Details B9 S4 or TSFI 252 Real World
Discussion
I'm downsizing from an A6 to an A4 & currently looking at S4 avant or A4 TFSI 252 both Q4 on the B9 platform around 3 years old .
Theres not a lot online about these technically to confirm reliability or if they use Haldex or Torsion Q or servicing periods. Similarly gearbox servicing - anyone confirm ? - the S4 uses torque converter and A4 uses double clutch which i guess might both be due. My S3 Haldex is around 3 years. My A6 is Torsion & sealed for life!
Any nasties to expect on this model - brakes cam chains water pumps etc
Fuel consumption while not a primary concern looks optomistic for S4 - what are the real world mpg can I expect?
I've test driven both and found the TFSI 252 not far off the pace of the S4 in the real world and with a smoother ride for a family car which appeals with potentially lower running costs but the S4 remains my choice for time being.
Theres not a lot online about these technically to confirm reliability or if they use Haldex or Torsion Q or servicing periods. Similarly gearbox servicing - anyone confirm ? - the S4 uses torque converter and A4 uses double clutch which i guess might both be due. My S3 Haldex is around 3 years. My A6 is Torsion & sealed for life!
Any nasties to expect on this model - brakes cam chains water pumps etc
Fuel consumption while not a primary concern looks optomistic for S4 - what are the real world mpg can I expect?
I've test driven both and found the TFSI 252 not far off the pace of the S4 in the real world and with a smoother ride for a family car which appeals with potentially lower running costs but the S4 remains my choice for time being.
Heater flaps get stuck meaning hot passenger and cold driver, sensor on brake servo fails (cheap only if fixed quickly), Leaky thermostats on V6T, Front top arm bushes split readily.
Both chain driven, V6T uses ZF 8 speed tip "sealed for life" and 2.0TFSI S Tronic with 40k intervals. Both Torsen 4x4 with no scheduled maintenance.
Both due sparks at 40k.
Both good cars, S4s particularly expensive right now and well specified cars tricky to find.
S4 fuel economy no better than previous gen, average mid 20s, 30 or just over on a run (unless you're saintly). 2.0T quattro a little better but not by very much.
Both chain driven, V6T uses ZF 8 speed tip "sealed for life" and 2.0TFSI S Tronic with 40k intervals. Both Torsen 4x4 with no scheduled maintenance.
Both due sparks at 40k.
Both good cars, S4s particularly expensive right now and well specified cars tricky to find.
S4 fuel economy no better than previous gen, average mid 20s, 30 or just over on a run (unless you're saintly). 2.0T quattro a little better but not by very much.
S4 averaging 20 mpg in 7 months of ownership for me. Only done 2000 miles though and mostly town driving as still WFH.
Had inspection and oil service done as it approached 3 years old in March. £300. Clean bill of health, suspension etc all in good order.
Mine isn’t well specced but it’s less things to go wrong. No adaptive suspension, sports diff or even folding mirrors. Sounds good though and quite quick and practical.
Prices have firmed up to to lack of new cars etc, etc. WBAC offering 3k more than I paid in December for it but nothing else to buy. Soz can’t comment on the 252.
Recent pick after a bit of tic and ceramic coating
Had inspection and oil service done as it approached 3 years old in March. £300. Clean bill of health, suspension etc all in good order.
Mine isn’t well specced but it’s less things to go wrong. No adaptive suspension, sports diff or even folding mirrors. Sounds good though and quite quick and practical.
Prices have firmed up to to lack of new cars etc, etc. WBAC offering 3k more than I paid in December for it but nothing else to buy. Soz can’t comment on the 252.
Recent pick after a bit of tic and ceramic coating
Yertis said:
I came to the B9 3.0Tdi quattro from an A6. It's plenty quick enough for what it is and shows 35mpg around town, nudging 50mpg on the motorway. I specced it up with every goody going so it's pretty much the same spec an S4. Lovely car.
But diesels are frowned upon these days.
V6 diesel in the A4 is still nice, the 272 particularly so. Smooth, quiet, fast, efficient...But diesels are frowned upon these days.
Don’t pay much attention to mpg but 25 around town and 35 on a run seems about average on my S4.
Just had to replace the front shocks at 40k due to leaking not overly expensive but seem a common issue on bag group cars.
Just done 4 tyres gone up a size from the 245 35 19 to 255 which works out about £100 a set cheaper and give it a better look in the arch.
Pads and discs are next not cheap still shopping around via a friend in the trade for cheaper alternatives.
Great car though would struggle to think of what to get next.
Just had to replace the front shocks at 40k due to leaking not overly expensive but seem a common issue on bag group cars.
Just done 4 tyres gone up a size from the 245 35 19 to 255 which works out about £100 a set cheaper and give it a better look in the arch.
Pads and discs are next not cheap still shopping around via a friend in the trade for cheaper alternatives.
Great car though would struggle to think of what to get next.
Yertis said:
Dr G said:
V6 diesel in the A4 is still nice, the 272 particularly so. Smooth, quiet, fast, efficient...
Yes that's the one I have. Much more relaxing to drive than the BiTdi A6, I've found. Can find anything to do the job better.I aknowledge derv comments not driven a 272 but ive had a 3.0 TDVi previously and loved the diesel to be fair in large estate and completely reliable over 8 years 110k, will be up for sale soon, much better quality and reliable than my S3.....
We've got a 2017 A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI 252 Quattro S-Line, pretty nice, goes ok. Does around 28mpg around town around 35/36 on motorway with cruise on at 80. Just came back from Bike Park Wales with 3 bikes on the tow bar, cruise at 77 did 35.6mpg. Will definitely be getting it remapped at some point.
Only real grip for me and my fiancé is the control system, we are both used to touch screen and find them significantly better to use. From my perspective, the practicality of it isn't brilliant, as someone who's had a lot of Octavia estates, I assumed it'd be comparable, Octavia is significantly more practical.
Only real grip for me and my fiancé is the control system, we are both used to touch screen and find them significantly better to use. From my perspective, the practicality of it isn't brilliant, as someone who's had a lot of Octavia estates, I assumed it'd be comparable, Octavia is significantly more practical.
Andy JB said:
I'm downsizing from an A6 to an A4 & currently looking at S4 avant or A4 TFSI 252 both Q4 on the B9 platform around 3 years old .
Theres not a lot online about these technically to confirm reliability or if they use Haldex or Torsion Q or servicing periods. Similarly gearbox servicing - anyone confirm ? - the S4 uses torque converter and A4 uses double clutch which i guess might both be due. My S3 Haldex is around 3 years. My A6 is Torsion & sealed for life!
Any nasties to expect on this model - brakes cam chains water pumps etc
Fuel consumption while not a primary concern looks optomistic for S4 - what are the real world mpg can I expect?
I've test driven both and found the TFSI 252 not far off the pace of the S4 in the real world and with a smoother ride for a family car which appeals with potentially lower running costs but the S4 remains my choice for time being.
I bought an S4 Avant in October with 26k on the clock and the long term average was just under 28mpg, I see that for most short journeys but have seen 38mpg on a recent motorway run (adaptive cruise set to 70). Theres not a lot online about these technically to confirm reliability or if they use Haldex or Torsion Q or servicing periods. Similarly gearbox servicing - anyone confirm ? - the S4 uses torque converter and A4 uses double clutch which i guess might both be due. My S3 Haldex is around 3 years. My A6 is Torsion & sealed for life!
Any nasties to expect on this model - brakes cam chains water pumps etc
Fuel consumption while not a primary concern looks optomistic for S4 - what are the real world mpg can I expect?
I've test driven both and found the TFSI 252 not far off the pace of the S4 in the real world and with a smoother ride for a family car which appeals with potentially lower running costs but the S4 remains my choice for time being.
It took me a few months to find one with the spec i wanted (panoramic roof, B&O stereo, touring assist package, rear cam, virtual cockpit, silver or blue) but it was worth looking for. I liked the idea of the sports diff and active suspension but only saw one car with them in the months I was looking and I don't think I am missing out not having them. The ride is fine for me, more comfortable that my previous cars but my favorite aspect day to day is probably the noise. I don't go hooning everywhere but the exhaust gives a great burble above about 2k rpm.
Ive never had a car with a touch screen so I cant comment on that, I use Android auto 90% of the time.
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