Decisions - New A4 or used S4?

**Moonjo** · 08-07-2014 03:10 PM

So, I've posted over on the S4 forum and I thought I would get some input here as well. Long story short, my 2010 A4 P+ Sport Pkg was totaled last week. Other driver ran the red. I'm getting market value for my car. So do I get a used late model S4 (2011 or newer) or just get a new A4 with similar options as my original car?

**Jesse@USP** · 08-07-2014 03:11 PM

S4 That is all...

**oascom** · 08-07-2014 03:29 PM

s4

**doowopaudi** · 08-07-2014 03:45 PM

S4.

**adamazing** · 08-07-2014 03:48 PM

I'd probably jump on a good quality S4 as well. Remember that by this time next year we'll be looking at the launch of the B9 platform -your brand new A will be last generation.

At least with the S you'll have some power to help you forget about that.

**Amorphic** · 08-07-2014 04:04 PM

S4, no question.

**Frinkferta** · 08-07-2014 04:17 PM

S4!

**Need4Speed** · 08-07-2014 04:37 PM

S4 100 %

**drob23** · 08-07-2014 04:54 PM

Definitely s4 if you go 6MT, but pre facelift dsg cars can have real problems, would only get a CPO personally

**jinzebang** · 08-07-2014 05:26 PM

S4!!!

**Liquid Smoke** · 08-07-2014 06:10 PM

yea definitely go with the S4, IMO the prefacelift looks better than the new ones anyway, so you'll get a better looking car since its an S4 too, and much more power and you can easily do a stage 1 ecu tune to get a real good boost. and also just higher quality build, interior, etc. a 2011 would be great, prob will come out to close to the cost of a new A4 anyway.

**StealthBlackA4** · 08-07-2014 06:17 PM

S4, no doubt.

**LINDW4LL** · 08-07-2014 06:22 PM

6MT S4.

**booost** · 08-07-2014 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by LINDW4LL

6MT S4.

+1

**srsly** · 08-07-2014 07:19 PM

S4 is just pure seks

**a2 4.0t** · 08-07-2014 08:21 PM

If I could go back in time I'd be sitting in a CPO s4

**Warren S** · 08-07-2014 08:24 PM

Yup, I would look for a 2011 or newer S4 with the optional Sport Diff.

**ironnie7i** · 08-08-2014 12:14 AM

S4 with SPORT DIFF!!!

**Project Quattro** · 08-08-2014 03:56 AM

I agree with Liquid Smoke; I'd go for a pre-facelift S4 6MT but make sure it has the sport differential. Not that the A4 is a bad choice by any means, I'm really happy with mine, but if I could have bought an S4/S5 at the time I would have.

**name.goes.here** · 08-08-2014 06:10 AM

At this point in the B8 life cycle, might AD well go used S4.

**ASU Daniel** · 08-08-2014 06:28 AM

S4

**amz** · 08-08-2014 07:02 AM

Get b8.5 S4 + CPO. Wait a year, see if anything goes BANG. If nothing goes BANG, get APR Stage II an enjoy a stupidly powerful car. Or, pick up my A4 (mods in sig), and I'll go get that S4

**HedonismBot** · 08-08-2014 07:07 AM

S4

The A4 may seem cooler for the first couple of weeks but once the new car allure wears off you'll be sick of putting your foot to the floor yet still getting passed by a minivan.

Either way they're both great cars to spend time in and drive briskly but when in doubt, go with the fast one.

**b6onboost** · 08-08-2014 07:26 AM

Depends.

Being an enthusiast forum, ofcourse all previous responses are 'S4', but the reality is there are a lot of PROs/CONs to each choice. Obviously if your primary concern is performance, by all means get an used S4. But if you don't 'need' S4 performance, a new A4 can be configured any way you want, any color combo, does have newer tech, better MMI, nicer dash/console, is new and unabused. To me one of the biggest obstacles is finding that 'perfect' pre-owned S4. If you are specific about colors, options, etc...it can be hard to find one that meets those desires AND is the right mileage, condition, possibly CPO, etc.

From my experience with several A4s/S4s of different generations, they're both great cars, and a lot more similar than most people like to believe. The S4 has a bigger motor, which is the key difference. You can argue all the other differences and how tangible they are or are not, but power is what it boils down to. The gap between A4/S4 performance and appearance has declined significantly over the generations too.

**r6_11b8** · 08-08-2014 08:11 AM

s4...so much more car for prob less money...and your re sale value will be much much better than an a4 in 4 years...i shouldve waited and gotten an s4 smh

**Moonjo** · 08-08-2014 12:09 PM

Yeah, for me it's the longevity of the car. Don't care about new B9s coming out next year. More concerned about warranty and getting 8 to 9 years out of the car. Loved my A4 P+ with Sports Pkg and APR stage 1 tune. Was I envious of S4 owners? Yeah. But I'm also jealous of Ferrari owners too.

That said I'm still undecided.

**Moonjo** · 08-08-2014 01:05 PM

Found 2012 S4 with 35K mi. CPO. Asking over $42,000.

**bermudakid** · 08-08-2014 01:34 PM

Its funny how this is in the A4 section

Proof we all got A4s because for some reason or another couldn't get an S. Or some people are just weird and dont care about going fast

**StealthBlackA4** · 08-08-2014 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by bermudakid

Its funny how this is in the A4 section

Proof we all got A4s because for some reason or another couldn't get an S. Or some people are just weird and dont care about going fast

Only reason I have my A4 is because the S4 I was gonna get needed a whole new engine basically. Previous owner went too hard on it and ended burning out the rings and scoring the sleeves terribly. So the next best thing on the lot was my A4 and I honestly love it.

**Moonjo** · 08-08-2014 03:43 PM

Don't get me wrong. I loved my A4. I wish I still had it. Seriously was thinking about it getting repaired but since the insurance company totaled it that created additional complications on keeping the car.

**TimNGobbles** · 08-08-2014 03:48 PM

S4

You might want to look out of state, the Colorado S4 market is stupid expensive.

**doowopaudi** · 08-08-2014 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Moonjo

Yeah, for me it's the longevity of the car. Don't care about new B9s coming out next year. More concerned about warranty and getting 8 to 9 years out of the car. Loved my A4 P+ with Sports Pkg and APR stage 1 tune. Was I envious of S4 owners? Yeah. But I'm also jealous of Ferrari owners too.

That said I'm still undecided.

If you're still undecided, you should get the A4. The price of an S4 is what would prevent me from going that route.

**Moonjo** · 08-08-2014 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by doowopaudi

If you're still undecided, you should get the A4. The price of an S4 is what would prevent me from going that route.

That's just it. For around the same cost I could get either a used S4 (late model, relatively low miles) or a new A4. Sounds like the majority of the folks opt for an S4.

**doowopaudi** · 08-08-2014 05:32 PM

Then this should be an easy choice: s4.

**bermudakid** · 08-08-2014 08:11 PM

Yup, if you were looking for a 1-3yr old car between 20-30k the A4 is an excellent choice. But if you could afford one brand new with all the options

- I cant see why you would chose the A4 over a slightly used S

Yea I think anyone who bought a brand new A4 Prestige S Line is weird

**name.goes.here** · 08-09-2014 03:23 AM

Originally Posted by bermudakid

Its funny how this is in the A4 section

Proof we all got A4s because for some reason or another couldn't get an S. Or some people are just weird and dont care about going fast

For me, A4 was my choice because I needed a wagon and S4 was not sold stateside; A4 motor more than suits my daily driving needs.

Based on the facts presented by the OP, I suggested the S4 because it does not make sense to pay the premium for a new B8 when it is at the end of its life cycle.

**GeoJoe** · 08-09-2014 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by Moonjo

Found 2012 S4 with 35K mi. CPO. Asking over $42,000.

Lurking in here from the S4 forums...

If you can find a 2012 S4 CPO with sports diff, especially in 6mt, get it!

This is by far the best of the B8 years, as long as you don't have to have the facelift and Google maps. The 2012 is free of the water pump failures seen on prior models and also retains the awesome steering not found on the 2013 and onward B8.5 versions.

Plus, you can still crazy mod it (see sig) and retain the CPO, as long as you don't tune it. Even so, it's still an outstanding daily driver and can hang with most at the track.

**HedonismBot** · 08-09-2014 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by name.goes.here

For me, A4 was my choice because I needed a wagon and S4 was not sold stateside; A4 motor more than suits my daily driving needs.

Based on the facts presented by the OP, I suggested the S4 because it does not make sense to pay the premium for a new B8 when it is at the end of its life cycle.

Unless you need a manual transmission as it is unlikely the B9 will have the optional third pedal.