B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
Auto Express recently published some tyre testing results IIRC - think the new replacement for the Michelin Super Sports (Pilot Sport 4S) came out highly rated, as did the Pirelli. Other price points are available!
I'd suggest doing all 4 and selling the part worns on.
I hated the Contis ours came on - they came off after a couple of months and went in the recycling....
I wouldn't worry about AO/R01 marking - it just means they've been 'developed by the tyre and vehicle manufacturer working together' which may or may not mean there are better options available in the general market. Note that car manufacturers swap tyre suppliers all the time, but don't suddenly start supplying different advice on approved tyres for older models.
You'll struggle to get any meaningful protection of the rim based on the tyre sidewall - just avoid kerbs and don't bump up them under any circumstances!
My wife managed to kerb one of the 20s fitted with a Mich Super Sports - took a chunk out of the sacrificial part of the rim protection on its way to the alloy, but still buggered the rim finish!
I'd suggest doing all 4 and selling the part worns on.
I hated the Contis ours came on - they came off after a couple of months and went in the recycling....
I wouldn't worry about AO/R01 marking - it just means they've been 'developed by the tyre and vehicle manufacturer working together' which may or may not mean there are better options available in the general market. Note that car manufacturers swap tyre suppliers all the time, but don't suddenly start supplying different advice on approved tyres for older models.
You'll struggle to get any meaningful protection of the rim based on the tyre sidewall - just avoid kerbs and don't bump up them under any circumstances!
My wife managed to kerb one of the 20s fitted with a Mich Super Sports - took a chunk out of the sacrificial part of the rim protection on its way to the alloy, but still buggered the rim finish!
fastgerman said:
In addition, general winge:
Does anyone use Audi Guildford (Lookers) ?
Why can I not speak to anyone in Service? This has now happened twice for my old S5 (quote for bodywork) and current S4 (tyre, tracking and refurb advice). I get passed to somebody in Glasgow who knows nothing about cars, can give me no advice and just passes me around departments, which all go to voicemail.
As my car is a keeper, I don't think its going to Audi for its next service, its probably going to be maintained by VAG specialists from now on.
Anyway, tyre advice please :-)
Used them on my old Q3 (Pre Lookers), tried to use them with my new S4 but the Glasgow call center put me off so used Walton Audi instead.Does anyone use Audi Guildford (Lookers) ?
Why can I not speak to anyone in Service? This has now happened twice for my old S5 (quote for bodywork) and current S4 (tyre, tracking and refurb advice). I get passed to somebody in Glasgow who knows nothing about cars, can give me no advice and just passes me around departments, which all go to voicemail.
As my car is a keeper, I don't think its going to Audi for its next service, its probably going to be maintained by VAG specialists from now on.
Anyway, tyre advice please :-)
fastgerman said:
In addition, general winge:
Does anyone use Audi Guildford (Lookers) ?
Why can I not speak to anyone in Service? This has now happened twice for my old S5 (quote for bodywork) and current S4 (tyre, tracking and refurb advice). I get passed to somebody in Glasgow who knows nothing about cars, can give me no advice and just passes me around departments, which all go to voicemail.
As my car is a keeper, I don't think its going to Audi for its next service, its probably going to be maintained by VAG specialists from now on.
Anyway, tyre advice please :-)
As I live in Merrow - I used to use VASMotion with my old B5. The B8 will either go there, or back to Fontain depending on whether I can sort out delivery Does anyone use Audi Guildford (Lookers) ?
Why can I not speak to anyone in Service? This has now happened twice for my old S5 (quote for bodywork) and current S4 (tyre, tracking and refurb advice). I get passed to somebody in Glasgow who knows nothing about cars, can give me no advice and just passes me around departments, which all go to voicemail.
As my car is a keeper, I don't think its going to Audi for its next service, its probably going to be maintained by VAG specialists from now on.
Anyway, tyre advice please :-)
J886ATV said:
fastgerman said:
In addition, general winge:
Does anyone use Audi Guildford (Lookers) ?
Why can I not speak to anyone in Service? This has now happened twice for my old S5 (quote for bodywork) and current S4 (tyre, tracking and refurb advice). I get passed to somebody in Glasgow who knows nothing about cars, can give me no advice and just passes me around departments, which all go to voicemail.
As my car is a keeper, I don't think its going to Audi for its next service, its probably going to be maintained by VAG specialists from now on.
Anyway, tyre advice please :-)
As I live in Merrow - I used to use VASMotion with my old B5. The B8 will either go there, or back to Fontain depending on whether I can sort out delivery Does anyone use Audi Guildford (Lookers) ?
Why can I not speak to anyone in Service? This has now happened twice for my old S5 (quote for bodywork) and current S4 (tyre, tracking and refurb advice). I get passed to somebody in Glasgow who knows nothing about cars, can give me no advice and just passes me around departments, which all go to voicemail.
As my car is a keeper, I don't think its going to Audi for its next service, its probably going to be maintained by VAG specialists from now on.
Anyway, tyre advice please :-)
Guildford tyres are sorting me with a wheel refurb, 2 tyres, tracking etc.
I'd be surprised if Lookers is still going next year.
Sorry if it's on here somewhere, but is there any easy guide to to service items that are outside of a "normal" service (ie. oil and filter etc).
I'm thinking supercharger belt, things like that.
Spark plugs seem to be listed as every major service, which seems overkill, but maybe needed? Likewise brake fluid every 2 yrs seems over the top to me.
But a definitive list of everything would be helpful, if it was B8 S4-specific (unlike the service book, which lists every single Audi, and I have to wade through diesel particulate filter etc etc).
Car is now on 70k, 7 yrs old.
Thanks.
I'm thinking supercharger belt, things like that.
Spark plugs seem to be listed as every major service, which seems overkill, but maybe needed? Likewise brake fluid every 2 yrs seems over the top to me.
But a definitive list of everything would be helpful, if it was B8 S4-specific (unlike the service book, which lists every single Audi, and I have to wade through diesel particulate filter etc etc).
Car is now on 70k, 7 yrs old.
Thanks.
Minor panic today when I couldn't find the locking wheel nut - new tyres go on Monday (PS4's). But found it then!
Anyone any idea on the servicing stuff? (above).
Will get the "standard" stuff done in the next month (albeit a "major"...many £££ (c.£400)), but not sure if I need any extras. Though I may go to an indie for that if need be. While under warranty I will keep using the dealer for the main stuff.
Anyone any idea on the servicing stuff? (above).
Will get the "standard" stuff done in the next month (albeit a "major"...many £££ (c.£400)), but not sure if I need any extras. Though I may go to an indie for that if need be. While under warranty I will keep using the dealer for the main stuff.
I think you just have to wade through the service book. At 70K you may be at the mercy of previous owners who've skipped stuff like so I'd go back through previous receipts if you have them to verify what really got replaced. If it has FASH then a main dealer can probably find this out.
Plugs: I think they're "included" in the cost of the Audi fixed price service, but only actually replaced at longer intervals (40K?)
Brake fluid every two years is a little overkill, but as it's comparatively cheap and also safety-related I'd probably get it done anyway.
Check when your S-Tronic oil was last changed. I think it's due a change around 70K...
Plugs: I think they're "included" in the cost of the Audi fixed price service, but only actually replaced at longer intervals (40K?)
Brake fluid every two years is a little overkill, but as it's comparatively cheap and also safety-related I'd probably get it done anyway.
Check when your S-Tronic oil was last changed. I think it's due a change around 70K...
silentbrown said:
Plugs: I think they're "included" in the cost of the Audi fixed price service, but only actually replaced at longer intervals (40K?)
This always troubled me... yeah, they "include" them in the price, but only replace them at 40k intervals? So people often just get charged for them (as part of a major service), but they aren't changed (as not a 40k interval?)Dr G said:
Supercharger belt is 60.
Plugs are 40.
Gearbox is 40 (and important).
Thanks, helpful.Plugs are 40.
Gearbox is 40 (and important).
Supercharger: I can't see this anywhere in the service schedule. So how are we supposed to know this? (apart from helpful folk on here...). What's the ball-park cost of this?
Plugs - my thoughts on this as above!
Gearbox is spanish, so I assume your comments don't apply to me
I am looking to view a 2003 S4 with 60k on it. What sort of trouble could I find myself in.
I currently have an XKR and a Volvo XC90 and between the two I do about 3k per anum my other Car is an A3 3.2.
I saw a guy post somewhere he needed a new propshaft and was quoted £4k and it kind of made my head wobble but its a Car I have wanted for such a long time.
I currently have an XKR and a Volvo XC90 and between the two I do about 3k per anum my other Car is an A3 3.2.
I saw a guy post somewhere he needed a new propshaft and was quoted £4k and it kind of made my head wobble but its a Car I have wanted for such a long time.
That'll be a B6. Great car, loved mine and kept it for 7 years. 3 times longer than any previous car I've had.
Check for cam chain rattle at start up, most of them do it for a second, anything more than that, be prepared to pay for tensioner replacements. Parts are cheap but engine out will crucify you on labour cost. Around £2k ish to put right.
Let the chain snap because the tensioner fails, and it'll cost you another grand on top of that.
Clutch is around £1.5-2k job to replace if it needs a DMF too, be crazy not to replace it whist it's out though.
Other than that, oil usage and petrol consumption is pretty much the normal.
I'd question how it's only done 60k in 14 years, but buy on condition at this age and a decent wedge of history.
Buy a bad one and will crucify you!
Buy a good one, get a Milltek cat back (no drone if resonated) and enjoy the noise.
Check for cam chain rattle at start up, most of them do it for a second, anything more than that, be prepared to pay for tensioner replacements. Parts are cheap but engine out will crucify you on labour cost. Around £2k ish to put right.
Let the chain snap because the tensioner fails, and it'll cost you another grand on top of that.
Clutch is around £1.5-2k job to replace if it needs a DMF too, be crazy not to replace it whist it's out though.
Other than that, oil usage and petrol consumption is pretty much the normal.
I'd question how it's only done 60k in 14 years, but buy on condition at this age and a decent wedge of history.
Buy a bad one and will crucify you!
Buy a good one, get a Milltek cat back (no drone if resonated) and enjoy the noise.
Edited by MattS5 on Sunday 26th February 14:21
MattS5 said:
That'll be a B6. Great car, loved mine and kept it for 7 years. 3 times longer than any previous car I've had.
Check for cam chain rattle at start up, most of them do it for a second, anything more than that, be prepared to pay for tensioner replacements. Parts are cheap but engine out will crucify you on labour cost. Around £2k ish to put right.
Let the chain snap because the tensioner fails, and it'll cost you another grand on top of that.
Clutch is around £1.5-2k job to replace if it needs a DMF too, be crazy not to replace it whist it's out though.
Other than that, oil usage and petrol consumption is pretty much the normal.
I'd question how it's only done 60k in 14 years, but buy on condition at this age and a decent wedge of history.
Buy a bad one and will crucify you!
Buy a good one, get a Milltek cat back (no drone if resonated) and enjoy the noise.
cheers the other one I want to see has a full Audi maindealer Service History and has 81k on it.Check for cam chain rattle at start up, most of them do it for a second, anything more than that, be prepared to pay for tensioner replacements. Parts are cheap but engine out will crucify you on labour cost. Around £2k ish to put right.
Let the chain snap because the tensioner fails, and it'll cost you another grand on top of that.
Clutch is around £1.5-2k job to replace if it needs a DMF too, be crazy not to replace it whist it's out though.
Other than that, oil usage and petrol consumption is pretty much the normal.
I'd question how it's only done 60k in 14 years, but buy on condition at this age and a decent wedge of history.
Buy a bad one and will crucify you!
Buy a good one, get a Milltek cat back (no drone if resonated) and enjoy the noise.
Edited by MattS5 on Sunday 26th February 14:21
Contacted a couple of local dealers today, to see if they would discount their advertised service prices.
Got the opposite...
... they both want to charge MORE than the advertised price. "'cos it's an S model, sir".
None of this was on the website, where the service was for "all models over 2 litres" and the brake fluid was "all models". No little asterisk to say "S is more" etc.
Jeez, £225 for an oil and filter change
Got the opposite...
... they both want to charge MORE than the advertised price. "'cos it's an S model, sir".
None of this was on the website, where the service was for "all models over 2 litres" and the brake fluid was "all models". No little asterisk to say "S is more" etc.
Jeez, £225 for an oil and filter change
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