S4 V8 running costs query

[targarama]

What MPG are people getting from recent model V8 S4 manuals? I've seen this discussed for the RS4. Also, how scarey is insurance/servicing?

I'm currently toying with one to replace the A6. I would get an S6 but they're all fartomatic gearboxed.

[targarama]

Ah, here's the service costs from Fontain - not too bad:

Lube service £160.13
Annual service £219.47
20,000 mile service £264.76
40,000 mile service £419.23
1st Variable service £278.77
2nd Variable service £433.23
Check fault memory £32.31
Four wheel alignment £129.25
Brake fluid change £59.34
Multitronic gear oil change £115.50
Full valet £95.00
Air Con service £85.00

Bet an extended warranty costs though...

[PetrolTed]

targarama said:

What MPG are people getting from recent model V8 S4 manuals?

Got a tiptronic here. MPG is a bit scary - preferred the Cerbera where you had no idea what the MPG was, you just filled it up every time you used it

I've just come back from Brands Hatch and on the M25 with extremely careful driving, no braking, no booting it and averaging about 60mph I just about squeezed 32mpg out of it. Lazier motorway driving gives 24mpg. 4 up around town, it goes down to about 18-20mpg and a trip to the dump with a load of bricks took it down to about 14mpg!

I really wish it didn't have a readout - I've become obsessed with MPG. I'm really interesting to talk to at parties now...

[FortJefferson]

400 mile hoon around Wales 16.7mpg. (Belive me this was fast.)
2000 mile trip with wife and luggage, France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, 20.8mpg
At the momment the display say's 19.7 which I have'nt reset for age's. John

[philip walker]

A 2003 avant generally does 280 miles before refuel £55/£50 of super unleaded.

[merlot]

philip walker said:

A 2003 avant generally does 280 miles before refuel £55/£50 of super unleaded.

But a 2004 onwards model will do 5% less as the fuel tank is 3l smaller.

[Marki]

PetrolTed said:

I really wish it didn't have a readout - I've become obsessed with MPG. I'm really interesting to talk to at parties now...

You know i was thinking exactly the same thing ,,, that i did not used to care about mpg but now with most cars fitted with some sort of computer i too have become obsesed with it

[targarama]

Hmm, I was hoping for low to mid 20s on average. Guess thats the price of a V8 engine around town.

Maybe a specced up 1.8T will do me better. Front wheel drive ideally too - improved power to weight ratio. Have to get one before the spazzy nose job came out though so I guess its a 1.8T again.

[FortJefferson]

targarama said:

Hmm, I was hoping for low to mid 20s on average. Guess thats the price of a V8 engine around town.

Maybe a specced up 1.8T will do me better. Front wheel drive ideally too - improved power to weight ratio. Have to get one before the spazzy nose job came out though so I guess its a 1.8T again.

You could try a 1.8 (RED) T 195bhp?

[FortJefferson]

While we are on the subject of fuel, how far have you driven after the display say's 0 miles left? I did about 10 on the way back from Pistonfest. John

[blaineuk]

FortJefferson said:

targarama said:

Hmm, I was hoping for low to mid 20s on average. Guess thats the price of a V8 engine around town.

Maybe a specced up 1.8T will do me better. Front wheel drive ideally too - improved power to weight ratio. Have to get one before the spazzy nose job came out though so I guess its a 1.8T again.

You could try a 1.8 (RED) T 195bhp?

you mean like the one i have for sale although mine is a quattro/www.pistonheads.com/sales/91194.ht

Edited by blaineuk on Tuesday 5th September 21:30

[Fbloke]

I've logged about 27000 miles in an S4 auto (flappy paddles etc). I recon I average about 21mpg but I can get down to 4mpg instant fuel consumption when I stand on it.

Running costs

i get about 13000 miles from a set of front tyres. last time I changed all the tyres although the backs had some life in them. This improved the high speed ride I geuse bacause all my wheels were the same diameter again.

Just had new front pads and discs from main dealer for £400 inc vat.
Insurance currently about £700 with full no claims.

I still love it though cause it still goes like the clappers

Edited by Fbloke on Tuesday 5th September 22:18

[merlot]

Fbloke said:

I've logged about 27000 miles in an S4 auto (flappy paddles etc). I recon I average about 21mpg but I can get down to 4mpg instant fuel consumption when I stand on it.

Running costs

i get about 13000 miles from a set of front tyres. last time I changed all the tyres although the backs had some life in them. This improved the high speed ride I geuse bacause all my wheels were the same diameter again.

Just had new front pads and discs from main dealer for £400 inc vat.
Insurance currently about £700 with full no claims.

I still love it though cause it still goes like the clappers

Edited by Fbloke on Tuesday 5th September 22:18

You are leaning on it to need new discs and pads already. I used to agree on tyre life but I'm getting sick of tyre wear round the edges on the fronts with the OEM Contis which now tend to look done in below 10k (worse on the Cab than the Avant). Might change to Michelin PS2s.

[merlot]

targarama said:

Hmm, I was hoping for low to mid 20s on average. Guess thats the price of a V8 engine around town.

Maybe a specced up 1.8T will do me better. Front wheel drive ideally too - improved power to weight ratio. Have to get one before the spazzy nose job came out though so I guess its a 1.8T again.

The improved power to weight only works in the dry though!

[Fbloke]

merlot said:

You are leaning on it to need new discs and pads already. I used to agree on tyre life but I'm getting sick of tyre wear round the edges on the fronts with the OEM Contis which now tend to look done in below 10k (worse on the Cab than the Avant). Might change to Michelin PS2s.

I think a set of pads after 27000 miles is ok but I agree that it seems a bit extreme to need new discs already. Sure the brakes are excellent and I do drive it hard from time to time but 27000 miles not very good. The discs had a bit of wear but what dealer skims them these days, the discs were £70 each.

The tyre wear you describe is exactly what I have. I'd be interested if anybody has experiance with the PS2'2 you mention because I need to replace my tyres again soon.

Ken

PS my partener just saw this post and recons I do drive it hard all of the time (and her Fiesta)

Edited by Fbloke on Friday 8th September 19:25

[Red V8]

My local dealer suggested I need new disks after only 24k miles... which don't look at all bad to me so I've gone for a second opinion... and they don't 'repair' anything these days... they simply replace (it's easier and more profitable)... I was quoted £45 for a new tailgate light that simply required the contacts to be cleaned... a 5 minute job to remove one screw and clean with a bit of emery paper.

With regards the service prices quoted earlier... have a read of the service manual, all they do is check the car over and change the oil, air filter and spark plugs... nothing else is included, it's all additional cost work!