Tell me about the B6/B7 S4 convertible
Discussion
Hey guys.
Basically i'll be rewarding myself in a few months for my birthday. It probably is between the following four:
BMW E46 M3
Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
BMW 645/650
Audi S4 convertible B7
Anyway just asking anyone who has had experience with the S4 convertible to jump in and give me some information regarding the drive, the mpg, the equipment levels, auto/tip v manual, maintenance, the sat nav and mmi interface useability.
Thanks guys
Appreciated.
Already done this topic for the other 3.
Basically i'll be rewarding myself in a few months for my birthday. It probably is between the following four:
BMW E46 M3
Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
BMW 645/650
Audi S4 convertible B7
Anyway just asking anyone who has had experience with the S4 convertible to jump in and give me some information regarding the drive, the mpg, the equipment levels, auto/tip v manual, maintenance, the sat nav and mmi interface useability.
Thanks guys
Appreciated.
Already done this topic for the other 3.
I have a B6 S4 avant, so I can probably help with some, but not all of you questions.
Mpg - sort of what you might expect from a 4.2 V8. In mixed driving I generally get about 19mpg, and that's allowing myself some opportunities to exploit the performance. If I make a point of trying for better mileage I can push that to about 23ish.
The drive - performance wise I'd say the car feels marginally quicker than the Boxster S I had before the S4, and the gap in performance rises as the speed rises - it's a quick car. People will tell yu they under steer. Actually I've never really felt it too much, but the steering is quite slow, so it doesn't change direction like a sports car. On the plus side, the awd makes for a very planted feeling and confidence to still use the power in the wet.
Mpg - sort of what you might expect from a 4.2 V8. In mixed driving I generally get about 19mpg, and that's allowing myself some opportunities to exploit the performance. If I make a point of trying for better mileage I can push that to about 23ish.
The drive - performance wise I'd say the car feels marginally quicker than the Boxster S I had before the S4, and the gap in performance rises as the speed rises - it's a quick car. People will tell yu they under steer. Actually I've never really felt it too much, but the steering is quite slow, so it doesn't change direction like a sports car. On the plus side, the awd makes for a very planted feeling and confidence to still use the power in the wet.
Can't say I've ever gone into a corner fast enough on the road to cause understeer!
Fuel economy above is spot on, I'm also driving a B6 S4 currently and get about the same.
Tip/manual, both are pretty good. The manual has a very sensitive throttle pedal which does take a bit of getting used to, particularly with a spirited start. It is also geared surprisingly low so revs fairly high ont he motorway (it almost wants another ratio!). The tip box is not as engaging but it's silky smooth, slightly taller geared and doesn't give any reliability worries.
Standard kit is pretty crappy like most Audis, cabs get electric leather seats (not Recaros) and Xenons as standard but that's about it. You'll (ideally) be wanting Bose, Heated seats, DVD Nav, bluetooth and parking sensors. RNS-E navigation is a little bit dated now but you can get current map updates and it works well enough.
Loads of character and a really 'honest' little car, nothing fancy to get in the way just a big dumb V8, loads of grip and a lovely soundtrack. Milltek exhausts are incredibly popular as the standard one doesn't really let it sing.
Fuel economy above is spot on, I'm also driving a B6 S4 currently and get about the same.
Tip/manual, both are pretty good. The manual has a very sensitive throttle pedal which does take a bit of getting used to, particularly with a spirited start. It is also geared surprisingly low so revs fairly high ont he motorway (it almost wants another ratio!). The tip box is not as engaging but it's silky smooth, slightly taller geared and doesn't give any reliability worries.
Standard kit is pretty crappy like most Audis, cabs get electric leather seats (not Recaros) and Xenons as standard but that's about it. You'll (ideally) be wanting Bose, Heated seats, DVD Nav, bluetooth and parking sensors. RNS-E navigation is a little bit dated now but you can get current map updates and it works well enough.
Loads of character and a really 'honest' little car, nothing fancy to get in the way just a big dumb V8, loads of grip and a lovely soundtrack. Milltek exhausts are incredibly popular as the standard one doesn't really let it sing.
Thanks for replies, anymore opinions?
MPG: I guess any of the cars i am looking at will all share a similar mpg.
Pretty disappointed about the basic spec in it but like Dr G said i'll need to make sure i get all the extras.
I like the B7 as it stands out a little more than the B6.
Do Milltek's really bring out the exhaust note? Is it loud?
And thanks Twiggy, I know its a very fast and people do same the same thing, very planted but steering is slow.
More guys?
Thanks
MPG: I guess any of the cars i am looking at will all share a similar mpg.
Pretty disappointed about the basic spec in it but like Dr G said i'll need to make sure i get all the extras.
I like the B7 as it stands out a little more than the B6.
Do Milltek's really bring out the exhaust note? Is it loud?
And thanks Twiggy, I know its a very fast and people do same the same thing, very planted but steering is slow.
More guys?
Thanks
My silver B6 S4 cab is a manual and has rear parking sensors, Bose, sat nav, heated electric seats, red leather and black piano finish.
I've had it 6 months, done baout 1500 miles and get about 18 mpg poking around town, which I think is pretty reasonable. Very quick car.
I bought it from Audi, had to go back to fix the passenger side seat heating element and is now going back, under Audi warranty, to fix the airbag light.
The quality of the interior is not as good as a similarly aged (E46) BMW 3-series.
I'm sure my exhaust is standard but the V8 roar is great.
I've had it 6 months, done baout 1500 miles and get about 18 mpg poking around town, which I think is pretty reasonable. Very quick car.
I bought it from Audi, had to go back to fix the passenger side seat heating element and is now going back, under Audi warranty, to fix the airbag light.
The quality of the interior is not as good as a similarly aged (E46) BMW 3-series.
I'm sure my exhaust is standard but the V8 roar is great.
Is the standard exhaust actually any good? I know in some cars its better off getting an aftermarket one because standard one is terrible. Like on the Clio sports as they basically fall to pieces in 5yrs and cost the same as an aftermarket one anyway.
How are the residues on the S4? are they pretty strong cars? Like the M3 E46, pretty strong cars and engines bombproof.
I do have to say the interior does look a bit bland. And M888SXY the spec list you have is pretty okay, anything else you would have spec wise?
Any potential problems in them?
Thanks
How are the residues on the S4? are they pretty strong cars? Like the M3 E46, pretty strong cars and engines bombproof.
I do have to say the interior does look a bit bland. And M888SXY the spec list you have is pretty okay, anything else you would have spec wise?
Any potential problems in them?
Thanks
The thing about the S4 is that it's very subtle. Of the cars on your list, it's by far the least 'showy'.
For me, this was the big appeal of the S4 (also, I have a boat, so I needed a load-lugger and Audi produced an estate version). It's a Q-car, and it can be a lot of fun to confuse owners of more obviously 'fast' cars by comfortably sitting with them as they wonder how that 'bog standard' Audi estate is still looming in their rear view mirror. I'm thinking though that as you are after a drop-top, you might want something a bit flashier (no offence intended) and that for that reason, the S4 may not be for you?
Incredibly capable all-rounder, but probably not a class-leader in any particular area sums it up (unless it's chucking it down with rain/sleet/snow).
For me, this was the big appeal of the S4 (also, I have a boat, so I needed a load-lugger and Audi produced an estate version). It's a Q-car, and it can be a lot of fun to confuse owners of more obviously 'fast' cars by comfortably sitting with them as they wonder how that 'bog standard' Audi estate is still looming in their rear view mirror. I'm thinking though that as you are after a drop-top, you might want something a bit flashier (no offence intended) and that for that reason, the S4 may not be for you?
Incredibly capable all-rounder, but probably not a class-leader in any particular area sums it up (unless it's chucking it down with rain/sleet/snow).
An excellent good every day car! 05 plate with 39k on the clock and therefore just £260 road tax.
I had to put in a litre of oil after about 1000 miles.
Memory seats would be nice and electric folding mirrors. The heated seats do heat up eventually but are not very effective when you compare them with my current E92 BMW.
I'm sure there's another couple of small things on the spec as well that I haven't mentioned such as auto-headlights, which I also have.
The trip computer is not very user friendly.
I find it quite difficult to fault the car. Never had any water inside it even in the heaviest rain.
I had to put in a litre of oil after about 1000 miles.
Memory seats would be nice and electric folding mirrors. The heated seats do heat up eventually but are not very effective when you compare them with my current E92 BMW.
I'm sure there's another couple of small things on the spec as well that I haven't mentioned such as auto-headlights, which I also have.
The trip computer is not very user friendly.
I find it quite difficult to fault the car. Never had any water inside it even in the heaviest rain.
MikeM3Power said:
I do have to say the interior does look a bit bland. And M888SXY the spec list you have is pretty okay, anything else you would have spec wise?
Any potential problems in them?
Thanks
Any potential problems in them?
Thanks
Edited by M888SXY on Wednesday 24th October 15:30
Hi Ttwiggy
No offense taken
It definitely is a Q car and B6 guise very very subtle.
Personally think that the CLK 55 amg is more subtle then a B7 S4 Convertible (aggressive grill, flared arches, quad exhaust, V8 burble)
I just do like toys to play with inside the car.
Also the B7 Audi S4 cabrio is quite rare, do not see many of them at all which is always nice.
And when I see a S4/RS4 I move clean out the way, lol I know exactly what they are about
No offense taken
It definitely is a Q car and B6 guise very very subtle.
Personally think that the CLK 55 amg is more subtle then a B7 S4 Convertible (aggressive grill, flared arches, quad exhaust, V8 burble)
I just do like toys to play with inside the car.
Also the B7 Audi S4 cabrio is quite rare, do not see many of them at all which is always nice.
And when I see a S4/RS4 I move clean out the way, lol I know exactly what they are about
M888SXY said:
Edited by M888SXY on Wednesday 24th October 15:30
As long as the heated seats work!
I assume the B7 would be £400 road tax a year?
Were memory seats and electric holding mirrors an option or just not available?
Trip computer in between the speedos?
How is the sat nav interface, i mean easy to use?
Thanks
Don't know what was available, only what mine has got. It has auto-lights but not wipers. I would have to have a look at the as built spec. list to see if it was standard or not.
I would think all B7 come in the higher tax bracket but there'll be others here more knowledgeable than me.
My sat nav is easy to use, must be if I can use it without instructions. DVD based so a bit out of date. It didn't have a clue around the new motorway system around west Edinburgh the other month!
Yes, trip computer between the dials. It just isn't obvious (to me anyway) how to go through the trip computer data and reset it. Think I've got it now though.
Having said earlier that the E46 is nicer inside I chose mine in preference to an E46 Alpina B3S convertible!!
I would think all B7 come in the higher tax bracket but there'll be others here more knowledgeable than me.
My sat nav is easy to use, must be if I can use it without instructions. DVD based so a bit out of date. It didn't have a clue around the new motorway system around west Edinburgh the other month!
Yes, trip computer between the dials. It just isn't obvious (to me anyway) how to go through the trip computer data and reset it. Think I've got it now though.
Having said earlier that the E46 is nicer inside I chose mine in preference to an E46 Alpina B3S convertible!!
M888SXY said:
I would think all B7 come in the higher tax bracket.
Anything above 225g/km and registered after the 23/3/2006 falls into the higher tax bracket.We used to have a 2005 '55' A4 2.0T Quattro Tiptronic avant that emitted 226g, but this was £270 to tax. The same car registered after 23/3/2006 would be high £400s.
Best thing is to buy an '05' or '55' to be certain, or check on somewhere like the myCarCheck free app to see when it was registered. Or look at it this way.....it's another £200 p.a. to tax, or £16 a month. The problem is, as the car drops in value, then the cost of tax is more acute.
Thanks for the response guys, really appreciate it.
Would be good to hear from some B7 S4 convertible owners.
I do actually like the q car element to the S4s.
Also in comparison to the M3 E46 there seems to be a lot more better examples out there of the similar age.
Maybe because it wasn't as popular? Not flashy enough?
Which of course is good as less chance of picking up a dog
Thanks
Would be good to hear from some B7 S4 convertible owners.
I do actually like the q car element to the S4s.
Also in comparison to the M3 E46 there seems to be a lot more better examples out there of the similar age.
Maybe because it wasn't as popular? Not flashy enough?
Which of course is good as less chance of picking up a dog
Thanks
I'm running a B7 S4 cab tip auto, 53K on the clock, 19K miles per year, mainly motorway and fast country roads.
What a lot of fun...the noise is intoxicating, especially with the roof down.
Equipment levels are great if you can find a spec'd up car. Mine has most of the options I think are available including auto wipers and headlights, only thing it doesn't have (which is surprising because I can't believe it is a high cost option) is tyre pressure monitoring. Bose sounds are beautiful and you need a loud system when the roof is down and the wind is blowing...fast.
Tyres came in at £380 for a pair (Michelin PS3). Road tax is £460 / year which is a little painful. Insurance is £400 ish.
Only big issue to consider if you're going to do some miles is mpg. Motorway cruise at 65 - 70 returns 30-32 mpg on the trip computer, which is optimistic and equates to around 25 - 27. Drive it like it's meant to be and the number quickly starts with a 1! Work on 300 miles to a tank light foot motorway driving; 200 - 250 for more spirited progress. The price to pay for the V8...worth paying I think as I'm not sure they're going to making cars like this for too much longer.
Oh and they're not so common as B7 cab as per earlier post.
Good luck hunting one down.
What a lot of fun...the noise is intoxicating, especially with the roof down.
Equipment levels are great if you can find a spec'd up car. Mine has most of the options I think are available including auto wipers and headlights, only thing it doesn't have (which is surprising because I can't believe it is a high cost option) is tyre pressure monitoring. Bose sounds are beautiful and you need a loud system when the roof is down and the wind is blowing...fast.
Tyres came in at £380 for a pair (Michelin PS3). Road tax is £460 / year which is a little painful. Insurance is £400 ish.
Only big issue to consider if you're going to do some miles is mpg. Motorway cruise at 65 - 70 returns 30-32 mpg on the trip computer, which is optimistic and equates to around 25 - 27. Drive it like it's meant to be and the number quickly starts with a 1! Work on 300 miles to a tank light foot motorway driving; 200 - 250 for more spirited progress. The price to pay for the V8...worth paying I think as I'm not sure they're going to making cars like this for too much longer.
Oh and they're not so common as B7 cab as per earlier post.
Good luck hunting one down.
Thanks AJS777
Did you mean they are not as common as a B6 cab?
Awesome information mate.
Pretty much as I expected actually, do you have any pics?
Is your a auto/manual?
Yeah i agree on the fact that they wont be making cars like these much longer.
How is the maintenance?
Petrol doesn't really bother me actually, like you said its the price you pay for V8, Straight 6 etc
Did you mean they are not as common as a B6 cab?
Awesome information mate.
Pretty much as I expected actually, do you have any pics?
Is your a auto/manual?
Yeah i agree on the fact that they wont be making cars like these much longer.
How is the maintenance?
Petrol doesn't really bother me actually, like you said its the price you pay for V8, Straight 6 etc
I can only compare my S4 and the E46 Alpina B3 coupe I had so maybe not a fair comparison!
I'll re-phrase.
The quality of the interior fixtures and fittings is not as good as was in my E46 Alpina.
I'll re-phrase.
The quality of the interior fixtures and fittings is not as good as was in my E46 Alpina.
Dr G said:
M888SXY said:
The quality of the interior is not as good as a similarly aged (E46) BMW 3-series.
Have to disagree with that comment I'm afraid; we get a lot of BMWs through here and in my opinion it's quite the opposite. Materials, finish and durability top in the Audi.
Hi guys,
I have I had my B6 S4 Vert for 6 months now and overall i love it, I have to say its pretty hard to get it to understeer (even when wet). I went S4 over M3 as was looking for something subtle, and easy to live with. I think the build quality is solid, the car makes no rattles or squeaks and everything thing works. I would recommend one as long as your not to bothered about mpg. Just put PS3's all round on it yesterday and it feels like its on rails.
cheers Lewis
I have I had my B6 S4 Vert for 6 months now and overall i love it, I have to say its pretty hard to get it to understeer (even when wet). I went S4 over M3 as was looking for something subtle, and easy to live with. I think the build quality is solid, the car makes no rattles or squeaks and everything thing works. I would recommend one as long as your not to bothered about mpg. Just put PS3's all round on it yesterday and it feels like its on rails.
cheers Lewis
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