B8 S4 Ownership

[JNW1]

Hom said:

I had a 335i (N55) a while back and unfortunately the S4 was nowhere near it in terms of mpg. Regularly saw 30+ on the 335i but as mentioned could only achieve that in the S4 on a run - they are terrible on short journeys on fuel.

You don't buy cars like the S4 for fuel consumption but the 335i does seem to hold an advantage in that respect; it's probably not quite as quick as the S4 though!

[jimmyjimjim]

gizlaroc said:

335i on normal tyres rides slightly better then either option on the S4. I found the active dampers a bit crashy, but was told the regular set up is a bit more compliant, any S4 owners care to comment?

Not sure I'd agree.

Comparing to the test drives I took in a regular suspension car, the Adaptive Damping suspension in comfort mode is definitely softer than the regular suspension, conversely it's firmer than regular in dynamic mode.

However, on the crappy roads here I can only really tell the difference for certain over bumps at low speeds; both modes are fairly firm and there's not a huge amount of difference between them.

I suspect that it's a lot more to do with tire choice; I'm running the stock 18's as I wanted all season tires and didn't like the 19 inch alternatives.

[lemonslap]

JNW1 said:

I think the combined figure (33.6mpg) is the same as that claimed for S4’s from around 2011 onwards

The later models have revised gearing so lower revs at motorway speed. 80mph = 3,000rpm in my 2010 manual.

[Scuffers]

JNW1 said:

Hom said:

I had a 335i (N55) a while back and unfortunately the S4 was nowhere near it in terms of mpg. Regularly saw 30+ on the 335i but as mentioned could only achieve that in the S4 on a run - they are terrible on short journeys on fuel.

You don't buy cars like the S4 for fuel consumption but the 335i does seem to hold an advantage in that respect; it's probably not quite as quick as the S4 though!

not tried a Manual S4, but the S-Tronic's I have had average ~29Mpg overall

it;s commuting that kills it (as with just about any car), if your not in stop/start traffic, it's easy to be the upside of 30.

for comparison, we have an S5 V8 manual, and the equivalent figure is more like 25, but it's hit even harder in traffic.

[MattS3]

Any update on the rattling timing chains affecting the earlier cars? Anyone had any experience?

[Monkey_boy]

MattS3 said:

Any update on the rattling timing chains affecting the earlier cars? Anyone had any experience?

you'd hope this was fixed for the B8 and there was a large problem with this issue on the B6's with the nylon runners chain runners causing problems around 100k miles.

[lemonslap]

MattS3 said:

Any update on the rattling timing chains affecting the earlier cars? Anyone had any experience?

Mine is still rattling, as it's warm in the morning now only for a spilt second, audi have said it is within the test parameters so no fault.

I have changed the oil to Millers Nanotech 5w-40 and performed two oil changes within 100miles to flush it but no improvement.

[MattS3]

Monkey_boy said:

you'd hope this was fixed for the B8 and there was a large problem with this issue on the B6's with the nylon runners chain runners causing problems around 100k miles.

Yep, the thought of having them go on my old B6 was what finally made me sell it after 7 years.
Always fancied a B8, but the latest chain issues have kind of scared me off them, so much so I bought an S3 in the end and re-mapped it.

[FUBAR]

The suspension compliance was the deciding factor for me after test driving the S4 and a 335i (M Sport if that makes any difference?).....I found the BMW to be harsh.

[gizlaroc]

On run flats the M-Sport is nasty, on proper tyres it is something else though.

[bungle]

Scuffers said:

if your not in stop/start traffic, it's easy to be the upside of 30.

Really, on a B8 S4? Did about 220 miles today, mainly motorway, and only got about 27. (2010 manual avant)

[GetCarter]

bungle said:

Scuffers said:

if your not in stop/start traffic, it's easy to be the upside of 30.

Really, on a B8 S4? Did about 220 miles today, mainly motorway, and only got about 27. (2010 manual avant)

I too get nowhere near that. (And there is zero start stop here). There are however mostly empty roads, which are equally fuel consuming.

[DibblyDobbler]

Toddled back up the A1 in my 135i the other day and clocked up an easy 42mpg

[toerag]

DibblyDobbler said:

Toddled back up the A1 in my 135i the other day and clocked up an easy 42mpg

and sat in a BMW to do it...you cant have it all.

[Hol]

I only get 20mpg from my Proton on a good run so the S4 is positively frugal.

[Scuffers]

GetCarter said:

bungle said:

Scuffers said:

if your not in stop/start traffic, it's easy to be the upside of 30.

Really, on a B8 S4? Did about 220 miles today, mainly motorway, and only got about 27. (2010 manual avant)

I too get nowhere near that. (And there is zero start stop here). There are however mostly empty roads, which are equally fuel consuming.

How do you lot driving?

Did 200 miles today in the s5, 27.2 average (V8)

Overall average for the s4 from new is currently 29.3, and they're not driven like a granny...

[GetCarter]

Scuffers said:

How do you lot driving?

Did 200 miles today in the s5, 27.2 average (V8)

Overall average for the s4 from new is currently 29.3, and they're not driven like a granny...

For me it's not how I drive, but where I drive. I used to live 6 months in the Cotswolds and 6 months here (NW Highlands), and I got about 30% more mpg down south. I'm not sure if you know this area, but much of the time it's impossible to get out of third gear (see pic 1), and the rest of the time it's impossible … well I'll let you figure that bit out (see pic 2).

[Adrian E]

bungle said:

Really, on a B8 S4? Did about 220 miles today, mainly motorway, and only got about 27. (2010 manual avant)

Manual box makes a chunky difference, hence why Audi have dropped it for now as it won't sit under the CO2 limit for top bracket tax either.

With a supercharged engine, revs are key to economy as the faster the supercharger is spinning the more fuel it guzzles, even if you're not using it to produce maximum power.

[Scuffers]

Adrian E said:

Manual box makes a chunky difference, hence why Audi have dropped it for now as it won't sit under the CO2 limit for top bracket tax either.

Yes and no, difference in co2 figures is because of the way the test is run, with a manual box, change pointer defined the test, autos (obviously) do their own thing.

Adrian E said:

With a supercharged engine, revs are key to economy as the faster the supercharger is spinning the more fuel it guzzles, even if you're not using it to produce maximum power.

Not so.

Fuel used down to airflow though the engine, off boost, the SC is just free wheeling, yes, this does add some parasitic losses, but pretty trivial stuff.

[Hol]

I would have happily paid the extra tax for a manual.