Audi B9 S4 Avant replacement
Discussion
Hi everyone hoping for some suggestions and advice please
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 2017 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but would prefer more variety between the two cars.
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Ditto and boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain.
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the Porsche. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 2017 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but would prefer more variety between the two cars.
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Ditto and boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain.
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the Porsche. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Diesel SQ7 was built up to 2020 so falls in age and budget range; goes like stink but will do 45MPG on motorway.
I know you've already touched on the point, and I mostly agree in that I think you'd struggle with a "cooking" V6 diesel, but there's little point in duplicating the performance you already have. I'm not sure how much enjoyment all the extra money will actually provide. Diesel SQ7 behaves just like a boring one during daily duties, but without the disgusting thirst of the later petrol car. Low 20s MPG can become tiresome when all of your mileage is just tootling around on family duties.
C7 RS6 probably less trouble than C8, but finding good C7s today is really tricky. You're dead on re. B9 RS4, too similar to what you have.
Also: sell me the S4 if you do change (seriously).
I know you've already touched on the point, and I mostly agree in that I think you'd struggle with a "cooking" V6 diesel, but there's little point in duplicating the performance you already have. I'm not sure how much enjoyment all the extra money will actually provide. Diesel SQ7 behaves just like a boring one during daily duties, but without the disgusting thirst of the later petrol car. Low 20s MPG can become tiresome when all of your mileage is just tootling around on family duties.
C7 RS6 probably less trouble than C8, but finding good C7s today is really tricky. You're dead on re. B9 RS4, too similar to what you have.
Also: sell me the S4 if you do change (seriously).
If you went silly and bought an RS6 it may end up feeling like a lot of money for something you already have in another car, and aren't able to use in family driving. Something lesser (but still nice) would give you ample performance for a "normal" car but not frustrate on costs.
Getting a 5k+ maintenance bill on an M5/E63/RS6 that just goes to Sainsburys and the tip is a bitter pill.
Getting a 5k+ maintenance bill on an M5/E63/RS6 that just goes to Sainsburys and the tip is a bitter pill.
If you both like the S4, go for the RS4?
The B9 is done & the petrol S4 was done in 2019, but the B9 RS4 Avant remained available until very recently & very fresh approved used are available.
What's not to like, it has everything you like with more horses, a slightly nicer interior, MMI touchscreen, flared arches.
The B9 is done & the petrol S4 was done in 2019, but the B9 RS4 Avant remained available until very recently & very fresh approved used are available.
What's not to like, it has everything you like with more horses, a slightly nicer interior, MMI touchscreen, flared arches.
Completely leftfield choice, but if you're after something spacious and with a degree of performance, you've got the Skoda Octavia vRS and Superb 280. Both will probably be more practical than most on your list. Granted, practicality isn't very exciting. For context, we had a B7 A4 and in terms of practicality/family life couldn't do half what the same age Octavia could do.
Novexx said:
If you both like the S4, go for the RS4?
The B9 is done & the petrol S4 was done in 2019, but the B9 RS4 Avant remained available until very recently & very fresh approved used are available.
What's not to like, it has everything you like with more horses, a slightly nicer interior, MMI touchscreen, flared arches.
Thanks it’s something I’ve considered many times and do love them. The problems are that for obvious reasons it looks so similar inside and out I don’t think it would feel like enough of a change. Time to get one would have been when I got the S4 but it was out of budget then. Second the lack of extra boot space and not wanting to suffer the cost of changing again within a year or so.The B9 is done & the petrol S4 was done in 2019, but the B9 RS4 Avant remained available until very recently & very fresh approved used are available.
What's not to like, it has everything you like with more horses, a slightly nicer interior, MMI touchscreen, flared arches.
Hi everyone hoping for some suggestions and advice please
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 991.2 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but wonder if I should have more variety between the two cars?
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Cool but boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain.
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the 911. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 991.2 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but wonder if I should have more variety between the two cars?
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Cool but boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain.
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the 911. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Hi everyone hoping for some suggestions and advice please
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 2017 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but would prefer more variety between the two cars.
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Ditto and boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain?
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the Porsche. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 2017 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but would prefer more variety between the two cars.
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Ditto and boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain?
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the Porsche. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Hi everyone hoping for some suggestions and advice please
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 2017 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but would prefer more variety between the two cars.
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Ditto and boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain.
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the Porsche. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Owned a 2017 S4 Avant since 2020. Put about 48k miles on it over the last 5 years and it has been generally very reliable but have recently been a bit unlucky with some pretty expensive items needing replacing (such as ABS control unit). I'm a petrolhead and this has prompted me to consider if it's worth upgrading. I'm a bit conflicted because my wife and I both still really like the car and it's the ideal size for a practical car living in Central London. I also think it's great VFM and arguably represents peak compact performance-lite estate car with a strong v6, handsome, not too heavy with no hybrid system and still relatively smart and modern inside without infuriating bongs and lane change nonsense to have to switch off every time you get in. Given that we wouldn't replace it with a new car and that even something newish under warranty would only cover more serious things going wrong there is a very strong argument to keep it but the seed has been planted now so if we do decide to change it...
For context we also have a 2017 Carrera S and a growing family. So part of me thinks that if we change the S4 it makes sense to get something larger so we don't have to change again in short order if another child comes along. And that the Porsche is there for more fun trips so perhaps the family car should be towards the more solid and safe end of the spectrum but I'm sure if we go too safe we would get bored.
Few ideas i've had so far with some thoughts. All 2020/21 onwards. Would like to spend up to £55k but would have to make an exception for an RS6 for example as decent ones appear to start on the low 70s. I should also say I haven't driven any of these which is obviously a hugely important step before making a decision but i'm not quite there yet:
Porsche Cayenne/S/GTS/Turbo. Excellent car no doubt but would prefer more variety between the two cars.
Porsche Panamera SportTurismo. Ditto and boot too small.
Audi RS4. Obviously exactly the same size and basically identical interior. So might not feel different enough in day to day driving and no bigger.
Audi RS6. Always liked them and ticks all the boxes apart from being much more expensive than I would like. Huge target for theft in London which puts me off and £££ to insure. Neighbour had the previous gen which I really like too but too dated now and would be worried about it going wrong.
Audi SQ7. Really like the image and the engine but too big? (SQ8 same footprint and like the image a bit less than SQ7)
Land Rover/Range Rover. Very challenging to insure in London. All a bit too heavy and wafty?
BMW M3 Touring. Like them but can't neighbour has one! Wife hates the look and image. Same size or even a bit smaller than S4 rules it out anyway.
BMW X5. Interesting one. Along with the Cayenne considered to be the best driving SUV, a fantastic all-rounder and supremely comfortable. Would consider both the M50i and the 40d as we do a reasonable mileage. Clearly going from estate to SUV is a very different drive.
Merc-AMG E63 estate. Like them but believe the ride is silly firm and extremely expensive to service/maintain.
Merc-AMG C63 estate. Similar to the M3T and RS4 no bigger than S4 so ruled out.
Jaguar F Pace SVR. Intrigued. Had a F Type R previously with the same engine which was great but a depreciation disaster.
Very interested to get anyone else's thoughts and ideas - very open minded!
Few final considerations. Wife doesn't like being driven quickly and most of my solo driving is in the Porsche. So I do question the justification for a high performance family car when I could get something newer and cheaper and save/invest the surplus. However you only live once and for a few thousand a year in the scheme of things to get a thrill just getting into something special definitely has a value.
Thanks very much in advance.
Natural step up from an S4 would be an S6 - except since 2018 they're all diesels 
The other premium big estate contender would be a Volvo V90, or ubiquitous XC60/XC90 if you go they SUV route. PHEV's now, if that's an issue.
BTW, posting identical content in multiple categories is defintely frowned on.... Mods can hopefully merge these.
The other premium big estate contender would be a Volvo V90, or ubiquitous XC60/XC90 if you go they SUV route. PHEV's now, if that's an issue.
BTW, posting identical content in multiple categories is defintely frowned on.... Mods can hopefully merge these.
Edited by silentbrown on Sunday 21st December 23:06
Will comment on the C63 and E63 as I’ve owned both in ‘S’ trim and own the latter currently (albeit in saloon form for both).
The W205 C63 is on conventional springs and dampers and is very very stiff, even in ‘Comfort mode’, let alone any of the sportier settings’. That said, I loved mine (2017 PFL car) because of the noise and theatre of an AMG V8 (Pre-facelift cars sound incredible).
The W213 E63 is a different proposition, compared to the C class it feels like a much better put together car, significantly faster everywhere and has a much more compliant ride, mainly because it’s on air bags all round.
I personally would try one before you dismiss it, it is probably the best all round performance car I’ve ever owned.
Happy to answer questions about either.
Love Audis myself, had 3 and nearly made it 4 when I almost stepped into a MY20 RS5 a couple of years back, glad I didn’t now - beautiful to look at, inside and out, went well but just didn’t have that special ‘something’.
Simon
The W205 C63 is on conventional springs and dampers and is very very stiff, even in ‘Comfort mode’, let alone any of the sportier settings’. That said, I loved mine (2017 PFL car) because of the noise and theatre of an AMG V8 (Pre-facelift cars sound incredible).
The W213 E63 is a different proposition, compared to the C class it feels like a much better put together car, significantly faster everywhere and has a much more compliant ride, mainly because it’s on air bags all round.
I personally would try one before you dismiss it, it is probably the best all round performance car I’ve ever owned.
Happy to answer questions about either.
Love Audis myself, had 3 and nearly made it 4 when I almost stepped into a MY20 RS5 a couple of years back, glad I didn’t now - beautiful to look at, inside and out, went well but just didn’t have that special ‘something’.
Simon
I’ve test driven a couple of F Pace SVRs and they’re an absolute blast. Noise and pickup is incredible and they seem to handle well for an SUV as well. Do try and get a go in one.
Panamera is awesome, really liked the hybrid ST I drove, way better than the Macan I tried back to back - which is exactly as the salesman said.
2018/19 Cayenne was very good but they’re silly money and all the Porsches seem to be a bit needy and expensive to fix.
X5 is a lardarse but it’s very comfy with the right spec.
E63 estate would be my pick I think. Estate, 4wd, quick, under the radar (unlike the M3) and they seem reliable.
Panamera is awesome, really liked the hybrid ST I drove, way better than the Macan I tried back to back - which is exactly as the salesman said.
2018/19 Cayenne was very good but they’re silly money and all the Porsches seem to be a bit needy and expensive to fix.
X5 is a lardarse but it’s very comfy with the right spec.
E63 estate would be my pick I think. Estate, 4wd, quick, under the radar (unlike the M3) and they seem reliable.
I would be choosing the E63 or SVR from your list.
A colleague of mine has the SVR and he loves it and has had no issues at all. It does sound fantastic!
Personally I do love a Merc V8 and the E63 really would be all the car you would ever need.
The Merc would just get the nod if I were choosing but either I think would be an excellent choice!
A colleague of mine has the SVR and he loves it and has had no issues at all. It does sound fantastic!
Personally I do love a Merc V8 and the E63 really would be all the car you would ever need.
The Merc would just get the nod if I were choosing but either I think would be an excellent choice!
Thanks everyone and sorry for any offence caused by the copied posts. Not a regular poster and didn’t know how to access all the different audiences.
Will definitely try both E63S estate and F pace SVR. For some reason the Alfa doesn’t do it for me even though it ticks a lot of boxes. Had a look in a 340d touring and it’s too small/ no bigger than the S4.
Will definitely try both E63S estate and F pace SVR. For some reason the Alfa doesn’t do it for me even though it ticks a lot of boxes. Had a look in a 340d touring and it’s too small/ no bigger than the S4.
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