S4 Avant - any reason not to?
Discussion
Thinking of PX ing my 996 Coupe for a more family friendly S4 Avant. From what I've read, the auto's are better?
How would running costs compare to the 996? I budget about £150pm exc fuel at the moment.
Closest one I can find at the moment is 90mls away, is that just timing or are they quite rare? Sods law, it's a Phantom Black one, my least preferred colour!
What do I need to look out for beyond full SH, good tyres etc? Needs to be dealer sale as I can't be doing with selling mine privately.
How would running costs compare to the 996? I budget about £150pm exc fuel at the moment.
Closest one I can find at the moment is 90mls away, is that just timing or are they quite rare? Sods law, it's a Phantom Black one, my least preferred colour!
What do I need to look out for beyond full SH, good tyres etc? Needs to be dealer sale as I can't be doing with selling mine privately.
You'll be pleased to hear PH hosts about the most comprehensive resource anywhere on these cars:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
They're thin on the ground because demand is very strong and they're out of production now. Nice cars sell very quickly.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
They're thin on the ground because demand is very strong and they're out of production now. Nice cars sell very quickly.
They are nice enough.
They need lowering (H&R Springs or something), MUCH better brakes (brakes are poor for the cars performance) and uprated roll bars to be even remotely entertaining to drive. Otherwise it sort of feels like a bit of a muscle car.
Revo do some very good tuning options which in conjunction with the above mods would be a lovely car without effecting the reliability or the economy.
0-60 they are very quick with 4wd and the Auto box but once moving they're rapid without being "fast".
They need lowering (H&R Springs or something), MUCH better brakes (brakes are poor for the cars performance) and uprated roll bars to be even remotely entertaining to drive. Otherwise it sort of feels like a bit of a muscle car.
Revo do some very good tuning options which in conjunction with the above mods would be a lovely car without effecting the reliability or the economy.
0-60 they are very quick with 4wd and the Auto box but once moving they're rapid without being "fast".
If you're coming from a 996 and want something that is still fun (for a family friendly car) then I'm sure you'll appreciate it. Given this though, I'd be looking at a car with the adaptable damping and sports diff as they will have the most impact on the handling. Not sure what age/spec you're looking at but worth being aware that there were quite a few small changes which make a difference to tax implications etc. The latest cars MY14 onwards (I think) had a few tweaks to the engine and a new ECU. The pre facelift cars also seem to produce a bit more power (but that is mostly due to the engine revving a little higher). It was reigned back on the facelift cars.
Chiefbadger said:
If you're coming from a 996 and want something that is still fun (for a family friendly car) then I'm sure you'll appreciate it. Given this though, I'd be looking at a car with the adaptable damping and sports diff as they will have the most impact on the handling. Not sure what age/spec you're looking at but worth being aware that there were quite a few small changes which make a difference to tax implications etc. The latest cars MY14 onwards (I think) had a few tweaks to the engine and a new ECU. The pre facelift cars also seem to produce a bit more power (but that is mostly due to the engine revving a little higher). It was reigned back on the facelift cars.
Forgot to say, looking at late B6/early B7 models, not keen on paying £490 RFL & want a V8, not a FI V6.They're rarer than RS4's. Normally only around 30 in the main dealer network country-wide.
Buying from main dealer means you're looking at a B8 version. (3.0 supercharged). Manuals are around £500 VED so even rarer. Manual S4 was dropped in UK after 2011, I think.
Look for tech pack (= Nav, etc) and Sports Diff. Personally I wouldn't consider a lowered one to be 'family friendly'.
Cost-wise, S4 used to be covered under Audi's fixed price servicing, but I'm not sure that's still being applied. There are good independents around, too.
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Buying from main dealer means you're looking at a B8 version. (3.0 supercharged). Manuals are around £500 VED so even rarer. Manual S4 was dropped in UK after 2011, I think.
Look for tech pack (= Nav, etc) and Sports Diff. Personally I wouldn't consider a lowered one to be 'family friendly'.
Cost-wise, S4 used to be covered under Audi's fixed price servicing, but I'm not sure that's still being applied. There are good independents around, too.
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I have a B7 S4 and generally they are well made. Fortunately it was registered 3 days before the RFL hike in March 06, very lucky!
Only weak point are front radiators, and the timing chains. If there is a prolonged rattle on start up (a short one is normal) then it can suggest issues.
However coming from a 996 I suspect an S4 will bore you. They are very capable cars, just not exciting. I'd suggest going for a good test drive before committing to a purchase.
Only weak point are front radiators, and the timing chains. If there is a prolonged rattle on start up (a short one is normal) then it can suggest issues.
However coming from a 996 I suspect an S4 will bore you. They are very capable cars, just not exciting. I'd suggest going for a good test drive before committing to a purchase.
I'm used to M3's and as a drivers car the M3 is better if you want to whiz around a track like ole Clarkson does when he tells you one car is better than the next, however in many ways I prefer my S4 Avant as it has the V8 rumble I love, much more low end grunt than the M3 but I think the BM would be a tad quicker in a straight line as the Avant isn't much far off the weight as an M5 so much heavier, but the way I see it, I just potter to work in it every day and its happy plod around at low speeds and low revs in 4th, 5th and 6th all day long and as I have my kids in the car the rest of the time, I've no interest in belting it around roundabouts, the steering is much lighter at low speeds than the BM, actually, everything is, yes I love it. I payed £6900 for an 03 with 86k on the clock with full Audi history, so you can pick em up cheap enough too, best of luck!!
B7 S4 Avant is a superb car, i have one as my workhorse alongside my 996 Turbo. Bought mine from an Audi dealer, so managed to get warranty for piece of mind incase of any nasty timing chain issues. Check for prolonged engine rattle on cold start, it should disappear quiet soon after start up, check You tube for links to the sound and duration of the rattle. I think apart from that it's pretty well out together. Steering rack can whine on full lock, seen a few that do this. Tax is shocking at £500, but worth it for the V8! Good B7 S4 avants do seem quite rare, esp with lowish miles, i snapped mine up pretty much immediately, ticked all boxes and also my favourite colour Sprint Blue! Maybe worth getting one inspected at an Audi dealer or indie to make sure it's all ok. The high revving V8 is an amazing engine, i love the low down growl when driving though town. The auto box is the one to get, much better gearing, and a joy to drive on long journeys. Even with the 996 turbo, stepping into the S4, it feels rapid and planted and really good fun on the back roads, definitely recommend getting one!
dank said:
B7 S4 Avant is a superb car, i have one as my workhorse alongside my 996 Turbo. Bought mine from an Audi dealer, so managed to get warranty for piece of mind incase of any nasty timing chain issues. Check for prolonged engine rattle on cold start, it should disappear quiet soon after start up, check You tube for links to the sound and duration of the rattle. I think apart from that it's pretty well out together. Steering rack can whine on full lock, seen a few that do this. Tax is shocking at £500, but worth it for the V8! Good B7 S4 avants do seem quite rare, esp with lowish miles, i snapped mine up pretty much immediately, ticked all boxes and also my favourite colour Sprint Blue! Maybe worth getting one inspected at an Audi dealer or indie to make sure it's all ok. The high revving V8 is an amazing engine, i love the low down growl when driving though town. The auto box is the one to get, much better gearing, and a joy to drive on long journeys. Even with the 996 turbo, stepping into the S4, it feels rapid and planted and really good fun on the back roads, definitely recommend getting one!
Quite a glowing recommendation from a fellow Pork owner! Don't suppose anybody down here in Devon has one they'd be happy for me to have a nose around do they? Not exactly common so going to see one is not easy
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