annoying when you've got the key in your pocket

[Astonished]

just jetwashing locks and unlocks the car though - the handles are sensitive!

Yep, very annoying when you've got the key in your pocket

+1 - to just getting in and out of the car when washing/cleaning and the key is in your pocket. It locks, unlocks blah blah blah. I now make a point of leaving the key in the garage whilst I poofterise the beloved RS4

[Astonished]

I wanted HHA with my B8, and ceramics as must have's - on my B7 I had major issues with brake judder, which resulted in Audi fitting ceramics under warranty, but one of the causes of brake judder at the time was said to be sitting on the foot brake whilst stationary when the brakes were hot. The B7 was a manual gearbox but the habit of sitting with your foot on the brakes was still there and is a necessity with the B8 being an auto. Whilst the B8 has the wave brakes which are supposed to be a great improvement, I wanted HHA so that I could sit at traffic lights without the need to sit with my foot in the foot brake. I find it great - if you come to gentle stop then it doesn't come on until you apply a little more pressure to the pedal. It releases on take off quite smoothly too. And the ceramics are superb, and look great too. That massive disc with the imposing grey calipers look the dogs........
I personally don't like the buckets. Had them on a loan car for month, and they were terrible - fine if you like a metal bar sticking up your arse getting in and out, but the super sports seats are very good - a vast improvement on the B7's comfort seats.
I was fortunate to find an exceptionally highly spec'd ex demo used by the Head of Business at the dealership - I would say go for what you personally want, and any options over and above are a great bonus, whether you are likely to use them or not. Can only assist the resale appeal when that time comes!

I thought this concept of using HHA to save cooking the hot brakes was a great reason to revisit my reluctance (well, to be truthful it really pi$$e$ me off as being another nanny net that wants to help me do something I should still be ok at doing and as someone later reminded me - it really got me when I have been doing stop start reversing - so having it remember what I'd selected before is important - as I want it to stay OFF!) to using HHA. Re read that - looks like a bit of a rant

So I revisited and came to the conclusion that I could now apply make up on the way to work. HHA combined with a light to each sides vanity mirror means I can leave staying still at traffic lights to HHA whilst I concentrate on my mascara application! ... So I'll continue to buck the trend here whilst understanding that just because I do something one way it doesn't make it best for everyone

But ... Whilst I was checking something else on Audi Glossary I checked on HHA and it doesn't relieve the brakes at all or use the park brake. It merely locks in the hydraulic pressure the driver put there whilst coming to a stop:

Extract:

Audi hold assist is part of the ABS-ESP control system. After you release the brake pedal, the hydraulic pressure is maintained, meaning the hydraulic system keeps the brake pads pressed against the brake discs at the front and rear.

During this process, the electromechanical parking brake is not in operation. The means a quicker reaction time, less noise and less braking effect at all four wheels, and enhanced comfort. Audi hold assist is only available in conjunction with the electromechanical parking brake.

So, worse than using the parking brake and absolutely no relief to cooking the discs.

Also, I wonder whether the brake lights come on. I recall someone mentioning that maybe they don't stay on, but I would think they might if the Audi Glossary is correct and also from a safety point of view, I'd sure want the person behind that is still moving to know that I'm stopped, or at least "braking".

Oh well, I may get some but hey, my old feet still work when I'm at a stop, however much i'm in the minority ....

And to add ... Johnny got it right with ceramics - Now wish I'd added ceramics onto my order list .... But at the time it also worked wonders to appease her indoors that I was making a concerted effort to save money by NOT ticking the ceramics box ... Oh well.

[RossDagley]

After Ivan cooked two sets of ceramics on the ring in a c7, and after the abuse I gave my b7 with steel discs properly setup with track pads, I don't think I'm missing anything with steels. Time will tell again I suppose.

Re HHA. It does not keep the brake lights on I can confirm. When in use, the brake light goes out.

[Astonished]

Re HHA. It does not keep the brake lights on I can confirm. When in use, the brake light goes out.

Thanks Ross, now I'm definitely never ever ever or even ever using HHA as I don't want some wood duck rear ending me to then say "but I didn't realise you were stopped"

I want to keep all the odds stacked in my favour.

Riding a motorbike it's one of the things drummed in at advanced rider training how you should keep your brakes applied at stops (eg traffic lights) to indicate to drivers you've got your brakes on and therefore could be stopped. With bikes it can save your life, but I still want to keep the RS4 intact if I can.

So, even though HHA comes as standard in Oz ... It's just been relegated firmly to the junk pile. Now "not liking" has become "piece of cra&".

And Ross, can you not let the missus know about the Ramics ... As it could lead to "see, I was right" and just in case I get a rush of blood to the brain and mention getting some on either this or a new car down the track .. Cheers

[johnnydog]

And there's me after 3 months thinking that HHA operated on the parking brake
Still I'm glad my car had it on its spec list, cos having used it, I think it's a good option to have.
Thinking about it now, when the HHA operates, you don't feel the travel in the foot brake that you do when manual applying the parking brake - doh!
Glad I got my ceramics though!

[johnnydog]

"I thought this concept of using HHA to save cooking the hot brakes was a great reason to revisit my reluctance (well, to be truthful it really pi$$e$ me off as being another nanny net that wants to help me do something I should still be ok at doing and as someone later reminded me - it really got me when I have been doing stop start reversing - so having it remember what I'd selected before is important - as I want it to stay OFF!) to using HHA. Re read that - looks like a bit of a rant "

Reminds me of something thing my Dad said to me years ago when electric windows were being introduced and I suggested he got them on his next car..... "if I can't wind my own window down Son, then it's time to pack up driving". And I can also remember leaning across the inside of the car to lock all the doors before leaving it...........