B8 S4 Ownership

[apreading]

I actually prefer the 160 speedo - the 200 version doesnt show a number for every 10mph so the demarkation for 30 is not as clear. It also has bigger sweep so more accuracy in between speeds.

I wish in the UK, you could turn off the backlight for the KM/h using the MMI - that would be really good. Or even better, switch between one, the other or both.

[LocoBlade]

Speedo and rev counter changed on the B8.5. The rev limiter was also dropped on the B8.5 I believe so in reality the hard red line should be at 6250rpm. I think that was something Audi programmed into the S-Tronic to never rev above that rather than an actual engine limiter as I believe the various gearbox remaps you can get allow it to rev to 7k like pre-facelift cars.

[theboyfold]

jimmyjimjim said:

Curious. Anyone got a UK B8.5 and care to take a pic of the dash?

I've a feeling the 160mph speedo is common to the A4 and could be purely down to the US seeming to push for reduced options and more commonality, presumably to reduce the amount of spares inventory (A3, A4, A6, A7, S4 in the US have essentially only 2 engine options between them, as an example).

Here you go, this is from my 15 plate car

[catso]

theboyfold said:

Here you go, this is from my 15 plate car

Not got a pic to hand but mine (2014) is the same.

[jimmyjimjim]

Ta. So same redline and 160mph.

[catso]

jimmyjimjim said:

Ta. So same redline and 160mph.

Here you go;

[daveydees]

Yeah mine has the sports diff also. Something unusual on an avant! You can definitely feel it pulling the car around a fast corner, but I reckon some stiffer roll bars would help it feel a bit more planted. I've only ever had PZero's on mine so not experimented with the tyres. Any recommendations for 19's?

I know what you mean about the Alpina specs. I was tempted a few years ago with the D3's. Maybe it was something to do with Alpina taking basic cars to mod and they didn't want to retro-fit the upgrades? The new 3.0 diesel cars seem to be better equipped (as you'd expect for the price!). Is it the same deal with the petrol versions?

Adrian E said:

Interesting take on the ADS options - ours (S5 Sportback) has the steering and diff options, but not damper control. I would've liked it but the rest of the spec was really good and on test drive I thought the ride was fine on the factory 20s ours has.

Diff makes the biggest difference to handling playfulness, the steering I could live without as I don't like the way it artificially loads at relatively low speed.

I've always liked Alpinas and have tried buying one a couple of times, but failed to finalise a deal both times. They're a niche product and some are utterly poverty spec whilst others are dripping with every option.

Back to S4/S5 - I think we test drove nearly a dozen examples and they all varied a lot in terms of how planted they felt. Tyres seem to be the biggest factor. I'd recommend trying a few to see what you think rather than basing a decision on your first drive.

[deadscoob]

The old D3s were boggo spec to temp company car drivers - deal was (apparently) all cars same spec, just different colours, options attracted some kind of premium to have - £1500 to diverge. That may be complete BS but explains why so many are the same.

Yeah new d3 3.0 is normal Alpina. Shame diesels seem their main business now

[bungle]

apreading said:

I actually prefer the 160 speedo - the 200 version doesnt show a number for every 10mph so the demarkation for 30 is not as clear. It also has bigger sweep so more accuracy in between speeds.

Agree, would prefer the 160 speedo, 200 (which I've got) is just pointless and has smaller gaps between markers. Not a huge deal though!

[Dr G]

I tend always to have the big, digital speedo up in the DIS. To my eye clearer than either.

[TomScrut]

Dr G said:

Think my best (DIS) over a trip is 35.7 going from Tebay services (M6) back to London on a particularly quiet afternoon and evening. Trip included once not having to touch the cruise control for just over an hour.

I once got similar from my 59 reg S4 (with STronic) on a 60mph ish motorway trip. I say mine I don't have it anymore.

How much better (real world) is the B8.5 on juice?

[deadscoob]

I've found a nice spec Avant for sale which is ideal apart from the colour - metallic grey. I don't dislike the colour at all, but already have 2 black and 1 flat grey car...

What are the chances of finding a facelift avant with pano, sports heated seats, b&O and sat nav, in some shade of blue? And not big miles? Anyone know of any coming up for sale?

Cheers

[troc]

Dr G said:

I tend always to have the big, digital speedo up in the DIS. To my eye clearer than either.

Same here. Especially when we are over in the UK as our Euro-spec car lacks mph on the speedo

[mrdanbartlett]

IMO Grey is the best colour! My black one looks amazing when detailed, but it's a right pain to keep clean, never again.

I badly wanted grey but couldn't find one, I think it's a great colour so I'd be tempted to go with that if the spec is right, I nearly bought an awful sky blue S4 because the spec/price was very appealing, but I'm so glad I didn't. (Apologies to any sky blue S4 owners).

I think I mentioned it..........apparently I need a new clutch, £1600-2000. Car is a manual and has done 84k, garages keep saying the clutch is heavy, it seems fine to me but I'm no expert. I will probably wait until it gets worse, right now it never slips, never has an issue starting (apparently they can have issues when the car can't reach the sensor when clutch pressed etc).

Anyone here had a new clutch & flyhweel, at what mileage was it done and how did you know it needed it?

[Dr G]

TomScrut said:

Dr G said:

Think my best (DIS) over a trip is 35.7 going from Tebay services (M6) back to London on a particularly quiet afternoon and evening. Trip included once not having to touch the cruise control for just over an hour.

I once got similar from my 59 reg S4 (with STronic) on a 60mph ish motorway trip. I say mine I don't have it anymore.

How much better (real world) is the B8.5 on juice?

Never noticed any difference.

[JonV8V]

Well.. my B8.5 S4 ownership may be short lived. Audi have had the car in, sorted out the stop start issue which was linked to an incorrectly moved tow bar (seems there's a module that tells other systems when its towing so reversing sensors don't come on, and when it was taken the car wasn't coded back), but they've spotted a graunch changing gear, not always but I can now repeat at will between 5 to 4 on no throttle and medium/low revs. Cars done 44k and no evidence that the gearbox oil was changed when due. And because its showing as mapped, Audi warranty won't go near it.

So.. the independent garage I bought it off last week are currently reflecting on what they are going to do.. Any thoughts on here? I read a thread and it seems there are plenty of issues with the box and not cheap to fix.

Damn frustrating as the car otherwise appears mint.

[apreading]

They could take it to an independant garage to fix it much cheaper but unless they get an Audi Franchise to do it, you will still be in the same boat of Audi not offering any goodwill if you have other problems.

I think you know what you should probably be doing, you just arent ready to accept it yet...

[JonV8V]

apreading said:

They could take it to an independant garage to fix it much cheaper but unless they get an Audi Franchise to do it, you will still be in the same boat of Audi not offering any goodwill if you have other problems.

I think you know what you should probably be doing, you just arent ready to accept it yet...

I think I'm there.
I've written an email to them since as I thought it time to go into writing, they can fix correctly or refund. The car only had 3 weeks of Audi warranty left so in a way that as a long term issue isn't a problem. Ironically for them, if they'd fixed the stop start, I may not have noticed the issue as I hadn't noticed it the way I drive. I suspect they'll buy back and move it on.

[TomScrut]

Dr G said:

Never noticed any difference.

Oh right, the theoretical figures are far better for the 8.5 IIRC, as they tweaked a few bits on the engine to make them on demand and added stop-start. Having said that a lot of the changes I suspect will only have an effect depending what type of driving you do.

[deadscoob]

Or what lab the tests are conducted in

Does anyone know of this car - GU62UGS? If so, appreciate any info on it.

Cheers