S4 Avant (Quick review)

[jonno]

Just handed back the keys to an absolute beast after an extended test.
(I've pretty much only driven my 225 TT for the last couple of years, so large capacity V8s still come as a nice surprise)

All I can really say is its an absolute monster.
From the wonderful noise as you fire up the V8 to the gentle burble and rocking @ tickover it whispers power.

I really liked the massive extra torque, barely any need to change down, and the sensation of actually getting feedback from the front tyres was novel too (:roll: ) - when you push on it signals when the tyres are loosing grip (might have happened a *couple* of times )

The whole is so much of a car - not had a saloon to compare to, but it was very impressive. Capable of extream progress in total comfort with a wardrobe in the back too.
The electric Recaros took a lot of adjusting to get me comfortable (for those who've not met me, lets just say that I'm never gonna get picked for a basketball team Once adjusted, they were very comfortable and gripped better than the TTs (they needed to)
Also vastly preferred the Torsen 4WD to the Haldex, frankly, I don't really care about the fancy electronics/engineering it just gives so much more confidence - tho I suspect this is partly due to no bogging-down and the prodgious torque of the 4.2 lump, and in part due to it not having that squirmy feeling as it shifts the power about you get on the TT mid corner.

It had most of the useful options ( I assume) cruise was handy in built-up areas, rear parking sensors a must on the Avant, Rear window blinds I always thought were a gimmic, but actually looked neat and worked well, heated rear recaros (didn't use), only the Bose + Symphony 6 stack, radio + cassette (what are those?) but sounded excellent, I listened to a V8 soundtrack for most of the time tho.

There were only a few things that I didn't like:

Fuel consumption - terrifying, I need to invade a small oil producing country to fill up. This car makes Oliver Read and George Best look like modest drinkers. Over the time I had the car I think I struggled to average much over 15mpg, all open roads
This could get pricey with Optimax heading for 90p/litre

No ISOFIX child seat fittings - I think they a (cost) option, but they only need about 4 extra welds.

Price - even used this car was probably £37k, nice and a huge amount of car but a lot of cash

Finally, and this is a subjective one, coming from the TT I actually found it almost too "cosseting" and quiet (engine aside) I suppose it should be no surprise, and I'm sure if I had to cross Germany @ vast speed in comfort the S4 would be near the top of the list, but it was just too easy to get really carried away without some of the normal clues (road, engine noise etc)

Sum up - awesome, massive performance, space, comfort and lots of feedback, and fuel bills

I want one