Fuel Question, super or not super (unleaded)

[wombat]

Hi,

still looking good for delivery on Jan. 9th (fingers crossed). [img]images/graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

In the mean time can any existing S4 owners confirm which fuel they use from day to day? The Audi specs state that 98 RON (super unleaded) is the correct fuel but one of the local dealers said (off the record, naturally) that they only ever used normal unleaded fuel. This begs the questions:

- What's the impact to performance?
- Will there be any damage to the vehicle if you used standard fuel in the long term?

Sorry if these questions seem naive but if you don't ask you don't learn.

Also, can anyone recommend an insurance company that doesn't want to empty your bank account to cover a new S4? (any deals with Trackers etc.).

Darren
[img]images/graemlins/audiS4black.gif[/img]

[JamesB]

Hi Darren,

Welcome to the joys of S4 ownership. [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

I usually run mine on Shell Optimax, which does seem to give better performance than 95 RON. When I can't get hold of that, it tends to be 97 RON, mainly because there doesn't seem to be anywhere near me that sells 98 RON.

I too heard that 98 RON is recommended but, when I bought the car, the dealer looked a little surprised at the suggestion. Indeed, when you open the fuel flap, it states 95 RON minimum there.

So overall I don't think you'll do any harm at the lower grade but there does seem to be a performance benefit in paying a bit more.

If you look around the site, you'll see this has been fairly comprehensively discussed. I'm going to stick my neck out and say that I think my view is reasonably representative.

Keep us posted on how you find the car. Reviews are always appreciated. There are a lot of guys on the site who know a lot about Audis and they are a helpful bunch. Good luck with the delivery time. Make sure you badger your dealer as many times as you can get to the phone as there have been a few tales of delays.
[img]images/graemlins/s4addict.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

Usually use Optimax (with good results) in my cars but I'd heard that with the RS6 it was a no-no...

Is that also the case for the S4 V8??? [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[daddyjohal]

Definitely Super or Optimax on an S4. You simply won't get the same level of performance with standard unleaded. As regards 98RON fuel, garages in the UK stopped selling the stuff years ago. Personally I find Optimax to be nothing but a load of hype, whereas Superunleaded is the muts nuts, it give greater responses, smoother running and definitely better performance. For anyone worried about the extra cost of unleaded (and you shouldn't be if you're driving an S4) then Super gives better fuel consumption which nearly offsets the added cost per litre.

[Gareth]

But my questions was very specific to the Audi V8's as I'd read in the RS6 forum it was advised not to use Optimax with the RS6, and I was therfore wondering if the same applied to the S4 V8...

[daddyjohal]

on the RS6 forum, did anyone give an actual reason as to why you shouldn't use Optimax?? sounds very strange to me, unless they're advocating the use of super instead.

[JamesB]

Also, can anyone recommend an insurance company that doesn't want to empty your bank account to cover a new S4? (any deals with Trackers etc.).

Darren
[img]images/graemlins/audiS4black.gif[/img]

Loads of discussion/advice in the insurance/breakdown cover part of the website. My best quote for an S4 came with Privilege (no need for a tracker but I have one anyway). Privilege/Direct Line seem to be reasonably popular with other users, along with Elephant, Bell and Tesco's (!), although I believe some of these share the same underwriters. Have a look at the threads and get as many quotes as possible. [img]images/graemlins/s4addict.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

on the RS6 forum, did anyone give an actual reason as to why you shouldn't use Optimax?? sounds very strange to me, unless they're advocating the use of super instead.

Don't recall which thread it was but apparently it's well documented that the RS6 doesn't get on with Optimax at all and it actually causes damage to the engine block/fuel pump IIRC

[daddyjohal]

on the RS6 forum, did anyone give an actual reason as to why you shouldn't use Optimax?? sounds very strange to me, unless they're advocating the use of super instead.

Don't recall which thread it was but apparently it's well documented that the RS6 doesn't get on with Optimax at all and it actually causes damage to the engine block/fuel pump IIRC

i wouldn't disagree with them. personally i hate Optimax, it gives me no performance increase at all, no increase in MPG and costs more too. I use super instead, my S4 goes like stink on the stuff and it gives about 5% better fuel economy which virtually covers the added expense.