B8 S4 Ownership

[GetCarter]

Hol said:

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

+1

Though I now quite like flappy paddles

[Sketchface]

Manual would be fun but in a 4 hour daily commute with regular stop-start, DSG is is the only way.

Plus manual gives me body odour.

[Adrian E]

Scuffers said:

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.

Good points CO2 and therefore total fuel used in actual use rather than on the test will be higher with the manual as it's using more revs for a given road speed. Also the auto does indeed love to slip through the gears to 7th ASAP which will help in urban use.

I look forward to finding out how much more economical our S5 Sportback is compared to our 2004 A6 quattro sport tip auto when we pick it up next week

[lemonslap]

Did some VCDS coding today, Oil temp display, Battery level, mirror tilt on reverse, ambient lighting control and alarm beep when vehicle is locked and unlocked.

I also checked for timing chain stretch via the camshaft adjustment and glad to report it is at 0.

[Adrian E]

lemonslap said:

Did some VCDS coding today, Oil temp display, Battery level, mirror tilt on reverse, ambient lighting control and alarm beep when vehicle is locked and unlocked.

I also checked for timing chain stretch via the camshaft adjustment and glad to report it is at 0.

Like the idea of oil temp display - is this an option in coding that'll display it in the MMI somewhere?

I have VCDS and coded RNS-E stuff so know my way around it fairly well

[lemonslap]

Adrian E said:

lemonslap said:

Did some VCDS coding today, Oil temp display, Battery level, mirror tilt on reverse, ambient lighting control and alarm beep when vehicle is locked and unlocked.

I also checked for timing chain stretch via the camshaft adjustment and glad to report it is at 0.

Like the idea of oil temp display - is this an option in coding that'll display it in the MMI somewhere?

I have VCDS and coded RNS-E stuff so know my way around it fairly well

[17 - Instruments] [Coding - 07] -> Long Coding Helper -> Byte 1
Bit 3 - Check the box for "Lap Timer active"

It comes with the lap timer activation.

[evilscooby]

Incase anyone missed this Stage2+ remap offer
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Hol]

lemonslap said:

Adrian E said:

lemonslap said:

Did some VCDS coding today, Oil temp display, Battery level, mirror tilt on reverse, ambient lighting control and alarm beep when vehicle is locked and unlocked.

I also checked for timing chain stretch via the camshaft adjustment and glad to report it is at 0.

Like the idea of oil temp display - is this an option in coding that'll display it in the MMI somewhere?

I have VCDS and coded RNS-E stuff so know my way around it fairly well

[17 - Instruments] [Coding - 07] -> Long Coding Helper -> Byte 1
Bit 3 - Check the box for "Lap Timer active"

It comes with the lap timer activation.

Where did you get the kit to do that?

[lemonslap]

Hol said:

Where did you get the kit to do that?

VCDS: http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html

Also added at the weekend, Audi Drive Select and alarm beep on locking and unlocking.

[Hol]

lemonslap said:

Hol said:

Where did you get the kit to do that?

VCDS: http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html

Also added at the weekend, Audi Drive Select and alarm beep on locking and unlocking.

Cheap for what it is, but id want to do at least 4 x changes to justify it.

What can be done to a 2014 car over factory settings?

[Adrian E]

This is for the A/S5 but will be pretty much the same for the '4 too

Lists what you have the option to fiddle with (noting strongly the advice to make notes or take screen shots as you go in case it goes horribly wrong!) - you also need to understand how the bits and bytes appear in the VCDS screen (bytes are counted from the right incl 0 for the 1st number)

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/audi-a5-s5-tech/28600-c...

VCDS does enable you to investigate warning lights, poor running etc without resorting to a diagnostic at the dealer, so consider the cost of plugging it in at the dealer to find out the fault, versus looking it up yourself and discussing with a garage based on what you've found

[lemonslap]

Hol said:

Cheap for what it is, but id want to do at least 4 x changes to justify it.

What can be done to a 2014 car over factory settings?

I didn't buy it just for that though, I have started servicing the S4 myself so resetting the inspection interval and replacing the rear brake pads need this tool. I also wanted to check for timing chain stretch before the warranty ended.

[liffy99]

My beep has gone. Used to beep when I locked / unlocked the car. Now the central locking works fine, but no beep. Still have the flashing LEDs inside the doors. I've not changed anything . . . . What gives ?

[GetCarter]

liffy99 said:

My beep has gone. Used to beep when I locked / unlocked the car. Now the central locking works fine, but no beep. Still have the flashing LEDs inside the doors. I've not changed anything . . . . What gives ?

You can have my beep if you like, I don't want it.

[toerag]

I never had a beep

[harry Hasser]

Hi Guys , sorry if this has been covered elsewhere but any suggestions for replacement tyres for my 2013 S4 Avant (Estoril Blue, non black pack for those that want to know !) , currently on factory supplied Bridgstones, coming up to 12k miles and ready for some new rubber
Considering a switch to Goodyear F1 , any views / experience ?
thanks

[Scuffers]

12K? blimey!

personally, went for Kuhmo ECSTA LE SPORT KU39.

better grip, less tramlining, and miles better wet performance.

not sure what their life will be, done ~8K so far and they look like they will make that again (although I made the Bridgestones last ~18K).

[GetCarter]

Scuffers said:

12K? blimey!.

I got just over 8k

[troc]

I'm still on the original Bridgestones after 22k miles but that does include swapping to winter wheels which probably accounts for 5k or so.
I think there's around 3mm left all-round.

I drive fairly forcefully, so I'm astounded at what people must be doing to get 12 or even 8k!

[GetCarter]

troc said:

I'm still on the original Bridgestones after 22k miles but that does include swapping to winter wheels which probably accounts for 5k or so.
I think there's around 3mm left all-round.

I drive fairly forcefully, so I'm astounded at what people must be doing to get 12 or even 8k!

I think it's long high speed runs that kills them. They are sometimes almost too hot to touch. (Apart from track, I never had that down south). I'm not talking motorway speeds BTW.