B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
lemonslap said:
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 
.
The film GetCarter posted certainly makes the sports diff look wickedly complicated. I watched it wondering how robust it would be in the longer term..Hmmm.
Dr G said:
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
Yes, I agree, the test is somewhat flawed, but you have to consider that it was never designed to be used for a CO2 measuring stick (it was designed to asses/measure harmful emissions like HC/CO and NOx etc.)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
problem is that government's have seen fit to use this as the taxation tool.
Gruber said:
The film GetCarter posted certainly makes the sports diff look wickedly complicated. I watched it wondering how robust it would be in the longer term.
Hmmm.
I watched it very interesting, anything with electronically controlled clutch packs worries me for long term repair costs. Considering I have heard a Sports Diff replacement will cost about £10k? I'm sure the sports diff improves the drive but as it's my wife's car and I'm funding it..... I am going to change the gearbox and diff oil in the summer, The some of the guys on the American Audi forum have showed the state of the oil that comes out at 40k.... Not niceHmmm.
Interesting insight into the maintenance implications of the sports diff - thanks.
Dr G - changing the subject slightly... what's the forecast for B7 RS4 prices now the new car is out?
The reason for asking is that I'm in a bit of a flummox. We're going to need a one-size-fits-all family car solution, but part of its remit has to be a degree of exhilaration (it will, afterall, be replacing the M3 and I don't think I could cope with MPV / SUV bland misery). It might be joined by a cheap and cheerful snotter, but whatever we choose will need to be suitable for holidays, weekend supermarket trips and the occasional business trip whilst also having some level of entertainment ability on the occasions I'm allowed out by myself...
So I'm a bit stuck between
1. new(ish) S4 - perhaps the reliable, economic, dependable and sensible solution
2. a new(ish) RS4 - fast fun but, being sensible, probably out of budget unless there are some truly magnificent deals available
3. the old (V8) RS4 - probably with DRC repaired or removed to avoid the seemingly inevitable big bills. More iconic, well loved, robust residuals and still a remarkably fresh looking car.
Any thoughts?
(And if this is taking the thread too far off piste then feel free to say so and I'll take this elsewhere).
Dr G - changing the subject slightly... what's the forecast for B7 RS4 prices now the new car is out?
The reason for asking is that I'm in a bit of a flummox. We're going to need a one-size-fits-all family car solution, but part of its remit has to be a degree of exhilaration (it will, afterall, be replacing the M3 and I don't think I could cope with MPV / SUV bland misery). It might be joined by a cheap and cheerful snotter, but whatever we choose will need to be suitable for holidays, weekend supermarket trips and the occasional business trip whilst also having some level of entertainment ability on the occasions I'm allowed out by myself...
So I'm a bit stuck between
1. new(ish) S4 - perhaps the reliable, economic, dependable and sensible solution
2. a new(ish) RS4 - fast fun but, being sensible, probably out of budget unless there are some truly magnificent deals available
3. the old (V8) RS4 - probably with DRC repaired or removed to avoid the seemingly inevitable big bills. More iconic, well loved, robust residuals and still a remarkably fresh looking car.
Any thoughts?
(And if this is taking the thread too far off piste then feel free to say so and I'll take this elsewhere).
Edited by Gruber on Friday 10th January 09:39
Gruber said:
Interesting insight into the maintenance implications of the sports diff - thanks.
Dr G - changing the subject slightly... what's the forecast for B7 RS4 prices now the new car is out?
The reason for asking is that I'm in a bit of a flummox. We're going to need a one-size-fits-all family car solution, but part of its remit has to be a degree of exhilaration (it will, afterall, be replacing the M3 and I don't think I could cope with MPV / SUV bland misery). It might be joined by a cheap and cheerful snotter, but whatever we choose will need to be suitable for holidays, weekend supermarket trips and the occasional business trip whilst also having some level of entertainment ability on the occasions I'm allowed out by myself...
So I'm a bit stuck between
1. new(ish) S4 - perhaps the reliable, economic, dependable and sensible solution
2. a new(ish) RS4 - fast fun but, being sensible, probably out of budget unless there are some truly magnificent deals available
3. the old (V8) RS4 - probably with DRC repaired or removed to avoid the seemingly inevitable big bills. More iconic, well loved, robust residuals and still a remarkably fresh looking car.
Any thoughts?
(And if this is taking the thread too far off piste then feel free to say so and I'll take this elsewhere).
Out of interest, you can get 10k off a new RS4 Dr G - changing the subject slightly... what's the forecast for B7 RS4 prices now the new car is out?
The reason for asking is that I'm in a bit of a flummox. We're going to need a one-size-fits-all family car solution, but part of its remit has to be a degree of exhilaration (it will, afterall, be replacing the M3 and I don't think I could cope with MPV / SUV bland misery). It might be joined by a cheap and cheerful snotter, but whatever we choose will need to be suitable for holidays, weekend supermarket trips and the occasional business trip whilst also having some level of entertainment ability on the occasions I'm allowed out by myself...
So I'm a bit stuck between
1. new(ish) S4 - perhaps the reliable, economic, dependable and sensible solution
2. a new(ish) RS4 - fast fun but, being sensible, probably out of budget unless there are some truly magnificent deals available
3. the old (V8) RS4 - probably with DRC repaired or removed to avoid the seemingly inevitable big bills. More iconic, well loved, robust residuals and still a remarkably fresh looking car.
Any thoughts?
(And if this is taking the thread too far off piste then feel free to say so and I'll take this elsewhere).
Edited by Gruber on Friday 10th January 09:39
Gruber said:
Any thoughts?
I get asked this a lot and the B8 S4 is the normal answer.To justify the B7 RS4 you simply have to want one. If you want one; buy it. Prices for really good, cherished cars are rock solid and demand is strong.
Although B8 S4 prices for well specified cars are also very steady and the demand is there too.
Dr G said:
I get asked this a lot and the B8 S4 is the normal answer.
To justify the B7 RS4 you simply have to want one. If you want one; buy it. Prices for really good, cherished cars are rock solid and demand is strong.
Although B8 S4 prices for well specified cars are also very steady and the demand is there too.
Very useful - thank you. To my mind that's a ringing endorsement of how accomplished the S4 must be.To justify the B7 RS4 you simply have to want one. If you want one; buy it. Prices for really good, cherished cars are rock solid and demand is strong.
Although B8 S4 prices for well specified cars are also very steady and the demand is there too.
Time to start arranging test drives I think.
Thanks for the advice.
Gruber said:
worsy said:
Out of interest, you can get 10k off a new RS4
Blimey!http://www.broadspeed.com/new_cars/Audi/RS4_Avant/
and
Gruber said:
What would you see as the "must haves"?
B&O, telephone prep, rear blinds, blue paint and heated front seats are on my list so far.
Is DRC a must on these?
Well B&O for a start, telephone stuff and metallic paint is an option. The full nappa leather pack is a further £2,300 etc...B&O, telephone prep, rear blinds, blue paint and heated front seats are on my list so far.
Is DRC a must on these?
Still very good price mind. I got a fully loaded S4 black for high 30s - the RS4 was low 60s when I had one on order (for my spec)
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 10th January 15:31
I still can't decide what to replace my 2009 manual S4 with - most obvious answer would be another one but this would mean going manual to DSG (which might be ok) and also possibly to a b8.5 facelift model. Anybody got a view on whether the facelift has much which is worth having ?
TIA
TIA
DibblyDobbler said:
I still can't decide what to replace my 2009 manual S4 with - most obvious answer would be another one but this would mean going manual to DSG (which might be ok) and also possibly to a b8.5 facelift model. Anybody got a view on whether the facelift has much which is worth having ?
TIA
honestly, not much in it, if I was looking SH, I would not be looking for a facelift one specifically other than for re-sale value, to drive they are pretty much identical, only noticeable differences are:TIA
1) steering wheel (actually prefer the round old one)
2) DSG software is different, not much, but if you were used to the old version, you can tell the difference, it's keener to change up and less keen to downchange etc.
3) stop/start - I wish you could permanently turn this off!
Scuffers said:
honestly, not much in it, if I was looking SH, I would not be looking for a facelift one specifically other than for re-sale value, to drive they are pretty much identical, only noticeable differences are:
1) steering wheel (actually prefer the round old one)
2) DSG software is different, not much, but if you were used to the old version, you can tell the difference, it's keener to change up and less keen to downchange etc.
3) stop/start - I wish you could permanently turn this off!
Thanks Scuffers - it's looking horribly like I should just be keeping what I've got 1) steering wheel (actually prefer the round old one)
2) DSG software is different, not much, but if you were used to the old version, you can tell the difference, it's keener to change up and less keen to downchange etc.
3) stop/start - I wish you could permanently turn this off!
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