Is an S4 the only option?

[TTwiggy]

Hi all - bit of a 'what car?' that I think I've already answered, but I'd appreciate input or views on.

I'm after a a fast (sub 6 secs to 60 ideally), understated, four-seat, four wheel drive, petrol-engined car with a bit of practicality thrown in.

Basically, with a budget around the £13k mark, I think i'm looking at a B6 S4.

Any thoughts?

To add, mpg is not a major factor, as I only do around 7k miles per year.

[TTwiggy]

Ash333 said:

Would sub 5 seconds be ok?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

I flirted with the idea of one of these, but have heard a few horror stories in terms of running costs.

(cars lunching gearboxes on a regular basis seems to ring a bell...)

[TTwiggy]

Tuvra said:

Simple Answer is no:

• S/C/E55 AMG
• C32 AMG
• BMW M5
• Jaguar S-Type R
• Jaguar XJR
• etc

4 wheel drive?

[TTwiggy]

BeeRoad said:

A Mazda 6 MPS fits your requirements perfectly except it will leave with a fair bit of change.

Sub 6 secs to 60?

[TTwiggy]

Tuvra said:

Lefty said:

Tuvra said:

Simple Answer is no:

• S/C/E55 AMG
• C32 AMG
• BMW M5
• Jaguar S-Type R
• Jaguar XJR
• etc

I don't think any of those are 4wd...

I missed that bit, Ill get my coat...

all good options otherwise!

I am still thinking about a Jag S-Type R, but I think I want to get back into a manual car after 18 months with an auto...

[TTwiggy]

Rawwr said:

TTwiggy said:

I flirted with the idea of one of these, but have heard a few horror stories in terms of running costs.

Would it make you feel better to hear some S4 horror stories?

I have heard about clutch issues, but if you've got other info, I'm all ears.

[TTwiggy]

Lefty said:

159 q4? Maybe not <6s though...

Edited by Lefty on Tuesday 4th January 12:04

Have considered this as I do love Alfas.

Also thought about the Brera.

The only issue is that I had the Alfa V6 in my 147 Gta, and while it's a lovely engine, I know from experience that it will deliver a worse mpg than the Audi, while giving away 90bhp and 2 cylinders.

[TTwiggy]

Rawwr said:

TTwiggy said:

Rawwr said:

TTwiggy said:

I flirted with the idea of one of these, but have heard a few horror stories in terms of running costs.

Would it make you feel better to hear some S4 horror stories?

I have heard about clutch issues, but if you've got other info, I'm all ears.

My point was that every vehicle ever made in the history of the universe has some kind of horror story attributed to it.

Get the RS6.

You're absolutely right of course, but there are horror stories and HORROR!!! stories.

I believe that there's a chap on here whose 'bargain' VW Phaeton needs a new turbo on its V10 diesel engine, leading to a quote of 150 man hours. That's the sort of thing I'd rather avoid!

[TTwiggy]

Lefty said:

Before 300bhp/tonne gets in:


http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2364133.htm

not sure it covers my requirement for a 'subtle' image, but thanks!

[TTwiggy]

doogz said:

A8 V8 TDI? Might find a 4.2 under budget, under 6 to 60. The 4.0 is more like 6.5 i think.

Comfier and better equipped than the S4, much more so tbh.

Good call, the only issues I'd have with this option would be the size of an A8 (getting a bit sick of hunting for parking spaces for my XJ8 - I live in London) and the worry about owning a big diesel out of warranty...

[TTwiggy]

Lefty said:

Is a big diesel out of warranty much worse than a big petrol out of warranty?

I think the s4 sounds ideal for you tbh.

Can you rank your preferences in order of importance? Is 4wd really a must-have? And when you say 4 seats, is it occasional 4 seats or do you really need a spacious car?

I've heard about big bills for diesels - but as pointed out above, I guess there's issues with every option.

Ok, preferences in order.

Fast (I've owned 'quick' cars before, so I want something that's going to impress me)
Understated (I don't want to attract every boy racer with a bean can exhaust)
Good interior and plenty of 'toys' (I've reached 'that' age)
Four wheel drive (this winter has convinced me of this)
Practical (I go to the Lakes about 3 times a year and take a lot of stuff)
Four seats (don't need massive amounts of room in the back, but do have more than one passenger on a semi-regular basis)

It's an S4, isn't it?

[TTwiggy]

TonyHetherington said:

I've a B6 S4. Bloomin brilliant.

No major horror stories at all - just things that sometimes go wrong. Just shelled out £450 for a new starter motor to be fitted, and back in february creaky suspension cost me £600. But that's it really - the service was pretty cheap, and the rate I drive service is every 2yrs near enough.

I've spent £3.3k over and above fuel (so this includes insurance) since May 2009, giving a total cost of the car to me of 54p per mile including costs, 29p per mile excluding (so purely fuel).

That covers fuel, insurance (£600/yr for me - 30yrs old), running costs and any problems etc.

I also had the wheels refurbed and the car fully detailed by KDS, but that's not included in the costs (~£800).

Hope that helps

It's well worth it - a very very good car.

Thanks - exactly what I was wanting to hear.

Do you mind me asking who you insure through? A quick 'comparison site' search couldn't get under £900 for me (I'm 39 this month, full no claims, no convictions, but I have an SE (London) postcode).

Edited by TTwiggy on Tuesday 4th January 12:32

[TTwiggy]

TonyHetherington said:

TTwiggy said:

It's an S4, isn't it?

I had similar criteria - most notably the estate to get my drum kit in the back - but all the other stuff too, and it's where I ended up.

They're even cheaper now than when I bought mine - some scarily good bargains out there.

Yes, I'm thinking avant as I sometimes have to move guitar and bass amps!

[TTwiggy]

Lefty said:

The need for 4wd depends entirely on personal circumstances. I live up a farm track that my r32 on normal tyres can navigate but my w211 E320cdi on winters couldn't.

When the snow gets too deep for the r32 (maybe 6-8 inches) I use the old land Rover

OP, have you considered something fast and rwd (m3?) for, say, £10k and a £3k 4x4 for winter/tip/dog duties?

I agree that it's an odd requirement 99% of the time, but I had 4wd (admittedly only Haldex) on my TT, and on the few occasions (one winter when I was the only car able to get up a particular hill near me, another time when I drove out of a mud-slick of a car park where friends had to abandon rwd and fwd cars) I did need it, I really appreciated it.

Taking my Elise up to the Lakes one winter was 'interesting'!

I have looked at M3s - fantastic cars, but in the area where I live, they are the preserve of 'freelance pharmaceutical suppliers' and I don't want the plod attention that they seem to get...

[TTwiggy]

Risotto said:

Have you considered a 996 Carrera 4? All depends how much practicality you need. They do have 4 seats but you wouldn't want to be shoving adults in the back.

Buying/running costs might be slightly higher than some of your other contenders but it might be worth adding to the shortlist...

Yep - at one point this question might have been 'is a 996 C4 the only option?'

Sadly, it seems that my budget only stretches to high-milers, and I would worry about porker running costs, as I intend to keep this car for about 3 years.

[TTwiggy]

Pentoman said:

Audi A6 (or allroad) 4.2, or S6?
Merc ML55 AMG?
Cayenne Turbo?
Tuned calibra Turbo?

At least one of those suggestions is going to be totally wrong.

Cheers - I have thought about the S6, but manual versions, while they exist, are rarer than hens' teeth, and I don't really want another auto box.

[TTwiggy]

Rags said:

b5 rs4?

lovely - but every example I've seen has stellar mileage.

[TTwiggy]

GravelBen said:

There are some good Subaru options depending on your priorities - better driving involvement than the Audi and probably a better ride on rough roads, but interiors not quite as luxurious.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2184991.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2277850.htm
(they made them in more subtle colours as well)

or even better,

http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/subaru_legacy.a...

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 5th January 10:00

I'm sure these are very capable cars, but to me they look like Westwood has pimped Postman Pat's van - sorry, but thanks for the suggestion anyway.

Edited by TTwiggy on Wednesday 5th January 11:07