First Audi, 2012+ looking for advise

[x-cimo]

Hey Guys!

I've been driving Mazda since my first car in 2005. I need to get a new cars as my lease is almost over.
After looking at the price of a fully loaded Mazda 3 2015 ($30000 canadian), I started looking at recent pre-owned cars (hoping to get more oomph!).

I originally started looking at the BMW 328i xDrive (2013+ F30); but got disappointed to find so many people complaining about reliability already.
So I'm considering Audi too! Also the Audi design is growing on me, I think it will stay "current" longer.

So far I've been able to find mostly 2012 (full equip) and automatic(wife):

2012 A4 S Line: $25000 to $31000 CAD (mileage between 50000 and 15000 miles).

2012 S4: $33000 to 37000. One 2013 at $40000 CAD (mileage between 45000 and 30000 miles).

My budget was $32000, so a S4 would be a bit above my budget.

Is there a model or a year that mark a significant bump in reliability (2011, 2012, 2013)?
Has the carbon building up in engine been resolved or improved since 2010?
How has been the you cars so far in the year that I'm looking for?
Anything to know/look for? (For example it seems bluetooth music streaming only works on 2013+ (wtf audi??))

Thanks!

[name.goes.here]

2012 is a great model year. Very reliable, and oil consumption issue resolved.

I just traded my 2012 A4 Avant for an A6, and it never gave me a single issue.

[Schoff]

Many people will tell you to stay way from 2009-2010 if you have a choice.

Bluetooth streaming is possible with a little dongle called tune2air. You need the AMI (Audi music interface) for this. I think it comes in the convenience package?

Do yourself a favor and get the LED headlights/taillights if you want to stay current.

Go test drive the A4, i think you'll be pleased with the power and comfort. I don't know you or your wife, but an S4 may be a little unnecessary.

[subiesleeper]

I am coming from Subaru and I could not be happier. I loved my Subaru but once I drove the S4 it was a done deal. Reliabilty wise I was skeptical as well but my 13 S4 has been solid. No visits to dealer other than scheduled service and no oil consumption issues. I did hard break in for first 1000 miles so not sure if that helped.

[Amorphic]

I preferred the facelift (2013+) models although that is subjective. I never had an issue with the electric steering and the cosmetic upgrades appealed to me. I'd go that route if you can afford it. The S4 is a spectacular alternative, but a huge jump in price.

[Project Quattro]

Personally I'm the opposite of Amorphic; the pre-facelift styling appeals to me much more and the electric power steering (which they switched to in '13) bothers me, it's too light on the highway. 2012 is a good model year to buy; the oil consumption issues were almost entirely resolved, the car has the 8-speed automatic rather than the 6-speed, and they gradually made more features standard throughout the years. Try to get a CPO car if you can just for peace of mind, and as others have mentioned make sure you get a Prem+ or Prestige trim level so that you'll have the HID lights and other options like tri-zone climate control.


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[x-cimo]

Thanks guys. Keep it comming. Encouraging so far.

I didn't know about the power steering change in 2013.

Was the same progress regarding oil issue done one the V6 (S4)?

So far I might be able to get a 2013 A4 or a 2012 S4 in my price range.

About bluetooth. I'm a bit confused. Some 2012 ads claim it support bluetooth phone. So its just music that don't work?

What about bluetooth on 2013 model? Is it finally part of the base model or do I need NAV?

Finally, there was a comment about led headlight/taillight.
If I get a model with xenon I've got LED right?

Thanks!

[timob]

Phone bluetooth yes,work well, music bluetooth conflicting reports using tune2air. Don't depend in it, but an IPOD especially a classic plugs in in they give you the wire, flawless, with menu on screen.

[Project Quattro]

Thanks guys. Keep it comming. Encouraging so far.

I didn't know about the power steering change in 2013.

Was the same progress regarding oil issue done one the V6 (S4)?

So far I might be able to get a 2013 A4 or a 2012 S4 in my price range.

About bluetooth. I'm a bit confused. Some 2012 ads claim it support bluetooth phone. So its just music that don't work?

What about bluetooth on 2013 model? Is it finally part of the base model or do I need NAV?

Finally, there was a comment about led headlight/taillight.
If I get a model with xenon I've got LED right?

Thanks!

The S4s didn't have any oil consumption issues, as far as I know. Most A4s and S4s have Bluetooth phone, my '09 does, and it became standard eventually. I don't know if BT audio was available. The HID headlights with integrated LEDs were standard in Prem+ and Prestige trim levels of A4 and standard on the S4. LED taillights were standard on Prestige trim levels for both, I believe.


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[Tomskullz]

S4 - 2012 and up
A4 - 2013 and up
I have a 2011 A4 Quattro CPO been to service literally once for the last 10 months. Stage 1 ( 2 times ) and Stage 2, oil separator, oil pan, coils and other small issues. Still an awesome vehicle when all is well.

[name.goes.here]

Thanks guys. Keep it comming. Encouraging so far.

I didn't know about the power steering change in 2013.

Was the same progress regarding oil issue done one the V6 (S4)?

So far I might be able to get a 2013 A4 or a 2012 S4 in my price range.

About bluetooth. I'm a bit confused. Some 2012 ads claim it support bluetooth phone. So its just music that don't work?

What about bluetooth on 2013 model? Is it finally part of the base model or do I need NAV?

Finally, there was a comment about led headlight/taillight.
If I get a model with xenon I've got LED right?

Thanks!

Go for navigation.

1.) You will get expanded contents/color display on the instrument cluster display;
2.) Center console really looks stark without the added buttons/nav. features; and,
3.) It will add a bit more to your trade-in value when the time comes.

[x-cimo]

S4 - 2012 and up
A4 - 2013 and up
I have a 2011 A4 Quattro CPO been to service literally once for the last 10 months. Stage 1 ( 2 times ) and Stage 2, oil separator, oil pan, coils and other small issues. Still an awesome vehicle when all is well.

Any particular reason why you say S4 2012+ vs the A4 where you say 2013+ ? (Just trying to understand).

One more question, is there a significant difference in the cost to maintain a S4 vs a A4? (Standard maintenance & longer term).
I assume oil change would be similar.
Breaks are bigger, big $ difference?
I guess tire will go faster on a S4.
Other than the engine; I think they would be very similar (compared with a A4 S line).

Thanks again