B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
If you pull the S/C to change its oil - change the thermostat while you're in there. Mine failed shut at 50k miles, which seems rather too common for comfort. I stopped the engine before any damage, fortunately, and the warranty I had at the time covered most of the cost of lifting the S/C to access it. I think 6.5 hours labour was mentioned, in total......
rayyan171 said:
I’ll keep all of this in mind come next service/MOT. Luckily only do about 3-4K per year in it anyway so not too worried, albeit the belts are a bit noisy now.
Just had the S/C belt done as part of a big service - I did it as part of a big round of preventative maintenance at 38k miles, but 6 years old. The reason? £59 including labour at my friendly (and excellent) local VAG indy. We've done c.10k miles a year since we got it a couple of years back.mrdanbartlett said:
Id be interested in your photos and also your thoughts on Skye 
I'm back now - got some good pics of the bus in its favourite habitat. Will post 'em this weekend. Skye was stunning - we really lucked out on the weather - glorious sunshine (though cold) for the majority of the time, which made for great walking/hiking/climbing/beach-messing-arounding with the family. Was busier than then when we usually go (October or March), but not horrid by any means. The lakes on the way back on bank holiday weekend was like London at rush hour in comparison...
We go every year or two - the combination of the scenery, activities, separation from the London/work nonsense and hilariously patchy mobile signal makes it a brilliant destination for switching off.
The roads are a mixture of badly surfaced rubbish and wonderful almost French tarmac, often alternating between the two on the same road in rapid succession! Very little to spoil the two main roads that cross the back of island - and there are some outstanding sections of road taking in everything from big fast sweepers and entertaining straights to switching back climbs up the sides or over the passes around and within the Cuillins. You can have lots of fun whilst being vaguely sensible.
Adrian E said:
If you pull the S/C to change its oil - change the thermostat while you're in there. Mine failed shut at 50k miles, which seems rather too common for comfort. I stopped the engine before any damage, fortunately, and the warranty I had at the time covered most of the cost of lifting the S/C to access it. I think 6.5 hours labour was mentioned, in total......
Thermostat went pop on the day we bought the car! Luckily that was sorted, and ended up doing it with the local Audi dealer.GVLJ said:
I'm back now - got some good pics of the bus in its favourite habitat. Will post 'em this weekend.
Skye was stunning - we really lucked out on the weather - glorious sunshine (though cold) for the majority of the time, which made for great walking/hiking/climbing/beach-messing-arounding with the family. Was busier than then when we usually go (October or March), but not horrid by any means. The lakes on the way back on bank holiday weekend was like London at rush hour in comparison...
We go every year or two - the combination of the scenery, activities, separation from the London/work nonsense and hilariously patchy mobile signal makes it a brilliant destination for switching off.
The roads are a mixture of badly surfaced rubbish and wonderful almost French tarmac, often alternating between the two on the same road in rapid succession! Very little to spoil the two main roads that cross the back of island - and there are some outstanding sections of road taking in everything from big fast sweepers and entertaining straights to switching back climbs up the sides or over the passes around and within the Cuillins. You can have lots of fun whilst being vaguely sensible.
Ah cool, it looks a really scenic place - I'd like to go one day, it just seems SO far away from here in the Essex motherland. Maybe when the kids are older I'll take the trip up. Look forward to seeing a few photos, thanks for sharing. Skye was stunning - we really lucked out on the weather - glorious sunshine (though cold) for the majority of the time, which made for great walking/hiking/climbing/beach-messing-arounding with the family. Was busier than then when we usually go (October or March), but not horrid by any means. The lakes on the way back on bank holiday weekend was like London at rush hour in comparison...
We go every year or two - the combination of the scenery, activities, separation from the London/work nonsense and hilariously patchy mobile signal makes it a brilliant destination for switching off.
The roads are a mixture of badly surfaced rubbish and wonderful almost French tarmac, often alternating between the two on the same road in rapid succession! Very little to spoil the two main roads that cross the back of island - and there are some outstanding sections of road taking in everything from big fast sweepers and entertaining straights to switching back climbs up the sides or over the passes around and within the Cuillins. You can have lots of fun whilst being vaguely sensible.
Just had a call from dealer group call centre saying "the parts are now available for your recall" and when would I like to book the car in? It's the first I've heard of any recall but it seems according to the DVLA website it's genuine.
recall said:
It is possible that fuel may escape from one or both fuel rails (low-pressure side).
https://uk.car-recalls.eu/listing/audi-a4-2014-2016-fuel-may-escape-from-fuel-rails/Adrian E said:
Mine's pre-facelift and doesn't appear on the outstanding recalls list, so judging by the link above as well this affects facelift B8.5 models only
I suspect it's the just the later CREC engine which reputedly has a modified injection system to avoid coking, so only the last year or so of production is affected. Probably affects more S5s as they were built for longer.catso said:
Not heard of this recall? Mine was built in that time frame and was just in at the local Audi garage last week. 
Check it against the registration easily on the DVLA MOT checker. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/(Mine was in for brakes last week and there was no mention of this either... )
silentbrown said:
catso said:
Not heard of this recall? Mine was built in that time frame and was just in at the local Audi garage last week.
Check it against the registration easily on the DVLA MOT checker. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/(Mine was in for brakes last week and there was no mention of this either... )
It was registered June '14 which was got me thinking.
Glad I checked this thread this morning, off driving across Europe in July so will get Audi to check mine, assume it’s one of the dodgy ones:
My car is 4 years old in July and has covered 20k miles, it’s had a minor service in 2016 and a major in 2017, assuming just an oil change this year?
My car is 4 years old in July and has covered 20k miles, it’s had a minor service in 2016 and a major in 2017, assuming just an oil change this year?
fastgerman said:
My car is 4 years old in July and has covered 20k miles, it’s had a minor service in 2016 and a major in 2017, assuming just an oil change this year?
... and an MOT Did you skip one in 2018? I've forgotten how the variable servicing stuff works.
As an aside, I'm getting warnings on the Audi portal about Audi Connect subscription expiring. I think this is primarily live traffic data - not sure if it affects Google satellite maps too. Anyone have any idea how much they'll want to extend this? Unless it's buttons I'll expect I'll give it a miss...
Yes and an MOT :-)
The car didn’t have a service last year and the previous year I was asked if I wanted a major that would then mean it lasted for 2 years. The ‘due a service’ indicator came on last summer and they said to reset it.
Most new cars only need servicing every 2 years including my old 997.
Not sure on any software updates.
Was at Guildford Audi the other day - The interior of the new S4 is wonderful but actually think the styling on the B8 and most importantly, the engine is a high point. Now they’re diesel hybrids...
EDIT:
Booked in July - Oil + Inspection Service + Pollen Filter + MOT for £506 seems okay I think.
Advised that an oil + inspection service only needs doing every 2 years, which is what was carried out in 2017.
The car didn’t have a service last year and the previous year I was asked if I wanted a major that would then mean it lasted for 2 years. The ‘due a service’ indicator came on last summer and they said to reset it.
Most new cars only need servicing every 2 years including my old 997.
Not sure on any software updates.
Was at Guildford Audi the other day - The interior of the new S4 is wonderful but actually think the styling on the B8 and most importantly, the engine is a high point. Now they’re diesel hybrids...
EDIT:
Booked in July - Oil + Inspection Service + Pollen Filter + MOT for £506 seems okay I think.
Advised that an oil + inspection service only needs doing every 2 years, which is what was carried out in 2017.
Edited by fastgerman on Wednesday 5th June 10:33
I’ve recently joined the club. Bought one with a gearbox problem to fix and maybe sell on but liked it so ended up keeping it to replace the wife’s car.
The engine is epic! I knew it would be quick but was quite surprised at just how quick. I’ve a 996 911 and wouldn’t fancy my chances against it.
Not quite so keen on how narrow the footwell is, the lack of foot rest, or the way the writing 20 mph and 40 mph doesn’t line up to the markers.
Will get a 4WA soon as it’s a bit understeery and scrubby on turn in but fine when loaded up.
The engine is epic! I knew it would be quick but was quite surprised at just how quick. I’ve a 996 911 and wouldn’t fancy my chances against it.
Not quite so keen on how narrow the footwell is, the lack of foot rest, or the way the writing 20 mph and 40 mph doesn’t line up to the markers.
Will get a 4WA soon as it’s a bit understeery and scrubby on turn in but fine when loaded up.
1ians said:
I’ve recently joined the club. Bought one with a gearbox problem to fix and maybe sell on but liked it so ended up keeping it to replace the wife’s car.
The engine is epic! I knew it would be quick but was quite surprised at just how quick. I’ve a 996 911 and wouldn’t fancy my chances against it.
Not quite so keen on how narrow the footwell is, the lack of foot rest, or the way the writing 20 mph and 40 mph doesn’t line up to the markers.
Will get a 4WA soon as it’s a bit understeery and scrubby on turn in but fine when loaded up.
Odd I have a manual B8 and it definitely has a foot rest on the left side. The engine is epic! I knew it would be quick but was quite surprised at just how quick. I’ve a 996 911 and wouldn’t fancy my chances against it.
Not quite so keen on how narrow the footwell is, the lack of foot rest, or the way the writing 20 mph and 40 mph doesn’t line up to the markers.
Will get a 4WA soon as it’s a bit understeery and scrubby on turn in but fine when loaded up.
silentbrown said:
... and an MOT
Did you skip one in 2018? I've forgotten how the variable servicing stuff works.
As an aside, I'm getting warnings on the Audi portal about Audi Connect subscription expiring. I think this is primarily live traffic data - not sure if it affects Google satellite maps too. Anyone have any idea how much they'll want to extend this? Unless it's buttons I'll expect I'll give it a miss...
Just email Audi customer services, they still have no charging policy in place for extensions so they just extend anyone who asks for free. There's plenty of people on the net that have got this, and I, myself got mine extended only a few weeks ago for nothing - Think they made another mistake with mine as they extended it for 2! Did you skip one in 2018? I've forgotten how the variable servicing stuff works.
As an aside, I'm getting warnings on the Audi portal about Audi Connect subscription expiring. I think this is primarily live traffic data - not sure if it affects Google satellite maps too. Anyone have any idea how much they'll want to extend this? Unless it's buttons I'll expect I'll give it a miss...
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