View Full Version : '11 S4 S-tronic to '13 S4 6MT... Opinions?
MeteorS4Ti
10-17-2012, 03:53 PM
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I really wanted some opinions on people that have changed from the B8 to a B8.5 and a S-Tronic to a 6MT. Waiting for my dealer to get in a S4 6MT that is specced exactly how I'd want (should be in, in 2 weeks)
Haven't driven a S4 6MT yet and was wondering how people like it? Would be a DD...
Thanks in advance guys!
helix139
10-17-2012, 04:04 PM
Do it, get a Eurocode STS, and call it a day. You'll be very happy.
Flipflops365
10-17-2012, 04:12 PM
Do it, get a Eurocode STS, and call it a day. You'll be very happy.
That about sums it up. I DD mine with that set up, even in stop and go traffic I don't find it obnoxious. And rowing the gears is just so much fun in this car.
nick71692
10-17-2012, 04:18 PM
Didn't go from a b8 to b8.5, but did got from s-tronic to 6mt. Definitely do it. The s-tronic was a great tranny but the car is more engaging with the 6mt and in my opinion more fun to drive. Not having launch control and being able to shift faster than humanely possible didn't bother me - having that connection with the car made it all worth the switch.
Patrick Bateman
10-17-2012, 04:39 PM
Didn't go from a b8 to b8.5, but did got from s-tronic to 6mt. Definitely do it. The s-tronic was a great tranny but the car is more engaging with the 6mt and in my opinion more fun to drive. Not having launch control and being able to shift faster than humanely possible didn't bother me - having that connection with the car made it all worth the switch.
THIS! Technically, ive had the 2 exact cars youre talking about...I bought a 11 DSG,but dealer LIED bout body damage/paintwork,so LUCKILY i decided to just get the cherry girl....
A nicely equipped new 13 S4. I dont drive in rush hour hardly ever, but even if i did, id still get the 6MT. What the heel was i thinking buying the dsg? so boring. nice trans though... But again...so boring to drive. I second the meisterwork shifter from eurocode.
PB.
vovinamer
10-17-2012, 04:49 PM
i daily drive my 6mt.. and i have about 36k miles.. no complaints at all.. =D
motionneon
10-17-2012, 04:53 PM
Nobody who has owned a manual transmission sports car or sports sedan would ever discourage you from the switch. Some choose dsg for convenience and others just don't know how to drive manual. I have DSG but miss the manual. When B9 is out I'm gonna jump back (if still an option)
MeteorS4Ti
10-17-2012, 05:48 PM
Thank you so much for the responses guys. I think I may go for it!
laakness
10-17-2012, 06:16 PM
I drove an S5 with DSG and didn't like it all that much so I ordered the S4 with 6MT.
Borti
10-17-2012, 07:23 PM
I had the S-Tronic. Great transmission, but the kick-down feature and auto-shift bothered me. Plus the 6MT is crazy easy to drive in traffic and I prefer rowing through the gears anyway.
If you've never had the S-Tronic and are upgrading from an automatic than it's a massive upgrade, but if you love manual transmissions the S-Tronic might not be enough to satisfy... especially with the sport-diff.
dlev91
10-17-2012, 07:54 PM
That would be sweet especially with the STS. See you tommorow ha
MeteorS4Ti
10-17-2012, 07:57 PM
I had the S-Tronic. Great transmission, but the kick-down feature and auto-shift bothered me. Plus the 6MT is crazy easy to drive in traffic and I prefer rowing through the gears anyway.
If you've never had the S-Tronic and are upgrading from an automatic than it's a massive upgrade, but if you love manual transmissions the S-Tronic might not be enough to satisfy... especially with the sport-diff.
That's how I feel. I had a true Auto first, then got the S4 with the DSG and now want a manual. Just can't beat the involvement IMO.
That would be sweet especially with the STS. See you tommorow ha
Haha I'll have to see! I do love the S4 Titaniums...
See you tomm dude.
S4charged
10-17-2012, 10:55 PM
hey guys ive read in a thread that the 6mt clutch starts to slip after some performance mods is this true? thought that was interesting as its the exact same opposite with a 335is and a regular one.
peppeS4
10-18-2012, 06:42 AM
I did the opposite unfortunately. Went from B8 S4 6spd to B8.5 S-tronic. Impatience got to me. Dealer only had s-tronics on lot when I did trade and I took the bait. Flat bottom steering wheel did me in! Also was tired of my Imola Yellow. Wasn't easy decision but in any case I wish I had waited for manual. Don't get me wrong this car is great and still fun to drive but not as engaging as a 6spd conventional manual. Only thing I disliked about 6spd manual in the S4 was the long throw of the clutch. If I have the optional a manual on the next S4 then I'm going back! Anyone want a 2013 Ice Silver S4 with only 3,600 miles on it? Lease payment isn't too bad! ha :)
hey guys ive read in a thread that the 6mt clutch starts to slip after some performance mods is this true? thought that was interesting as its the exact same opposite with a 335is and a regular one.
It has a tendency to "glaze" pretty easily if you launch it excessively. It should hold just fine with all available mods if you treat it right.
Bkitch89
10-18-2012, 03:04 PM
made the exact switch. went from a 2011 b8 s4 dsg to a 2013 b8.5 s4 6mt. This is my first manual car and what a better way to start off my manual life than in a beautiful S4. After a week and a half i am hooked. i can not wait to get in my car and throw the beautiful Eurocode STS that i installed into gear with pinpoint accuracy. i also have the full USS system minus the AK and the car handles like a dream! GO MANUAL and never look back.
virsipe
10-18-2012, 06:08 PM
I am getting worried as I am moving from an e46 M3 to a 2013 S4 DSG. I have 4 kids and a wife who won't drive my M3, so need the DSG. I am afraid I am going to miss the manual. Every care I have owned since I was 16 was a manual. . . hoping the DSG has its merits and keeps me content.
dparm
10-19-2012, 06:27 AM
Stick with the S tronic. All the performance and control of a manual without the drawbacks.
Gweezil
10-19-2012, 06:43 AM
Thank you so much for the responses guys. I think I may go for it!
You won't regret it. Best of luck stopping at just the STS though.
PaperishPlastic
10-19-2012, 08:58 AM
I am getting worried as I am moving from an e46 M3 to a 2013 S4 DSG. I have 4 kids and a wife who won't drive my M3, so need the DSG. I am afraid I am going to miss the manual. Every care I have owned since I was 16 was a manual. . . hoping the DSG has its merits and keeps me content.
You will definitely miss the manual but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for family.
helix139
10-19-2012, 09:02 AM
Stick with the S tronic. All the performance and control of a manual without the drawbacks.
So your S-tronic lets you hold it at the 7000rpm (7200 when tuned) redline in any gear without upshifting?
PaperishPlastic
10-19-2012, 09:11 AM
So your S-tronic lets you hold it at the 7000rpm (7200 when tuned) redline in any gear without upshifting?
nope 6500 max on a B8.5 and a little more on a B8, so definitely no.
richib86
10-19-2012, 09:17 AM
QFT
Didn't go from a b8 to b8.5, but did got from s-tronic to 6mt. Definitely do it. The s-tronic was a great tranny but the car is more engaging with the 6mt and in my opinion more fun to drive. Not having launch control and being able to shift faster than humanely possible didn't bother me - having that connection with the car made it all worth the switch.
dparm
10-19-2012, 12:27 PM
So your S-tronic lets you hold it at the 7000rpm (7200 when tuned) redline in any gear without upshifting?
No. I don't need to do that anyways.
helix139
10-19-2012, 12:39 PM
No. I don't need to do that anyways.
Just because you don't drive hard enough to take advantage of it doesn't mean others don't. S-tronic is great, but it isn't all the performance and control of a manual in some respects. It has compromises of its own. Now, if manual mode allowed the transmission to actually operate like a manual and didn't shift unless you told it to, then you'd have a point. From a hardware perspective, it's a great piece of technology. From a software perspective, it leaves something to be desired.
motionneon
10-19-2012, 10:09 PM
I am getting worried as I am moving from an e46 M3 to a 2013 S4 DSG. I have 4 kids and a wife who won't drive my M3, so need the DSG. I am afraid I am going to miss the manual. Every care I have owned since I was 16 was a manual. . . hoping the DSG has its merits and keeps me content.
The experience will be closer to driving a manual if you upgrade the exhaust. Being able to hear the engine breaking with a nice exhaust note made the DSG sooo much more fun to drive with paddles. Prior to doing exhaust I rarely took out of D or S because there was no real feedback. Never will be the same as rowing the gears and engaging the clutch but really enjoy it. It is unique...feels like a supercar.
Esoteric
10-20-2012, 05:04 AM
Exactly - extremely well said.
My old E46 M3 had the 'clunky' (in comparison to a dual clutch) SMG (compromise so my wife could drive the car on occasion), and it would bounce off the limiter all day long if you didn't shift. I understand over-rev protection being important, but if I pick a gear, I want it to stay there until I tell it to while in manual mode.
All of that said, my S4 was a DSG because my wife and I both need to be able drive both of our cars - now, when I get my toy car...
Just because you don't drive hard enough to take advantage of it doesn't mean others don't. S-tronic is great, but it isn't all the performance and control of a manual in some respects. It has compromises of its own. Now, if manual mode allowed the transmission to actually operate like a manual and didn't shift unless you told it to, then you'd have a point. From a hardware perspective, it's a great piece of technology. From a software perspective, it leaves something to be desired.
dparm
10-20-2012, 07:31 AM
Just because you don't drive hard enough to take advantage of it doesn't mean others don't. S-tronic is great, but it isn't all the performance and control of a manual in some respects. It has compromises of its own. Now, if manual mode allowed the transmission to actually operate like a manual and didn't shift unless you told it to, then you'd have a point. From a hardware perspective, it's a great piece of technology. From a software perspective, it leaves something to be desired.
Agreed. I have autocrossed the car and had it on the track once and I did not feel the S tronic was a problem.