Originally Posted by
Frey7190
Hey everyone I just wanted to know what you think about your S4's.. Dont just rave about the good, I wanna know the bad as well. I currently own an '04 A4 with the 3.0 V6 and love it! I found a really good price for an S4 (same year) and I want to buy it.. But before I do I wanna know your opinions.
ALSO just outta curiosity whats your MPG (city/highwy/combined) because my 3.0v6 gets about 23mpg combined and I just wanna see how down im going to go with the 4.2 v8.
THANKS
When I went to test drive Audis for the first time back in 05, I drove all the A4 models. I drove bottom up, meaning I started with the turbo car and moved up to the S4. RS4 wasn't available here back then of course. The lower end models were nice, they fit like a glove for me vs any BMW's I had driven. When I got in the S4, it was a completely different world. Everything just seemed another step up. From the Recarro seats, to the subtle differences in the body, larger wheels and tires, and that glorious V8. I remember the sales guy telling me at the beginning of my test drive, "ok now in this one, I want you to start of in 2nd gear" (we were on a hill too) - The car has so much torque, that 1st gear feels like it really isn't needed. The driving experience was such an improvement that I barely got 2 blocks before I said, "let's go back and write this up, I'm done"....
Is this a fair assessment as a comparison coming from someone who has never owned either a Turbo car or V6? Probably not, but the instant feeling of gratification that I got the minute I set foot in the S4 was overwhelming. You absolutely cannot compare the S4 to the others in terms of performance and comfort out of the box. Not to mention the coolness factor. A4's run rampant as do most BMW's, but S4's are rarely seen which is nice.
The Good –
1.
The motor - The sound of the 4.2L V8 every time I drive this car makes me smile. It sounds good from the factory, but add an after market cat back exhaust, and the sound it creates is intoxicating. I drive with my windows down a lot just to hear the engine at work.
2.
Seating – The Recarro seats not only look great, but also provide hours of comfort on long drives, then hug your body when you get into the twisties. My car came optioned with the heated seats, which I rarely use, but the girlfriend absolutely loves them.
3.
Exclusivity - As mentioned above, the coolness and exclusivity of the S4 is awesome. I rarely see them, and like you, I live in So Cal where having a cool car is almost a requirement for some.
4.
Attention – The looks and positive comments I’ve received from total strangers since the day I bought the car has been over the top – even more so now since I’ve added wheels/tint/exhaust. Never have I owned a car that has gained this much attention.
5.
Acceleration – You will notice a big difference between the S4 and your current car. From the stock 7K redline to the torque down low, this car begs to be driven hard. Is it the fastest sedan out there? No, but it does everything so well that you won’t care.
6.
Poor weather - I have yet to experience this car in the snow (others can probably attest to its ability there) but I can tell you that in the rain, the car sticks like glue. Not only that, it feels very solid at higher speeds in the wet stuff. Even though the car you’re looking at has the 50/50 AWD split vs the 60/40 on newer models, it still feels fantastic. For everyday driving you’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference.
The bad -
1.
Gear changes - As some have pointed out, the 1st to 2nd gear change is not as smooth as I'd like it. This is so minor though I hardly notice or care. An inexpensive aftermarket snub nose mount from APR or the like helps with this a lot.
2.
Tunability – The V8 is limited in this area. But, since you’re not coming from a Turbo car where mods can show much higher returns, this shouldn’t be a factor for you anyway.
3.
Mileage – I’m going to put this in the bad section only because for some it may be a deciding factor. And, since you asked about it, this car may not be for you. For me however, I’ll still be blasting around town in this car even if gas reaches $10 per gallon. I love driving it that much.
4.
Paint Chips – This next one is probably not exclusive to the S4 but nevertheless, it bugs me. The car has an uncanny knack for picking up every little pebble on the road and depositing it either on the front bumper, hood or windshield. Right now, the top of my hood just above the Audi rings, as well as the front fenders in front of the tires; look like they’ve been sandblasted. I’ve even had to replace a windshield as well due to cracks. I recommend you get one of those clear bra deals, or you’ll be re-painting as I am planning to do.
5.
Runs Hot – These cars run hot. Think about it - Audi stuffed a big 4.2L V8 in a space essentially made for much smaller motors. It makes heat and this can be felt in the cabin (at least I feel it in my car). Also, I have noticed that this is a definite issue in terms on performance (at least on my car I can feel it). When hot, it’s definitely down on power. Of course this is true of any car, but it really seems to plague the S4.
Side note: The after market CAI that I have doesn’t seem to alleviate this at all.
As for problems, I have never had a major issue with this car. It's pretty much been bullet proof the entire time I've owned it. Having said that however, I would suggest that if you can find a warranty for it, add that to your purchase - it's just good peace of mind for a car like this. As you can see, the bad things that I have listed are very minor when you look at the car as a whole. It’s a fantastic car all around, fast and beautiful, and I still can’t wait to get in it every single day. Sorry for the lengthy post and I hope this helps. I say Go For It!!! You’ll never look back.
S4.. Tell me about it
.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks