My Audi S4 (B6 Shape) statistics; mpg/costs etc.
Discussion
Hi all
First off, I have an admission; my name's Tony and I'm a geek.
Ok cool, now we've got that out the way, with many people asking about the S4 (as it represents such good value for money now) I thought I'd post the stats sheet that I keep a record of. I record the data on my iPhone (using a program called AccuFuel), but then just transfer it to an excel sheet and work some graphy magic.
With superunleaded petrol getting more expensive, the total cost of fuel is going up slightly. Interestingly, as well, the headline total figure of average MPG over 3k miles is calculated by me at 16.81mpg, whereas the car thinks it's 18.5mpg. The liar
So, for interest and geeky-ness alone, my facts...
So, the total over 2944 miles in fuel (super unleaded) is £849, at an average of 16.81mpg. That's mostly town driving, with occasional tanks of long motorway journeys every so often.
Here's a graph of what it all looks like because, well, because I can
So, I hope this is all interesting or useful to someone. The only other costs I have had are replacing front brake pads myself, and getting gearbox oil changed. Other than that, I have over a year before next scheduled service. Before that, I imagine another set of pads and probably tyres - though they look fine, I imagine the weight will shine through in tyre wear.
First off, I have an admission; my name's Tony and I'm a geek.
Ok cool, now we've got that out the way, with many people asking about the S4 (as it represents such good value for money now) I thought I'd post the stats sheet that I keep a record of. I record the data on my iPhone (using a program called AccuFuel), but then just transfer it to an excel sheet and work some graphy magic.
With superunleaded petrol getting more expensive, the total cost of fuel is going up slightly. Interestingly, as well, the headline total figure of average MPG over 3k miles is calculated by me at 16.81mpg, whereas the car thinks it's 18.5mpg. The liar
So, for interest and geeky-ness alone, my facts...
| Date | Odo | Litres | Price | MPG | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/05/2009 | 34643 | 20.53 | 103 | . | £21.15 |
| 24/05/2009 | 34745 | 59.9 | 103 | 7.7 | £61.70 |
| 24/05/2009 | 35001 | 53.3 | 103 | 21.8 | £54.90 |
| 02/06/2009 | 35220 | 58.19 | 103.9 | 17.1 | £60.46 |
| 19/06/2009 | 35424 | 54.54 | 107.9 | 17.0 | £58.85 |
| 22/06/2009 | 35685 | 55.63 | 105.9 | 21.3 | £58.91 |
| 29/06/2009 | 35899 | 56.4 | 106.9 | 17.2 | £60.29 |
| 07/07/2009 | 36107 | 57 | 107.9 | 16.6 | £61.50 |
| 14/07/2009 | 36328 | 53.39 | 107.9 | 18.8 | £57.61 |
| 23/07/2009 | 36525 | 54.06 | 106.9 | 16.6 | £57.79 |
| 26/07/2009 | 36779 | 58.58 | 106.9 | 19.7 | £62.62 |
| 07/08/2009 | 36989 | 58.58 | 106.9 | 16.3 | £62.62 |
| 16/08/2009 | 37141 | 44.53 | 108.9 | 15.5 | £48.49 |
| 24/08/2009 | 37359 | 55.31 | 109.9 | 17.9 | £60.79 |
| 01/09/2009 | 37587 | 56.13 | 109.9 | 18.5 | £61.69 |
So, the total over 2944 miles in fuel (super unleaded) is £849, at an average of 16.81mpg. That's mostly town driving, with occasional tanks of long motorway journeys every so often.
Here's a graph of what it all looks like because, well, because I can
So, I hope this is all interesting or useful to someone. The only other costs I have had are replacing front brake pads myself, and getting gearbox oil changed. Other than that, I have over a year before next scheduled service. Before that, I imagine another set of pads and probably tyres - though they look fine, I imagine the weight will shine through in tyre wear.
Batty - I must say, it's absolutely superb. The engine is what defines the whole car, and especially in manual, it really does alter your perception of car control with respect to gear changing (though bare in mind I came from 2 high revvy Lotuses ). The more I drive it the more impressed I am though, and have had sufficient fun in it surprising myself and passenger too - getting it squirmy on the exit of a roundabout at high revs in second is top fun
Annoyingly, there's plans for a job for me where I'l need to do 25k a year and I get a car allowance of 17p a mile (or a company car). This thing costs me 28p in fuel alone. Certainly adds food for thought
). The more I drive it the more impressed I am though, and have had sufficient fun in it surprising myself and passenger too - getting it squirmy on the exit of a roundabout at high revs in second is top fun Annoyingly, there's plans for a job for me where I'l need to do 25k a year and I get a car allowance of 17p a mile (or a company car). This thing costs me 28p in fuel alone. Certainly adds food for thought
I wonder why Audi, with all their technical excellence, can't make a high performance car capable of higher MPG? I was looking at the S4 but instead bought a Monaro and with that I get about 23MPG average and about 30 on a long run. Even my Quattro gets in the low 20s on average and that's 30 year old technology. I suppose the A5 3.0Tdi is the way to go for more economy, it's faster than the Quattro as well.
TonyHetherington said:
the headline total figure of average MPG over 3k miles is calculated by me at 16.81mpg, whereas the car thinks it's 18.5mpg. The liar
This is rather interesting, I wonder how far mine is out, as a 10% over estimate on its average is quite a difference! Yertis, I think you have an interesting point there, I know how heavy the losses are with an AWD system, but comparing a 5 valve per cylinder 4.2 V8 with a 2 valve per cylinder push rod 5.7 V8 I can see where you are coming from, but then the Audi puts out slightly more BHP from 1.5 litres displacement less, and I think (from auto trader stats so may be out! Monaro 1658kg, S4 2210kg) apparently the Monaro is over 500kgs lighter than the S4, so that will explain a fair proportion of the terrible MPG I would say if this is the case!
TonyHetherington said:
I'm in a very weird situation right now, where I'm proud the lower it gets. How wrong is that 
I wish I could share that pride, but with the mileage I do, it just makes me realise how soon I need to change cars, which is a real shame, as it is a fantastic daily driver,I'm fortunate that I only do 10k a year - to be honest, much more and the fuel costs start to get OTT.
What is nice, though, is that the running costs seem to be fairly sensible. Servicing is less than once a year (400+ days til my next one, and last service was November), the only key consumables really being brakes and tires. Oh, and oil
The engine, for all it's (in)efficiency, is a real peach it must be said. It defines the car completely.
Is the new(er) FSI lump (that's in the RS4 and a derivative of it in the R8) any more efficient with all it's magical stuff in the head?
What is nice, though, is that the running costs seem to be fairly sensible. Servicing is less than once a year (400+ days til my next one, and last service was November), the only key consumables really being brakes and tires. Oh, and oil
The engine, for all it's (in)efficiency, is a real peach it must be said. It defines the car completely.
Is the new(er) FSI lump (that's in the RS4 and a derivative of it in the R8) any more efficient with all it's magical stuff in the head?
I must say that the mpg is pretty shocking on these. Reading the PH article about how even the Corvette ZR1 manages better is rather depressing. However, as Tony says, it's about the only bad thing about the car, that and the fact that the exhaust note could be a bit louder. Can you get an AMV8 type flap?
Mine seems to average about 25/26mpg on the motorway, although trying very hard I got it to 29.7 once. Round town is low teens and in heavy traffic single digits in not uncommon. I've named mine the 'V-Power Incinerator'.
I often feel it is not fast enough, but I think I am still getting used to the non-turbo power delivery. Taken out on my favourite back roads, it gets up to some silly speeds quite easily and when I came accross and new RS6 last month the S4 put up a pretty good fight too.
When I don't need the double buggy anymore, I'll think I'll chop it in for an RS3 Sportback as I have a real weakness for that 5 cylinder sound
Mine seems to average about 25/26mpg on the motorway, although trying very hard I got it to 29.7 once. Round town is low teens and in heavy traffic single digits in not uncommon. I've named mine the 'V-Power Incinerator'.
I often feel it is not fast enough, but I think I am still getting used to the non-turbo power delivery. Taken out on my favourite back roads, it gets up to some silly speeds quite easily and when I came accross and new RS6 last month the S4 put up a pretty good fight too.
When I don't need the double buggy anymore, I'll think I'll chop it in for an RS3 Sportback as I have a real weakness for that 5 cylinder sound
Marc - my one has Miltek rear silencers and I must say they're spot on. Not loud or intrusive in the cabin, but outside it has a nice little V8 grumble that means you know what's under the bonnet. Absolutely perfect, I must say! Mel has the full system on his, which sounds even better and even more V8 (!), but is slightly noisier in the cabin as a result. Not cheap, but transforms the sound of the car.
I'm not geeky enough to record the type of miles that I drive, but the majority are town miles (I live 7 miles from work). Then probably once a month is a long motorway drive somewhere - though according to the dash display I dont even get close to 29.7 (!!)...24 on a good day, and that's probably 85-90mph cruise - which is oh so easy.
I'm not geeky enough to record the type of miles that I drive, but the majority are town miles (I live 7 miles from work). Then probably once a month is a long motorway drive somewhere - though according to the dash display I dont even get close to 29.7 (!!)...24 on a good day, and that's probably 85-90mph cruise - which is oh so easy.
TonyHetherington said:
Marc - my one has Miltek rear silencers and I must say they're spot on. Not loud or intrusive in the cabin, but outside it has a nice little V8 grumble that means you know what's under the bonnet. Absolutely perfect, I must say! Mel has the full system on his, which sounds even better and even more V8 (!), but is slightly noisier in the cabin as a result. Not cheap, but transforms the sound of the car.
MrsTwo already thinks the car is too expensive to run, the last thing I need is her asking what the £2k on the credit card is for.TonyHetherington said:
I'm not geeky enough to record the type of miles that I drive, but the majority are town miles (I live 7 miles from work). Then probably once a month is a long motorway drive somewhere - though according to the dash display I dont even get close to 29.7 (!!)...24 on a good day, and that's probably 85-90mph cruise - which is oh so easy.
29.7 is 60/70mph with cruise control. And remember that the tiptronic has longer gearing so 70mph is just over 2000rpm in 6th.Edited by marctwo on Thursday 3rd September 11:24
Edited by marctwo on Thursday 3rd September 11:24
Podie said:
Tony, I’m almost disappointed not to find iPhone Dynolicious prints in here as well….
Actually, believe it or not, I've got "Pocket Dyno" on my phone, have had since beginning of year, and you wouldn't some of the metal I've played in and it's never occured to me, not even in my S4, to use it
I'll get you those prints Pods, worry not!Sleep... - that was the weekend I bought it, we went from Birmingham (where I bought it) to Liverpool where my band played The Cavern Club, then back home again. So big mileage the first weekend, and it was great for that. all with a full drum kit in the back, of course, too!
marctwo said:
29.7 is 60/70mph with cruise control. And remember that the tiptronic has longer gearing so 70mph is just over 2000rpm in 6th.
ah yes good point - I don't have cruise on mine and as you know, mine's manual too so in top gear at 80ish I think it's something like 2.5/3k revs. Certainly not 2k - that will explain a lot, actually.Does it, therefore, have a different topspeed (when unlimited)?
TonyHetherington said:
marctwo said:
29.7 is 60/70mph with cruise control. And remember that the tiptronic has longer gearing so 70mph is just over 2000rpm in 6th.
ah yes good point - I don't have cruise on mine and as you know, mine's manual too so in top gear at 80ish I think it's something like 2.5/3k revs. Certainly not 2k - that will explain a lot, actually.Does it, therefore, have a different topspeed (when unlimited)?
TonyHetherington said:
marctwo said:
29.7 is 60/70mph with cruise control. And remember that the tiptronic has longer gearing so 70mph is just over 2000rpm in 6th.
ah yes good point - I don't have cruise on mine and as you know, mine's manual too so in top gear at 80ish I think it's something like 2.5/3k revs. Certainly not 2k - that will explain a lot, actually.Does it, therefore, have a different topspeed (when unlimited)?
TonyHetherington said:
Sleep... - that was the weekend I bought it, we went from Birmingham (where I bought it) to Liverpool where my band played The Cavern Club, then back home again. So big mileage the first weekend, and it was great for that. all with a full drum kit in the back, of course, too!
at 7.7 mpg!!I salute you sir!!
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