Any B9 S4 owners on PH yet?

[Rabond]

Has anyone had their Pre-Sense kick in for no apparent reason?

I was driving slowly on a housing estate today and it just kicked in and applied really hard braking to try and avoid a collision that wasn’t there - no cars in front of me, a couple of pedestrians with a dog on the pavement but not sure they were close enough to me to be considered the hazard...

[Shambler]

I had it happen a few months back when approaching a large puddle. Tried it again and it didn’t operate.

[Rabond]

Shambler said:

I had it happen a few months back when approaching a large puddle. Tried it again and it didn’t operate.

Ah ok thanks not just me then! I’ll keep an eye on it and see if just an isolated glitch or if happens more frequently will take it back for a check.

[IJB1959]

Rabond said:

Shambler said:

I had it happen a few months back when approaching a large puddle. Tried it again and it didn’t operate.

Ah ok thanks not just me then! I’ll keep an eye on it and see if just an isolated glitch or if happens more frequently will take it back for a check.

There is a setting in the MMI where you can adjust the sensitivity of pre-sense. It may help by adjusting it.

[ollie05]

Yes I had to adjust mine on the day I collected it. Someone was walking over a pedestrian crossing in the distance, and the car nearly put me through the fking windscreen!!

[Rabond]

Thanks guys, I’ll take a look in the MMI and see what it’s currently set at.

Now you mention that I bet I know what’s happened - if the camera that controls it is the one behind the windscreen I expect AutoGlass have done some kind of recalibration following a new screen I had fitted the other week (huge rock hit me on the motorway!!)

[IJB1959]

Rabond said:

Thanks guys, I’ll take a look in the MMI and see what it’s currently set at.

Now you mention that I bet I know what’s happened - if the camera that controls it is the one behind the windscreen I expect AutoGlass have done some kind of recalibration following a new screen I had fitted the other week (huge rock hit me on the motorway!!)

Wow, that was unlucky. Did it damage the bonnet as well?

[Rabond]

IJB1959 said:

Wow, that was unlucky. Did it damage the bonnet as well?

Yes was not amused - it hit me at the top of the windscreen and thankfully missed the roof, it was close though, another cm higher and it would have damaged the paintwork!!

[IJB1959]

Rabond said:

IJB1959 said:

Wow, that was unlucky. Did it damage the bonnet as well?

Yes was not amused - it hit me at the top of the windscreen and thankfully missed the roof, it was close though, another cm higher and it would have damaged the paintwork!!

I'm always wary of following the twin rear wheeled dumper trucks, as they are the ones that sling off these rocks that get jammed between the two rear tires. Proper mudflaps should be made legal as they are effectively a missile!

[Rabond]

IJB1959 said:

I'm always wary of following the twin rear wheeled dumper trucks, as they are the ones that sling off these rocks that get jammed between the two rear tires. Proper mudflaps should be made legal as they are effectively a missile!

It was a twin rear wheeled white van that got me, going past in outside lane - the sound when it hit was incredible I wondered what had happened until I lifted the sun visor! Even the AutoGlass man said ‘what the hell hit you!’ as screen was in a right state! At least it was only the windscreen excess I had to pay!

[Bryans69]

These are now top of my radar for next car. Has anyone got DRC and / or Sports dif? Looking back at a few reviews, seems these were fitted on some cars, but not really clear how essential they are.

Also, does anyone know if the towbar can be dealer fitted if I decide to go second hand?

Thanks

[IJB1959]

Bryans69 said:

These are now top of my radar for next car. Has anyone got DRC and / or Sports dif? Looking back at a few reviews, seems these were fitted on some cars, but not really clear how essential they are.

Also, does anyone know if the towbar can be dealer fitted if I decide to go second hand?

Thanks

I don't have the sports diff as I didn't think the cost was worth it, some may disagree though. I had a hidden fold down towbar fitted from new which has a release switch in the boot (and also the rear diffuser is slightly different) therefore I recon you will see part of it (if detachable) if it is not factory fitted, and therefore could look totally naff on a S4/5.

[TomScrut]

Bryans69 said:

These are now top of my radar for next car. Has anyone got DRC and / or Sports dif? Looking back at a few reviews, seems these were fitted on some cars, but not really clear how essential they are.

Also, does anyone know if the towbar can be dealer fitted if I decide to go second hand?

Thanks

Thing that is difficult is that nearly all the cars that get driven by journalists will have the sport diff, adaptive steering and DRC. I personally like the ride in my non DRC S5 and I drive on all sorts of bumpy country roads, its not soft but it rides very nicely compared the the Golf R I had previously. The sport diff is deemed by some as a "must buy" but on a lease it soon turns a good deal into a not so good deal. The steering is supposedly only different in "comfort" mode when adaptive steering is specced so again that's not really necessary, at least not for driving enjoyment. Only one I would be considering would be the diff.

[Bryans69]

Thanks for that. Interesting about the comparison with the Golf R, as I always thought that was supposed to a good ride. Tempted by the diff, although if I go second hand doesn't seem to be a popular option. Just not sure in the real world how often I'd take advantage of it....

[TomScrut]

Bryans69 said:

Thanks for that. Interesting about the comparison with the Golf R, as I always thought that was supposed to a good ride. Tempted by the diff, although if I go second hand doesn't seem to be a popular option. Just not sure in the real world how often I'd take advantage of it....

Yes it was a good ride for what it was (a hot hatch), just that the S5 rides nicer as one would expect with the longer wheelbase

[IJB1959]

So, had a Milltek non res catback exhaust fitted yesterday (fits S4/S5) and OMG what an amazing difference!!! Was a bit dubious after watching comparison videos, but they really do not give it any justice at all. It now sounds like an angry V8 when you want, no drone at all, not obnoxious, and the valve motors swap over if you want to use them. The car now sounds just like it should......very happy.

[Novexx]

I've been following this thread for a while now & I'm considering an S4 Avant, I'm already pushing the budget as it is, so if it does happen it will likely be bargain basement, standard spec in Navarra blue - I'm wondering if any of you lucky existing owners may be able to advise on any of the following;

Auto box - I've been a bit of a long time hater of auto's, but it seems to be getting harder to avoid them in decent cars these days. I've driven a DSG GTI which I could live with, but the only proper auto I've driven in recent years was a E60 520D with ZF 6HP26 6 speed auto - I found the gearbox pretty dismal & got the distinct impression that the throttle & box were connected by elastic bands - is the box in the S4 a significant improvement on this?

DCC - Last 3 cars have all been Golf GTI's & all have had DCC which has spent most of it's time in normal or comfort mode as the sport mode is a bit hard for regular town / commuter driving. I see that there are a few ex Golf drivers here - would I be right in thinking that an S4 without DCC would be about on par with a Golf in normal / comfort?

Warranty repairs / reliability - I'm over 100 miles away from the nearest dealer & back & forth trips for warranty work (niggling stuff, parts not in stock & so on) are a complete pain & expense - how have you found general reliability so far?

PCP deals - I haven't gone to town on negotiating price yet, but the few dealer quotes I have had have all been significantly dearer than lease companies - have any of you managed to knock the dealer PCP prices down to anywhere near what the leasing specialists are offering?


An comments appreciated,

Thanks.

[talksthetorque]

Novexx said:

I've been following this thread for a while now & I'm considering an S4 Avant, I'm already pushing the budget as it is, so if it does happen it will likely be bargain basement, standard spec in Navarra blue - I'm wondering if any of you lucky existing owners may be able to advise on any of the following;

Auto box - I've been a bit of a long time hater of auto's, but it seems to be getting harder to avoid them in decent cars these days. I've driven a DSG GTI which I could live with, but the only proper auto I've driven in recent years was a E60 520D with ZF 6HP26 6 speed auto - I found the gearbox pretty dismal & got the distinct impression that the throttle & box were connected by elastic bands - is the box in the S4 a significant improvement on this?

I have seen a few people on here moan about the x20d and zf 8 speed.
The only issue I've found with the box is it's habit of dropping from 8th to 4th when you coast up behind slower traffic and then apply a bit of throttle to speed match, as if it thinks you're going to hammer it past with a full pelt overtake.
( some say it may have learnt this trait, I'll claim the fifth on that one )

Novexx said:

DCC - Last 3 cars have all been Golf GTI's & all have had DCC which has spent most of it's time in normal or comfort mode as the sport mode is a bit hard for regular town / commuter driving. I see that there are a few ex Golf drivers here - would I be right in thinking that an S4 without DCC would be about on par with a Golf in normal / comfort?

We have a mk6 gti DSG (18" monzas and std sachs suspension) and I'd say the S4 ( on std 19s) was a little more comfortable that the Golf, possibly the seats, possibly the extra wheelbase riding the bumps better. Not that much in it though, both perfectly tolerable, and both fine when pressing on on public roads.

Novexx said:

Warranty repairs / reliability - I'm over 100 miles away from the nearest dealer & back & forth trips for warranty work (niggling stuff, parts not in stock & so on) are a complete pain & expense - how have you found general reliability so far?

5 months/8k in, nothing to go back for yet.

Novexx said:

PCP deals - I haven't gone to town on negotiating price yet, but the few dealer quotes I have had have all been significantly dearer than lease companies - have any of you managed to knock the dealer PCP prices down to anywhere near what the leasing specialists are offering?


An comments appreciated,

Thanks.

PCP and lease are two different financial products, PCP deals are usually blown out of the water by good lease deals.
Try your dealer for lease deals ( usually fleet sales do the figures, so go in/call on a weekday.

[Novexx]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

talksthetorque said:

We have a mk6 gti DSG (18" monzas and std sachs suspension) and I'd say the S4 ( on std 19s) was a little more comfortable that the Golf, possibly the seats, possibly the extra wheelbase riding the bumps better. Not that much in it though, both perfectly tolerable, and both fine when pressing on on public roads.

How would you say the S4 would stack up against the GTI on a punishing A/B road in a point to point / get there 1st manner? From everything I read the Audi doesn't have the steering feel or agility of the Golf, but I can live with this just fine if it gets the job done

talksthetorque said:

PCP and lease are two different financial products, PCP deals are usually blown out of the water by good lease deals.
Try your dealer for lease deals ( usually fleet sales do the figures, so go in/call on a weekday.

Sorry, mixed that one up, it would be PCP. I see that lease is cheaper, but if I'm understanding the products correctly, penalties for early termination on lease are excruciating whereas with PCP you have the option to bail after 50% of the gross has been paid - I suppose I'm considering it in the event that there are an unexpected changes in circumstances.

[talksthetorque]

Novexx said:

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

talksthetorque said:

We have a mk6 gti DSG (18" monzas and std sachs suspension) and I'd say the S4 ( on std 19s) was a little more comfortable that the Golf, possibly the seats, possibly the extra wheelbase riding the bumps better. Not that much in it though, both perfectly tolerable, and both fine when pressing on on public roads.

How would you say the S4 would stack up against the GTI on a punishing A/B road in a point to point / get there 1st manner? From everything I read the Audi doesn't have the steering feel or agility of the Golf, but I can live with this just fine if it gets the job done
Depends how many straights are on the B road

talksthetorque said:

PCP and lease are two different financial products, PCP deals are usually blown out of the water by good lease deals.
Try your dealer for lease deals ( usually fleet sales do the figures, so go in/call on a weekday.

Sorry, mixed that one up, it would be PCP. I see that lease is cheaper, but if I'm understanding the products correctly, penalties for early termination on lease are excruciating whereas with PCP you have the option to bail after 50% of the gross has been paid - I suppose I'm considering it in the event that there are an unexpected changes in circumstances.

Exactly, Different products for different circumstances, but if you have to pay half a golf off due to changes in circumstances, is that more or less than the 11k-ish you'd have to pay for the S4 lease?