B8 S4 Ownership

[Tuscan Wil]

daveydees said:

I know some buyers are really into Full dealership service history, but for those in the knows, I wonder if they prefer to see the specialist stamps. If I see a car is looked after by known Specialists like MRC and full of their stamps, not just Bob down the road. I think I would definitely prefer the car over with FASH, as I know it is properly looked after. I think it also reflects the owner's knowledge of the car they drive?

[silentbrown]

Up4AfrillNeil said:

No sorry I mean the dealership I bought it from not Audi, but looking at the small print the brakes are not covered in the 3 month warranty ...

"Dealership" means a car sales operation "tied" to one or more car manufacturers. if you bought it from something like "Arthur Daley Motors" or "Super Jap Centre" that wouldn't be a dealership.

I'd generally be very wary of short-term limited warranties. Lots of exclusions, and if something big does fail early on then it would normally be a pre-existing fault the the seller would be required to fix anyway.

More to the point, enjoy the car!

[daveydees]

Tuscan Wil said:

I know some buyers are really into Full dealership service history, but for those in the knows, I wonder if they prefer to see the specialist stamps. If I see a car is looked after by known Specialists like MRC and full of their stamps, not just Bob down the road. I think I would definitely prefer the car over with FASH, as I know it is properly looked after. I think it also reflects the owner's knowledge of the car they drive?

I'd agree. Unfortunately most buyer's will have a perception that FASH means that that car has always had everything looked at throughout it's lifetime. Also, if they're not aware of a certain specialist's reputation then they may not be so keen on their stamps. Depends on the buyer's knowledge I suppose...

[silentbrown]

Tuscan Wil said:

I know some buyers are really into Full dealership service history, but for those in the knows, I wonder if they prefer to see the specialist stamps. If I see a car is looked after by known Specialists like MRC and full of their stamps, not just Bob down the road. I think I would definitely prefer the car over with FASH, as I know it is properly looked after.

Depends on the car and the age, I guess. Anything up to about 6 years old without FASH I'd steer clear of, even if it was a reputable specialist. Simply because the chances of getting major issues (like oil consumption on the 2.0TFSI) sorted via 'goodwill' diminish rapidly if the car hasn't got Audi history.

Also, if history is with someone like MRC I'd expect the car to have been modified. Unless all receipts/history were available for that, I'd leave it alone - and if the owner says it had never been chipped I would probably not believe them!

[Up4AfrillNeil]

Thanks for ur reply's

So although my car is a 2010 model it may still be under an Audi warranty? long life service etc stamped in the book ooh

Regardless I am getting EBC brakes to fit the squeal shims 2moro for a tenner as we are going Cornwall camping on Monday (longest justified drive towards the sun)

This next question is purely for the benefit of birthday and Xmas pressies combined validity..... does re-mapping screw ur turbo's, rings and all things that work normally in my S4 if I just ask for that power in moderation,(a NO for the benefit for my wife will suffice) rather than on it.. like a car bonnet all the time (my labourer's favorite phrase)
so im trying to say, will i save fuel when conservative and not particularly fry my engine and turbos when I occasionally boot it?

I just think a positive must have a negative reaction somewhere?? TBH I'm not sure I care... honeymoon period. My wife said whilst flooring 3 rd gear that I loved my car more than her. Awkward silence... as i was listening to my exhaust I'd climb a mountain for her... Quattro FTW

Edited by Up4AfrillNeil on Friday 12th August 23:56

[troc]

Your turbos will be fine

The supercharger should be ok too

[Up4AfrillNeil]

troc said:

Your turbos will be fine

The supercharger should be ok too

The last car I had with pull something near like my S4 was a 200bhp escort Rs Turbo many years ago. I assumed my car had supercharged turbo's but thanks to your reply and reading between the lines I got on Google as I guessed I needed educating.

I obviously crave a twin charger....

[silentbrown]

Up4AfrillNeil said:

So although my car is a 2010 model it may still be under an Audi warranty? long life service etc stamped in the book ooh

Not quite what I meant... If something major and unexpected breaks outside of your warranty, you can ask your main dealer and/or Audi Cust Services if they'll offer any "goodwill" assistance. This could be free/cheaper parts, free/cheaper labour, both or neither. It will depend on any number of things, including the car's age and mileage, where you bought the car, where and how often it's been serviced, how valuable a customer you are, and how much of a stink you threaten to cause!

My old 2.0TFSI got a 'free' engine rebuild with new pistons/rods when it was 6 years old and had around 70K on the clock, due to a thirst for oil. Having a full service history certainly helped.

[Up4AfrillNeil]

silentbrown said:

Not quite what I meant... If something major and unexpected breaks outside of your warranty, you can ask your main dealer and/or Audi Cust Services if they'll offer any "goodwill" assistance. This could be free/cheaper parts, free/cheaper labour, both or neither. It will depend on any number of things, including the car's age and mileage, where you bought the car, where and how often it's been serviced, how valuable a customer you are, and how much of a stink you threaten to cause!

My old 2.0TFSI got a 'free' engine rebuild with new pistons/rods when it was 6 years old and had around 70K on the clock, due to a thirst for oil. Having a full service history certainly helped.

wow, good to know. I have always had cars under the 4k price bracket so I am totally new to all of this. Thanks for the info

[Adrian E]

Likewise ours needed a replacement dash cluster (cost fitted just under £1k) and Audi covered 90% of it - ours is a 2011.

[theboyfold]

Does anybody else have a high pitched plastic rattle / creaking around the middle of the dash? Mine does and it's driving my bloody crazy.

It'll be going in for it's first service soon, so if anybody else has had this and had it resolved it'll be nice to hear what was done.

[PeterGadsby]

theboyfold said:

Does anybody else have a high pitched plastic rattle / creaking around the middle of the dash? Mine does and it's driving my bloody crazy.

It'll be going in for it's first service soon, so if anybody else has had this and had it resolved it'll be nice to hear what was done.

Hi our 2015 S4 Avant had exactly the same problem, Audi replaced the facia around the sat nav, it stopped the noise after a while, but it is back again. I think it is the crappy plasticky surround that causes it. When we get round to it it's going back to Audi to be fixed again

- Pete

[Cupramax]

My S5 Cab does this too (same dash) will see what they say when it goes in for a service.

[Easternlight]

Does anyone know if our LED rear lights are coded to the car or will a new one just plug and play?
I've lost another LED in mine and I am going to get a new one from ECP while they have 30% off for the bank holiday.

Edit to add, picked up my new light during the week, went for the more expensive magnti mareilli version.
Pretty good match and certainly good enough at less than half the price of an Audi one, and it just plugged in and worked fine.

Now I'll just wait for the next LED to pop in another one! Brilliant bit of design that you can change the 50p bulb for the fog rear light but if the LED's go you've got to buy the whole thing!

Edited by Easternlight on Friday 2nd September 22:32

[sidekickdmr]

My AC/heater fan has decided that it's default on position is Mach 5, so every single time I start the car in turning it down from 11 to 3

I can't see how to adjust the default on fan speed

Anyone help?

[LocoBlade]

What happens if you just put it on Auto? I hardly ever feel the need to manually change the fan speed so not sure what it usally defaults to

[Adrian E]

sidekickdmr said:

My AC/heater fan has decided that it's default on position is Mach 5, so every single time I start the car in turning it down from 11 to 3

I can't see how to adjust the default on fan speed

Anyone help?

If auto being active doesn't sort it, as suggested above, it'll probably need a VCDS scan to check if there's a reported fault with the temperature sensor, which would be the obvious reason for the fans going nuts in auto mode

[mattb46]

Hi

Thought it may be worth enquiring if anyone is currently thinking of parting with their S4 B8 Avant? Im looking for a 2012 plate onwards, ideally in metallic silver/grey (not white, black or red) with less than 60k and with MMI. Nice to have would be the sports differential and panoramic sun-roof. Please feel free to drop us a PM. Thanks

Thanks

[Chiefbadger]

So as many of you already know, the last of the b8.5's with the CREC engine are not re mappable and the tuners are really struggling to crack the Simos 16 ECU. MRC, APR, Revo etc have all been working on it for over a year now but don't seem to be getting anywhere.
Given that I bought the S4 with the intention of tuning it, this leaves me a bit stumped!
It also means that the usual remap/tuning box arguments are invalid as a remap simply isn't an option. So my question is:
Is it worth me looking at a DTUK or an MTM M Cantronic? I've read so many mixed reviews and don't want to spend £700-1500 on something that simply doesn't work.
Has anyone used either on their S4/5 and does it actually work?

Cheers!

[Dr G]

MRC Tuning ran a car with MTM Cantronic back to back with their own software some years ago; there was a thread about it on AudiSRS detailing their findings. I think I may even have linked to it on this thread way back (but I can't find it off hand).