Is Quattro worth the increased weight and price?

Is Quattro worth the increased weight and price?

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Discussion

DUMBO100

Original Poster:

1,878 posts

183 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Whilst looking for a suitable car to replace my Golf R I have been looking at lease deal on an Audi A4 S Tronic 2.0 Tdi 190 Quattro in Scuba blue with extended black pack and it looks very nice too. The S5 is beyond my price bracket but S4 is starting to look more sensible.

I have noticed in the specs that the Quattro does 0-60 in 8.9 while the FWD does it in 7.7 secs, the Quattro is also considerably more expensive but after loving the DSG and 4WD in the Golf R I am reluctant to go for a front driver.

Has anyone got experience of either FWD or Quattro in an A4? the cars are brand new as per the lease agreement

catso

14,771 posts

266 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Quattro is definitely worth it IMO.

A couple of years back I had an A4, 2.0 FWD as a courtesy car for the day and found it very torque-steery and prone to spinning the wheels whilst going nowhere, luckily it was a warm, dry day as I wouldn't have wanted to drive it in the wet, I've also had 2.0, FWD A3 as a courtesy car and whilst I thought it was better than the A4 there's still too much drama under power.

At the time I had an A3, 3.2 quattro DSG and it was a relief to get back in it for it's fuss-free traction.

As for A4 with quattro, I now have an S4, (quattro/s-tronic) and it's in a different league to the FWD A4 and not just because of the engine, but that it can get the power down, even in the wet without ending up on the other side of the road.

Personally I've never really liked FWD cars, always had RWD cars until the A3, and the only Audis I would buy would be quattros.

If you can get the S4 then do so because it is, without a doubt the most capable all-rounder I've ever driven.

DUMBO100

Original Poster:

1,878 posts

183 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Thanks Catso, that kind of confirms my position, I think I might have to go for the S4 and tell the wife it's a 2.0 tdi

wjb

5,100 posts

130 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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+1 for 4wd

DUMBO100 said:
Thanks Catso, that kind of confirms my position, I think I might have to go for the S4 and tell the wife it's a 2.0 tdi
Probably best to tell her it's a petrol, you know, in case she fills it up laugh

DUMBO100

Original Poster:

1,878 posts

183 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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st that would be my cover blown immediately, best not to let her drive it all

catso

14,771 posts

266 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Well my Mrs won't drive mine because she doesn't like automatics, which is a good thing because she'd probably fill it with diesel anyway...

Easternlight

3,424 posts

143 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Another vote for Quattro here. Had a 2.0TFSI and it was a royal PITA trying to pull out at wet junctions just would spin and tramp, where as my S4 that I replaced it with is like the wheels are glued to the road, rarely seen the TC light come on in 4 years.

AudiSport

1,458 posts

215 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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There's nothing more satisfying than making fuss free 'progress' up a wet slip road!

Quattro all day long!

Adrian E

3,248 posts

175 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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If you're not used to the pain of adblue SCR injection on a Euro 6 diesel and you don't do that many miles, I'd steer well clear of the diesel option in any case.

The new S4 should be fab although it may be spec sensitive on the drive select options as to how well it handles

Yertis

18,016 posts

265 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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catso said:
Quattro is definitely worth it IMO.

A couple of years back I had an A4, 2.0 FWD as a courtesy car for the day and found it very torque-steery and prone to spinning the wheels whilst going nowhere, luckily it was a warm, dry day as I wouldn't have wanted to drive it in the wet, I've also had 2.0, FWD A3 as a courtesy car and whilst I thought it was better than the A4 there's still too much drama under power.

At the time I had an A3, 3.2 quattro DSG and it was a relief to get back in it for it's fuss-free traction.

As for A4 with quattro, I now have an S4, (quattro/s-tronic) and it's in a different league to the FWD A4 and not just because of the engine, but that it can get the power down, even in the wet without ending up on the other side of the road.

Personally I've never really liked FWD cars, always had RWD cars until the A3, and the only Audis I would buy would be quattros.

If you can get the S4 then do so because it is, without a doubt the most capable all-rounder I've ever driven.
My dealer was trying to lead me down the S4 road but fuel bills worried me. I got a 3.0Tdi quattro avant with all the trimmings instead, and have to say it's the best car I've owned by miles. Effortless performance (I think 0-60 in about 5.5 or thereabouts I'm not counting) great mid-range, all the other quattro benefits and about 50mpg on a run. It even sounds not to shabby for a diesel.

Rutter

2,070 posts

205 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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The b9 2.0 petrol 252 Quattro is near perfect, all the traction, solid performance and can be economical ish...

Here is mine in scuba blue.


RammyMP

6,729 posts

152 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Easternlight said:
Another vote for Quattro here. Had a 2.0TFSI and it was a royal PITA trying to pull out at wet junctions just would spin and tramp, where as my S4 that I replaced it with is like the wheels are glued to the road, rarely seen the TC light come on in 4 years.
I've gone from a FWD 2.0 TFSi A5 to a quattro TDi A5, I agree, the FWD was a pain at junction, you struggle to get traction in the damp, I never spin the wheels in the quattro. The fuel economy isn't as good as a FWD but I'm not arsed.

RammyMP

6,729 posts

152 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Adrian E said:
If you're not used to the pain of adblue SCR injection on a Euro 6 diesel and you don't do that many miles, I'd steer well clear of the diesel option in any case.

The new S4 should be fab although it may be spec sensitive on the drive select options as to how well it handles
I don't find the adblue a problem at all, my A5 has a 20l tank, I've filled it once. Get the adblue from a commercial fuel supplier, its half the price of Halfords.

Sylvaforever

2,212 posts

97 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Blue62

8,751 posts

151 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Quattro is expensive in terms of initial cost, running costs, tyres, fuel, tax and servicing. In proper winter conditions you'd be safer with winter tyres than 4WD, quattro will get you going but won't help you stop but I agree that it will nullify torque steer on a powerful front wheel driver. I have owned loads of 4WD cars and currently run an SQ5 and RS4 B8, but I live in the Peak District and have to suffer more snow than most, when I move to Devon I will be liberated. I genuinely believe it's a waste of money in everyday driving, triumph of marketing. I know it won't go down well here but it's my considered view after many years and much money spent that if you want a powerful car and enjoy driving get a RWD and fit winters for the winter. Sorry!

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Easternlight said:
Another vote for Quattro here. Had a 2.0TFSI and it was a royal PITA trying to pull out at wet junctions just would spin and tramp, where as my S4 that I replaced it with is like the wheels are glued to the road, rarely seen the TC light come on in 4 years.
My wife had a Jetta with that engine and I agree entirely; trying to pul away with any enthusiasm was a pain.

She's now got an A4 Quattro 3.2 and loves it. I've been droning on about how good my old 2002 A4 3.0 quattro Sport was so she bit the bullet and has even said she'd only want another quattro when it comes to replacing it.

Marketing or not, it feels far more planted and steady even under normal driving conditions.

fatboy b

9,492 posts

215 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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4wd is good if you know how to use it. Most people don't. Good pulling away on wet roads. Good putting on the power earlier in a corner. Not great on snow if you have fat tyres. Once the power is off, it's a normal car. This last point, a lot of people fail to grasp.

catso

14,771 posts

266 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Blue62 said:
In proper winter conditions you'd be safer with winter tyres than 4WD
And better still with both...

RammyMP

6,729 posts

152 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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catso said:
Blue62 said:
In proper winter conditions you'd be safer with winter tyres than 4WD
And better still with both...
I've got both wink

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Blue62 said:
Quattro is expensive in terms of initial cost, running costs, tyres, fuel, tax and servicing. In proper winter conditions you'd be safer with winter tyres than 4WD, quattro will get you going but won't help you stop but I agree that it will nullify torque steer on a powerful front wheel driver. I have owned loads of 4WD cars and currently run an SQ5 and RS4 B8, but I live in the Peak District and have to suffer more snow than most, when I move to Devon I will be liberated. I genuinely believe it's a waste of money in everyday driving, triumph of marketing. I know it won't go down well here but it's my considered view after many years and much money spent that if you want a powerful car and enjoy driving get a RWD and fit winters for the winter. Sorry!
Pretty much this. If you live where it snows often. Then why not if you want.

But given in the UK it tends to snow every other year and even then it only stays for MAYBE a week. Is it worth all the other costs for the other 713 days?