Is it worth buying an S4 brand new?

[ATV]

Went to the Audi dealership yesterday to have a look for a 2nd hand S4. The only one they could source was a 59 plate demonstrator for £32,500 in Reading (3k on the clock). But the brand new OTR is £36k.

Main reasons I'm going for the S4 (from the dealer) is:

- Automatic transmission (which is why I'm reluctantly not able to go for the RS4)
- Fairly discreet (it's not an M3 and all the negative connotations that's got)
- But can move when it needs to
- Compact (ish) for easy town parking
- Reliability
- Four doors
- Dealer warranty

I've also got a 10year old car to trade in for the £2k discount (until the end of the month)

So what's people's opinions on buying a brand new S4, would you say it is worth it on my cash budget of £35k? What options are essential and what kind of depreciation am I looking at after 3 years? What are the running costs on the s4? What colour combinations go best?

The other alternatives I've looked at is the Golf GTi (wife doesn't like them) and the 996 Turbo for around £40k which I could stretch to but might hit me in the pocket with the annual running expenses (and plus the wife is not keen on me having a 2 door car without a boot as a daily driver)

Thanks for your input guys.

[amir_j]

source: Whatcar.co.uk. Not sure if they have factored in the recent Petrol price increases, as if petrol gets to silly price then wouldn't like to own one, I don't see the S4 getting the same cult status as RS models...

http://www.whatcar.com/car-depreciation-calculator...

Edited by amir_j on Monday 15th March 16:30

[S3_Graham]

dont know if i'd trust that graph totally.. you struggle to get a V8 s4 for less than 10k and what are they... 2003 '52'??

[troc]

There are a number of us on here with new S4s so hopefully you'll get a few replies about "mandatory" extras.

I think the two that people mention first are the B&O sound system and the Active Sports Differential The B&O is genuinely impressive clarity-wise and the diff is what makes the S4 into a decent-handling car!

If you don't get navigation, you get controls for the onboard computer (MMI) on the dash above the A/C controls which leaves a glaring expanse of blankness around the gear stick which is IMHO rather ugly. Hence I'd suggest getting the Tech. Pack as it's the cheapest way to get Nav and it includes the AMI (for iPod and USB integration) and Cruise Control - all of which are very useful and the sorts of things people look for in a second-hand premium car I think.

I'd suggest getting (at least) the rear parking sensors as they are "expected" these days and the front ones don't add much to the cost. The camera system is overkill I think.

Seat-wise, try the options but the S4 sports seats are very comfortable and worth the extra (again, IMHO) and if you get leather (not necessary I think as the alcantara seats are very smart too), I'd also get heated seats.

I'm a lazy so-and-so and my wife has a seriously different driving position to me, so the memory seats and comfort pack were sensible options as they do make the daily grind that bit easier.

We have DAB digital radio but I'm not really sure it was worth the cost (especially as I live in Holland and there isn't anything to listen to anyway...).

I think stuff like radar cruise, blind-spot warnings etc are a waste of money as they are expensive, unnecessary if you can drive properly (I suppose the radar cruise could be ok if you do insane motorway mileage...), and will never pay for themselves come resale.

Just some thoughts.

John

[Lostprophet]

I am in a similar boat in terms of my price and options.

Just give the Porsche a miss. They are expensive to own and run and when they go wrong they cost a lot to put right. Porsche dealers are real crooks!

Get the S4, you'll have a full warranty and piece of mind.

if you get the 996 you'll want to change it real quick; Buy the s4 and keep it for a while so depreciation wont be a factor!

Those graphs are not accurate; but its an idea of how much you will lose.

Black S4, yummy!

[mr pg]

Why would the OP want to change from a 996T 'real quick'? It's the performance bargain buy at the moment. £30-35k for a car that would leave an S4 for dead.
Also don't confuse the turbo engine with the standard 996 engine. It's a different block (dating back to the 964), and doesn't suffer with the RMS & IMS failures of the non-turbo engine.
Compared to an S4, it's done all the depreciating it's going to do, so is a great buy. They're also getting to an age where it's worth considering using an indy rather than main dealer for servicing.

[kilarney]

A colleagues low miles 996 turbo cab had the shaft failure, fortunately the dealer collected the tab which was £12k to the main dealer. Truth is porsche reliability aint what it was.

[Lostprophet]

kilarney said:

A colleagues low miles 996 turbo cab had the shaft failure, fortunately the dealer collected the tab which was £12k to the main dealer. Truth is porsche reliability aint what it was.

spot on!

[Dr G]

troc said everything I would have re. spec other than the wheels, standard ones I just don't like at all. Car really needs the 19s to set it off.

Might be worth phoning around to see if anyone has a demonstrator you like then asking if they'd give you the 2k for your chop. That way you get it straight away

[smithrs2]

If you buy a brand new S4 or a 2nd hand 59 plate at £32k, lets face it your going to lose some money.

Why not buy a B7 S4 and a 996 non turbo and you'll have best of both worlds!

[Tallbut Buxomly]

I think smith rs2 might be onto something BUT do any of the owners have any idea on fuel consumption is it better or worse than the v8 s4 as initially i believe it was meant to be somewhat better but in truth is turning out to be only marginal??

IF its merely marginal then i would suggest a b6 or b7 s4 with an lpg conversion.

Also not sure of your age and family situation but ......


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

If you can stretch the budget it gets you a whole world of v10 goodness and luxury.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykk5KQ-p5pI&fea...

[smithrs2]

Well there is a down side, B7 S4 V8 are thirsty buggers, a friend has a RS4(B7) he gets mid teens, may be 20mpg on a long trip.

Find a decent 996, non turbo, get a stainless steel exhaust on it and a map, potentially you could push 360BHP.

just and idea, if i had the cash...................!

[smithrs2]

Tallbut Buxomly said:

I think smith rs2 might be onto something BUT do any of the owners have any idea on fuel consumption is it better or worse than the v8 s4 as initially i believe it was meant to be somewhat better but in truth is turning out to be only marginal??

IF its merely marginal then i would suggest a b6 or b7 s4 with an lpg conversion.

Also not sure of your age and family situation but ......


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Thats a bit hit in depreciation, they must be £70k-£80 New?

[Tallbut Buxomly]

smithrs2 said:

Tallbut Buxomly said:

I think smith rs2 might be onto something BUT do any of the owners have any idea on fuel consumption is it better or worse than the v8 s4 as initially i believe it was meant to be somewhat better but in truth is turning out to be only marginal??

IF its merely marginal then i would suggest a b6 or b7 s4 with an lpg conversion.

Also not sure of your age and family situation but ......


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Thats a bit hit in depreciation, they must be £70k-£80 New?

Thereabouts but it's a fantastic piece of kit and might suit the ops taste.

[FUBAR]

troc said:

, blind-spot warnings etc are a waste of money

I wouldnt have specced the blind spot warnings (Lane Assist ) but as you know I purchased the dealer's showroom car and it was on the car. Im actually suprised how much I use it

Re: fuel consumption, initially I was struggling to get over 21mpg average but now with 7.5k miles on the engine Im averaging 25/26mpg which, while not what is claimed, isnt too bad for 347bhp

I know Im going to take a hit with depreciation but Im keeping the car for 4 years so Im just covering my ears and eyes and getting on with it. Will worry about depreciation when the time comes to move the car on and enjoy it while its here.

All said and done, the S4 is a great place to be

Edited by FUBAR on Wednesday 17th March 12:14

[Tallbut Buxomly]

FUBAR said:

troc said:

, blind-spot warnings etc are a waste of money

I wouldnt have specced the blind spot warnings (Lane Assist ) but as you know I purchased the dealer's showroom car and it was on the car. Im actually suprised how much I use it

Re: fuel consumption, initially I was struggling to get over 21mpg average but now with 7.5k miles on the engine Im averaging 25/26mpg which, while not what is claimed, isnt too bad for 347bhp

I know Im going to take a hit with depreciation but Im keeping the car for 4 years so Im just covering my ears and eyes and getting on with it. Will worry about depreciation when the time comes to move the car on and enjoy it while its here.

All said and done, the S4 is a great place to be

Edited by FUBAR on Wednesday 17th March 12:14

Well then the question is..... Is it worth the costs associated getting the latest gen s4 for the 5/6mpg increase? IMHO i would be thinking very seriously about whether to simply get a V8 S4 and lpg it instead as you would then see much better numbers at the end of the day inc a lower depreciation cost and you would have plenty spare cash in the bank but i suppose it also depends what kinda mileage you plan on doing too.

[smithrs2]

Another note, B7 RS4 prices are going down like the titanic!

07 Plate Avant with 35K miles black all the toys and that trick diff........... for £32k

Edited by smithrs2 on Wednesday 17th March 13:15

[FUBAR]

I'm not going to disagree with you on value for money, but the B8 is a big leap forward in terms of the actual car (interior, handling etc)

But then I'm shallow like that

[FUBAR]

smithrs2 said:

Another note, B7 RS4 prices are going down like the titanic!

07 Plate Avant with 35K miles black all the toys and that trick diff...........!

Im suprised you say that as the RS4s Ive seen recently on forecourts have seemed to be holding well (07 Cab with 10k miles at my local for about £35k iirc) but I havent been studying the market in depth

[smithrs2]

I'm just pointing out that you can get a cheap B7 RS4, but i do agree that the B8 will be a better car interior, handling etc.

Weather it's a B7 S4 or RS4 or B8 S4, i'd have any of em all great cars!