B8 S4 Ownership

[nottyash]

They are about, I will keep my eyes peeled and when the right one comes up

[bungle]

Concluded that the factory nav is just crap, and really not worth having. We went to Hampstead at the weekend, and it took us on a really stupid route. Only a few weeks ago, we took the same journey in another car so just used the iphone's nav and it was a much more sensible route. So we used the iPhone on the way back - much better.

Stupid 4 digit postcode entry just compounds it - useless.

[Murph7355]

bungle said:

...
Stupid 4 digit postcode entry just compounds it - useless.

I know the gestation period for cars is lengthy, but this sort of thing really irritates me on cars newer than around 2006. Completely unnecessary.

[Adrian E]

What is particularly irritating is that the map data contains the full postcode info, but the firmware doesn't use it. Think related to the way German postcodes work so they don't see the point of the whole thing!

Ref the post above - do you have DVD or HDD nav and how out of date is it? Do you have it set to display route options that you choose from before setting off? It's not a default, but I have it set up on ours so you can choose direct/fastest or vaguely sensible if it's not the default choice

[bungle]

Adrian E said:

Ref the post above - do you have DVD or HDD nav and how out of date is it? Do you have it set to display route options that you choose from before setting off? It's not a default, but I have it set up on ours so you can choose direct/fastest or vaguely sensible if it's not the default choice

HDD. 2010.

No, doesn't display route options, maybe i need to look into it (though it goes against the man principles of reading the manual...). Trouble is I don't know what the "best" route is up front always, I just know that the nav took me on a (in hindsight) rubbish route vs what the iphone nav did.

[Adrian E]

2 or 3 firmware updates available, plus updated maps will help.

When you're in nav, it's under settings somewhere to select route.

If you're south east based I can help with updates

[bungle]

Adrian E said:

2 or 3 firmware updates available, plus updated maps will help.

When you're in nav, it's under settings somewhere to select route.

If you're south east based I can help with updates

Thanks. Still under extended warranty, so whenever I have (frequently!) been into the dealers for warranty stuff I've asked in the past re nav updates to be told there are none. Hhhhmmmm.....

Will look under settings then, and try to work it out.

Thanks, but I'm in the Midlands, so not really convenient, but appreciate the offer.

[mrdanbartlett]

Hi Chaps!

So....I had my car detailed on Sat, cirtus pre-soak, washed, fully clayed, machine polished and then waxed. Took the guy guy from 1030am until 6pm, car looks fantastic. It's still nearly a 6 year old car with 75k on it so still has the odd mark/scratch when you look close up, but overall it should be nicely protected now for 6 months - will just need a regular quick wash. Well worth doing with a black car as it's a nightmare to keep clean.

Shiny side....


Shiny bonnet


Shiny car


Went and took a few pics of the car after.....

[Adrian E]

bungle said:

Thanks. Still under extended warranty, so whenever I have (frequently!) been into the dealers for warranty stuff I've asked in the past re nav updates to be told there are none. Hhhhmmmm.....

Will look under settings then, and try to work it out.

Thanks, but I'm in the Midlands, so not really convenient, but appreciate the offer.

They release new map updates at least once a year (last year there were 2!)

Firmware updates (for pre-facelift cars only) can run up to 4, but only the earliest cars need the first. If you look under settings you will find version information for both firmware and nav database.

The 4 firmware updates are:

1. 0031
2. 0206
3. 0253
4. 0257

The current map database version is 6.20.4

If you can follow fairly simple instructions, ideally have access to VCDS, and have or buy a 32GB high speed SD card (sandisk ideally) then it's half a day in total to DIY it.

I won't post links here but if you wanted to have a play drop me a PM

[LocoBlade]

Has anyone "black edition'd" the exterior of their chrome laden S4? The chrome is about the only thing I'd like to change with mine so wondered what the best option might be? From a bit of a search replacing the bits outright is tricky and very expensive so it looks like getting the trim professionally wrapped might be the best option. I'm not sure the chrome grille slats with the recessed grooves in them could be wrapped properly or not though? If not, has anyone got a rough idea how much an OEM grille is from Audi and/or if there's any OEM quality aftermarket S4 grilles around that don't cost the earth?

[Easternlight]

Black edition grill for B8.5 on RS246 bargain £150
http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=11...

Or there's also a thread on a RS4 B8.5 bumper conversion that you can get from the states for the B8, not cheap though!

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=11...

Edited by Easternlight on Monday 3rd August 22:31

[Easternlight]

Meanwhile, I'm not having much luck getting standard rear springs, local motor factor's can't get them and main dealer says they're on back order and could be 2 weeks

Anyone got any standard avant springs they want to sell?

[LocoBlade]

Cheers for that, I'm thinking a replacement grille might be the way to go rather than wrapping it so will ping him an email once I get my account set up there. Now how to get it past the missus having drained the bank account to buy the car last week

[LocoBlade]

Thats a bit rubbish isn't it. Don't suppose it's worth speaking to someone like Faulker Springs who make springs to length / springrate? If you can't find the specs I believe they can test an existing spring and replicate it, wouldn't surprise me if they were cheaper than replacements from Audi!

Easternlight said:

Meanwhile, I'm not having much luck getting standard rear springs, local motor factor's can't get them and main dealer says they're on back order and could be 2 weeks

Anyone got any standard avant springs they want to sell?

[Dr G]

Easternlight said:

Meanwhile, I'm not having much luck getting standard rear springs, local motor factor's can't get them and main dealer says they're on back order and could be 2 weeks

Anyone got any standard avant springs they want to sell?

Phone your local TPS directly; they will deal with the public and can search nationally to see if another branch or dealer has stock.

[Hol]

What replacement tyres are people fitting to their 19in rims?

I want to swap my original ones off and store them in the garage loft, until I am ready to hand the car back, so I can do so with the OE spec rubber.

That way Im hoping to get the benefit of decent rubber for the remaining miles.

Ive always been a Goodyear f1 fan, but what works on one manufacturers AWD drivetrain, might not work for another.

Car is 8.5 Black Edition.

[Adrian E]

Hol said:

What replacement tyres are people fitting to their 19in rims?

I want to swap my original ones off and store them in the garage loft, until I am ready to hand the car back, so I can do so with the OE spec rubber.

That way Im hoping to get the benefit of decent rubber for the remaining miles.

Ive always been a Goodyear f1 fan, but what works on one manufacturers AWD drivetrain, might not work for another.

Car is 8.5 Black Edition.

Is it on lease/required to come back on the OEM tyres?

I'm loving Michelin Super Sports, although supply can be an issue. Worth the extra over Pilot Sports.

Goodyear haven't worked out well on Audis for me - cars are generally a bit too nose heavy and they scrub the sidewalls off quite quickly if you do much town driving. Same with Conti SC5.

The Dunlops are a pretty decent middle ground option, but if that's what it was delivered on you might as well run them and just swap like for like as required

[Hol]

Adrian E said:

Is it on lease/required to come back on the OEM tyres?

I'm loving Michelin Super Sports, although supply can be an issue. Worth the extra over Pilot Sports.

Goodyear haven't worked out well on Audis for me - cars are generally a bit too nose heavy and they scrub the sidewalls off quite quickly if you do much town driving. Same with Conti SC5.

The Dunlops are a pretty decent middle ground option, but if that's what it was delivered on you might as well run them and just swap like for like as required

No I own it, but I have no intention of paying the final balance after the three years, so putting half-worn OE tyres back on is to keep the list of potential remediation issues low.

I have never really found the original tyres that good, as they loose grip too easily when pushed.

[LocoBlade]

Is there a difference in the grille for cars with/without front parking sensors? I don't see anything that might mount any parking sensors on this one (which mine has).

Easternlight said:

Black edition grill for B8.5 on RS246 bargain £150
http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=11...

[Easternlight]

Dr G said:

Phone your local TPS directly; they will deal with the public and can search nationally to see if another branch or dealer has stock.

Thanks Dr G, Still no UK stock but I've ordered from them as they are cheaper than Audi