Audi S4 or C63 estate?
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Discussion

Fat hippo

Original Poster:

741 posts

163 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Due to recent arrival of baby hippo #2, the existing famy car, an e90 325, is proving to be a bit on the small side.

It doesn't help that i find it quite boring to drive, gutless and a little uninspiring.

Initially I was toying with the idea of buying something interesting for about 15k but now i'm tempted by an early C63 estate for around 25k. This seems ideal on paper given that it has a decent sized boot and is an auto (both requirements of miss hippo) although the fuel would concern me a little i'd probably be more concerned with bork factor.

With this in mind, I notices that I could get a new S4 through a broker in residual suicide spec for around 34k or around 40k with the options i'd want.

The thought of a new car appeals to me although not sure i would want to spend 40k. The base spec car will probably be difficult to sell later but I would have to view the car as a workhorse and run it to the ground.

My heart wants the v8 but I worry I may get bored of visiting my local petrol station.

A test drive can reveal only so much although not arranged this yet. Has anyone owned both or considered both and what would the PH fraternity recommend?

BTW either car would be bought outright. Not interested in lease deals and due to the cost I would be looking to keep for the longer term to get my money's worth out of it

g7jhp

7,034 posts

267 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Why not get an Audi RS4 (B7) - it'll depreciate less and you can use the savings on the £40k cars to run it?

Fat hippo

Original Poster:

741 posts

163 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
True, but the mrs wants an auto

greggy50

6,279 posts

220 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Not sure why you would buy a new S4 when can get a decent one for around £20k now used if already considering a used C63

If is a daily and worried about MPG they do make sense and for around £2k you can get about 500hp out of them as well with stage 2 mods!

Fat hippo

Original Poster:

741 posts

163 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
How reliable is the s4? It seems the c63 appears to have a good reliability record but dont hear much of the B8 S4.

I know I could get a used s4 for 20-25k but it kind of makes sense to spend a bit more and get one new at the prices the brokers are quoting, albeit base spec.

Has anyone driven them back to back?
I've seen the Chris Harris video against the RS4 and it puts put a good performance and the economy will no doubt be better than the c63

Mr Daytona

221 posts

145 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
In typical PH fashion I'll suggest something completely different to the OPs suggestion - have you thought about something like a Cayenne Turbo or a supercharged FFRR/Sport ?

Should imagine both have 500bhp or so, so won't be short of pace and will certainly be more commodious than either an A4 Audi or a C class Mercedes. Suspect you'd have to have shares in an oil company though to run either of them.

irish boy

3,913 posts

265 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Don't test drive the c63, you'll buy it on noise alone.

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

277 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Get the amg merc, they make a nice noise as they rip past.

Frio3535

612 posts

164 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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Is a C63/S4 really going to do anything much better then a C5 RS6?
Also M5 V10 touring..

Patrick Bateman

13,176 posts

203 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Frio3535 said:
Is a C63/S4 really going to do anything much better then a C5 RS6?
Also M5 V10 touring..
More fun I'd wager.

Fat hippo

Original Poster:

741 posts

163 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the responses so far.

I'd forgotten about the m5 touring and that v10 does appeal in a similar way to the c63's v8.
I've not got the most confidence in the engine and gearbox having had vanos issues on a previous m3.

I've dismissed the rs6 on grounds of lack pf driver involvement. The porsche cayenne is interesting. Ideally i'd like the new shape car bit that would be put of budget.

Maybe I need to take a c63 and m5 out for back to back test drives.

Has anyone owned pr driven both of these and if so what were your thoughts?