B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
DibblyDobbler said:
Even weirder the 2009 manual Saloon is 225g/km (which is good for me) but the 2010/2011 manual saloon is 234g/km (bad).
Test driver had a heavy foot in 2010 ? Or was 2009 a good year (cheating ?!)
tested to a different spec (EU4 vs EU5), so I imagine the mapping had to be changed to deal with the lower NOx targetsTest driver had a heavy foot in 2010 ? Or was 2009 a good year (cheating ?!)
I'm considering an S4 Avant as a "sensible family car" purchase for later this year. Having read a couple of reviews, it looks like I should be trying to find one with the Sport diff, but very few of those on the Audi AUC site seem to list it as an option.
So... is it really that rare? Do many of you guys have the sport diff? Is it worth holding out for?
And has anyone bought a new one recently? Any good deals around? I'd be looking at some sort of PCP arrangement.
(Which also raises the question... if buying on PCP, is there actually going to be that much difference between the S4 and the RS4 once all the financial factors are taken into account?)
So... is it really that rare? Do many of you guys have the sport diff? Is it worth holding out for?
And has anyone bought a new one recently? Any good deals around? I'd be looking at some sort of PCP arrangement.
(Which also raises the question... if buying on PCP, is there actually going to be that much difference between the S4 and the RS4 once all the financial factors are taken into account?)
My S4 Avant is 14 months old with a sports diff. Not having driven one without, I can't really comment with any useful info. Dr G will have some comments (he sells them).
There are really good deals to be had on new S4s... I got about £5k off list. If you are considering finance, watch out for Audis interest rates, they tend to be high, however they chuck in a large sweetner up front if you go with them.
I had an order in for the RS4, but the deals on S4s saved me best part of £30k (and I already had an R8 V8, so the V8 wasn't such a 'must scratch').
ETA... pic of mine about a dozen posts up
There are really good deals to be had on new S4s... I got about £5k off list. If you are considering finance, watch out for Audis interest rates, they tend to be high, however they chuck in a large sweetner up front if you go with them.
I had an order in for the RS4, but the deals on S4s saved me best part of £30k (and I already had an R8 V8, so the V8 wasn't such a 'must scratch').
ETA... pic of mine about a dozen posts up
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 9th January 18:37
Gruber said:
I'm considering an S4 Avant as a "sensible family car" purchase for later this year. Having read a couple of reviews, it looks like I should be trying to find one with the Sport diff, but very few of those on the Audi AUC site seem to list it as an option.
So... is it really that rare? Do many of you guys have the sport diff? Is it worth holding out for?
And has anyone bought a new one recently? Any good deals around? I'd be looking at some sort of PCP arrangement.
(Which also raises the question... if buying on PCP, is there actually going to be that much difference between the S4 and the RS4 once all the financial factors are taken into account?)
Sports diff is pretty rare.So... is it really that rare? Do many of you guys have the sport diff? Is it worth holding out for?
And has anyone bought a new one recently? Any good deals around? I'd be looking at some sort of PCP arrangement.
(Which also raises the question... if buying on PCP, is there actually going to be that much difference between the S4 and the RS4 once all the financial factors are taken into account?)
I don't have ADS at all and am very happy with the car. That could be it's a case of never had it so don't know what I am missing. However I like the way the car drives, handling is fine for my use, steering is more weight than feel but I've adjusted and have no issue with it now. I get in and go and certainly haven't thought I wish I had some settings to meddle with. In fact I wonder if I had the choice if I would ever be happy with the selection.
Very low spec cars without navigation aside, forget the so called "must have" options and decide on YOUR must have options. I have half an eye out for a facelift S4. ADS and the diff would be nice, but not the first things I am looking for. I couldn't be without B+O or advanced key for example as the are luxuries that make a difference every time I use the car.
Gruber said:
Thanks for the feedback chaps.
Depends on the car...Scuffers said:
Sports diff is pointless for a road car IMHO
How come? Would you say the same about LSDs on rwd cars? Let me put it this way, i have never felt the need for a more aggressive diff on both my current S4, the previous one, or my S5 either.
On a track, maybe.... on the road, just can't see the point.
Scuffers said:
Gruber said:
Thanks for the feedback chaps.
Depends on the car...Scuffers said:
Sports diff is pointless for a road car IMHO
How come? Would you say the same about LSDs on rwd cars? Let me put it this way, i have never felt the need for a more aggressive diff on both my current S4, the previous one, or my S5 either.
On a track, maybe.... on the road, just can't see the point.
GetCarter said:
I would generally agree. But it really depends where you drive and what you're used to. I am in a rather unusual situation with regards both those. Wouldn't have occurred to me not to have got the sports diff.
Ok, just to turn this round, what do you feel it does for you?Scuffers said:
Ok, just to turn this round, what do you feel it does for you?
I'm used to R500s with LSDs, and have my own 42 mile 'track' here. 
As the single track roads are so twisty, bumpy, dusty, with endless uneven camber, the sports diff will divert power to the rear wheel with the grip, unlike an open diff.I assume you know the road where I live (Bealach na Ba) - it's quite possible to only have three wheels in contact with the road!
ETA... as mentioned, for driving down south on 'normal' roads, I wouldn't bother.
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 9th January 20:29
The current car is a V8 M3. I probably shouldn't enjoy the benefits of a LSD as much as I do, but I can't imagine the car being anywhere near as enjoyable and engaging without, including for the reasons GetCarter describes.
I appreciate that a 4wd car presents a theoretically very different proposition, but I figure that if Audi fit it as standard to the RS4, there's probably some dynamic advantage to having it.
I appreciate that a 4wd car presents a theoretically very different proposition, but I figure that if Audi fit it as standard to the RS4, there's probably some dynamic advantage to having it.
Gruber said:
The current car is a V8 M3. I probably shouldn't enjoy the benefits of a LSD as much as I do, but I can't imagine the car being anywhere near as enjoyable and engaging without, including for the reasons GetCarter describes.
I appreciate that a 4wd car presents a theoretically very different proposition, but I figure that if Audi fit it as standard to the RS4, there's probably some dynamic advantage to having it.
'ere ya go... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQowh2Kr38sI appreciate that a 4wd car presents a theoretically very different proposition, but I figure that if Audi fit it as standard to the RS4, there's probably some dynamic advantage to having it.
Scuffers said:
err. thats a bit of a cheeky slant on it...
Your line of work per chance?You are of course absolutely correct; there are a lot of factors involved but I get asked the question regularly at work and that's my method of answering it in 10 seconds or less to someone with no prior knowledge.
I still maintain that it's a daft system/test
GetCarter said:
If you are considering finance, watch out for Audis interest rates, they tend to be high
The rates are negotiable, took me about 2 hours to do the deal on mine. Started at 13%apr settled at 7% plus the two free services. I picked my S4 up cheap(£21,750 2010 avant with full dealer history and good spec) as it had already had 4 owners last one for only 3 months! He couldn't afford to fuel it and traded it for a TDI Avant. Also had 3 private plate changes, lovely vehicle was like new when we picked it up.Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 9th January 18:37
GetCarter said:
As above. B&O in the S4 is the best I've heard in any of my new cars. Highly recommended. (It's me day job, so I'm picky).
Agreed fantastic system, I was looking at the A6 Avant and the B&O setup is £6K! Options on my car
B&O
Super Sports Seats (not heated though)
Nav/media 3G+
Bluetooth advanced
19" Alloys
Parking Sensors all around
De badged
I purposely looked for a manual without sports diff as we plan to keep it for a long time (approx 10 years) and hopefully this will reduce the bork factor
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