S4 cab as daily driver - madness?
Discussion
This week, I'm coveting S4 cabs!
I'm driving 75 miles per day over Cat n Fiddle routes so looking to get a 4wd and a 'vert to be suitable for a Euro jaunt for friends wedding next year.
I'm yet to scratch the V8 itch so am very keen on that, however the I want to understand how they would stand up to daily duties taking into account fuel (obviously) and consumables. Seen a few with 60-80k ranging from 7k-10k.
Currently running a CLK 320 which is giving me ~24-26mpg on the same route, with about 320 miles from a 60 odd litre tank. What range could I expect from a S4?
Other option would be a later 3.2 V6 but it seems to be missing 2 cyl
Appreciate any advice / thoughts
I'm driving 75 miles per day over Cat n Fiddle routes so looking to get a 4wd and a 'vert to be suitable for a Euro jaunt for friends wedding next year.
I'm yet to scratch the V8 itch so am very keen on that, however the I want to understand how they would stand up to daily duties taking into account fuel (obviously) and consumables. Seen a few with 60-80k ranging from 7k-10k.
Currently running a CLK 320 which is giving me ~24-26mpg on the same route, with about 320 miles from a 60 odd litre tank. What range could I expect from a S4?
Other option would be a later 3.2 V6 but it seems to be missing 2 cyl
Appreciate any advice / thoughts
The manual is geared very, very poorly for MPG.
My S4 avant used to return between 14 and 22mpg, long term average of around 17mpg. Sat at 80mph it was doing something like 3500rpm and 18mpg.
The auto is much, much better, sat at 80mph it was showing 26mpg.
I know someone who went from a 2004 auto saloon to a 2005 manual avant and he agreed, terrible set up, he used to average 24 from his saloon and then saw 18 from the manual avant, he soon swapped it for an auto avant and was back at 24 average.
Also, the gearing made it a real chore to drive, most owners said 'just use 2nd, 4th and 6th', eh?!what a crock of s
t!
Audi did it to get the 0-60 under 6 seconds I guess, but it ruined the car.
Don't expect it to handle like your Merc either, I thought they were all kidding when they said the engine is in front of the front axle, they weren't, it understeered like a wrong 'un!! I put decent rear anti roll bars on and it then was no longer dangerous, but still laughable.
I never really saw the advantage of the 'quattro' as you never got the speed up enough in any corners
Having said all that, I would have another one, but would have to be and auto and I now what to expect from it, so wouldn't be disappointed with the handling. But do try before you buy. .
My S4 avant used to return between 14 and 22mpg, long term average of around 17mpg. Sat at 80mph it was doing something like 3500rpm and 18mpg.
The auto is much, much better, sat at 80mph it was showing 26mpg.
I know someone who went from a 2004 auto saloon to a 2005 manual avant and he agreed, terrible set up, he used to average 24 from his saloon and then saw 18 from the manual avant, he soon swapped it for an auto avant and was back at 24 average.
Also, the gearing made it a real chore to drive, most owners said 'just use 2nd, 4th and 6th', eh?!what a crock of s
t! Audi did it to get the 0-60 under 6 seconds I guess, but it ruined the car.
Don't expect it to handle like your Merc either, I thought they were all kidding when they said the engine is in front of the front axle, they weren't, it understeered like a wrong 'un!! I put decent rear anti roll bars on and it then was no longer dangerous, but still laughable.
I never really saw the advantage of the 'quattro' as you never got the speed up enough in any corners
Having said all that, I would have another one, but would have to be and auto and I now what to expect from it, so wouldn't be disappointed with the handling. But do try before you buy. .
I've just bought one and had it a couple of weeks, I'm using it as my daily driver but my commute for the whole week is 100 miles in total, then a bit of use over the weekend - maybe around 50 miles so far on average.
It seems like I'm going to be putting around £40 a week in which is fine, although I have come from a TDI golf which would run on £20 for the best part of two weeks!
Your commute is obviously a lot longer, buy an auto and take it steady on A roads and it wont be too bad, anything else and it will be substantially worse than your current car.
First impressions are that I love it, although I would say it feels a bit grown up for me. Lovely cruising around with the top down, nice and refined driving to work with the hood up, stick it in sport mode and it goes nicely. I thought I'd be using the paddles but I haven't bothered once.
The steering does feel quite heavy, as does the whole car really. Its not something you can really fling around.
It seems like I'm going to be putting around £40 a week in which is fine, although I have come from a TDI golf which would run on £20 for the best part of two weeks!
Your commute is obviously a lot longer, buy an auto and take it steady on A roads and it wont be too bad, anything else and it will be substantially worse than your current car.
First impressions are that I love it, although I would say it feels a bit grown up for me. Lovely cruising around with the top down, nice and refined driving to work with the hood up, stick it in sport mode and it goes nicely. I thought I'd be using the paddles but I haven't bothered once.
The steering does feel quite heavy, as does the whole car really. Its not something you can really fling around.
Hi I bought a B6 S4 cabriolet in February of this year so been running it for approx 6 months or so.
My commute is just short of 20 miles per day (12/14 miles on a motorway) the rest a combination of small dual carriageways and 30mph roads.
so far I am getting approximately 20 - 25 mpg although I do not pay to much attention as the V8 is somewhat thirsty
That being said I have the tiptronic version with the paddles and whilst driving it in auto / sport is quite simple I do like to take advantage of the paddles
and tiptronic box. The +/- on the gear stick is quite nice to use as I find it gives a nice balance between auto / manual. I have found this useful as have always had manual cars.
The car is quite heavy to drive and throw around but the Quattro system does allow better grip when pushing the car. Compared to my last car E39 M5 I find the handling better due to the 4WD but the fun factor less, unless of course you disable the traction control.
Car is a breeze to drive normally with both the roof up or down - road noise etc is good with the roof on and not far different from a normal car in my opinion.
The roof again is a simple process one button up or down takes approx. 30 seconds from open - closed or vice versa.
I don't think you would be disappointed with a purchase of one are you looking for a B6/7/8 ???
My commute is just short of 20 miles per day (12/14 miles on a motorway) the rest a combination of small dual carriageways and 30mph roads.
so far I am getting approximately 20 - 25 mpg although I do not pay to much attention as the V8 is somewhat thirsty
That being said I have the tiptronic version with the paddles and whilst driving it in auto / sport is quite simple I do like to take advantage of the paddles
and tiptronic box. The +/- on the gear stick is quite nice to use as I find it gives a nice balance between auto / manual. I have found this useful as have always had manual cars.
The car is quite heavy to drive and throw around but the Quattro system does allow better grip when pushing the car. Compared to my last car E39 M5 I find the handling better due to the 4WD but the fun factor less, unless of course you disable the traction control.
Car is a breeze to drive normally with both the roof up or down - road noise etc is good with the roof on and not far different from a normal car in my opinion.
The roof again is a simple process one button up or down takes approx. 30 seconds from open - closed or vice versa.
I don't think you would be disappointed with a purchase of one are you looking for a B6/7/8 ???
I've had my manual B7 Avant for 5+ years and really enjoy it, if you can cope with the running costs then it is a very good cruiser, as said not the sharpest tool in the box but just ticks so many boxes for me.
I like the subtlety of it all, nothing too flashy so bit of a Q car unless you know what you are looking at. The engine torque makes it quite a relaxing place but plenty of get up and go if needed.
The S4 has its weak points which are well documented and only a google away.
I like the subtlety of it all, nothing too flashy so bit of a Q car unless you know what you are looking at. The engine torque makes it quite a relaxing place but plenty of get up and go if needed.
The S4 has its weak points which are well documented and only a google away.
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