B8 S4 Ownership

[worsy]

As per JHarts's suggestion in this thread time to consolidate ownership discussion.

Here's mine. Up to 350 miles now lol really need to find myself a job to use it some more!!

S tronic
Special order Sepang Blue
Black Milano Leather
Hill Hold
19" Alloys
Heated folding mirrors
Privacy
High Beam Assist
Adaptive lights
Ski load through
Tyre pressure monitor
Heated front and rear seats
Drive Select (Full)
Sports diff
Advanced key
Rear side airbags
Phone prep low
B&O sounds
DAB
Tech Pack
Park System Plus




Dec 2014 - Uploaded a couple of photos as old store lost.

June 2020 - Car is on KT59 UVO

Edited by worsy on Thursday 11th June 13:24

[FUBAR]

Oooh ooooh, my turn my turn

Purchased Sept 09. So far done 2500 miles. Struggling to get anywhere near manufacturers mpg (but is that my fault? )

Only regret? Starting to wonder if the two tone leather (with white central) is such a good idea, but then I bought the car out of the dealer's showroom and wouldnt have specced it myself.

[Dr G]

Two tone leather is stunning, well worth a clean once in a while!

[FUBAR]

Yes, it looks great. But starting to look a little dirty already. Guess I'll have to break out the Magic Erasor' sponge thingy

[Magic33]

Hi,

I'm happy to share my ownership experience so far...

1800 miles in my manual S4. Pretty basic spec compared to most, (no trick diff, sat nav, etc etc). Having tested an avant loaded to the hilt with options and a fairly standard saloon I opted for a saloon with metallic paint, heated sports seats, parking sensors (rear only), folding mirrors, cruise control (basic) and 19 inch alloys.

Compared to my previous drive, a BMW 335i coupe, I'm particularly impressed with the build quality, ride quality, and the ability to cover ground exceptionally quickly.... (The only attribute of the beemer I miss is the brutal acceleration and the noise....).

With the S4 I'm not even close to the manufacturers claim of 29.1mpg (combined)as I am returning an average of 24.7 when I last looked. Personally do I care??? if fuel consumption concerned me I wouldn't have purchased a supercharged 3 litre petrol!!

Overall I would say I'm more than happy with my purchase.

ps. The blue Avant looks stunning!

[worsy]

Thanks. I had it detailed two days after picking it up but the weather is conspiring against me for photos!!!

Just added my spec above, stll trying to work out some of the options. Just out of interest, I assume without the Drive Select package the setting is Dynamic??

[Andyuk911]

I would be keen to see some rolling road numbers for your cars.

Also check out Wynn's DIP3, this will help reduce the carbon build up on the valves, due to the FSI.

I would highly recommend you also change your oil frequently.

[troc]

I've driven around 2000 Miles in my S4 now including a decent Autobahn blast and various other mixed trips here and there but with a lot of slow-moving crappy traffic (i.e. Holland - the roads around the Hague suck).

My spec. was:

S4 Manual (LHD....)
Deep Sea Blue
Black silk nappa leather, heated S4 sports seats (and ski hatch)
Tech. Pack (with 3G MMI, AMI and cruise)
Phone Prep. Low
DAB Radio
Full drive select and Sports Differential
B&O
Comfort Pack
Parking Plus
Storage Pack
Adaptive lights
High beam assist
Advanced Key
TPMS

I think that's all

There are some piccies on my flickr site http://www.flickr.com/nyargle

[FUBAR]

Purely for the sake of scientific exploration, I can confirm, in the wet at least, the B8 S4 is coaxable into wagging its tail

[Dr G]

Thank you for your scientific conclusion, most informative

[FUBAR]

[Tame Technician]

FUBAR said:

Purely for the sake of scientific exploration, I can confirm, in the wet at least, the B8 S4 is coaxable into wagging its tail

Using the power on the exit, or with good sharp turn in???

I never managed the former and it disapointed me, couldnt hold it sideways on the throttle, just produce a slide on turn in, mostly the work of the sports diff I felt.

But I only had 20mins in the Demo, and it had to remain in one piece or I wouldnt.

Edited by Tame Technician on Saturday 5th December 18:44

[FUBAR]

Power on the exit. Wasnt a big log slide, the fronts got traction and pulled it straight. Was a wet road so I didnt fancy seeing how far I could push it. Need to find a nice empty, wet carpark methinks.

Edited by FUBAR on Saturday 5th December 21:38

[gmk666]

Apologies for the hijack, but I'm thinking seriously about an S4 to replace my RS4 Avant.
(Shhh, don't tell anyone on rs246)

Had a test drive, loved the build quality and wasn't at all disappointed with the power and delivery but playing on the Audi configurator has left me with a question.
Dynamic steering or not? I'd probably get the sports diff and damping control but wondered if any of you guys had specced the fancy steering?

[troc]

I've got the dynamic steering and I really like it now, but it took some getting used to as it really is dynamic (BMW have something similar) in that it changes the steering ratio and lock dynamically. The normal servotronic steering simply varies the weight of the steering. With the ADS, you can set the steering to comfort, auto or dynamic (or individual...), with dynamic having significantly fewer turns lock to lock etc. It's like having lazyMercedes, huge steering wheel, taxi-like steering in one mode through to short, weighty, quick and sporty steering in dynamic. Plus it will change settings on the move to stop you dying

It feels weird when you steer enthusiastically into a corner as you can feel the steering lock change to 'help' you - for example if it detects you heading into oversteer, it will slow the steering down (i.e. more turns lock to lock) to reduce your steering input. Vice versa, it'll speed up the steering if you understeer into a corner. When this combines with the rear diff kicking in and the suspension firming up all at once, it's an odd feeling but by heck the damn thing accelerates through a corner like it's on rails.......

PS I think you get the fancy steering automatically if you spec the active sports diff. I can't remember offhand

Edited by troc on Monday 7th December 23:30

[gmk666]

Thanks for that - a very informative write up.

[troc]

FUBAR said:

Purely for the sake of scientific exploration, I can confirm, in the wet at least, the B8 S4 is coaxable into wagging its tail

I felt that this needed a second opinion. Thus, purely for the sake of science, I booted it in the corner leading to an on-ramp near me. Due to the prevailing (e.g. crap) conditions, the roads here are about as slick as an oil, er, slick so even with all the electronic gadgetry turned on and ADS on Auto, the rear did indeed step out.

It's a nice corner, so I can also confirm that the car is excitingly controllable on the throttle and I can further confirm that lifting off results in a controlled tail wiggle where the car simply decides to go where you are pointing the front wheels

Rather disappointingly, the dash didn't light up with "I have just saved you from an expensive repair bill" lights.

The woman in the car (far) behind me made a point of coming up to me on the motorway and looking all disapproving.

John

[orbtar]

Have any of you had problems with your S4's yet? My uncle bought a new high spec S4 Avant in the Summer, all was fine until it reached 7,000 miles, then everything went wrong. The car was off the road for almost a month, needed replacement water pump, steering pump, steering rack etc and still seemed no better. The car was a lemon, Audi refused to replace the car and could only offer £29,000 to buy it back (it cost about £46,000 only a few months earlier). This was his fifth, and last Audi. Several of the car magazines running this model also seem to have had problems yet Audi refuse to acknowledge this.

[Tame Technician]

orbtar said:

Have any of you had problems with your S4's yet? My uncle bought a new high spec S4 Avant in the Summer, all was fine until it reached 7,000 miles, then everything went wrong. The car was off the road for almost a month, needed replacement water pump, steering pump, steering rack etc and still seemed no better. The car was a lemon, Audi refused to replace the car and could only offer £29,000 to buy it back (it cost about £46,000 only a few months earlier). This was his fifth, and last Audi. Several of the car magazines running this model also seem to have had problems yet Audi refuse to acknowledge this.

Whats the customer concern.

Cant see why it would need a water pump and steering pump, completely un connected items.

It was ever heating??

Has a steering fault??

[FUBAR]

Again purely for the sake of science, on the way home tonight, on a stretch of dual carriageway I know well, that was empty (generally I dont do silly speeds on UK roads), I decided to mash the right foot right to the floor, and hold it there for about 10 seconds (and believe me, 10 seconds feels like an eternity)

Now, so far, Ive experienced full bore acceleration, but generally in the lower gears, on A roads and the like, and normally only for a few seconds at a time.....


O
M
F
G
!

10 seconds full on pedal mashing gets you to some really silly speeds

Edited by FUBAR on Sunday 13th December 22:03