Is an S4 the only option?

[Lefty]

nottyash said:

RobM77 said:

It might be worth researching the 4WD systems that the various cars have. I don't know much about this area, but someone posted a video recently of a test where they put various 4WD cars on a ramp and removed/reduced traction from one end, and most wouldn't climb the ramp, and just sat spinning the traction reduced wheels instead.

My Dad has an X type Jag 3.0 sport now and that does exactly that.

IIRC the early x-types were proper permamanent 4x4...

Of course, it's still possible to get cross-axled and get nowhere. I've seen a land rover 90 stuck in a flat grassy field because it didn't have axle diff lockers...(near-bald tyres and an incompetent driver didn't help...)

[Lefty]

Saab 9-3 Aero X 2.8T?

Quite tunable too I believe.

[TTwiggy]

Lefty said:

159 q4? Maybe not <6s though...

Edited by Lefty on Tuesday 4th January 12:04

Have considered this as I do love Alfas.

Also thought about the Brera.

The only issue is that I had the Alfa V6 in my 147 Gta, and while it's a lovely engine, I know from experience that it will deliver a worse mpg than the Audi, while giving away 90bhp and 2 cylinders.

[Rawwr]

TTwiggy said:

Rawwr said:

TTwiggy said:

I flirted with the idea of one of these, but have heard a few horror stories in terms of running costs.

Would it make you feel better to hear some S4 horror stories?

I have heard about clutch issues, but if you've got other info, I'm all ears.

My point was that every vehicle ever made in the history of the universe has some kind of horror story attributed to it.

Get the RS6.

[BeeRoad]

TTwiggy said:

BeeRoad said:

A Mazda 6 MPS fits your requirements perfectly except it will leave with a fair bit of change.

Sub 6 secs to 60?

Depends which mag you read - Car and Driver did it in 5.4 but various other mags record 6.0. 6.1 and 6.5. As you'll have so much money left over, a remap to 300+ bhp and a low 5 second 0-60 time will take a morning and a few hundred quid. Not that 0-60 is good measure of any cars performance IMHO.

[TTwiggy]

Rawwr said:

TTwiggy said:

Rawwr said:

TTwiggy said:

I flirted with the idea of one of these, but have heard a few horror stories in terms of running costs.

Would it make you feel better to hear some S4 horror stories?

I have heard about clutch issues, but if you've got other info, I'm all ears.

My point was that every vehicle ever made in the history of the universe has some kind of horror story attributed to it.

Get the RS6.

You're absolutely right of course, but there are horror stories and HORROR!!! stories.

I believe that there's a chap on here whose 'bargain' VW Phaeton needs a new turbo on its V10 diesel engine, leading to a quote of 150 man hours. That's the sort of thing I'd rather avoid!

[Hitch78]

Mk V R32. Ot an R36 Wagon if you can stretch to it, though I have no idea how much either of these cars costs in the UK at the moment.

[Lefty]

Before 300bhp/tonne gets in:


http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2364133.htm

[TTwiggy]

Lefty said:

Before 300bhp/tonne gets in:


http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2364133.htm

not sure it covers my requirement for a 'subtle' image, but thanks!

[Lefty]

Hitch78 said:

Mk V R32. Ot an R36 Wagon if you can stretch to it, though I have no idea how much either of these cars costs in the UK at the moment.

I've got a mk v r32 and it's a nice car but off the pace of a b6 s4 I would think. My wifes Forester 2.5XT is quicker...

[TTwiggy]

doogz said:

A8 V8 TDI? Might find a 4.2 under budget, under 6 to 60. The 4.0 is more like 6.5 i think.

Comfier and better equipped than the S4, much more so tbh.

Good call, the only issues I'd have with this option would be the size of an A8 (getting a bit sick of hunting for parking spaces for my XJ8 - I live in London) and the worry about owning a big diesel out of warranty...

[Wills2]

Lefty said:

Passat w12 much more subtle than the s4 but good luck finding one...

A W12 Passat?

[doodles19]

RobM77 said:

It might be worth researching the 4WD systems that the various cars have. I don't know much about this area, but someone posted a video recently of a test where they put various 4WD cars on a ramp and removed/reduced traction from one end, and most wouldn't climb the ramp, and just sat spinning the traction reduced wheels instead.

Any chance you have a link?

Thanks

[Lefty]

Is a big diesel out of warranty much worse than a big petrol out of warranty?

I think the s4 sounds ideal for you tbh.

Can you rank your preferences in order of importance? Is 4wd really a must-have? And when you say 4 seats, is it occasional 4 seats or do you really need a spacious car?

[Lefty]

Wills2 said:

Lefty said:

Passat w12 much more subtle than the s4 but good luck finding one...

A W12 Passat?

No, a w8 passat of course. You fool.

[TonyHetherington]

I've a B6 S4. Bloomin brilliant.

No major horror stories at all - just things that sometimes go wrong. Just shelled out £450 for a new starter motor to be fitted, and back in february creaky suspension cost me £600. But that's it really - the service was pretty cheap, and the rate I drive service is every 2yrs near enough.

I've spent £3.3k over and above fuel (so this includes insurance) since May 2009, giving a total cost of the car to me of 54p per mile including costs, 29p per mile excluding (so purely fuel).

That covers fuel, insurance (£600/yr for me - 30yrs old), running costs and any problems etc.

I also had the wheels refurbed and the car fully detailed by KDS, but that's not included in the costs (~£800).

Hope that helps

It's well worth it - a very very good car.

A summary from the excel sheet I keep;

Total Mileage	16710
Average Miles Per Week	198.77
Average Fuel Per Week:	£58.10
Total Fuel Cost;	£4,883.96
Avg MPG:	18.29
Additional Costs	£4,060.00

Pence per mile
inc. costs	£0.54
exc. costs	£0.29

Edited by TonyHetherington on Tuesday 4th January 12:28

[TTwiggy]

Lefty said:

Is a big diesel out of warranty much worse than a big petrol out of warranty?

I think the s4 sounds ideal for you tbh.

Can you rank your preferences in order of importance? Is 4wd really a must-have? And when you say 4 seats, is it occasional 4 seats or do you really need a spacious car?

I've heard about big bills for diesels - but as pointed out above, I guess there's issues with every option.

Ok, preferences in order.

Fast (I've owned 'quick' cars before, so I want something that's going to impress me)
Understated (I don't want to attract every boy racer with a bean can exhaust)
Good interior and plenty of 'toys' (I've reached 'that' age)
Four wheel drive (this winter has convinced me of this)
Practical (I go to the Lakes about 3 times a year and take a lot of stuff)
Four seats (don't need massive amounts of room in the back, but do have more than one passenger on a semi-regular basis)

It's an S4, isn't it?

[RobM77]

doodles19 said:

RobM77 said:

It might be worth researching the 4WD systems that the various cars have. I don't know much about this area, but someone posted a video recently of a test where they put various 4WD cars on a ramp and removed/reduced traction from one end, and most wouldn't climb the ramp, and just sat spinning the traction reduced wheels instead.

Any chance you have a link?

Thanks

I'll have a look tonight for you. It was on a thread in the last four weeks, and probably just before Christmas IIRC.

[TonyHetherington]

TTwiggy said:

It's an S4, isn't it?

I had similar criteria - most notably the estate to get my drum kit in the back - but all the other stuff too, and it's where I ended up.

They're even cheaper now than when I bought mine - some scarily good bargains out there.

[TTwiggy]

TonyHetherington said:

I've a B6 S4. Bloomin brilliant.

No major horror stories at all - just things that sometimes go wrong. Just shelled out £450 for a new starter motor to be fitted, and back in february creaky suspension cost me £600. But that's it really - the service was pretty cheap, and the rate I drive service is every 2yrs near enough.

I've spent £3.3k over and above fuel (so this includes insurance) since May 2009, giving a total cost of the car to me of 54p per mile including costs, 29p per mile excluding (so purely fuel).

That covers fuel, insurance (£600/yr for me - 30yrs old), running costs and any problems etc.

I also had the wheels refurbed and the car fully detailed by KDS, but that's not included in the costs (~£800).

Hope that helps

It's well worth it - a very very good car.

Thanks - exactly what I was wanting to hear.

Do you mind me asking who you insure through? A quick 'comparison site' search couldn't get under £900 for me (I'm 39 this month, full no claims, no convictions, but I have an SE (London) postcode).

Edited by TTwiggy on Tuesday 4th January 12:32