Looking for a New Audi, Need Suggestions

[kgariba]

Hi all,

Usually I am a happy lurker but now I finally once again need this great community's advice. A little background:

I am a 34 year old male, not married (but soon), making a more-than-decent living near Chicago.
I bought my 2013 S4 Premium Plus new in '13 with navigation package and in manual, now has 94k miles.
Car has been fantastic except for a few minor quirks, namely water pump had to be replaced a little over 50k miles due to crack, OEM clutch replacement at 85k (not a problem, but a bit premature in my estimation), right Xenon headlight bulb replaced due to burn out. Maintenance has been religious and the car has otherwise performed great. Driven spiritedly at times, but usually babied on the crappy Chicago roads. A couple mods have been done as per my signature.

I recently learned that the car has an oil leak in the crankshaft rear main seal, which is a $60 part but expensive to work on ($3k at the dealer [>_<] or ~1k at my mechanic) due to having to take apart the motor and the transmission. I thought long and hard about just repairing it and driving the car (and there is a possibility I still may) but instead I would rather sell it soon and get something newer and better. I am still driving the car (was told its very safe) and monitoring oil leakage/consumption, adding if necessary (small leak, apparently).

Considering my likely changed lifestyle in the near future taking family into account, I have settled on a 2020/2021 used (with low miles) S6 as it offers the most of what I want and I have simply always loved the car ever since it was announced. Although I don't know much about how reliable this new gen is compared to my almost bulletproof S4.

Any advice on what you would do in my situation? What else should I get (looking at the about-to-come-out Acura TLX Type S and Tesla Model 3/Y)?

Thank you all!

[fastboatster]

the best new car for you is your old car. You can own it after 1k$ downpayment. Not worth jumping the ship over 1k bill given that you have b8.5, under 100kmiles and have 6mt.

[GandalfTheIbis]

I'm not a big tesla fan, but if jumping ship on the S4 in favor of another daily driver I find the Tesla model y an exceedingly strong value proposition. 2021 audi S6 is a ticket to ride the bus to depreciation town ASAP... is my frugality showing?

The B8 S4 is about as big as a sports performance sedan can get while retaining any curvy road fun factor imo.

[Daily Driver]

I kept my '14 S4 6MT when I upgraded to the '21 RS6. I love a third pedal but it was really a happy accident I kept it, as we aren't sure what my SO's commute situation will be when COVID finally burns out and we wanted it as an option. I can tell you, going from the 6MT S4 to the RS6- the RS6 is like a land yacht- although a super fast one. Not kidding. So glad I kept the S4, as it's still fun to whip around those corners and have a little more connection. Mine has less than 60K miles though.

I ordered it new when I had 4 and 2 year old kids. The back seat was just fine for them all this time - they are 11 and 9 now. Only became more of an issue in later years when I needed to add a friend in the back.

I've driven a Tesla and while the tech is cool, it doesn't have much soul. Couldn't pull the trigger coming from a 6MT S4. We've had an Acura too and they aren't the same as Audi.

Really comes down to how important the third pedal is. Very hard to find an equivalent car these days with a manual. I say put in the 1K and keep it since it's been otherwise pretty solid. It will still last years. When something comes around that you really want you'll know.

[wangshuo1989]

I'd fix it, it's only 1K and this car has plenty of fun life left. I have a 2.5 years old and I still use my S5 occasionally to transport him, I consider it a workout for my lowerback.
Agree on previous posts that the size of s4 is the biggest for sporty cars. I drove a loaner A6 for 2 days and it felt like a land yacht indeed.

[kgariba]

Thank you all for the responses. I guess most of you suggest I keep it, which is a good idea and I agree (especially from fiscal standpoint). The other part of me, however, just wants something newer at this point and I am a bit over the whole 6MT thing... i am torn. #firstworldproblems

[Daily Driver]

Thank you all for the responses. I guess most of you suggest I keep it, which is a good idea and I agree (especially from fiscal standpoint). The other part of me, however, just wants something newer at this point and I am a bit over the whole 6MT thing... i am torn. #firstworldproblems

If 6MT isn’t important you have a ton of options!

[oaybar007]

A lot of us have taken the family journey with our Audi enthusiasm and nice to see that continuing. I'd have a look at an SQ5 if you haven't considered that as it's something I was looking at as adding car #4 to my household. I have a four year old and my b6 is out. I drive it alone because we don't all fit in the cabin comfortably anymore. The S4 offerred more room but my kid decided to grow like crazy and now that's even getting tight. It also cut out the SQ5 because it's not that big either. We have a Subaru Forester that is also getting tight. I finally understand why I see so many gigantic SUVs around. I say SQ5 for you as it's a good speed wagon that works great for a young family for a few years. You get the clearance of an SUV with the speed you'd want and good cargo space.

Now that I realize my son is going to be huge, I'm exploring EV options that are large SUV platform. The e-tron is a consideration since my HOA is now allowing owners to install chargers without much headache. The S6 is nice but not without it's own issues. Just be sure to do a lot of research. Even our S4s will burn a hole in your wallet given the right circumstances, as we all know. Labor rates, oh labor rates!

I will say this, manual transmission cars are keepers. If I had a S4 6spd I would never sell it. I refuse to sell my b6 because it's connected and manual. Can't replace that on days when you just want to drive.

[AeyBeCei]

Have you considered the RS5 since you do not care for a manual optioned car. It'll still retain similar driving dynamics as the S4 and you'll be able to have back seats for a car seat although it may be cramped.

[S4'ed]

The S6 is a super expensive repair waiting-to-happen compared to a B8 S4 (as long as it doesn't have a DSG).
Keep the S4, make the repairs. But, there have been a few other cases where people thought that the rear crank seal was leaking, and it turned out to be the oil filter housing or the gaskets of the timing covers on the back of the heads.

If you do want to still jump ship, consider a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the ultimate family and *ss hauler....but very pricey, even used. The Macan S or Turbo is also a nice choice for an enthusiast, but it is a little smaller than an SQ5.
I have a 2010 S4 6MT and a 2017 SQ5, and I really like both vehicles.
The Gen-2 B9 SQ5 is another good choice, slightly bigger than the Gen-1 B8 SQ5, but you need to be OK with paying a premium price for a "German" vehicle that is made in Mexico.

[oaybar007]

The S6 is a super expensive repair waiting-to-happen compared to a B8 S4 (as long as it doesn't have a DSG).
Keep the S4, make the repairs. But, there have been a few other cases where people thought that the rear crank seal was leaking, and it turned out to be the oil filter housing or the gaskets of the timing covers on the back of the heads.

If you do want to still jump ship, consider a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the ultimate family and *ss hauler....but very pricey, even used. The Macan S or Turbo is also a nice choice for an enthusiast, but it is a little smaller than an SQ5.
I have a 2010 S4 6MT and a 2017 SQ5, and I really like both vehicles.
The Gen-2 B9 SQ5 is another good choice, slightly bigger than the Gen-1 B8 SQ5, but you need to be OK with paying a premium price for a "German" vehicle that is made in Mexico.

They are building those in Mexico...what?!

[Daily Driver]

They are building those in Mexico...what?!

True story.

[whts4]

I recently went thru a similar process but for different reasons. What i found is that i dont want, dont need and dont use most of the electronics that is now in post 2017 Audi. The new cars are too big, more detached, and less enjoyable than the prior gen of Audi.

A new Audi (s4, s5, s6 or rs versions) will lose 35-40% of msrp in 3 yrs (or sooner)...that can be a $30k hit.

I decided that a low mileage late model B8.5 was the best match. The V6 in these cars is very reliable and a 2015 or later DSG are also reliable ....usually over 100k mi with normal maintenance. Might you need to replace a thermostat, water pump, or an engine mount ....yes, but check out BMW oe Mercedes service records.

I just bought a 2017 S5 DSG with under 20k miles for low $30's. It will likely depreciate $3k per year with normal use, and require an average of $1- 2k yr annual repair costs. Yes it does not have a factory warranty, but if that is a concern buy a Fidelity Extended full coverage warranty for roughly $750 yr and use part of the money saved on annual repairs mentioned to fund it.

Give me a well designed reliable B8.5 over any of the new Audi for a daily sport sedan (S4) or coupe (S5). Did i mention, I hate SUVs in any form.

[kgariba]

Have you considered the RS5 since you do not care for a manual optioned car. It'll still retain similar driving dynamics as the S4 and you'll be able to have back seats for a car seat although it may be cramped.

I did consider it, a partner of mine at work recently got one (actually also coming off a B8.5 S4 but in auto) and he loves the RS5 even though he has a family with two little kids as well. For me, I simply cannot justify the cost (even use) in relation to what I will use it for. Plus, similar to the S6, I am sure at least some of the repair costs for even small things will be astronomical, even compared to an S car. So why do it? I can't give myself a convincing answer beyond "it's cool and fast." One of the reasons I purchased my B8.5 was because it was assembled in Ingolsstadt, which really showed itself in terms of fantastic reliability over the years... I am not sure about the RS cars but many of the S cars are now assembled in Mexico, as someone mentioned. That is a big turn off -- I don't want the thought of having an essentially overpriced volkswagen sitting in my garage knowing that I paid for potentially much worse craftsmanship.

I think what I am going to do for now is make the repairs, give the car a one-over, and wait at least another year to see what's out there. Looking more at the S6, as much as I love the look and feel of the car, the words "overengineered" (it has a "mild hybrid system" for "reasonsss") and "potentially not as well-assembled" comes to mind, and that simply sucks.

I am not ready to get an SUV yet... I understand their utility maybe in the future as a family hauler, but I refuse to give in for now :D

[Daily Driver]

I did consider it, a partner of mine at work recently got one (actually also coming off a B8.5 S4 but in auto) and he loves the RS5 even though he has a family with two little kids as well. For me, I simply cannot justify the cost (even use) in relation to what I will use it for. Plus, similar to the S6, I am sure at least some of the repair costs for even small things will be astronomical, even compared to an S car. So why do it? I can't give myself a convincing answer beyond "it's cool and fast." One of the reasons I purchased my B8.5 was because it was assembled in Ingolsstadt, which really showed itself in terms of fantastic reliability over the years... I am not sure about the RS cars but many of the S cars are now assembled in Mexico, as someone mentioned. That is a big turn off -- I don't want the thought of having an essentially overpriced volkswagen sitting in my garage knowing that I paid for potentially much worse craftsmanship.

I think what I am going to do for now is make the repairs, give the car a one-over, and wait at least another year to see what's out there. Looking more at the S6, as much as I love the look and feel of the car, the words "overengineered" (it has a "mild hybrid system" for "reasonsss") and "potentially not as well-assembled" comes to mind, and that simply sucks.

I am not ready to get an SUV yet... I understand their utility maybe in the future as a family hauler, but I refuse to give in for now :D

It's the Q5 line that is assembled in Mexico - the Q5 and the SQ5. AFAIK, the build quality has been on par with cars assembled in Germany.

[omgContra]

I think you have to ask yourself what you want out of the car. Manual being important to me, I'd never sell it. I have two kids aged 8 and 4, my wife has an RXL for when we need to pack in a lot of things or family road trips etc. But the S4 is still big enough for us now since my son is only in a booster and daughter is in a front facing. Sports sedans are really tough for when you have more than one car seat, so the RXL was really needed the first two years that we had it. This last year it's not gonna be needed as much and luckily the lease ends this year so we can move down to a smaller SUV. Assuming you don't have any kids yet, you can get by with a sedan with just one child for awhile.

Practicality aside, what features are important to you when you say you want something newer?

[Tjtubbs]

Just my 2 cents about the acura, i had an 09 tl awd for a long time, 7-8 years, basically if u want a car you can drive the ever living shit out of it and never have to fix anything, thats the way to go. The downside, in order to get that kind of reliability, they dont really push the performance envelope, and the tech was middle of the pack at the time, but the car was priced accordingly. If you arent someone that wants to really do much aftermarket stuff, the new type s might be decent to look at as a cheaper option to the s4, at least they have a lil more power finally but dont expect much from the after market world. My old acura i did everything there was to do to it, custom tune and bolt ons and got like 45hp out of it, what a piss off lol. I do miss that handbrake in the winter though, so much more control for drifting, i hate these electronic pricks.

[sepheroth86]

Just my 2 cents about the acura, i had an 09 tl awd for a long time, 7-8 years, basically if u want a car you can drive the ever living shit out of it and never have to fix anything, thats the way to go. The downside, in order to get that kind of reliability, they dont really push the performance envelope, and the tech was middle of the pack at the time, but the car was priced accordingly. If you arent someone that wants to really do much aftermarket stuff, the new type s might be decent to look at as a cheaper option to the s4, at least they have a lil more power finally but dont expect much from the after market world. My old acura i did everything there was to do to it, custom tune and bolt ons and got like 45hp out of it, what a piss off lol. I do miss that handbrake in the winter though, so much more control for drifting, i hate these electronic pricks.

Honda's are great cars.

A 10th generation Si with some upgrades will run 10's.

I love my Audi, but there is a reason why my racecar is a Honda. Can pound the hell out of it and it never breaks.

[kgariba]

Thank you all for the responses.