B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
I know mpg in the S4 has been discussed to death, but seriously, how the hell is the mpg in the B8.5 S4 so far off its 'official' figures? I know the EU tests aren't representative of real-world driving but actually, on my previous cars (C63 AMG, Porsche Cayman S, BMW Z4M) my average tended to be around the official combined figures.
With the S4, my long-term average (on the DIS so probably worse in the real world) is 25.4mpg. And it's fair to say, my driving is fairly 'combined' - a mix of rural roads, town driving, but in the main, steady D/M-way in the rush hour (and with the previous cars, half my driving was in London but they still were all around the test figures!).
One of the reasons I swapped my C63 Coupe for the S4 Avant over a C63 estate was because of mpg - I thought the drop in performance would be worth it for the gain in mpg (over 20,000 miles per annum), but actually it's turned out to be only about 2-3mpg in the real world instead of 10mpg+ difference in the official figures - I'd happily have lived with 2-3mpg less for the extra performance with hindsight...
I have no idea how they hit mid-30's in the EU tests, but do wonder if Audi could be facing a similar defeat device scandal for mpg, or do you think it is specific only to the S4?
With the S4, my long-term average (on the DIS so probably worse in the real world) is 25.4mpg. And it's fair to say, my driving is fairly 'combined' - a mix of rural roads, town driving, but in the main, steady D/M-way in the rush hour (and with the previous cars, half my driving was in London but they still were all around the test figures!).
One of the reasons I swapped my C63 Coupe for the S4 Avant over a C63 estate was because of mpg - I thought the drop in performance would be worth it for the gain in mpg (over 20,000 miles per annum), but actually it's turned out to be only about 2-3mpg in the real world instead of 10mpg+ difference in the official figures - I'd happily have lived with 2-3mpg less for the extra performance with hindsight...
I have no idea how they hit mid-30's in the EU tests, but do wonder if Audi could be facing a similar defeat device scandal for mpg, or do you think it is specific only to the S4?
Hi guys,
So I’ve been a regular visitor to Pistonheads and have had an account for a while now but I’ve never bothered posting anything before (apart from above^). However, my recent experiences have shoved me into a position where I think I could be useful to any current or potential B8 S4 owners…
I bought my B8 S4 avant (S-tronic) in October 2014 with a massive spec and was pleased as punch. I had a 3.0tdi A4 previously and this seemed like a huge step up! The car was just great. Amazing power, felt much more light and nimble than the A4, made a decent noise and had all the toys to play with. However, I’m going to say one thing . . . . Mechatronics unit.
Yep, mine started to mess around. The usual jerky-ness appeared as well as some noticeable rev fluctuation when not actively accelerating. At first this seemed to be intermittent but soon became the norm. Now, before I bought the car I’d looked this up so was well aware that it could be an issue. However, you look anywhere else and you hear people banding figures around like £2000-2500 to get it sorted. I thought, ok, I can manage that. In reality if your mechatronics unit goes it knackers your clutch and also vice versa. A new clutch pack from Audi is around £460 (for the part). A new Mechatronics unit from Audi is £2500 (for the part). They also want to take 14 hours to fit everything. I got quoted just under £5000 including VAT!
Ok, so reverting back to my previous internet research and I’d read that Audi will generally offer good will in such circumstances as it’s a known issue. If you’re reading this as you’re thinking about buying a used B8 S4 (s-tronic) then I can’t stress enough – make sure that the gearbox oil was changed bang on schedule. Audi will not contribute anything toward any repairs if the oil was changed late. Unfortunately mine was done on 45k, just before I bought it. The book states 38k intervals. It’s a massive get out clause for them and you can forget about a warranty covering it too for the same reasons…
I did consider trading the car in but the trade in values at the best of times are poor, even worse if it needs fixing! So, as I (still) loved the car I swallowed my pride and got it fixed for £3800 by a local VAG specialist. I’ve had it back a few days now and it’s like having a new car. I’d put up with the jerkiness for so long that it had dulled my experience, to the point where I hated having to stop at junctions. It was just embarrassing pulling away like your clutch was having a fit. Don’t even get me started about operating in stop-start traffic!
I’m just glad that I have my old car back now, along with a massive grin on my face every time I drive it!
So I’ve been a regular visitor to Pistonheads and have had an account for a while now but I’ve never bothered posting anything before (apart from above^). However, my recent experiences have shoved me into a position where I think I could be useful to any current or potential B8 S4 owners…
I bought my B8 S4 avant (S-tronic) in October 2014 with a massive spec and was pleased as punch. I had a 3.0tdi A4 previously and this seemed like a huge step up! The car was just great. Amazing power, felt much more light and nimble than the A4, made a decent noise and had all the toys to play with. However, I’m going to say one thing . . . . Mechatronics unit.
Yep, mine started to mess around. The usual jerky-ness appeared as well as some noticeable rev fluctuation when not actively accelerating. At first this seemed to be intermittent but soon became the norm. Now, before I bought the car I’d looked this up so was well aware that it could be an issue. However, you look anywhere else and you hear people banding figures around like £2000-2500 to get it sorted. I thought, ok, I can manage that. In reality if your mechatronics unit goes it knackers your clutch and also vice versa. A new clutch pack from Audi is around £460 (for the part). A new Mechatronics unit from Audi is £2500 (for the part). They also want to take 14 hours to fit everything. I got quoted just under £5000 including VAT!
Ok, so reverting back to my previous internet research and I’d read that Audi will generally offer good will in such circumstances as it’s a known issue. If you’re reading this as you’re thinking about buying a used B8 S4 (s-tronic) then I can’t stress enough – make sure that the gearbox oil was changed bang on schedule. Audi will not contribute anything toward any repairs if the oil was changed late. Unfortunately mine was done on 45k, just before I bought it. The book states 38k intervals. It’s a massive get out clause for them and you can forget about a warranty covering it too for the same reasons…
I did consider trading the car in but the trade in values at the best of times are poor, even worse if it needs fixing! So, as I (still) loved the car I swallowed my pride and got it fixed for £3800 by a local VAG specialist. I’ve had it back a few days now and it’s like having a new car. I’d put up with the jerkiness for so long that it had dulled my experience, to the point where I hated having to stop at junctions. It was just embarrassing pulling away like your clutch was having a fit. Don’t even get me started about operating in stop-start traffic!
I’m just glad that I have my old car back now, along with a massive grin on my face every time I drive it!
daveydees said:
Useful stuff
I guess that shows the value of a warranty (if you can get one). I've had new gearbox, propshaft, sports diff, and more, total bill >£10k, in the 2 years I've had it, all on warranty, so not cost me a penny. I've also had a new clutch, flywheel etc all paid for as well, but that's another story. My car feels a bit "trigger's new broom" now...I completely baulked yesterday when the warranty renewal turned up, and it was about £1100 for comprehensive cover, 15k miles, nil excess. Last year was about £730 I think. But then I realised it was a big hike as the mileage was now over 60k (I put in a total less than 60k in the application form just to test and it came back about the same as last year, so it's definitely the miles that put it up).
£1100 is a lot, but compared to potential costs these cars can incur, I will be paying it.
(ps. mine's a manual, so no s-tronic issues for me).
And re mpg, yes it's dire. But I find it is VERY sensitive to stop-start driving, and really plummets. On a steady drive down the motorway, it's not too bad, but depends what you are comparing too...
MattS5 said:
Yep, on my S5 sportback.
I went for a Bosal as opposed to a Westfalia as that is what the fitter recommended, only because it allows clearance for an Alko stabiliser.
It's completely hidden from view, can only be seen if kneeling down looking up from the ground.
Looks interesting, does it impact your warranty? I went for a Bosal as opposed to a Westfalia as that is what the fitter recommended, only because it allows clearance for an Alko stabiliser.
It's completely hidden from view, can only be seen if kneeling down looking up from the ground.
Edited by MattS5 on Saturday 5th March 16:36
daveydees said:
I think the average is boosted in the 8.5 via the provision of stop start. How they can claim those figures though is beyond me. My b8 has a long term average of 24 and most of my driving is motorway . . .
Have you actually measured it not using the DIS?I've been using an app this last month, purely out of interest, as it felt like I was putting more fuel in it than my previous car, which delivered around 24 mpg.
I was a little shocked to see that whilst the DIS is averaging 22 mpg over the last 1,500 miles, the actual real consumption is actually 17 mpg according to my app.
My commute is 10 miles each way per day, 7 miles at 50mph then the last 3 miles is stop start city driving.
I'm looking forward to a long steady run in 3 weeks time where I'm looking to hit the dizzy heights of 20mpg.....
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:19
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:20
silentbrown said:
Glad to hear that 
Out of interest, what was the age/mileage when you bought the car, and was it from a main dealer?
It's a 2009 car, bought from an independant on 45000 miles. Full Audi service history apart from the previous one at a specialist and a folder full of receipts that would humble the yellow pages. (And I thought I was meticulous at keeping records!) Out of interest, what was the age/mileage when you bought the car, and was it from a main dealer?It had literally just had the gearbox oil changed before I bought it and no signs of any mechatronic issues at all...
bungle said:
I guess that shows the value of a warranty (if you can get one). I've had new gearbox, propshaft, sports diff, and more, total bill >£10k, in the 2 years I've had it, all on warranty, so not cost me a penny. I've also had a new clutch, flywheel etc all paid for as well, but that's another story. My car feels a bit "trigger's new broom" now...
Wow! That's a lot to go wrong. Out of interest - what was up with your sports diff? I was going to get a fresh warranty too but yeah, £1100 for me as well. I didn't bother in the end as I knew they wouldn't pay out on the mechatronic/clutch issues anyway because of the gearbox oil change being late.
MattS5 said:
Have you actually measured it not using the DIS?
I've been using an app this last month, purely out of interest, as it felt like I was putting more fuel in it than my previous car, which delivered around 24 mpg.
I was a little shocked to see that whilst the DIS is averaging 22 mpg over the last 1,500 miles, the actual real consumption is actually 17 mpg according to my app.
My commute is 10 miles each way per day, 7 miles at 50mph then the last 3 miles is stop start city driving.
I'm looking forward to a long steady run in 3 weeks time where I'm looking to hit the dizzy heights of 20mpg.....
I've never bothered. I figured that it'd be similar or slightly worse. My 3.0 tdi wasn't far off so thought the S4 would follow suit. After the first few tanks all I've looked at is the miles to empty. No point upsetting yourself afterall. . . I've been using an app this last month, purely out of interest, as it felt like I was putting more fuel in it than my previous car, which delivered around 24 mpg.
I was a little shocked to see that whilst the DIS is averaging 22 mpg over the last 1,500 miles, the actual real consumption is actually 17 mpg according to my app.
My commute is 10 miles each way per day, 7 miles at 50mph then the last 3 miles is stop start city driving.
I'm looking forward to a long steady run in 3 weeks time where I'm looking to hit the dizzy heights of 20mpg.....
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:19
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:20
daveydees said:
MattS5 said:
Have you actually measured it not using the DIS?
I've been using an app this last month, purely out of interest, as it felt like I was putting more fuel in it than my previous car, which delivered around 24 mpg.
I was a little shocked to see that whilst the DIS is averaging 22 mpg over the last 1,500 miles, the actual real consumption is actually 17 mpg according to my app.
My commute is 10 miles each way per day, 7 miles at 50mph then the last 3 miles is stop start city driving.
I'm looking forward to a long steady run in 3 weeks time where I'm looking to hit the dizzy heights of 20mpg.....
I've never bothered. I figured that it'd be similar or slightly worse. My 3.0 tdi wasn't far off so thought the S4 would follow suit. After the first few tanks all I've looked at is the miles to empty. No point upsetting yourself afterall. . . I've been using an app this last month, purely out of interest, as it felt like I was putting more fuel in it than my previous car, which delivered around 24 mpg.
I was a little shocked to see that whilst the DIS is averaging 22 mpg over the last 1,500 miles, the actual real consumption is actually 17 mpg according to my app.
My commute is 10 miles each way per day, 7 miles at 50mph then the last 3 miles is stop start city driving.
I'm looking forward to a long steady run in 3 weeks time where I'm looking to hit the dizzy heights of 20mpg.....
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:19
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:20
But then I am only doing a pitiful 4500miles a year in a brand new car, so the petrol cost is not on my mind.
daveydees said:
Wow! That's a lot to go wrong. Out of interest - what was up with your sports diff?
It kept flashing up "sports diff error" or similar on the DIS, took it to the dealer, they said we'll replace it, warranty pays. So no further detail that that really, I think that was about £7k. Re MPG mine does around 25mpg combined, I personally think this is excellent given the performance & weight/size.
A supercharged car will always be worse on fuel than a turbo charged car but IMO its a price worth paying for the lack of lag and range of power.
My Z4 3.0 only did around 30mpg and that was 300kg+ lighter and over 100bhp down.
A supercharged car will always be worse on fuel than a turbo charged car but IMO its a price worth paying for the lack of lag and range of power.
My Z4 3.0 only did around 30mpg and that was 300kg+ lighter and over 100bhp down.
MattS5 said:
No, I got it fitted by the people the main dealer use. They recommended I go there.
I've a 2 year warranty on the car so didn't want to jeopardise that in anyway.
Thanks. However having a look at the towing capacity of the car, it's not enough to drag a trailer and the track car anyway. So I this is out of the question anyway. I've a 2 year warranty on the car so didn't want to jeopardise that in anyway.
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:18
MattS5 said:
Ah of course, you're probably near on 1,750KG I should guess.
Yep, the E36 328i (before weight saving) tips the scales at 1395kg, and the towing ability (based on the 85% rule) of the S4 is a little under 1500kg. So I would need a VERY light trailer before I could think about it Latest escapades of a 2009 S4 S-Tronic:
- Mechatronic playing fair after an Adaption reset - £80 vs £200 for replacement
- Needs a new bearing on the NSF as it's droning quite badly and has been diagnosed - £140 vs£350 for a different Indie to change it
- Just changed the front discs / pads myself - £140 vs £455 for Audi to do it. The previous ones were warped, probably by the following....
- Identified the lower guide pins on the calipers are pretty tight so will get some replacement / refurbished calipers fitted while it's in for the bearing - £180 plus labour vs £700 for Audi to do it.
- May need to replace rear discs / pads as I can feel a shimmy at motorway speeds, through the seats and not under braking - no idea yet as I'm dealing with the front end.
I will beat this car into submission!!
- Mechatronic playing fair after an Adaption reset - £80 vs £200 for replacement
- Needs a new bearing on the NSF as it's droning quite badly and has been diagnosed - £140 vs£350 for a different Indie to change it
- Just changed the front discs / pads myself - £140 vs £455 for Audi to do it. The previous ones were warped, probably by the following....
- Identified the lower guide pins on the calipers are pretty tight so will get some replacement / refurbished calipers fitted while it's in for the bearing - £180 plus labour vs £700 for Audi to do it.
- May need to replace rear discs / pads as I can feel a shimmy at motorway speeds, through the seats and not under braking - no idea yet as I'm dealing with the front end.
I will beat this car into submission!!
MattS5 said:
No, I got it fitted by the people the main dealer use. They recommended I go there.
I've a 2 year warranty on the car so didn't want to jeopardise that in anyway.
I'm looking to get one of these fitted to my S4. Only towing a 500KG mini so weight shouldnt be an issue.I've a 2 year warranty on the car so didn't want to jeopardise that in anyway.
Edited by MattS5 on Thursday 10th March 21:18
How much did this set you back?
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