RE: Audi S4 Avant: Review
Discussion
TomScrut said:
Dale487 said:
want a performance A4 wait for the RS4
The RS4 will be at least 25% dearer? Why not just buy a new RS6 so that it has a bigger boot than the Golf?Kind of like saying "why did you buy a BMW 114i, why not just get an M135i instead? Why did you buy a Bentley Continental GT, and not a COntinental GT Speed?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Interesting. What wheels do you have, and do you also have DCC? Our Golf GTD hatch is going to be replaced at some point (depending on discussions with the other half), and will be replaced by faster petrol estate. Don't like the Merc, BMW ruled out as only RWD (I had a 335i, and great in the dry, not so good in the wet), which kind of leaves B8 S4 if I can find one, (B9 just too expensive), Golf R estate, or the Superb 280 TSI, which is massive.
TomScrut said:
Nice, what colour have you gone for? If there had been a comparable lease deal for an S4 avant at the time I ordered my S5 I would have given it some strong consideration.
I aren't sure I would want that Merc interior, and at least the Audi screen look built in rather than a cheap iPad knockoff on a stork. Does annoy me that the Audi's isn't retractable though, not sure what use it is when virtual cockpit is specced?
Was very tempted by Red and Black Styling but ended up with Daytona (with Black Styling). I wish there were more colour options like in Europe (many new pearls).I aren't sure I would want that Merc interior, and at least the Audi screen look built in rather than a cheap iPad knockoff on a stork. Does annoy me that the Audi's isn't retractable though, not sure what use it is when virtual cockpit is specced?
TomScrut said:
The RS4 will be at least 25% dearer? Why not just buy a new RS6 so that it has a bigger boot than the Golf? (Note that last question is tongue in cheek)
And the RS4 isn't released till 2018 supposedly. Noticed plenty of RS4 owners stating they are swapping for the new S4. And the person that suggested there isn't a market for the S4 vs RS is plain wrong, Audi have already taken their quota of orders the first 6 months, hence the 6 month current lead time.Edited by TomScrut on Wednesday 8th February 10:38
QTNC said:
TomScrut said:
Nice, what colour have you gone for? If there had been a comparable lease deal for an S4 avant at the time I ordered my S5 I would have given it some strong consideration.
I aren't sure I would want that Merc interior, and at least the Audi screen look built in rather than a cheap iPad knockoff on a stork. Does annoy me that the Audi's isn't retractable though, not sure what use it is when virtual cockpit is specced?
Was very tempted by Red and Black Styling but ended up with Daytona (with Black Styling). I wish there were more colour options like in Europe (many new pearls).I aren't sure I would want that Merc interior, and at least the Audi screen look built in rather than a cheap iPad knockoff on a stork. Does annoy me that the Audi's isn't retractable though, not sure what use it is when virtual cockpit is specced?
TomScrut said:
A mate has a Daytona S line and it looks good although I prefer the normal finish to the black styling (each to their own and all that). Know what you mean about colours, I was disappointed that I couldn't order my S5 in the Ara blue what all the release shots were done in. It's an exclusive colour in Germany though so wouldn't be dropping exclusive paint money on a lease though! At least the S4 has a choice of wheels, even though I like the S5 wheels.
I actually had the new S5 on order, but on taking my 6 year old out of the back one night and banging his head made me realise I needed a bigger car!I'm having second thoughts on the black pack. Daytona is one colour that works well with the chrome / aluminium.
Ive opted for the same wheels as on the S5, which go well with Daytona and BP. Agree there should be an option for non darkened rims.
QTNC said:
I actually had the new S5 on order, but on taking my 6 year old out of the back one night and banging his head made me realise I needed a bigger car!
I'm having second thoughts on the black pack. Daytona is one colour that works well with the chrome / aluminium.
Ive opted for the same wheels as on the S5, which go well with Daytona and BP. Agree there should be an option for non darkened rims.
I'm getting a sportback, which is kind of a best of both worlds. The boot is way more useful than the A4 saloon, with it being a hatchback, but obviously no avant.I'm having second thoughts on the black pack. Daytona is one colour that works well with the chrome / aluminium.
Ive opted for the same wheels as on the S5, which go well with Daytona and BP. Agree there should be an option for non darkened rims.
macky17 said:
I haven't read this report yet but I'm gonna have a stab:
4/5 then. Surprised it rides well. Perhaps the article could have been reduced to that sentence. - Lovely interior
- Understated
- Fast in a linear, unexciting way
- Inert/numb but accurate steering
- Nobbly ride.
macky17 said:
4/5 then. Surprised it rides well. Perhaps the article could have been reduced to that sentence.
The ride is excellent. Far better than the AMG (nobbly) or the Touring (which has has awful wind noise). Rather unsurprisingly the 440i Touring has the best steering and I preferred the engine too (character and tone even if its slightly less powerful). If the F30 wasn't being replaced next year it would have been a tougher choice.
Bryans69 said:
Interesting. What wheels do you have, and do you also have DCC?
Our Golf GTD hatch is going to be replaced at some point (depending on discussions with the other half), and will be replaced by faster petrol estate. Don't like the Merc, BMW ruled out as only RWD (I had a 335i, and great in the dry, not so good in the wet), which kind of leaves B8 S4 if I can find one, (B9 just too expensive), Golf R estate, or the Superb 280 TSI, which is massive.
Just to add another viewpoint, I currently have a Golf R Estate and absolutely love it.Our Golf GTD hatch is going to be replaced at some point (depending on discussions with the other half), and will be replaced by faster petrol estate. Don't like the Merc, BMW ruled out as only RWD (I had a 335i, and great in the dry, not so good in the wet), which kind of leaves B8 S4 if I can find one, (B9 just too expensive), Golf R estate, or the Superb 280 TSI, which is massive.
For the money, I literally can't think of a car that ticks so many boxes for me. The space in the estate is massive (also I really don't care about auto rolling cover or boot - I have arms and hands to deal with those conundrums), the performance is more than adequate (5 or so seconds to 60mph), DSG as standard (which isn't perfect but I still quite like) and I have found it to be okay economy wise (I generally get approx. 300-350 miles per tank which costs about £65 from petrol light to full). Also, I don't find it particularly noisy as you can pull the boot cover over to remove unwanted exhaust noise and echoes plus the soundaktor thing in the car can be switched on or off as you desire. Road noise (for me at least) has not been an issue at all.
I can totally see why if your budget stretches to S4/S6 money, then the Golf may be a little disappointing in comparison. However, for us mere mortals, I really do think it is a great do it all car.
My car is pretty much standard apart from the App Connect which I have found works well with Android (can't speak for iPhones though), particularly the nav as it uses google maps which is about as up-to-date as it can get. This also means I don't have the DCC which I would probably have chosen were it not for the fact that I'm tight plus the standard suspension felt ok (and still does). Don't get me wrong, it's not softly sprung and you will certainly feel the bumps etc but it's been easy to live with, even when using it on the awful pot holed country roads around me.
I'm sure there are those that don't like the Golf R Estate (or hatch for that matter) but I would encourage anyone to at least give it a try if it meets your criteria.
deepvolleymaster said:
335 d xdrive for 10k less, its a no brainer!
Go to DMS Automotive and get the map changed to 395BHP 798NM of torque for £950
0-60 3.7 seconds, Top speed 188mph, 35mpg average. 45mpg on Mways at anything below 100mph
Go to Birds UK and get the exhaust, suspension and brakes done for £3800, if not all of that just the suspension and you will have a car that will easily keep up with an M3/M4 and is much more driveable. The suspension makes a very big difference to how the car absorbs bumps and holes and easily copes with extra power.
There are a couple of M4 drivers around here who just gawp as you go past!
I have one and its fantastic
The man talks sense! Hard to justify big petrol engines nowadays as daily drivers.Go to DMS Automotive and get the map changed to 395BHP 798NM of torque for £950
0-60 3.7 seconds, Top speed 188mph, 35mpg average. 45mpg on Mways at anything below 100mph
Go to Birds UK and get the exhaust, suspension and brakes done for £3800, if not all of that just the suspension and you will have a car that will easily keep up with an M3/M4 and is much more driveable. The suspension makes a very big difference to how the car absorbs bumps and holes and easily copes with extra power.
There are a couple of M4 drivers around here who just gawp as you go past!
I have one and its fantastic
Dale487 said:
Tomatogti said:
This isn't comparable to a golf r estate. The S4 is the next class size up. It's like comparing it to an s6. We've got the b8 s4 avant (also in red) and an M135. M135 is way more fun to drive though both cars have numb steering. S4 is more of a wafter. It's a great family car with a decent turn of speed. If you're comparing to a hatchback estate then you haven't yet decided what car you want.
The A4 Avant may be from the class above the Golf estate but both the Golf & Leon ST have larger boots than the Audi - I know classes of car are judged on more than boot space but 100 litres of boot space is significant.Edited by Tomatogti on Tuesday 7th February 20:29
The S4 strikes me as a why bother car; want a performance A4 wait for the RS4, more engaging sporting estates are available for less money (Golf R & Leon Cupra with or without all wheel drive & a manual option but not together) or just buy a high spec A4 diesel auto.
madmatteo said:
Bryans69 said:
Interesting. What wheels do you have, and do you also have DCC?
Our Golf GTD hatch is going to be replaced at some point (depending on discussions with the other half), and will be replaced by faster petrol estate. Don't like the Merc, BMW ruled out as only RWD (I had a 335i, and great in the dry, not so good in the wet), which kind of leaves B8 S4 if I can find one, (B9 just too expensive), Golf R estate, or the Superb 280 TSI, which is massive.
Just to add another viewpoint, I currently have a Golf R Estate and absolutely love it.Our Golf GTD hatch is going to be replaced at some point (depending on discussions with the other half), and will be replaced by faster petrol estate. Don't like the Merc, BMW ruled out as only RWD (I had a 335i, and great in the dry, not so good in the wet), which kind of leaves B8 S4 if I can find one, (B9 just too expensive), Golf R estate, or the Superb 280 TSI, which is massive.
For the money, I literally can't think of a car that ticks so many boxes for me. The space in the estate is massive (also I really don't care about auto rolling cover or boot - I have arms and hands to deal with those conundrums), the performance is more than adequate (5 or so seconds to 60mph), DSG as standard (which isn't perfect but I still quite like) and I have found it to be okay economy wise (I generally get approx. 300-350 miles per tank which costs about £65 from petrol light to full). Also, I don't find it particularly noisy as you can pull the boot cover over to remove unwanted exhaust noise and echoes plus the soundaktor thing in the car can be switched on or off as you desire. Road noise (for me at least) has not been an issue at all. :
I can totally see why if your budget stretches to S4/S6 money, then the Golf may be a little disappointing in comparison. However, for us mere mortals, I really do think it is a great do it all car.
My car is pretty much standard apart from the App Connect which I have found works well with Android (can't speak for iPhones though), particularly the nav as it uses google maps which is about as up-to-date as it can get. This also means I don't have the DCC which I would probably have chosen were it not for the fact that I'm tight plus the standard suspension felt ok (and still does). Don't get me wrong, it's not softly sprung and you will certainly feel the bumps etc but it's been easy to live with, even when using it on the awful pot holed country roads around me.
I'm sure there are those that don't like the Golf R Estate (or hatch for that matter) but I would encourage anyone to at least give it a try if it meets your criteria.
Tomatogti said:
Fair point about boot space. But in terms of feel an M135 (and Golf R) feel much different to the S4. M135/Golf R are much more spritely and enjoyable on quick run abound. S4 is much more luxurious and wafty (relatively speaking!) and a far better choice for longer trips. The jump from an A4 to RS4 is huge. I think the S4 certainly has a place in the line up.
Seems reasonable, but as we are coming from a golf hatch, less of an issue. And we regularly do 500 mile round trips in it with no real problems apart from lack of boot space for kids crap. For me that's why a golf estate is in the same list of possibles as an A4/S4 or 3 seriesI really don't understand some people's responses ie
1) Why don't you buy a Golf R? The Golf is a couple of 'classes' below. It doesn't look as good either inside or out. It doesn't have many of the toys or trinkets ie you can't even specify electric seats.
The engine, though nippy, is devoid of any character and is a 4 cylinder.
And yes I have driven one.
2) Why don't you buy a diesel BMW with xdrive? Because diesel engines are never fun no matter how powerful. And yes I have owned a 300 BHP diesel BMW in the past.
3) Why don't you buy a BMW 340i? Because it's not 4wd and I want 4wd. In addition I think the inside of the current 3 series looks dated and I hate run flat tyres.
4) Why don't you just buy a RS4? Because it'll cost at least £15k more and will have much higher running costs, ie insurance, VED and fuel.
I'll be test driving the s4 avant next week. I have no idea whether I'll like it but I know that I definitely don't want a diesel or 2wd car
1) Why don't you buy a Golf R? The Golf is a couple of 'classes' below. It doesn't look as good either inside or out. It doesn't have many of the toys or trinkets ie you can't even specify electric seats.
The engine, though nippy, is devoid of any character and is a 4 cylinder.
And yes I have driven one.
2) Why don't you buy a diesel BMW with xdrive? Because diesel engines are never fun no matter how powerful. And yes I have owned a 300 BHP diesel BMW in the past.
3) Why don't you buy a BMW 340i? Because it's not 4wd and I want 4wd. In addition I think the inside of the current 3 series looks dated and I hate run flat tyres.
4) Why don't you just buy a RS4? Because it'll cost at least £15k more and will have much higher running costs, ie insurance, VED and fuel.
I'll be test driving the s4 avant next week. I have no idea whether I'll like it but I know that I definitely don't want a diesel or 2wd car
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