Sports differential reliability

[duggy72]

Hello all,

I am on the hunt for an S4 saloon or avant. Essential options are sat nav, s tronic and B&O sounds. Another recent feature that I have found out about is the sports differential.

Having read numerous forum reviews it seems that a must have is the sports diff. I put that on my list of must haves which has now narrowed my search down considerably.

I'm not asking for your opinions on whether the diff is necessary for day to day use, more about it's reliability. I have now come across threads on other forums where there are horror stories of leaking duffs and various other problems.

From my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong) the S4 introduced this new technology. I plan to keep this car for a fair few years. Am I better off searching for a car without one now? Is this a problematic diff which over the years could financially ruin me?

I appreciate any comments.

Duggy

[xxx_mojo_xxx]

2 years and 20k - no problems so far

[longdog]

3 years 40k miles and no issues.

[duggy72]

Thanks for both of your replies. I will keep my eyes peeled for a car with the diff. As i mentioned before, there are only a handful around at the moment.

[Skiptowncat]

75k on mine, just replaced the oil...no issues

[Dan930]

Yes I totally agree...there isn't much s4 saloons with the sports diff..
I was going to buy a 12plate s4 but it hasn't got the sports diff..

[duggy72]

75k on mine, just replaced the oil...no issues

This sounds good. I guess it's like anything, there will always be some issues and forums tend to highlight issues.

I used to have an E46 M3 and the notorious issue with them was the subframe cracking. Forums tended to highlight the failures.

[Tay56]

A lot of the report issues seemed to be in the US, and more often that not on tuned cars if that helps your decision.

[duggy72]

A lot of the report issues seemed to be in the US, and more often that not on tuned cars if that helps your decision.

Thanks. Puts my mind at ease.

[brackett]

Had to replace on mine, about £7.5k I think

[Ian_C]

Wow, tell us more, what happened?!

[brackett]

Not a lot to tell. Was getting "sports differential system fault" messages, went back to Audi, they said new diff required, warranty paid. Had to wait a few days to ship the part from Germany. Thank goodness for warranty

[S4WON]

4yrs 40k no problems, no worries but then I also have an audi warranty

[jp-berwick]

I was talking with Audi Service and the sports diff doesn't get it's oil changed like the normal one? Anyone have any input the service lady wanted to ask a tech but I was in between meetings?

Aberdeen Audi - Nice bunch.

edit, I should add just over 50k and it works nicely and has never been serviced as far as I can tell. Might be wrong.

[Skiptowncat]

Changed my sport diff oil just for peace of mind.