RE: Audi S4 Avant: PH Fleet
Discussion
OpulentBob said:
Higher up = more people can see you drive an audi from further away. Snob factor innit.
This. The whole market segment (and those surrounding it) is driven by snobbery, otherwise they would be driving specced up Mondeos or whatever with all the toys rather than cloth seat boggo Audi / BMW / Merc on personal contracts. It is all about what brand you have on display on your Barratt executive rabbit hutch driveway. Having said that, the S4 tends to be somewhat above that, edging toward red setter and Church's shoes territory, and can be a bit of a sweet spot, with a big chunk of usable performance rather than the RS which is somewhat restricted in where it can fully stretch it's legs.Is red the new Recession White / Resale Silver?
Love the idea of owning an S4, but if I'm buying an estate how often really am I going to be able to use 350hp? Hence I bought the 190bhp diesel for family duty - different seats, but otherwise the same inside and not hugely different outside either. And very happy with it I am too, though I've just picked up a VXT for high days and holidays.
Dale487 said:
I was thinking similar, except about the new Leon Cupar 300 ST, which now has 4 wheel drive & I believe you can still get a manual (not that anyone seems to buy a manual Cupra).
No manual option on the 4drive version. But you can pick up a fwd vaq manual for half the price of this S4, have a bigger boot and most of the performance. But of course the Audi is a different experience with the V6 and real QuattroRegiment said:
Is it really worth 10-15k over a Golf R Estate? Both are pretty quick estate cars, 300 vs 350hp, both practical, both VAG, why the big difference in price apart from the extra bit of power and the Audi badge?
I think straight line performance might even be identical (off the line certainly so)One will sound a lot nicer than the other though.
JD said:
I think straight line performance might even be identical (off the line certainly so)
One will sound a lot nicer than the other though.
I have a golf r mk7, or should I say had as it goes back to vw on Monday. I have just got myself a b8 s4 estate as its replacement as I'm not doing a lease again. Had them both for 2 weeks now and have been driving them back to back and can 100% say the s4 is faster but will not keep up with the r around bends. One will sound a lot nicer than the other though.
I have been very happy with my golf but it really needs more power, I can drive it foot to the floor whenever the roads allow and it never scares me, I feel a car should scare you sometimes and that's where the excitement is for me.
Dose the s4 scare me, yeah! It can turn on a lot of speed out of nowhere, give it 6 moths and I'll treat it to a 450bhp early birthday gift😁
BigChiefmuffinAgain said:
Interesting that Audi, who are traditionally at the forefront of VAG technology trends, are switching from a DSG "back" to a torque converter.
You hear lots of stories about troubles with the DSG units, especially the dry sump ones. Even those that work "as supposed" seem to struggle to pull cleanly from rest ( into, say a roundabout ). Although I have never driven one for a great period of time, I have often wondered what, if any, advantage they offer against a more proven torque converter unit, such as the 8 speed ZF box.
Will be interesting to see if this change starts to filter out through the rest of the VAG range - it has certainly stopped me from buying their products in the past....
Interesting you should say this. I was watching a Harry Metcalfe video on YT the other day and he was pondering aloud whether the trend of DSG/PDK whatever badge it is wearing will die away in all but the most sporty of sports cars. He was driving the new DB11 which has a ZF and said he finds it far smoother for a GT car, and that, essentially is the role you want your everyday car to play.You hear lots of stories about troubles with the DSG units, especially the dry sump ones. Even those that work "as supposed" seem to struggle to pull cleanly from rest ( into, say a roundabout ). Although I have never driven one for a great period of time, I have often wondered what, if any, advantage they offer against a more proven torque converter unit, such as the 8 speed ZF box.
Will be interesting to see if this change starts to filter out through the rest of the VAG range - it has certainly stopped me from buying their products in the past....
Interesting.
Onehp said:
Dale487 said:
I was thinking similar, except about the new Leon Cupar 300 ST, which now has 4 wheel drive & I believe you can still get a manual (not that anyone seems to buy a manual Cupra).
No manual option on the 4drive version. But you can pick up a fwd vaq manual for half the price of this S4, have a bigger boot and most of the performance. But of course the Audi is a different experience with the V6 and real QuattroRoma101 said:
The penultimate paragraph of this article hits the nail on the head. I am coming to realise that the sporty car I bought for commuting is a waste of time 99% of the time. Thinking of going to a diesel. Sad, but makes so much sense.
One of the main reasons I swapped my V8 M3 for a MINI John Cooper Works. Not as fun, but just as fun 80% of the time. 
I like these - it'd have to be a dark colour though, black, or perhaps grey - the image posted above makes it look very smart indeed.
I prefer the Volvo V60 Polestar though, I know it only has a two litre engine rather than the bigger capacity one the S4 has under the bonnet but I can live with that providing it goes well (which both do) t looks better than the S4 too IMO and the newer Polestars have a decent eight speed auto instead of the crap six speed that the 3.0 T6 was lumbered with.
I prefer the Volvo V60 Polestar though, I know it only has a two litre engine rather than the bigger capacity one the S4 has under the bonnet but I can live with that providing it goes well (which both do) t looks better than the S4 too IMO and the newer Polestars have a decent eight speed auto instead of the crap six speed that the 3.0 T6 was lumbered with.
Edited by FN2TypeR on Wednesday 25th January 09:54
Saw my first performance B9 on the road last weekend - bright blue S5 coupe - and it was instantly identifiable as a new model compared to he B8/8.5. I wasn't sure about the images of the B9 S4 when they were released, and I'm still not convinced by the front bumper, but the appeal is there and the curves are far more evident than the launch pics suggested.
Have an S5 Sportback at the moment and will be interesting to see the B9 version in the metal, as well as the promised RS5 Sportback.
I have no issue with the s-tronic box in ours, but you do need to baby the throttle for a smooth getaway in normal traffic - best just to let your foot off the brake and wait till the clutch is fully engaged before touching the throttle. If you feel the need to plant it, then no issues as it'll engage drive smartly and fire you away. Trying to apply throttle at <5mph before the clutch is fully engaged will result in a lurch.
Have tried the ZF box in the C7 RS6 and it suited the engine well - much better than I thought it would - so imagine the new turbo motor in the '4 will be similarly good
Have an S5 Sportback at the moment and will be interesting to see the B9 version in the metal, as well as the promised RS5 Sportback.
I have no issue with the s-tronic box in ours, but you do need to baby the throttle for a smooth getaway in normal traffic - best just to let your foot off the brake and wait till the clutch is fully engaged before touching the throttle. If you feel the need to plant it, then no issues as it'll engage drive smartly and fire you away. Trying to apply throttle at <5mph before the clutch is fully engaged will result in a lurch.
Have tried the ZF box in the C7 RS6 and it suited the engine well - much better than I thought it would - so imagine the new turbo motor in the '4 will be similarly good
Yipper said:
The DSG unit can easily and reliably handle 600bhp and 450lb-ft with no hardware upgrades at all. And it can shift in 6 milliseconds. It is the best gearbox on the entire market.
There are other dual clutch boxes that can handle over 500lb/ft out of the box so nothing unique about Audi's DSG. Always over looked the S4 and they are incredibly understated. I now own an B8 S4 and have to say that its a brilliant car all round, I brought it simply as the best all rounder for the money. It has a remap (450bhp) so fast, fits the kids in, tows and boot space for the dog. Plenty of these second hand on the market for under 15k.
Could I be tempted to trade up for the new model.. yes 100%
Could I be tempted to trade up for the new model.. yes 100%
FN2TypeR said:
I prefer the Volvo V60 Polestar though, I know it only has a two litre engine rather than the bigger capacity one the S4 has under the bonnet but I can live with that providing it goes well (which both do) t looks better than the S4 too IMO and the newer Polestars have a decent eight speed auto instead of the crap six speed that the 3.0 T6 was lumbered with.
Interestingly after I drove the S4 for the first time I said it was really reminded me of my V60 Polestar long termer (which admittedly was a 6 cylinder version) http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-fleet/volvo...The main difference is that the Audi's gear box is vastly better and it doesn't make your teeth chatter when you go over bumps.... and the Audi doesn't sound as good as the Polestar, but then what does!?!
JD
James Drake said:
FN2TypeR said:
I prefer the Volvo V60 Polestar though, I know it only has a two litre engine rather than the bigger capacity one the S4 has under the bonnet but I can live with that providing it goes well (which both do) t looks better than the S4 too IMO and the newer Polestars have a decent eight speed auto instead of the crap six speed that the 3.0 T6 was lumbered with.
Interestingly after I drove the S4 for the first time I said it was really reminded me of my V60 Polestar long termer (which admittedly was a 6 cylinder version) http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-fleet/volvo...The main difference is that the Audi's gear box is vastly better and it doesn't make your teeth chatter when you go over bumps.... and the Audi doesn't sound as good as the Polestar, but then what does!?!
JD
Hopefully the new eight speed ones depreciate in a similar fashion!
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