Help needed on audi s4 and s6,

[jaiscossie]

Been looking at both of these as they have fallen into my price rance.Seen a few of each on around an 03 plate for around 10k.Could you please tell me which would be the better car? also any common problems they may have etc.Many thanks in advance.

[Fort Jefferson]

If you don't need the size of the S6, I'd go for the S4, with a manual gearbox. There are no "common" problems. Reading the threads on here and RS246, the common problems with Audi's seem to be, multitronic, tiptronic then DSG gearbox's, (in that order) DRC, turbos, and FSi. The S4 manual has none of these.

[gizlaroc]

I would go for the S6 myself, and if you do go S4 go tiptronic, the manual fails in so many ways it ruins the car.

The S6 does what it says on the tin, you don't expect it to handle brilliantly so you're not disappointed.

[gizlaroc]

Have a look at this thread, I explained my thoughts on the S4 in there the other day.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Tame Technician]

Fort Jefferson said:

If you don't need the size of the S6, I'd go for the S4, with a manual gearbox. There are no "common" problems. Reading the threads on here and RS246, the common problems with Audi's seem to be, multitronic, tiptronic then DSG gearbox's, (in that order) DRC, turbos, and FSi. The S4 manual has none of these.

Audi gearbox issues, in this order.
Multi tronic......... DSG .....................then a big gap, then tiptronic.

DRC FSi etc agreed.

They do understeer a bit, and are not as much fun as a proper rear wheel drive car, i.e you cannot power slide an S4, or even an RS4 for that matter. If you do want a bit of sideways fun round your favorite deserted roundabout to liven up the winter rain, you need RWD.

Other than that, I think S4 avants are really good. Ride is firm but compliant and interior make BMW look stupid. Engine is smooth and has plenty of torque, and sounds great.

The gears ratios in the manual are perfect, rubbish about them being to short is nonsense unless you want to cruse over 140mph all say, then it may be a bit under geared.

Seriously get a test drive and see what you think, but I think there great. And I'm the biggest Audi product skeptic in the world.

[gizlaroc]

Tame Technician said:

The gears ratios in the manual are perfect, rubbish about them being to short is nonsense unless you want to cruse over 140mph all say, then it may be a bit under geared.

It's not about cruising at 140mph.

It is about not having to swap cogs so bloody quickly, and being able to sit doing 85mph on the motorway in a 4 litre V8 without it revving stupidly high and drinking fuel like it is going out of fashion.

I can guarantee you that 9 out of 10 people would prefer a 3.6 diff on the manual S4, it would make it such a better all round car, and anyone who says that the S4 hasn't got enough torque for a 3.6 final drive is an idiot. The only reason someone would prefer a 3.9 diff is if they are a traffic light racer imho.

[gizlaroc]

Some maths......


Gear Type 6 Speed Manual

Lets see what speed we are changing gear at at 4000 rpm (normal driving) and 6000rpm (having fun), (these are as close as I can see them using a chart, but shgouldbe within a couple of mph).

Final Drive 3.89:1

1st Gear Ratio3.67:1 20mph 30mph
2nd Gear Ratio2.05:1 40mph 55mph
3rd Gear Ratio1.46:1 50mph 78mph
4th Gear Ratio1.13:1 68mph 102mph
5th Gear Ratio0.92:1 83mph 123mph
6th Gear Ratio0.78:1 97mph 145mph

Final Drive 3.6:1

1st Gear Ratio3.67:1 24mph 38mph
2nd Gear Ratio2.05:1 43mph 64mph
3rd Gear Ratio1.46:1 60mph 90mph
4th Gear Ratio1.13:1 78mph 115mph
5th Gear Ratio0.92:1 93mph 142mph

Anbd what about making 6th a little shorter, 142mph ragging it should be fine for 99% of driving, so if 6th had a .65:1 ratio instead of 0.78:1 we would get the following figures...

6th Gear Ratio0.65:1

4000rpm 130mph and at the limiter you would be doing 4800rpm.

You could sat crusing at 80mph at 2300rpm and at 100mph at 2900rpm.

This would see the S4 returning 29mpg at 100mph, and make it alot more useable through the gears.


Just my humble opinion and I am sure Audi know far better than me!

[gizlaroc]

Oh, and before anyone says, I do realise that resistance will effect MPG too.

[Fort Jefferson]

You could cure the cruising problem with one of these but you would have to do a lot of miles to get your money back.

[gizlaroc]

What sort of price are they?

[Fort Jefferson]

gizlaroc said:

What sort of price are they?

Don't know, it says POA, but I'm guessing they're not cheap, then you've got to fit it.