How much premium for ‘quality’?: Legacy Spec B vs Audi S4 V8
Discussion
I bought my 55-plate Legacy Spec B estate late last year as I needed a practical machine predominantly to help with post-house-move B&Q trips and potential family duties. It’s a fantastic car. Tonnes of kit, very precise steering, far better handling than I ever expected and it sounds spot on. Oh, and the boot is huge.
But...having owned three BMWs beforehand, I miss the feeling of quality. I like the dark, hunkered down feel of BMW interiors while the Legacy is much airier with its enormous panoramic sunroof and the driving position is a bit high. So does that warrant selling up and getting a car that might be less suitable for my needs but feels a little bit...nicer?
The Audi S4 V8 is the car I keep coming back to. Facelift models look so right, the interior is dark and moody and the V8 has a satisfying bass to it and I imagine a dose more torque. However, it has a much smaller boot, I expect it to use far more fuel, be less reliable, and far less agile around corners from everything I’ve read. Also, decent S4s are twice the price of my Legacy with way more miles on the clock.
With all that in mind, would you stick or twist, just for a bit more feel?
But...having owned three BMWs beforehand, I miss the feeling of quality. I like the dark, hunkered down feel of BMW interiors while the Legacy is much airier with its enormous panoramic sunroof and the driving position is a bit high. So does that warrant selling up and getting a car that might be less suitable for my needs but feels a little bit...nicer?
The Audi S4 V8 is the car I keep coming back to. Facelift models look so right, the interior is dark and moody and the V8 has a satisfying bass to it and I imagine a dose more torque. However, it has a much smaller boot, I expect it to use far more fuel, be less reliable, and far less agile around corners from everything I’ve read. Also, decent S4s are twice the price of my Legacy with way more miles on the clock.
With all that in mind, would you stick or twist, just for a bit more feel?
Edited by RoVoFob on Tuesday 12th May 18:42
The spinner of plates said:
Life is short, likes are subjective, go with what you fancy within budget.
Sorry, doesn’t really answer your question, consider it more of a philosophical viewpoint
Philosophy is good. If only the Audi didn’t threaten quite such big bills there might be a bit less conflict between head and heart!Sorry, doesn’t really answer your question, consider it more of a philosophical viewpoint
MattS5 said:
Great cars, I ran B6 saloon for 7 years, but that was some 6 years ago now.
They are getting a little long in the tooth.
Look out for chain rattle as that’s an engine out job.
suspension arms/ bushes as they’ll be needing replacing, if they haven’t been already.
Thanks. Satisfying enough to warrant fuel bills and potential repair costs?They are getting a little long in the tooth.
Look out for chain rattle as that’s an engine out job.
suspension arms/ bushes as they’ll be needing replacing, if they haven’t been already.
Looks like most of the ones I’ve looked at have had cam chain work done thankfully. Anything particularly expensive about S4 suspension parts? Imagine sheer weight means that things like bushes get hammered.
RoVoFob said:
Thanks. Satisfying enough to warrant fuel bills and potential repair costs?
Looks like most of the ones I’ve looked at have had cam chain work done thankfully. Anything particularly expensive about S4 suspension parts? Imagine sheer weight means that things like bushes get hammered.
Never had any real issues with mine in 70k miles. Front suspension parts were run of the mill pricing, as were discs and pads if sourced thru GSF etc. Looks like most of the ones I’ve looked at have had cam chain work done thankfully. Anything particularly expensive about S4 suspension parts? Imagine sheer weight means that things like bushes get hammered.
Fuel, I averaged around 22 mpg I reckon, but haven’t had a car in the last 20 years which has given me anymore than 25mpg anyway, so no loss there either.
I had a milltek resonated exhaust on mine, it sounded lovely, but no drone when cruising.
MattS5 said:
Never had any real issues with mine in 70k miles. Front suspension parts were run of the mill pricing, as were discs and pads if sourced thru GSF etc.
Fuel, I averaged around 22 mpg I reckon, but haven’t had a car in the last 20 years which has given me anymore than 25mpg anyway, so no loss there either.
I had a milltek resonated exhaust on mine, it sounded lovely, but no drone when cruising.
Thanks. Good to hear. How did you find the suspension and steering? Expect S4 to be planted, but not sure how agile it is from what I’ve read and wonder whether their sheer weight means regular bushes and other bits and bobs are needed.Fuel, I averaged around 22 mpg I reckon, but haven’t had a car in the last 20 years which has given me anymore than 25mpg anyway, so no loss there either.
I had a milltek resonated exhaust on mine, it sounded lovely, but no drone when cruising.
My master plan if I bought an S4 would be to fit lighter weight alloys. Hopefully shaving off around 4-5kg per corner would give a boost in economy and performance.
Is this the Subaru you have OP?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
This thing looks magnificent. When looking at this ad though I did see it only has a 4 speed auto. Is this too few gears for this type of car? ie will it be revving its nuts off at 70 mph or have gaping holes in its acceleration jumping from one gear to another?
It does look good though !
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
This thing looks magnificent. When looking at this ad though I did see it only has a 4 speed auto. Is this too few gears for this type of car? ie will it be revving its nuts off at 70 mph or have gaping holes in its acceleration jumping from one gear to another?
It does look good though !
jjr1 said:
Is this the Subaru you have OP?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
This thing looks magnificent. When looking at this ad though I did see it only has a 4 speed auto. Is this too few gears for this type of car? ie will it be revving its nuts off at 70 mph or have gaping holes in its acceleration jumping from one gear to another?
It does look good though !
Nope. Mine is a 2005 3.0 Spec B with the flat-six engine and thankfully a six-speed manual. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
This thing looks magnificent. When looking at this ad though I did see it only has a 4 speed auto. Is this too few gears for this type of car? ie will it be revving its nuts off at 70 mph or have gaping holes in its acceleration jumping from one gear to another?
It does look good though !
Gearbox makes it. Hits 57mph in second and 75mph in third, meaning you can make the most of the engine at normal speeds. Unlike with that other flat-six car, the Cayman, where it hits more than 75mph in second, which seems like madness to me.
Never understand why manufacturers screw up gearing so often in supposedly sporty cars. BMW 335i hits 75-odd in second and 110 or so in third. Puts me off the whole car. What’s the point in getting a car with a decent sounding engine if you can only - legally - rev it out in one gear on a country road? [endofrant]
RoVoFob said:
Thanks. Good to hear. How did you find the suspension and steering? Expect S4 to be planted, but not sure how agile it is from what I’ve read and wonder whether their sheer weight means regular bushes and other bits and bobs are needed.
My master plan if I bought an S4 would be to fit lighter weight alloys. Hopefully shaving off around 4-5kg per corner would give a boost in economy and performance.
I guess you could call it planted, it wasnt wallowey, but it wasn't pointey sharp either. I;d say it provided a great all round drive 95% of the time, in a really practical, capable pakage with a decent engine.My master plan if I bought an S4 would be to fit lighter weight alloys. Hopefully shaving off around 4-5kg per corner would give a boost in economy and performance.
Anything you can do to remove some of the weight from the front would only be a bonus.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
I’m decided: as much as I love the Legacy and it’s a fabulous car for the money, I think I’d get a little extra satisfaction from something a bit more low-slung and cosy. Even if it doesn’t drive quite as well.
The V8 Audi S4 Avant is still top of the list, though I’ve found a decent BMW 330Ci and Saab 9-5 Aero estate for less combined. I imagine the BMW would feel sportier, even if it’s slower and potentially not as sharp to drive as the S4 (it is 290kg lighter though!), while the Saab is likely to be comfier and offer a bigger boot.
Would normally rather one car to do everything, but I’ve learned that when buying used that the best car is the one that’s been looked after best. And even respectable-looking V8 S4s seem to have some question marks over history and servicing as far as I can see...
Is this BMW and Saab combo madness?
I’m decided: as much as I love the Legacy and it’s a fabulous car for the money, I think I’d get a little extra satisfaction from something a bit more low-slung and cosy. Even if it doesn’t drive quite as well.
The V8 Audi S4 Avant is still top of the list, though I’ve found a decent BMW 330Ci and Saab 9-5 Aero estate for less combined. I imagine the BMW would feel sportier, even if it’s slower and potentially not as sharp to drive as the S4 (it is 290kg lighter though!), while the Saab is likely to be comfier and offer a bigger boot.
Would normally rather one car to do everything, but I’ve learned that when buying used that the best car is the one that’s been looked after best. And even respectable-looking V8 S4s seem to have some question marks over history and servicing as far as I can see...
Is this BMW and Saab combo madness?
MattS5 said:
I guess you could call it planted, it wasnt wallowey, but it wasn't pointey sharp either. I;d say it provided a great all round drive 95% of the time, in a really practical, capable pakage with a decent engine.
Anything you can do to remove some of the weight from the front would only be a bonus.
Thanks. If you had a B6 saloon, I imagine a B7 Avant - the B6 looks dated to me now - might be a little better, with 10% more power being sent to the rear wheels and presumably more weight at the back with the estate boot.Anything you can do to remove some of the weight from the front would only be a bonus.
Planted and not wallowy is the main thing. Wouldn’t expect a V8 estate to be particularly agile, would just want it to be able to control its own weight well. Would consider fitting lightweight alloys which might help it to feel a little more light in its feet, too.
RoVoFob said:
Oddly I’m not a V8 fan normally, but love the sound - and torque - of the S4.
Had toyed with getting a 530i e39 several times, but think it’d feel a but to soft and heavy after the Subaru.
Don't mention torque this engine doesn't have any apart from high up the rev range if you believe the internet Had toyed with getting a 530i e39 several times, but think it’d feel a but to soft and heavy after the Subaru.
they're good cars, as previously mentioned the chain rattle is a serious issue in terms of cost, decoking the heads makes a difference to the cars performance.Apart from that they're pretty sensible maintenance wise.
There's also these that are a pretty bombastic Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or the A4's bigger brother:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
ZX10R NIN said:
Don't mention torque this engine doesn't have any apart from high up the rev range if you believe the internet they're good cars, as previously mentioned the chain rattle is a serious issue in terms of cost, decoking the heads makes a difference to the cars performance.
Apart from that they're pretty sensible maintenance wise.
There's also these that are a pretty bombastic Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or the A4's bigger brother:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Think a 4.2-litre V8 will churn out enough torque for me! Cam chain issues are the main things I’m looking out for. I thought decoking was only needed on direct injection engines like in S5 V8 and B8 RS4? they're good cars, as previously mentioned the chain rattle is a serious issue in terms of cost, decoking the heads makes a difference to the cars performance.Apart from that they're pretty sensible maintenance wise.
There's also these that are a pretty bombastic Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or the A4's bigger brother:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Have to say I normally stay well clear of anything with a Mercedes badge apart from maybe a W124. 30 years ago that badge meant something but doesn’t this generation rust like nobody’s business? Auto-only, too.
S6 is appealing in theory, but again auto-only and sure V10 would mean another world of financial pain. S4 seems like a manageable risk. S6...I’m not so sure!
stevemcs said:
B6 still cokes up, they leak oil too, front suspension is overly complicated and the Cat flexi hoses fail and they are a bugger to get at,
Urgh. Every time I look into getting an S4, it sounds like a world of pain.It’s all pushing me towards the Saab and BMW. Who knew the idea of getting two cars could seem so sensible...
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