Audi S4 Avant: PH Fleet
Are fast Audi estates really better with V8 engines?
Read our full Audi S4 Avant: Review
So when the opportunity came along to drive a 'B6' S4 Avant, it seemed a perfect opportunity to assess how the quick A4 has evolved in the past 15 years or so. And they're both red, so the photos would look nice.
The S4 you see here belongs to PHer Tom Lynch; he has rather a penchant for fast German stuff, having owned an E39 M5, a C55 AMG, another S4 before this and, oddly, a Legacy Spec B estate too. But we won't talk about that last one now. His 100,000-mile S4 is standard bar a rather rude Milltek exhaust and even comes with one of those novel manual gearbox things...
We have to start with the engine and gearbox. What a joy it is to have a V8 and a manual! With the latest S4 auto often acting rather erratically, to be entirely in control of the ratios is very satisfying. There's more than 300lb ft of torque in this S4, which is more than adequate, and the sense of immediacy to the performance is enhanced by the sharp throttle response. Peak power is at 7,000rpm too, the car more than willing to thunder on up there and able to keep pace with the new model. The manual isn't the slickest, but that becomes a whole lot less important once a perfect downshift has been nailed with a lovely flare of revs from behind.
Dynamically the old S4 isn't superb (and that's the polite version, because Tom is a friend). With so much engine lumped over the front axle, the car does push on fairly easily and there's not much that can be done about it beyond that. The current car compares very favourably with it, darting into bends by comparison and with better balance thanks to a lighter engine. It rides more comfortably too, though given Tom's car is on its original suspension that's not really a fair test.
So in certain areas the small(ish) fast Audi is improving, though on this experience it seems even more of a shame that the big V8 is missing from the formula. It's a characterful centre point that the new car so sorely lacks, a highlight of every journey and a reminder that displacement doesn't have a replacement just yet. I still think this looks pretty cool as well. And it's rare...
The new car is doing that very Audi thing of fitting into everyone's life rather nicely at the moment. It takes bikes in the back, the MMI system is very good (once you're familiar with a few quirks) and, as proven in this comparison plus the Alpina test, it's pretty decent to drive as well. It may not be especially thrilling, but it's hard to find much of a chink in the S4's armour yet.
FACT SHEET
Car: 2016 Audi S4 Avant
On fleet since: January 2017
Mileage: 7,041
List price new: £44,415 (As tested £49,770 comprising Misano Red paint for £645, Quattro sport with Sport Differential for £1,200, 19-inch diamond cut wheels for £550, Light and Vision pack for £750, Adaptive S Sport suspension with damping control for £900, Audi phonebox with wireless charging for £325 and on the road costs of £985)
Last month at a glance: Generation Game, Audi style!
Previous updates:
Audi S4 arrives on the fleet
Audi S4: Review
Audi S4: Getting to grips with Audi's fast Avant
Audi S4: On the rebound as Avant starts win James over
[Photos: Tom Lynch]
Good article, I'll have a S4 Avant one day.
Only issue for me now is whether or not I'd enjoy a B6 S4 Avant more than I enjoy my E91.
Nothing against a 330d by any means. Lots of torque and a relaxed daily drive for the every-day stuff but the S4 would be a more special drive for me. Would need a decent exhaust like in the article though!
There's a lad who lives down the road from me who has a B5 S4 estate in Nogaro Blue and it's just gorgeous. That has a Milltek exhaust too and it sounds amazing. Different car i know but these fast Audi's age so well in my eyes. Much better dimensions in comparison to these newer models too.
I have an B6 S4 Avant too, although in automatic form. I thinks it suits the car rather well!
It is by no means a sports car and if you treat it accordingly, it drives rather well indeed.
I couldn't be more happy with it!
It is one of those rare cars that are defined by their engines.
On Top Gear they even rated the S4 over the E46 M3! Have a look here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gwjq4i9JY8
Dynamically they change quite drastically with the RS7 rear ARB fitted and a 30mm drop in springs.
Part of the reason I bought my S8 was because it was a bigger S4
As for wringing its neck... I lived in Milton Keynes at the time
I've always liked the B6 S4 avant and in my humble opinion it looks so much nicer than the latest one, although it looks very small in comparison.
I think the fear factor of those timing chains put me off for good though, they looked terrifying - that and the horrific economy.
I'm liking the red on this one too, although I think nogaro blue is my favourite Audi colour!
I think the fear factor of those timing chains put me off for good though, they looked terrifying - that and the horrific economy.
I'm liking the red on this one too, although I think nogaro blue is my favourite Audi colour!
I also think the B6 the better looking car. Audis of that period were so clean and discrete. I know the Bauhaus influence was mostly about marketing but the simplicity certainly worked. The new A4 is a good looking car but just appears slightly fussy in comparison. It's as if to improve on the range they had to keep adding decoration, look at the way the TT gained creases and garnish, even that gawping grille.
I would say though that the article is inaccurate, the S4 V8 engine is hugely different to the RS4/R8 V8. The S4 V8 has 40 valves, the RS4 had 32 to make way for the direct injection, as well as active baffled sump and various other differences to allow the higher rev range.
I would say though that the article is inaccurate, the S4 V8 engine is hugely different to the RS4/R8 V8. The S4 V8 has 40 valves, the RS4 had 32 to make way for the direct injection, as well as active baffled sump and various other differences to allow the higher rev range.
Apart from the seats - they'd have to be black for my tastes, on a yellow car.
Alas, I never got to take it any further than one side of the car park to the other but it's remained an itch I'd like to scratch. For some reason he went for a slushbox on the otherwise identical B7 S4 cab that replaced it which was a shame.
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