Need some info on B8 S4

[bkyc]

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a 2012 S4, but I am not sure if the Premium model with Audi Drive Select worth the $ or should I just stick with the standard model with the sports differential. Can someone help me out with some info?

Also, how much off MSRP are you guys getting if you dont mind sharing.

Thanks

[tomh009]

I seriously considered ADS. None of the dealers had ADS cars in stock, but I connected with another AZ member (in NJ!) and got a ride in his ADS-equipped S4.

My conclusion was that the difference in ride between "comfort" and "dynamic" was very small, and only noticeable if you're watching (well, something like that) for it. For sure not enough to make a difference for my wife. The variable steering ratio would have been nice, but I'm quite satisfied with the variable steering assist I get with the sports diff. For $2500 (?) extra, the ADS just didn't make sense to me (nor did the backup camera).

Note that the ordering deadline for pre-facelift models is fairly close, so if you want to do a factory order and don't want a facelift model, you need to move pretty quick.

[ahcow]

^What he said about ADS and sport diff. Also, little choices if you want to change your suspensions if you go ADS.

I didn't go with premium as I didn't like the peelers and I wanted to use the stock 18's as winters. Side assist is silly imo and home link isn't much use to me (or so I thought) living in a condo. If the home link works with my condo, then I probably would have gone with premium but still not ADS. I think sport diff and navi are must haves. Having navi gives you the "individual" settings for the sport diff (ADS lite) and you can set your throttle, steering and sport diff response from comfort, auto or dynamic.

Not sure what the discounts are now, but it was about $2k - $2.5k above invoice usually. You might score a better deal sometimes (heard Uptown gives great prices if you are in GTA) but generally, that's the price range. Since this is coming from the invoice price, you are looking at around $2k-$2.5k discount depending how much options you have.

[bkyc]

Thanks all! I guess I can save at least 5k by going standard~
I wonder why audi Canada dont put home link as standard feature....

[tomh009]

Premium vs standard:

• Adaptive headlights: Meh. Haven't noticed a real benefit yet.
• Homelink: Wanted to have it, as we live in a house and I don't like the clip-on openers.
• Advanced key: Seemed like a gimmick, but now that I have had it for a month, I wouldn't give it back!
• Side assist: Definitely like it. The light provides just that little bit of extra info before a lane change.
• Silk nappa seats: Absolutely wanted leather - and it's $1000 option on standard.
• Rear parking sensor: Never needed it in previous cars, but it sure is convenient.
• 19" wheels: Am selling the peelers (switching to lighter wheels) but will keep the tires. With standard, I would have ended up selling the tires and keeping the wheels.

Overall, premium made sense for me, but each person is different.

Oh yes, I got something like $2500 off MSRP as well.

[ahcow]

Premium vs standard:

• Adaptive headlights: Meh. Haven't noticed a real benefit yet.
• Homelink: Wanted to have it, as we live in a house and I don't like the clip-on openers.
• Advanced key: Seemed like a gimmick, but now that I have had it for a month, I wouldn't give it back!
• Side assist: Definitely like it. The light provides just that little bit of extra info before a lane change.
• Silk nappa seats: Absolutely wanted leather - and it's $1000 option on standard.
• Rear parking sensor: Never needed it in previous cars, but it sure is convenient.
• 19" wheels: Am selling the peelers (switching to lighter wheels) but will keep the tires. With standard, I would have ended up selling the tires and keeping the wheels.

Overall, premium made sense for me, but each person is different.

Oh yes, I got something like $2500 off MSRP as well.

Yeah, it depends on whether you value the stuff you get. I don't think it had adaptive headlights in 2010. Covered home link and side assist already, advanced key is meh to me... my parent's ML has it, I don't like it. Rear parking sensor wasn't necessary as it was bundled with camera and navi in 2010. I just added nappa as that's all I wanted from the package.

$2,500 sounds pretty good! Where did you get yours?

[tomh009]

Bought mine from Crosby in Kitchener. I can't remember the exact discount, it was $2K-something, I think close to $2500 as I recall. But then there are admin fees etc as well ... don't know how much those vary between dealers

Oh yes, they did offer (basic) tint for something like $600. I declined and got Formula One Pinnacle instead for $375.

[bkyc]

Once again, thanks for the info.

By the way, how do you guys like the nappa leather? Is it more durable and easy to clean compare to the alcantara? I am thinking of going with the red interior.

[tomh009]

Some people prefer alcantara (aka microfibre) as it's grippy and doesn't feel as hot in the summer/cold in the winter.

I like leather. The silk nappa is very nice indeed, and with the snug (at least for me) S4 seats the grip is not an issue. Leather wipes clean easily, and I still think long-term durability will be better than with alcantara.

[bkyc]

Thanks tomh, i guess i will stick with alcantara seat....a cool seat for summer is a most for me.

[ahcow]

I love the nappa leather, I fit in the seat just fine. Once you tint your car, it doesn't get that hot. I have parked my car outside for hours in the summer and the seats were just fine for me.

Some argue that nappa is less durable (been cases of bubbling) but if you take good care of it, they will look great. Either way, you will love the car, the silver alcantara looks great too.

[tomh009]

I love the nappa leather, I fit in the seat just fine. Once you tint your car, it doesn't get that hot. I have parked my car outside for hours in the summer and the seats were just fine for me.

That's what I figured, too. With the white paint and a 35% ceramic tint, I'm expecting the leather to stay a reasonable temperature. Add in the windshield sunshade if it's really hot ...

[bkyc]

Ok, this is a dumb question for you all....what happened to the blue exterior??

[nivlek]

I have the standard with sports diff, manual. To me this is the best bang for the buck, just need a fun practical car to drive minus the gadgets. I rather spend the ADS money on a good set of coilovers.

[tomh009]

Ok, this is a dumb question for you all....what happened to the blue exterior??

Sadly not available for 2012. (Also not on the 2013 models in the UK at least.) You can still get it as a special-order colour, but it's something on the order of $2500. I would have liked the blue, but i didn't like it that much!

[EXRS4]

I have a blue exterior, didn't know it was a problem to get? My car is a premium with 6spd, sports diff and ADS, I have to say I certainly notice the comfort mode when traveling on our wonderful city streets it definitely eats up the broken pavement for a smoother ride.

[ahcow]

Sprint blue is gone (for now), but there's is a blue I think... just checked, Moonlight Blue

The new white (Glacier White) is really nice (looks blue under certain lighting) and the new monsoon grey is quite nice too.

[bkyc]

dammit...2500 surely is a rip off. oh well, I guess less stand out colors ain't bad either.

[Tanner]

I have the standard with sports diff, manual. To me this is the best bang for the buck, just need a fun practical car to drive minus the gadgets. I rather spend the ADS money on a good set of coilovers.

There's a post elsewhere on audizine in the b8 s4 section if I recall on how to get the individual settings for the steering, suspension and DSG (if applicable) on the MMI screen via vagcom tool.

[tomh009]

Sprint blue is gone (for now), but there's is a blue I think... just checked, Moonlight Blue

The new white (Glacier White) is really nice (looks blue under certain lighting) and the new monsoon grey is quite nice too.

Correct, Moonlight Blue is very dark, not like Sprint or Sepang. I do agree on Glacier White!

There's a post elsewhere on audizine in the b8 s4 section if I recall on how to get the individual settings for the steering, suspension and DSG (if applicable) on the MMI screen via vagcom tool.

With MMI (ie you need the Navi option) you get the option of the individual settings, no need for Vagcom for that. But Vagcom will allow you to default to Comfort, Dynamic or Individual.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-complete-list

[Beast]

go to audi of mississauga and buy it.. good place. get ADS for sure

[B_S373N]

Got my last 2 Audis from afretes (Alex Fretes) at Audi of Mississauga - great guy.

I have standard, 6MT, titanium package, sport diffy. ADS sounds enticing, but I really felt like the car needs a drop. Ended up spending the dough on Audi Exclusive paint. My biggest regret is not getting Nav. Reason - I don't care much for nav, but I didn't get the nicer MMI interface (mine: controls are on the centre console, awkward ergonomics, MMI: controls are behind the shifter).

[bkyc]

Ok...just pulled a trigger on a premium model (phantom black/red silk nappa)with S tronic, navi, sports diff, carbon trim, and B&O speakers.

Now, should I go with the Economy package (Audi care and winter mats) or Silver package (econ + window tint)? Are those something really necessary or just up sales?

[ahcow]

Ok...just pulled a trigger on a premium model (phantom black/red silk nappa)with S tronic, navi, sports diff, carbon trim, and B&O speakers.

Now, should I go with the Economy package (Audi care and winter mats) or Silver package (econ + window tint)? Are those something really necessary or just up sales?

Awesome! That's the options I would go with if I order again.

Audi care - yes, esp when you have S-tronic.
Winter mats - I had them, not too impressed, sold them and got weathertech instead.
Tint - just get it elsewhere, I paid $300 for Formula One Ceramic Tint

[bkyc]

Thanks!

Now I am shopping for snowy...seems like its endless $$ out of my wallet. But I think it came with continental all season, does it work well in winter since S4 got quattro.

[Deep Sea S4]

Did you get it with 18's or the 19's on the Prem Plus model?

[bkyc]

I believe the 19" is the standard for the prem model..right?

[ahcow]

Umm... S4 doesn't come with all season... It comes with summers. 19's should be Dunlop or P-zero, I forgot...

[tomh009]

The premium comes with 19" wheels and summer tires (I got Conti SportContact 3s, Pirelli PZero Neros are the most common, I think). Definitely not suited for winter. Get 18" wheels and snow tires. I bought BBS CH for winter, but you can get the Hartmann reps for much less, and they are still decent.

I bought the OEM mats with the car, I prefer them over Weathertech as they are more deeply grooved and more rubbery. But other people love Weathertech, there is no right or wrong answer on this (just get something!). And I agree with ahcow on the tint, you can get Formula One Pinnacle (one of the best) for much less than the dealer-offered tint.

I skipped the carbon trim, I thought about it, decided against it. Now that I got the R8 steering wheel I'm happy I stuck with the standard aluminium trim!

[bkyc]

Haha, nice!!

Yea, its the continental sportcontact 3. Somehow I was told its all season...glad i know i need snowy now. BTW thanks for the info on Hartman.

[tomh009]

There are cheaper reps out there (eBay!) but I think Hartmann's prices are decent and their quality should be all right. VMR is a bit less expensive in case you need cheaper.

Get your snow tires now while there is still some stock around ...

[bkyc]

So far so good~ seems like I will take delivery next Tuesday/Wednesday.

Thanks for everyone's input and hope next week will be a clear & sunny week.

[egalley]

Ok...just pulled a trigger on a premium model (phantom black/red silk nappa)with S tronic, navi, sports diff, carbon trim, and B&O speakers.

Now, should I go with the Economy package (Audi care and winter mats) or Silver package (econ + window tint)? Are those something really necessary or just up sales?

They should throw in the Audi care and Mats. I've bought 2 Audi's from Mark Motors here in Ottawa and they've thrown the Audi care and Mats in for both cars (A4 & S4) and I didn't even ask them too!