B8 S4 Ownership
Discussion
troc said:
GroundZero said:
Another random one...
Audi B8 S4 catch cans to slow down the carbon build up on the inlet valves.
Have you guys installed them and where did you buy from?
As far as I'm aware, it's not an issue with the B8 S4 engine.Audi B8 S4 catch cans to slow down the carbon build up on the inlet valves.
Have you guys installed them and where did you buy from?
Has anyone driven/owned both S4 Saloon and Avant - if so, how do they compare?
Yes, the Avant is more practical, but what about everything else? I’m looking at manuals and I realise the Saloon is £200-odd less in road tax but I’m wondering whether there are notable differences in handling, economy, refinement or anything else...
On paper the Saloon is lighter and, I imagine, a little more agile and - a tiny bit - faster and more economical. Is there anything else worth bearing in mind?
Thanks.
Yes, the Avant is more practical, but what about everything else? I’m looking at manuals and I realise the Saloon is £200-odd less in road tax but I’m wondering whether there are notable differences in handling, economy, refinement or anything else...
On paper the Saloon is lighter and, I imagine, a little more agile and - a tiny bit - faster and more economical. Is there anything else worth bearing in mind?
Thanks.
I bought the saloon based up on what you've already mentioned. I find it looks much better than a "grandad station-wagon" 
But I also presume that handling would be better due to less weight over the rear axel, meaning that the balance of grip would be better. (ie. less understeer, due to a less grippy rear end). But all that can of course be mitigated with a wheel alignment and/or suspension set up if desired.
But I also presume that handling would be better due to less weight over the rear axel, meaning that the balance of grip would be better. (ie. less understeer, due to a less grippy rear end). But all that can of course be mitigated with a wheel alignment and/or suspension set up if desired.
GroundZero said:
I bought the saloon based up on what you've already mentioned. I find it looks much better than a "grandad station-wagon"
But I also presume that handling would be better due to less weight over the rear axel, meaning that the balance of grip would be better. (ie. less understeer, due to a less grippy rear end). But all that can of course be mitigated with a wheel alignment and/or suspension set up if desired.
One of the big S4 selling points for me is that it’s pretty invisible compared with most performance cars - quite like the grandad-factor! On the flip side, wouldn’t less weight over the rear axle make the Saloon less balanced than the Avant?But I also presume that handling would be better due to less weight over the rear axel, meaning that the balance of grip would be better. (ie. less understeer, due to a less grippy rear end). But all that can of course be mitigated with a wheel alignment and/or suspension set up if desired.
How practical do you find the Saloon’s boot - could it be a family car with scope for fitting a buggy and other paraphernalia in the boot? Legacy Spec B estate I currently have has been very useful with house move, but most of the time don’t need to fit 2m-long wardrobe panels, floorboards and other bulky things inside...Saloon’s lower road tax would cover the cost of four days’ Transit rental anyway!
Have you done anything with your S4’s suspension? Had been holding out for car with adaptive suspension, but in reality Bilstein B12 and proper alignment might work even better from what I’ve read...
RoVoFob said:
One of the big S4 selling points for me is that it’s pretty invisible compared with most performance cars - quite like the grandad-factor! On the flip side, wouldn’t less weight over the rear axle make the Saloon less balanced than the Avant?
How practical do you find the Saloon’s boot - could it be a family car with scope for fitting a buggy and other paraphernalia in the boot? Legacy Spec B estate I currently have has been very useful with house move, but most of the time don’t need to fit 2m-long wardrobe panels, floorboards and other bulky things inside...Saloon’s lower road tax would cover the cost of four days’ Transit rental anyway!
Have you done anything with your S4’s suspension? Had been holding out for car with adaptive suspension, but in reality Bilstein B12 and proper alignment might work even better from what I’ve read...
Sure it depends a lot on personal preference in terms of the looks and practicality levels.How practical do you find the Saloon’s boot - could it be a family car with scope for fitting a buggy and other paraphernalia in the boot? Legacy Spec B estate I currently have has been very useful with house move, but most of the time don’t need to fit 2m-long wardrobe panels, floorboards and other bulky things inside...Saloon’s lower road tax would cover the cost of four days’ Transit rental anyway!
Have you done anything with your S4’s suspension? Had been holding out for car with adaptive suspension, but in reality Bilstein B12 and proper alignment might work even better from what I’ve read...
The saloon's boot is quite spacious, but I've not been looking to fit in things like furniture or 'family stuff' in so couldn't vouch for the items you mention.
We plan to go on long road trips in it, and having come from a B7 A4 up to the B8 S4 for our 'holiday' tourer, the B7 A4's saloon boot was big enough for 3 to 4 week's worth of luggage. The B8 A4 saloon boot is slightly bigger than the B7's.
But for my usage it is big enough for the items that I would generally be putting in, but I would guess not big enough for the items on your reply above.
The balance of grip is just that, its where the balance moves to, either towards the front or the back. If it moves to the front (in terms of weight) then the front end receives more grip, which provides more turn in ability. The rear then has less grip which promotes oversteer. Not that this is the type of car that is set up for drifting of course, but you would notice a difference on heavy trail braking for example, and the car's general agility.
GroundZero said:
Sure it depends a lot on personal preference in terms of the looks and practicality levels.
The saloon's boot is quite spacious, but I've not been looking to fit in things like furniture or 'family stuff' in so couldn't vouch for the items you mention.
We plan to go on long road trips in it, and having come from a B7 A4 up to the B8 S4 for our 'holiday' tourer, the B7 A4's saloon boot was big enough for 3 to 4 week's worth of luggage. The B8 A4 saloon boot is slightly bigger than the B7's.
But for my usage it is big enough for the items that I would generally be putting in, but I would guess not big enough for the items on your reply above.
The balance of grip is just that, its where the balance moves to, either towards the front or the back. If it moves to the front (in terms of weight) then the front end receives more grip, which provides more turn in ability. The rear then has less grip which promotes oversteer. Not that this is the type of car that is set up for drifting of course, but you would notice a difference on heavy trail braking for example, and the car's general agility.
Not expecting to cram any of the furniture or DIY bits that fitted into the Legacy into an S4 Saloon, but shouldn’t need to now house move is done. Buggy is the one thing that might prove a challenge in future. The saloon's boot is quite spacious, but I've not been looking to fit in things like furniture or 'family stuff' in so couldn't vouch for the items you mention.
We plan to go on long road trips in it, and having come from a B7 A4 up to the B8 S4 for our 'holiday' tourer, the B7 A4's saloon boot was big enough for 3 to 4 week's worth of luggage. The B8 A4 saloon boot is slightly bigger than the B7's.
But for my usage it is big enough for the items that I would generally be putting in, but I would guess not big enough for the items on your reply above.
The balance of grip is just that, its where the balance moves to, either towards the front or the back. If it moves to the front (in terms of weight) then the front end receives more grip, which provides more turn in ability. The rear then has less grip which promotes oversteer. Not that this is the type of car that is set up for drifting of course, but you would notice a difference on heavy trail braking for example, and the car's general agility.
Think the Saloon’s boot volume is higher than the Legacy surprisingly, so that’s not an issue - the access is the challenge. Will check out a Saloon if there are any suitable ones for sale post-lockdown.
Sure, I see what you mean re: trail braking. Thanks.
I probably bought a lemon, but based on my experience, I’d never buy an Audi again let alone a B8 S4.
Engine oil leaks requiring gearbox out, defective water pump and thermostat and coolant leaks, and now suspension fault and gearbox fault (undiagnosed as all nearby dealers are closed).
All this in 18 months of ownership
Engine oil leaks requiring gearbox out, defective water pump and thermostat and coolant leaks, and now suspension fault and gearbox fault (undiagnosed as all nearby dealers are closed).
All this in 18 months of ownership
matrignano said:
I probably bought a lemon, but based on my experience, I’d never buy an Audi again let alone a B8 S4.
Engine oil leaks requiring gearbox out, defective water pump and thermostat and coolant leaks, and now suspension fault and gearbox fault (undiagnosed as all nearby dealers are closed).
All this in 18 months of ownership
Doesn’t sound great. What age/mileage/number of owners was it? Adaptive suspension and S tronic?Engine oil leaks requiring gearbox out, defective water pump and thermostat and coolant leaks, and now suspension fault and gearbox fault (undiagnosed as all nearby dealers are closed).
All this in 18 months of ownership
Any warning signs or just a dud?
matrignano said:
2010 and 60k miles when I bought it.
Audi drive select and DSG.
Oil and coolant leaks become apparent within a few months, but took a few goes to diagnose and fix.
Suspension and gearbox fault lights came on unexpectedly and I haven’t driven it since (beginning of lockdown)
Sorry to hear that. Sounds like a pain - especially as it’s hardly a high-mileage car. Is it possible these are electrical issues or have you noticed mechanical problems (bar the leaks)?Audi drive select and DSG.
Oil and coolant leaks become apparent within a few months, but took a few goes to diagnose and fix.
Suspension and gearbox fault lights came on unexpectedly and I haven’t driven it since (beginning of lockdown)
My 55-plate, 85k-mile Legacy has been totally reliable bar needing a new auxiliary belt - hardly big bucks. Makes me a little bit dubious about selling it to get an S4...
Conversely our 2011 S5 Sportback (also worth a look as it's on the S4 platform, unlike the S5 coupe, which is shorter and benefits from a hatchback) has only had 2 faults in over 6 years of ownership (flickering LEDs on instrument cluster and a jammed shut thermostat) and is now over 70k miles.
I wouldn't recommend the saloon (or any saloon really) for young family duties - I had an S8 when my son was a baby and that was a struggle to get a modern 'travel system' in if you wanted to pack anything else at all! The S4 saloon has a narrower aperture than that, which is just going to make it a pain to live with daily.
I've driven all 3 iterations of S4 saloon/avant/S5 Sportback and there's really not much to choose between them based on body style impact on day to day use. You will find that no 2 nominally identical cars drive exactly the same - they seem to vary a lot. The ropiest saloon I test drove actually drove really well! The Avant allows you to hear the exhaust a bit more, which is quite muted until you've got some decent miles on the car.
For family duties I'd pick the Avant - the boot is so much more practical than the Subaru due to the boot floor being loads lower. Find one with panoramic roof and herse tints and it'll be great for all round duties.
Just watch specs - everything was an option, from heated seats to electric folding mirrors. The ADS stuff is rare, so if you want any of that it'll instantly shrink the pool of options.
Oh yeah, and pre-facelifts like ours are dire on fuel! 20mpg tank average is about what we always get. 23 on a run, less in winter
I wouldn't recommend the saloon (or any saloon really) for young family duties - I had an S8 when my son was a baby and that was a struggle to get a modern 'travel system' in if you wanted to pack anything else at all! The S4 saloon has a narrower aperture than that, which is just going to make it a pain to live with daily.
I've driven all 3 iterations of S4 saloon/avant/S5 Sportback and there's really not much to choose between them based on body style impact on day to day use. You will find that no 2 nominally identical cars drive exactly the same - they seem to vary a lot. The ropiest saloon I test drove actually drove really well! The Avant allows you to hear the exhaust a bit more, which is quite muted until you've got some decent miles on the car.
For family duties I'd pick the Avant - the boot is so much more practical than the Subaru due to the boot floor being loads lower. Find one with panoramic roof and herse tints and it'll be great for all round duties.
Just watch specs - everything was an option, from heated seats to electric folding mirrors. The ADS stuff is rare, so if you want any of that it'll instantly shrink the pool of options.
Oh yeah, and pre-facelifts like ours are dire on fuel! 20mpg tank average is about what we always get. 23 on a run, less in winter
Adrian E said:
Conversely our 2011 S5 Sportback (also worth a look as it's on the S4 platform, unlike the S5 coupe, which is shorter and benefits from a hatchback) has only had 2 faults in over 6 years of ownership (flickering LEDs on instrument cluster and a jammed shut thermostat) and is now over 70k miles.
I wouldn't recommend the saloon (or any saloon really) for young family duties - I had an S8 when my son was a baby and that was a struggle to get a modern 'travel system' in if you wanted to pack anything else at all! The S4 saloon has a narrower aperture than that, which is just going to make it a pain to live with daily.
I've driven all 3 iterations of S4 saloon/avant/S5 Sportback and there's really not much to choose between them based on body style impact on day to day use. You will find that no 2 nominally identical cars drive exactly the same - they seem to vary a lot. The ropiest saloon I test drove actually drove really well! The Avant allows you to hear the exhaust a bit more, which is quite muted until you've got some decent miles on the car.
For family duties I'd pick the Avant - the boot is so much more practical than the Subaru due to the boot floor being loads lower. Find one with panoramic roof and herse tints and it'll be great for all round duties.
Just watch specs - everything was an option, from heated seats to electric folding mirrors. The ADS stuff is rare, so if you want any of that it'll instantly shrink the pool of options.
Oh yeah, and pre-facelifts like ours are dire on fuel! 20mpg tank average is about what we always get. 23 on a run, less in winter
Thanks for your thoughts. As far as I understand it, all S5s are autos, so wouldn’t work for me. You’re probably right. Don’t have kids yet so not sure how big modern buggies are when folded up, but most look enormous.I wouldn't recommend the saloon (or any saloon really) for young family duties - I had an S8 when my son was a baby and that was a struggle to get a modern 'travel system' in if you wanted to pack anything else at all! The S4 saloon has a narrower aperture than that, which is just going to make it a pain to live with daily.
I've driven all 3 iterations of S4 saloon/avant/S5 Sportback and there's really not much to choose between them based on body style impact on day to day use. You will find that no 2 nominally identical cars drive exactly the same - they seem to vary a lot. The ropiest saloon I test drove actually drove really well! The Avant allows you to hear the exhaust a bit more, which is quite muted until you've got some decent miles on the car.
For family duties I'd pick the Avant - the boot is so much more practical than the Subaru due to the boot floor being loads lower. Find one with panoramic roof and herse tints and it'll be great for all round duties.
Just watch specs - everything was an option, from heated seats to electric folding mirrors. The ADS stuff is rare, so if you want any of that it'll instantly shrink the pool of options.
Oh yeah, and pre-facelifts like ours are dire on fuel! 20mpg tank average is about what we always get. 23 on a run, less in winter
Would be good to hear the exhaust a bit more, so another tick for the Avant. I’d be surprised if the S4 boot is much lower than the Subaru - the Legacy hatch is pretty big and the boot floor low and completely flat with the seats down. Funnily enough, I hate panoramic glass roofs - just extra weight, complexity and something to leak in my book. Subaru has one and I’ve pretty much had the cover drawn the whole time I’ve had it!
Yes, I’ve swatted up on the options I want. I managed to find 2009, 2010 and 2011 brochure PDFs which have come in very handy. Rear sensors, B&O, heated seats, Hill Hold Assist and nav/Tech Pack High with SD cards would be ideal and still deciding whether ADS and sport diff are worth having or more trouble than they’re worth.
The prospect of 20mpg is a little scary. Legacy has official figure of 23.0mpg, but I’ve averaged 29.0mpg calculated over 2,300-odd miles. Not sure if that’s down to me or the car!
RoVoFob said:
Thanks for your thoughts. As far as I understand it, all S5s are autos, so wouldn’t work for me. You’re probably right. Don’t have kids yet so not sure how big modern buggies are when folded up, but most look enormous.
Would be good to hear the exhaust a bit more, so another tick for the Avant. I’d be surprised if the S4 boot is much lower than the Subaru - the Legacy hatch is pretty big and the boot floor low and completely flat with the seats down. Funnily enough, I hate panoramic glass roofs - just extra weight, complexity and something to leak in my book. Subaru has one and I’ve pretty much had the cover drawn the whole time I’ve had it!
Yes, I’ve swatted up on the options I want. I managed to find 2009, 2010 and 2011 brochure PDFs which have come in very handy. Rear sensors, B&O, heated seats, Hill Hold Assist and nav/Tech Pack High with SD cards would be ideal and still deciding whether ADS and sport diff are worth having or more trouble than they’re worth.
The prospect of 20mpg is a little scary. Legacy has official figure of 23.0mpg, but I’ve averaged 29.0mpg calculated over 2,300-odd miles. Not sure if that’s down to me or the car!
Ah OK, missed the bit about manual only - just watch for cars reluctant to start as the clutch forks/release bearings wear, and eventually pushing the clutch pedal all the way down won't be far enough to override the interlock on the starter motor.Would be good to hear the exhaust a bit more, so another tick for the Avant. I’d be surprised if the S4 boot is much lower than the Subaru - the Legacy hatch is pretty big and the boot floor low and completely flat with the seats down. Funnily enough, I hate panoramic glass roofs - just extra weight, complexity and something to leak in my book. Subaru has one and I’ve pretty much had the cover drawn the whole time I’ve had it!
Yes, I’ve swatted up on the options I want. I managed to find 2009, 2010 and 2011 brochure PDFs which have come in very handy. Rear sensors, B&O, heated seats, Hill Hold Assist and nav/Tech Pack High with SD cards would be ideal and still deciding whether ADS and sport diff are worth having or more trouble than they’re worth.
The prospect of 20mpg is a little scary. Legacy has official figure of 23.0mpg, but I’ve averaged 29.0mpg calculated over 2,300-odd miles. Not sure if that’s down to me or the car!
We had a Bugaboo and it's blinkin' huge! They all are, to be honest.
I wouldn't worry too much about hill hold assist - you can retrofit it fairly easily - new parking brake switch with the hill hold button, and one wire to run to the ABS controller under the bonnet. It's a rare option, so I wouldn't rule out a car without it.
Tech pack high is a good shout - gives you bluetooth phone prep and AMI in the glovebox for plugging your phone in for music, as well as the SD cards. Easy to update the nav yourself too.
I've always been surprised by how little boot space there is in Subaru wagons - looked at Impreza and Legacy in the past and with load covers in place there's not a great deal of space. Don't quote me on generations of model though!
Fuel economy is based on brimmed tank to brimmed tank, rather than the trip computer. Manual may be a little better in real world?
Hi,
My Saloon B8 S4 is a family car with 2 young kids, it's been fantastic.
Ok we do fill the car/boot on trips as the iCandy Peach 3 would take up 40% of the boot, fits in fine though and it's not a small buggy. Now we don't need that it should be alot easier for trips.
Sometimes an estate would be great but only on the rare occasion and now the kids are out of the baby stage it's alot less of an issue. With the seats down I've fitted a boxed 55" TV in easily, and also via a number of tip runs got rid of 60sqm of flooring from the house etc.
As for clutch, mine lasted to 100k before I got nervous and did it, wasn't slipping but was getting heavy. Cost me £1500 for non-Audi parts at a local garage, but that was including flywheel.
In terms of reliability its been unreal, on 102k now and I've had it 4+ years.
My Saloon B8 S4 is a family car with 2 young kids, it's been fantastic.
Ok we do fill the car/boot on trips as the iCandy Peach 3 would take up 40% of the boot, fits in fine though and it's not a small buggy. Now we don't need that it should be alot easier for trips.
Sometimes an estate would be great but only on the rare occasion and now the kids are out of the baby stage it's alot less of an issue. With the seats down I've fitted a boxed 55" TV in easily, and also via a number of tip runs got rid of 60sqm of flooring from the house etc.
As for clutch, mine lasted to 100k before I got nervous and did it, wasn't slipping but was getting heavy. Cost me £1500 for non-Audi parts at a local garage, but that was including flywheel.
In terms of reliability its been unreal, on 102k now and I've had it 4+ years.
Adrian E said:
Ah OK, missed the bit about manual only - just watch for cars reluctant to start as the clutch forks/release bearings wear, and eventually pushing the clutch pedal all the way down won't be far enough to override the interlock on the starter motor.
We had a Bugaboo and it's blinkin' huge! They all are, to be honest.
I wouldn't worry too much about hill hold assist - you can retrofit it fairly easily - new parking brake switch with the hill hold button, and one wire to run to the ABS controller under the bonnet. It's a rare option, so I wouldn't rule out a car without it.
Tech pack high is a good shout - gives you bluetooth phone prep and AMI in the glovebox for plugging your phone in for music, as well as the SD cards. Easy to update the nav yourself too.
I've always been surprised by how little boot space there is in Subaru wagons - looked at Impreza and Legacy in the past and with load covers in place there's not a great deal of space. Don't quote me on generations of model though!
Fuel economy is based on brimmed tank to brimmed tank, rather than the trip computer. Manual may be a little better in real world?
Will keep an eye - or should that be foot - out for problem clutches.We had a Bugaboo and it's blinkin' huge! They all are, to be honest.
I wouldn't worry too much about hill hold assist - you can retrofit it fairly easily - new parking brake switch with the hill hold button, and one wire to run to the ABS controller under the bonnet. It's a rare option, so I wouldn't rule out a car without it.
Tech pack high is a good shout - gives you bluetooth phone prep and AMI in the glovebox for plugging your phone in for music, as well as the SD cards. Easy to update the nav yourself too.
I've always been surprised by how little boot space there is in Subaru wagons - looked at Impreza and Legacy in the past and with load covers in place there's not a great deal of space. Don't quote me on generations of model though!
Fuel economy is based on brimmed tank to brimmed tank, rather than the trip computer. Manual may be a little better in real world?
Probably could get away with a Saloon space-wise, but I’ve only found one that fit the bill and that’s white - not a fan - so likely to be an Avant. Good to hear about HHA - wasn’t essential, but makes having an electric handbrake less annoying. Surprisingly, the two cars I’ve shortlisted both have it.
Think the Subaru boot space thing is a bit of an illusion - in the 05 Legacy at least. The overall boot volume is good and the floor low. The window line is low, though, so the boot cover isn’t very high, making the boot shallow when the cover’s in place.
I’m quite good at hypermiling: managed to get 32mpg from Bentayga W12 and 44mpg from M140i in the past. If it’s possible to get 25-30mpg on longer trips with the S4, I’ll be happy. Sounds like that might not be out of the question with careful driving...
mrdanbartlett said:
Hi,
My Saloon B8 S4 is a family car with 2 young kids, it's been fantastic.
Ok we do fill the car/boot on trips as the iCandy Peach 3 would take up 40% of the boot, fits in fine though and it's not a small buggy. Now we don't need that it should be alot easier for trips.
Sometimes an estate would be great but only on the rare occasion and now the kids are out of the baby stage it's alot less of an issue. With the seats down I've fitted a boxed 55" TV in easily, and also via a number of tip runs got rid of 60sqm of flooring from the house etc.
As for clutch, mine lasted to 100k before I got nervous and did it, wasn't slipping but was getting heavy. Cost me £1500 for non-Audi parts at a local garage, but that was including flywheel.
In terms of reliability its been unreal, on 102k now and I've had it 4+ years.
Good to hear. Won’t write off a Saloon, if the perfect one comes along then. Having had an estate though, I know how useful they can be, so will focus on Avants. Pretty good to get to 100k without needing a clutch.My Saloon B8 S4 is a family car with 2 young kids, it's been fantastic.
Ok we do fill the car/boot on trips as the iCandy Peach 3 would take up 40% of the boot, fits in fine though and it's not a small buggy. Now we don't need that it should be alot easier for trips.
Sometimes an estate would be great but only on the rare occasion and now the kids are out of the baby stage it's alot less of an issue. With the seats down I've fitted a boxed 55" TV in easily, and also via a number of tip runs got rid of 60sqm of flooring from the house etc.
As for clutch, mine lasted to 100k before I got nervous and did it, wasn't slipping but was getting heavy. Cost me £1500 for non-Audi parts at a local garage, but that was including flywheel.
In terms of reliability its been unreal, on 102k now and I've had it 4+ years.
Odd to hear such different reports of super-reliable and very troublesome S4s...
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