S4 Avant - 2.7/4.2? Any advice...
Discussion
Hey guys 
I am a TVR man I have to confess. I am also however the proud owner of an 8 month old daughter
Anyhoo here's the rub. Would love an RS6 but cant afford one. Would similarly love an RS4 but cant really afford that either. The new S4 looks a nice comprimise and the new 4.2l appeals but a loaded one is £40k and I see '99 2.7 S4's for very reasonable money. I have never owned an Audi so have no knowledge of the characteristics of that engine. Anyone got any opinions/tips/warnings?
I am a TVR man I have to confess. I am also however the proud owner of an 8 month old daughter
Anyhoo here's the rub. Would love an RS6 but cant afford one. Would similarly love an RS4 but cant really afford that either. The new S4 looks a nice comprimise and the new 4.2l appeals but a loaded one is £40k and I see '99 2.7 S4's for very reasonable money. I have never owned an Audi so have no knowledge of the characteristics of that engine. Anyone got any opinions/tips/warnings?
I too am looking at a 2.7TT S4, on the grounds that I can't afford an RS4. And if I had the money required for an S4 V8 I'd buy an RS4.
From what I can gather, the S4 2.7TT can have its boost wound up a little to easily give 315bhp rather than the standard 265bhp, and is a good compromise between cost and performance.
The best place to find out more is probably at www.rs246.com
From what I can gather, the S4 2.7TT can have its boost wound up a little to easily give 315bhp rather than the standard 265bhp, and is a good compromise between cost and performance.
The best place to find out more is probably at www.rs246.com
I am the opposite of you. I have Had a Noggy Blue S4 avant for 2 years now. (I have a tuscan engine but none of the plastic that comes with it)Anyhow. Tha S4 avant is easily the best car i have ever Had. it is fast enough in its standard trim (265hp) it gets to 60 in 5.5 ish seconds. i have had an indicated 165 on the clock without the limiter cutting in. It climbs steep banks in the heavy snow, and my 2 dogs can come along for the ride when i am out accellerating subarus
its weak points are brakes, you tend to mushroom the pads and warp the front discs, also long throw gearbox.
Perfection to me would be a standard output , porsche braked car with a short shift box.
I have also driven a V8 S4 and an RS4 back to back. in my opinion the RS4 doesn,t feel as fast (when driven normally) because you need to spool up the turbos that little bit more. The V8 is sexy for its sound, but again doesnt give you the turbo kick in the back that the old S4 does. The New S4 is a better chassis and does handle better, but you aren't running it around a track??
In short the S4 2.7 Bi Turbo avant is the best car, simply by virtue of it being a third of the price of the others.
If you really felt that you needed the horsepower numbers upping then the RS4 upgrades are available at about 7K including brakes. But I really wouldn,t bother.
The old S4 is also a lot rarer than the others.
I test drove both New S4 and RS4 back to back when mine was having its cam belt done. I am not changing mine.
buy Noggy Blue with Alcantra interior and all extras 9this model holds its price the best and is most desired
Neil.
its weak points are brakes, you tend to mushroom the pads and warp the front discs, also long throw gearbox.
Perfection to me would be a standard output , porsche braked car with a short shift box.
I have also driven a V8 S4 and an RS4 back to back. in my opinion the RS4 doesn,t feel as fast (when driven normally) because you need to spool up the turbos that little bit more. The V8 is sexy for its sound, but again doesnt give you the turbo kick in the back that the old S4 does. The New S4 is a better chassis and does handle better, but you aren't running it around a track??
In short the S4 2.7 Bi Turbo avant is the best car, simply by virtue of it being a third of the price of the others.
If you really felt that you needed the horsepower numbers upping then the RS4 upgrades are available at about 7K including brakes. But I really wouldn,t bother.
The old S4 is also a lot rarer than the others.
I test drove both New S4 and RS4 back to back when mine was having its cam belt done. I am not changing mine.
buy Noggy Blue with Alcantra interior and all extras 9this model holds its price the best and is most desired
Neil.
Hi James/Height,
Like you I also have a 9 month old daughter, and the S4 is great for both worlds, safe traveling with family and gunning it when alone....
I have to agree with Heightswitch, I have owned for a year and 1/2 a Noggy S4, they just shift...., I have since owning it had a tango short shift installed which has solved the long throw, and makes gear changing much crisper. I cost me £250 installed at QST in Hayward Heath, which I think isnt alot to pay, as it really made a difference.
There is so much you can do to the car if you want to upgrade, mine is in at QST at the moment with a stage 2 upgrade, miltek exhaust, H&R adjustable Suspension, turbo technics diverter valves and a AWE brace.
Ok I'm spending more money, but I feel this will bring the car upto what she is all about, speed, speed and more speed, oh and handling. Once ive got abit more cash i will do the brakes. The Turbo's are very responsive compared to other turboed cars's Ive driven, hardly any lag at all, and those Audi's are masters of Torque.
Like you, I also would love an RS4 or even a RS6, but you know what...for £14k, you should find yourself a very decent S4, which will be right there with the others and with the money you save, get it tuned!
I went out (Drove and was a Passenger)with Perry McCarthy and Terry Mason in 2 new V8 S4's at Thruxton race circuit not so long ago, and all though I loved the sound of both cars, mine just felt more solid, in fact Stig broke one after 12 laps, ok he was pushing it!! But I jut felt it was missing something....
>> Edited by tombs on Wednesday 24th March 20:56
>> Edited by tombs on Wednesday 24th March 20:59
Like you I also have a 9 month old daughter, and the S4 is great for both worlds, safe traveling with family and gunning it when alone....
I have to agree with Heightswitch, I have owned for a year and 1/2 a Noggy S4, they just shift...., I have since owning it had a tango short shift installed which has solved the long throw, and makes gear changing much crisper. I cost me £250 installed at QST in Hayward Heath, which I think isnt alot to pay, as it really made a difference.
There is so much you can do to the car if you want to upgrade, mine is in at QST at the moment with a stage 2 upgrade, miltek exhaust, H&R adjustable Suspension, turbo technics diverter valves and a AWE brace.
Ok I'm spending more money, but I feel this will bring the car upto what she is all about, speed, speed and more speed, oh and handling. Once ive got abit more cash i will do the brakes. The Turbo's are very responsive compared to other turboed cars's Ive driven, hardly any lag at all, and those Audi's are masters of Torque.
Like you, I also would love an RS4 or even a RS6, but you know what...for £14k, you should find yourself a very decent S4, which will be right there with the others and with the money you save, get it tuned!
I went out (Drove and was a Passenger)with Perry McCarthy and Terry Mason in 2 new V8 S4's at Thruxton race circuit not so long ago, and all though I loved the sound of both cars, mine just felt more solid, in fact Stig broke one after 12 laps, ok he was pushing it!! But I jut felt it was missing something....
>> Edited by tombs on Wednesday 24th March 20:56
>> Edited by tombs on Wednesday 24th March 20:59
Thanks for the knowledgeable replies
This is what I wanted to hear really as in the real world I just cant afford a new S4 or nearly new RS4.
My current hack is an old E34 540i Bimmer and I am a V8 freak at heart for their simplicity and power delivery. Oh and the noise....
Am I right in thinking the 2.7 was made up to 1999 or are later models available?
Short shift box seems a common conversion from what I have read - I have also heard about the brakes - anyone got any idea on how much say an RS brake conversion is?
Thanks again for the help.
This is what I wanted to hear really as in the real world I just cant afford a new S4 or nearly new RS4.
My current hack is an old E34 540i Bimmer and I am a V8 freak at heart for their simplicity and power delivery. Oh and the noise....
Am I right in thinking the 2.7 was made up to 1999 or are later models available?
Short shift box seems a common conversion from what I have read - I have also heard about the brakes - anyone got any idea on how much say an RS brake conversion is?
Thanks again for the help.
Hi James
You obviously have a wife that doesn't limit your spend?
The S4 was available for 3 years I think. the early cars had a re-call for the intercooler pipes, If you are buying a 1998 car then check that this re-call has been carried out.
Ensure that your car has had a full service history, since some parts can be very expensive. Again my advice is go for Nogaro Blue with Blue Alcantra interior, since this seems to be the most sought after colour and the most expensive to buy.
THE company to go to is AMD. who specialise in the tuning of these cars. A stage 1 chip upgrade (which is the most I would ever consider) is about £700 fitted including rolling road time. this will give you about 300hp A Porsche brake conversion comes out at about £2000 all in with callipers, discs, pads and fitting.
Short shift conversion is about £300 all in.
I like V8's the same as you, but all I would say is that you should drive an S4 for yourself. The car has zero lag because of the 2 smaller turbos. The car has a drop dead gorgeous sound with a sexy Turbo woosh and non of that common loud dump valve type sound you get with the more prolitariat cars.
Buy as low a mileage as possible , from a audi dealer with a 12month warranty, since the 2k or so premium you will pay Could be easily swallowed by warranty repairs.
that said, my car has been nothing but reliable in the last 2 years, save for the usuall servicing, cam belt and those brakes. (I have seen 2 sets of discs and pads and my wife does most of the driving. They really are marginal for the car.
You should pay about £15k for a good car. I have seen them as cheap as £9500, but steer clear, since these are unwarrantied cost timebombs.
Things to check on buying:
Exhaust smoke (turbos)£3k hit engine out.
Power steering pump noises £500
water pump bearing rattles (sounds like a small cammy type knock at the top front of engine)£500 (needs cam belt removed and re-fitting)
Suspension squeaks and rattles (lots of sealed for life joints on suspension and very difficult to pinpoint)can be expensive
Diff seal failure (common) look at all driveshafts and for oil staining underneath. My S4 and my prev 2.8 quattro both got to 50k and needed doing £800 hit
Anti roll bar drop links and also wheel bearings.
the above are indicators of dealer costs, you can probably have non franchise specialists work on the car at a saving.
Engine management issues can also be pricey, and a cam belt change will be around the £6-800 mark.
Go out and test drive one?
Neil.
You obviously have a wife that doesn't limit your spend?
The S4 was available for 3 years I think. the early cars had a re-call for the intercooler pipes, If you are buying a 1998 car then check that this re-call has been carried out.
Ensure that your car has had a full service history, since some parts can be very expensive. Again my advice is go for Nogaro Blue with Blue Alcantra interior, since this seems to be the most sought after colour and the most expensive to buy.
THE company to go to is AMD. who specialise in the tuning of these cars. A stage 1 chip upgrade (which is the most I would ever consider) is about £700 fitted including rolling road time. this will give you about 300hp A Porsche brake conversion comes out at about £2000 all in with callipers, discs, pads and fitting.
Short shift conversion is about £300 all in.
I like V8's the same as you, but all I would say is that you should drive an S4 for yourself. The car has zero lag because of the 2 smaller turbos. The car has a drop dead gorgeous sound with a sexy Turbo woosh and non of that common loud dump valve type sound you get with the more prolitariat cars.
Buy as low a mileage as possible , from a audi dealer with a 12month warranty, since the 2k or so premium you will pay Could be easily swallowed by warranty repairs.
that said, my car has been nothing but reliable in the last 2 years, save for the usuall servicing, cam belt and those brakes. (I have seen 2 sets of discs and pads and my wife does most of the driving. They really are marginal for the car.
You should pay about £15k for a good car. I have seen them as cheap as £9500, but steer clear, since these are unwarrantied cost timebombs.
Things to check on buying:
Exhaust smoke (turbos)£3k hit engine out.
Power steering pump noises £500
water pump bearing rattles (sounds like a small cammy type knock at the top front of engine)£500 (needs cam belt removed and re-fitting)
Suspension squeaks and rattles (lots of sealed for life joints on suspension and very difficult to pinpoint)can be expensive
Diff seal failure (common) look at all driveshafts and for oil staining underneath. My S4 and my prev 2.8 quattro both got to 50k and needed doing £800 hit
Anti roll bar drop links and also wheel bearings.
the above are indicators of dealer costs, you can probably have non franchise specialists work on the car at a saving.
Engine management issues can also be pricey, and a cam belt change will be around the £6-800 mark.
Go out and test drive one?
Neil.
James...Like you I thought nah, no upgrades for me, but believe you me, I am amazed at what QST have done to the car!!! Sounds awesome, goes like S*&% of a shovel now, and the upgrade has really breathed new life into the car.
QST are also specialists in the Audi arena and MTM dealers, IMO just as good as AMD, if not better.
The brakes on the S4 are ok, but I will be doing that next.
But your right test drive first!! Good luck
>> Edited by tombs on Friday 26th March 15:07
QST are also specialists in the Audi arena and MTM dealers, IMO just as good as AMD, if not better.
The brakes on the S4 are ok, but I will be doing that next.
But your right test drive first!! Good luck
>> Edited by tombs on Friday 26th March 15:07
Hey guys, in my couple of years as a member I'mposting on this forum for the first time. Been a Porker owner for the past 6 years but finally needed a change and got teased by a mate's S4.
Only had it since Friday but have to say I'm very impressed so far. Very different from the Porsche (968CS) and to be honest you really can't compare the two as they're such very different cars.
It's had the full AmD 400bhp version (rolling roaded at over that tho!) with K04s etc and certainly shifts - to be honest I can't imagine anything short of a £100k supercar giving this a thrashing.
The build quality appears to be typically Germanic, performance as above, agree that brakes + suspension defo need upgrading but I'm really getting off on the Q-car factor!
Only had it since Friday but have to say I'm very impressed so far. Very different from the Porsche (968CS) and to be honest you really can't compare the two as they're such very different cars.
It's had the full AmD 400bhp version (rolling roaded at over that tho!) with K04s etc and certainly shifts - to be honest I can't imagine anything short of a £100k supercar giving this a thrashing.
The build quality appears to be typically Germanic, performance as above, agree that brakes + suspension defo need upgrading but I'm really getting off on the Q-car factor!
Fontain have 3 S4 Avants in stock at the moment (or they did on Saturday anyway), plus at least one RS4 as they were in negotiation with a couple who wanted to chop thier A4 Convertble in for one.
However I would advise against visiting them on a Saturday. They were clearly rushed off their feet and I waited over an hour for a quick look at one of the cars followed by a short test drive.
It was long enough to convince me that I do want an S4 Avant but if I was to visit Fontain again it would be at a quieter time.
>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 6th April 12:05
However I would advise against visiting them on a Saturday. They were clearly rushed off their feet and I waited over an hour for a quick look at one of the cars followed by a short test drive.
It was long enough to convince me that I do want an S4 Avant but if I was to visit Fontain again it would be at a quieter time.
>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 6th April 12:05
jamesk said:
Do these guys have a website?
www.fontain.co.uk/
I've also found them to be very good, although as JonRB says - try and visit during the week if possible.
I have been emailing with Mark at Fountain about visiting them Good Friday or Easter Mon but they are closed except Sat. I am after a mint car without kerbed alloys or melted brakes. Am I kidding myself as sounds like they all suffer from underated brakes and are driven up kerbs? There is a black one on Pistonheads but private sale = no warranty or trade-in. Any other good sources around in the SE? I take it QST only tune cars not buy and sell.
Chris
Chris
I am pretty fastidious with cars. I think any car with a 17" wheel and rubber band tyres is prone to kerb Damage. I will eventually get some new wheels, all I can say is that the flat face of the wheel is prone to the odd scuff when you pull up at the side of the road.
i am not selling mine by the way, scuffed wheels or otherwise.
Do the 18" S8 wheels of the same design fit, since I fancy putting these on when the next set of tyres are due. Anyone done this??
Neil.
i am not selling mine by the way, scuffed wheels or otherwise.
Do the 18" S8 wheels of the same design fit, since I fancy putting these on when the next set of tyres are due. Anyone done this??
Neil.
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