B8 S4 Ownership

[jimmyjimjim]

You get the crown differential from the RS5, electric steering instead on hydraulic, better MMI, bluetooth audio.

DSG changes are meant to be quicker in the 8.5.

The most out of place bit of interior trim (dash) is now a different colour.
There's another couple of interior trim changes (window switches? something else?)

Drive select remembers what mode you were in...but still doesn't remember to go in 'S' mode.

There's a few others, but most are cosmetic.

These are US changes, btw, thought I don't think they'll be different for the UK.

[DibblyDobbler]

jimmyjimjim said:

You get the crown differential from the RS5, electric steering instead on hydraulic, better MMI, bluetooth audio.

DSG changes are meant to be quicker in the 8.5.

The most out of place bit of interior trim (dash) is now a different colour.
There's another couple of interior trim changes (window switches? something else?)

Drive select remembers what mode you were in...but still doesn't remember to go in 'S' mode.

There's a few others, but most are cosmetic.

These are US changes, btw, thought I don't think they'll be different for the UK.

Cheers - I recall hearing somewhere that the 8.5 has a better exhaust note also ?

[jimmyjimjim]

I think it's largely down to the 'soundactor', with a little bit due to the DSG software changes making it more 'farty'.

All personal preference and opinion, but I like it.

[Scuffers]

jimmyjimjim said:

I think it's largely down to the 'soundactor', with a little bit due to the DSG software changes making it more 'farty'.

this ^^^^

[DibblyDobbler]

I'm up in Skye for a few days and the S4 has been awesome - practical, comfortable, mile muncher, enough power to blast past queues of traffic when required and still returned nearly 34 mpg over 200 miles on the way up

I'm trying a Golf R at the weekend but it's going to have to be fking amazing to get me out of my S4!

[scherzkeks]

DibblyDobbler said:

I'm up in Skye for a few days and the S4 has been awesome - practical, comfortable, mile muncher, enough power to blast past queues of traffic when required and still returned nearly 34 mpg over 200 miles on the way up

I'm trying a Golf R at the weekend but it's going to have to be fking amazing to get me out of my S4!

You may be surprised. I still prefer some aspects of my old 8P S3 Sportback's drive to my S4. The S4 is a BIG car, and not particularly chuckable.

[Scuffers]

scherzkeks said:

You may be surprised. I still prefer some aspects of my old 8P S3 Sportback's drive to my S4. The S4 is a BIG car, and not particularly chuckable.

well, they are no Caterham, but I don't think I would describe them as un-chuckable?

that said, they are not particularity fast once you start that style...

[scherzkeks]

Scuffers said:

well, they are no Caterham, but I don't think I would describe them as un-chuckable?

that said, they are not particularity fast once you start that style...

No, no. I wouldn't describe them as unchuckable either, but there is something to be said for the reduced size and weight of the Golf R/S3. I had a B6 A4, and really wish the B8 had stuck to similar proportions.

[DibblyDobbler]

DibblyDobbler said:

I'm trying a Golf R at the weekend but it's going to have to be fking amazing to get me out of my S4!

Well I'm just back from my test drive ...

... does anybody want to buy an S4 ?!

The Golf was great and I also really liked the DSG - fk me it felt fast! The throttle blip on the down changes had me giggling like a fool. Great fun

[jimmyjimjim]

Now try a DSG S4; it does the same thing

[Scuffers]

jimmyjimjim said:

Now try a DSG S4; it does the same thing

only better!

[DibblyDobbler]

Scuffers said:

jimmyjimjim said:

Now try a DSG S4; it does the same thing

only better!

Dammit I think you might be right! On reflection I may have got a *teeny* bit carried away yesterday and £30k+ for a four pot hatch is starting to seem rather a lot...

[Scuffers]

my only real experience of a golf is the R32 with DSG, and to be blunt, that nearly put me off DSG for life.

best description I can come up with is 'LurchMatic' as in to just try and crawl in a car park was just laughably bad, combined with it;s ability to take off from standstill in a nothing, nothing then Helloo! we'ere off even when just trying to drive sedately.

driven more than one, they all do exactly the same, yes, you could get the DSG flashed, and it would be OK for a week or so, then start back again...

the first S4 I drove was nothing like that, it just worked, to the point I never bothered using the paddles as it did a better job that I could.

don't get me wrong, I love a decent manual (our S5 is manual), but for everyday use, the S4's DSG just works.

[DibblyDobbler]

Look what you lot made me do! Picking it up a week on Sat

[jimmyjimjim]

Christ, you don't hang around!

I assume you tried and liked the DSG?

[DibblyDobbler]

jimmyjimjim said:

Christ, you don't hang around!

I assume you tried and liked the DSG?

Not quite - been thinking about it for ages! The only DSG I've tried was on the Golf R, liked it fine

[jimmyjimjim]

I saw; was reading the thread in its entirety.

So, what bits'n'bobs did you get?

[Dr G]

Ooooooh shiny

Yes, details! What goodies does it have?

[GetCarter]

Good work Mike.

S4 over a Golf all day long for me (but then lard arse Charlie dog has a say in it)

[DibblyDobbler]

Glad my choice has met with approval (on this thread - who'd have thought? )

Spec is as below (except I have asked them to swap the 19s from my current car for the standard 18s which I don't like)

It is finished in black with 18 inch s line double arm wheels, bi-xenon headlamps & front and rear park assist. The Interior is full black nappa leather, with the ever popular Super Sports Seats which are also heated, Tech Pack High which includes Navigation System, Bluetooth & Audi Music Interface For Ipod connectivity, It also has the greatest sound system introduced by audi, Bang And Olufsen

Heated seats!