B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
Dr G said:
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).
Thanks Dr G. Think this is the only sensible thread I've read on it, but basically just made me want an MRC map which is the most frustrating part of the whole thing! Hi all,
So I have a slight droning noise when driving - most noticeable at around 30mph, doesn't seem to be related to revs/particular gears, does it if you put it into in neutral etc.
It's not that loud just 'there' in the background sometimes, I'm not very mechanically minded - any ideas?
It's a 84k manual, and recently a local garage told me the clutch was a bit heavy - to me it seems fine/always been like that (bought the car a year ago at 78k) - could it be related? I assumed the clutch would start to slip when it's on the way out, especially when you put your foot down in a high gear at low speed, but it's fine.
So I have a slight droning noise when driving - most noticeable at around 30mph, doesn't seem to be related to revs/particular gears, does it if you put it into in neutral etc.
It's not that loud just 'there' in the background sometimes, I'm not very mechanically minded - any ideas?
It's a 84k manual, and recently a local garage told me the clutch was a bit heavy - to me it seems fine/always been like that (bought the car a year ago at 78k) - could it be related? I assumed the clutch would start to slip when it's on the way out, especially when you put your foot down in a high gear at low speed, but it's fine.
PeterGadsby said:
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 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.
- Pete
Cupramax said:
My S5 Cab does this too (same dash) will see what they say when it goes in for a service.
They said they lubricated the area around the dash. Seems to have had the right effect. theboyfold said:
PeterGadsby said:
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 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.
- Pete
Cupramax said:
My S5 Cab does this too (same dash) will see what they say when it goes in for a service.
They said they lubricated the area around the dash. Seems to have had the right effect. mrdanbartlett said:
Hi all,
So I have a slight droning noise when driving - most noticeable at around 30mph, doesn't seem to be related to revs/particular gears, does it if you put it into in neutral etc.
It's not that loud just 'there' in the background sometimes, I'm not very mechanically minded - any ideas?
It's a 84k manual, and recently a local garage told me the clutch was a bit heavy - to me it seems fine/always been like that (bought the car a year ago at 78k) - could it be related? I assumed the clutch would start to slip when it's on the way out, especially when you put your foot down in a high gear at low speed, but it's fine.
I'd be checking the tyre wear. Saw toothed wear can cause that sort of noise. I had it, the dealer replaced all tyres as part of the purchase and it sorted the issue. i then got the alignment completed to ensure it didn't happen again.So I have a slight droning noise when driving - most noticeable at around 30mph, doesn't seem to be related to revs/particular gears, does it if you put it into in neutral etc.
It's not that loud just 'there' in the background sometimes, I'm not very mechanically minded - any ideas?
It's a 84k manual, and recently a local garage told me the clutch was a bit heavy - to me it seems fine/always been like that (bought the car a year ago at 78k) - could it be related? I assumed the clutch would start to slip when it's on the way out, especially when you put your foot down in a high gear at low speed, but it's fine.
Failing that, I'd be looking at wheel bearing. Does it tend to increase in volume if going round a left or right hand bend? (when the weight shifts on to that axle, it could well increase in noise, which will indicate the potential side at fault)
Hol said:
theboyfold said:
PeterGadsby said:
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 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.
- Pete
Cupramax said:
My S5 Cab does this too (same dash) will see what they say when it goes in for a service.
They said they lubricated the area around the dash. Seems to have had the right effect. MattS5 said:
I'd be checking the tyre wear. Saw toothed wear can cause that sort of noise. I had it, the dealer replaced all tyres as part of the purchase and it sorted the issue. i then got the alignment completed to ensure it didn't happen again.
Failing that, I'd be looking at wheel bearing. Does it tend to increase in volume if going round a left or right hand bend? (when the weight shifts on to that axle, it could well increase in noise, which will indicate the potential side at fault)
Thanks for the reply, that sounds a good shout.... I recently had 2 new rear tyres as one had a nail in it, the garage said the tyres were going hard and perishing, which apparently is v common with Pirelli - even though they had plenty of tread left on them. I'll see if corning makes a difference tonight.Failing that, I'd be looking at wheel bearing. Does it tend to increase in volume if going round a left or right hand bend? (when the weight shifts on to that axle, it could well increase in noise, which will indicate the potential side at fault)
FUBAR said:
Mine did this. Read (on here iirc) that its coming from the platic grille centre front, by the windscreen. Reported it when it went in for a recent service and haven't had it since (unlike my crackling n/s/f dash speaker!). They said they took it out and replaced it but I haven't verified that.
Yep, same here. When I booked the car in, they seemed to get what I was talking about, so I guess I wasn't the first person to comment on it. Yep I was going to say the same. Try running your hand clockwise over the inside edge of one tyre's treaded area, then do the same anticlockwise. If its worn in this way one direction will feel relatively smooth whilst the other direction will feel very lumpy with your fingers catching on each tread block as you pass over it. Repeat on the outside edge then on each tyre obviously, basically you're looking for tread blocks shaped something like this /| /| /| /| 
Failing that it could be a wheel bearing.
Failing that, I'd be looking at wheel bearing. Does it tend to increase in volume if going round a left or right hand bend? (when the weight shifts on to that axle, it could well increase in noise, which will indicate the potential side at fault)
Failing that it could be a wheel bearing.
MattS5 said:
mrdanbartlett said:
Hi all,
So I have a slight droning noise when driving - most noticeable at around 30mph, doesn't seem to be related to revs/particular gears, does it if you put it into in neutral etc.
It's not that loud just 'there' in the background sometimes, I'm not very mechanically minded - any ideas?
It's a 84k manual, and recently a local garage told me the clutch was a bit heavy - to me it seems fine/always been like that (bought the car a year ago at 78k) - could it be related? I assumed the clutch would start to slip when it's on the way out, especially when you put your foot down in a high gear at low speed, but it's fine.
I'd be checking the tyre wear. Saw toothed wear can cause that sort of noise. I had it, the dealer replaced all tyres as part of the purchase and it sorted the issue. i then got the alignment completed to ensure it didn't happen again.So I have a slight droning noise when driving - most noticeable at around 30mph, doesn't seem to be related to revs/particular gears, does it if you put it into in neutral etc.
It's not that loud just 'there' in the background sometimes, I'm not very mechanically minded - any ideas?
It's a 84k manual, and recently a local garage told me the clutch was a bit heavy - to me it seems fine/always been like that (bought the car a year ago at 78k) - could it be related? I assumed the clutch would start to slip when it's on the way out, especially when you put your foot down in a high gear at low speed, but it's fine.
Failing that, I'd be looking at wheel bearing. Does it tend to increase in volume if going round a left or right hand bend? (when the weight shifts on to that axle, it could well increase in noise, which will indicate the potential side at fault)
theboyfold said:
FUBAR said:
Mine did this. Read (on here iirc) that its coming from the platic grille centre front, by the windscreen. Reported it when it went in for a recent service and haven't had it since (unlike my crackling n/s/f dash speaker!). They said they took it out and replaced it but I haven't verified that.
Yep, same here. When I booked the car in, they seemed to get what I was talking about, so I guess I wasn't the first person to comment on it. Im still 18 months away from replacing the S4, and Im sure there will be some differences between stock B9 and the S4, but Ive currently got a B9 loaner, and I dont like the dash at all. Might be looking at the darkside of a 43AMG (C or E)
Tired today after reading two thirds of the 108 pages last night...!
Just put down a deposit on a Lava Grey S4:
2013, 45,000 miles - full Audi Service History - thanks to threads like this, I checked and it has just had 3 year brake fluid change at service and had S-Tronic box oil changed at £38K Fully itemised main dealer receipts provided
Pearlescent Lava Grey
18" S-Spoke Sports Alloys
E/Heated Sports Seats - Black Leather/Alcantara (didnt want full leather)
Technology Pack - High
HDD Sat Nav, Bluetooth and Audi Media Interface, Bluetooth Hands Free Function, DAB Digital Radio
Audi Parking System F & R
Cruise Control
Xenon H/Lamps w/Wash
ROUND multi-function S-Line Leather S/Wheel (wasnt keen on the flat one)
Rain Sensor
No ADS of HHA but while I would have liked these, I think I can live without them. Would have liked rear camera but may get that retrofitted, along with a Westfalia towbar.
Test drove several and really considered the pre-facelift because the steering felt a little better but still kind of unnatural - but the facelift model won me over.
Now thinking about getting https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html and working out which options I want to turn on - beep on lock, display oil temp, sweep instruments on start - can you disable door open chime and stop/start? And did I see somewhere that you can enable the hidden ADS menus, albeit they may not be 100% functional? What else should I think of?
Am thinking about getting the Whispbar - does anyone have one and able to measure the usable width of the bars? And if I alread have stuff that clamps to my old square bars, can I clamp it to the Whispbar rather than use the T bolt attachments in the short term? Alternatively, Thule now do something that looks like the Whispbar.
Also thinking about getting the Canvasback cargo liner: http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-b8-platform-dis... Any thoughts?
I am coming from a 13.5 year old A4 Avant 1.8T quattro 190bhp that I have had from new (the only time I will buy a new car, just wanted to do it once!) and done 161,000 miles in. Still love driving that car but my son says there isnt enough room for him in the back now he is 16 and pretty tall, otherwise I probably wouldnt be changing until the old car died. Steering feels alot better in the old car... The engine in the S4 has won me over though, and I found they werent much more than the A4s I was looking at. In the 13 years, everything seems to have changed - I was initially looking for a 2.0T petrol with manual gearbox in quattro but everything is diesel these days, everything is automatic these days and most are full leather, which I dont want. Finding something that ticked all of those boxes would be pretty difficult but actually the S-Tronic box has kinda won me over as it is easier to drive and the missus might even drive it in emergencies if she doesnt have to change gear - still doesnt feel like I am really driving though - with light steering and no proper gear changes...
Just put down a deposit on a Lava Grey S4:
2013, 45,000 miles - full Audi Service History - thanks to threads like this, I checked and it has just had 3 year brake fluid change at service and had S-Tronic box oil changed at £38K Fully itemised main dealer receipts provided
Pearlescent Lava Grey
18" S-Spoke Sports Alloys
E/Heated Sports Seats - Black Leather/Alcantara (didnt want full leather)
Technology Pack - High
HDD Sat Nav, Bluetooth and Audi Media Interface, Bluetooth Hands Free Function, DAB Digital Radio
Audi Parking System F & R
Cruise Control
Xenon H/Lamps w/Wash
ROUND multi-function S-Line Leather S/Wheel (wasnt keen on the flat one)
Rain Sensor
No ADS of HHA but while I would have liked these, I think I can live without them. Would have liked rear camera but may get that retrofitted, along with a Westfalia towbar.
Test drove several and really considered the pre-facelift because the steering felt a little better but still kind of unnatural - but the facelift model won me over.
Now thinking about getting https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html and working out which options I want to turn on - beep on lock, display oil temp, sweep instruments on start - can you disable door open chime and stop/start? And did I see somewhere that you can enable the hidden ADS menus, albeit they may not be 100% functional? What else should I think of?
Am thinking about getting the Whispbar - does anyone have one and able to measure the usable width of the bars? And if I alread have stuff that clamps to my old square bars, can I clamp it to the Whispbar rather than use the T bolt attachments in the short term? Alternatively, Thule now do something that looks like the Whispbar.
Also thinking about getting the Canvasback cargo liner: http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-b8-platform-dis... Any thoughts?
I am coming from a 13.5 year old A4 Avant 1.8T quattro 190bhp that I have had from new (the only time I will buy a new car, just wanted to do it once!) and done 161,000 miles in. Still love driving that car but my son says there isnt enough room for him in the back now he is 16 and pretty tall, otherwise I probably wouldnt be changing until the old car died. Steering feels alot better in the old car... The engine in the S4 has won me over though, and I found they werent much more than the A4s I was looking at. In the 13 years, everything seems to have changed - I was initially looking for a 2.0T petrol with manual gearbox in quattro but everything is diesel these days, everything is automatic these days and most are full leather, which I dont want. Finding something that ticked all of those boxes would be pretty difficult but actually the S-Tronic box has kinda won me over as it is easier to drive and the missus might even drive it in emergencies if she doesnt have to change gear - still doesnt feel like I am really driving though - with light steering and no proper gear changes...
apreading said:
Now thinking about getting https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html and working out which options I want to turn on - beep on lock, display oil temp, sweep instruments on start - can you disable door open chime and stop/start? And did I see somewhere that you can enable the hidden ADS menus, albeit they may not be 100% functional? What else should I think of?
Have a look at Carista - http://www.caristaapp.com/ - will do all/most of the things mentioned and more. Pair it with one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B011O69946/ref... and you can do many of the tweaks normally reserved for VCDS.Note it's not a complete replacement but VCDS but does lots of the 'comfort' settings.
The instrument sweep on start is standard btw and displaying oil temp/lap timer and battery level is activated via the 'green menu' which needs to be enabled first via Carista/VCDS.
Have a look on the A5OC for details on updating your nav maps and MMI firmware
apreading said:
. Would have liked rear camera but may get that retrofitted, along with a Westfalia towbar.
I went with a removable Bosal bar on mine. The guy who fitted it said there was better clearance between that and the bumper than with the Westfalia.I guess it depends what you're towing though. (I needed to have as much room for the ALKO stabiliser as possible)
MattS5 said:
I went with a removable Bosal bar on mine. The guy who fitted it said there was better clearance between that and the bumper than with the Westfalia.
I guess it depends what you're towing though. (I needed to have as much room for the ALKO stabiliser as possible)
Interesting - I saw the Bosal too and my guy stocks them. 'Towing' will be mainly a bike carrier and maybe a jetski in the future (if I can convince the mrs). Presumably they code it so the rear parking sensors disable when attached?I guess it depends what you're towing though. (I needed to have as much room for the ALKO stabiliser as possible)
dave328 said:
Have a look at Carista - http://www.caristaapp.com/ - will do all/most of the things mentioned and more. Pair it with one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B011O69946/ref... and you can do many of the tweaks normally reserved for VCDS.
Note it's not a complete replacement but VCDS but does lots of the 'comfort' settings.
The instrument sweep on start is standard btw and displaying oil temp/lap timer and battery level is activated via the 'green menu' which needs to be enabled first via Carista/VCDS.
Have a look on the A5OC for details on updating your nav maps and MMI firmware
Thats alot cheaper! I was worried by some of the cheap ones because lots of people said they dont work properly. What does that solution not do, that the expensive one does?Note it's not a complete replacement but VCDS but does lots of the 'comfort' settings.
The instrument sweep on start is standard btw and displaying oil temp/lap timer and battery level is activated via the 'green menu' which needs to be enabled first via Carista/VCDS.
Have a look on the A5OC for details on updating your nav maps and MMI firmware
Blimey, just had a heart attack reading that you cant listen to music from a bluetooth device but I think I have worked out that you can in the B8.5 with the HDD Sat Nav option? Read about the tune2air wma3000a and have a question - if I can indeed stream music from my phone paired properly to the Audi MMI and also make/take calls on my phone - can I ALSO have the tune2air wma3000a plugged in the glovebox for the kids to stream music through the MMI while my phone is still paired directly for making/taking calls? That would be fantastic if it works that way?
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