Considering a 2013-2015 S4

[goodoleboy]

Hey everyone, I'm considering buying a slightly used S4 in the next 6 months and have some questions I hope you can help with.

Is there any way to tell from the VIN# as to whether a sport differential is an option? None of the Carmax listings actually name the sport differential, and I've got to assume that some of them actually have this option since so many of you swear by it.

How many of you are NOT using premium gas and have no regrets about it?

Finally, is it weird that none of these recent models seems to have a remote start option? I would have expected that, given the prices. They advertise them as having a "smart key" or something like that but not a "remote start" which is what I was hoping to see.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[B8 S4]

Lol bro, if your not going to want to buy premium gas ypuight as well head to the Scion delaership right now

Nome have remote start and yes contact AOA with the vin # to see all the options

[theedge111]

If you're worried about using premium fuel to save $4 a fill this is not the car for you.

[Stubek]

Premium gas is $0.25 more per gallon than regular. That is about $4 per fillup. Even if you fill weekly, that is only saving you about $208 per year. When your engine dies, you will be wondering if saving $208 per year was worth it.
Your priorities are not right if you are looking to save that little on the investment that this car is.

As for smart key, that is the key that when you get close to the car and touch the door handle, it unlocks for you and once in the car, you can keep the key in your pocket and just push the start button.
Audi has never had remote start from the factory on any of their cars. I have seen it as a dealer installed option in upstate NY once.

[wwhan]

Hey everyone, I'm considering buying a slightly used S4 in the next 6 months and have some questions I hope you can help with.

Is there any way to tell from the VIN# as to whether a sport differential is an option? ........

The only way to tell from the VIN, if it has sport differential, is through the Audi network database, where one would look up that specific car set of options.

Use minimum 91 octane.

[johnstah]

Hey everyone, I'm considering buying a slightly used S4 in the next 6 months and have some questions I hope you can help with.

Is there any way to tell from the VIN# as to whether a sport differential is an option? None of the Carmax listings actually name the sport differential, and I've got to assume that some of them actually have this option since so many of you swear by it.

How many of you are NOT using premium gas and have no regrets about it?

Finally, is it weird that none of these recent models seems to have a remote start option? I would have expected that, given the prices. They advertise them as having a "smart key" or something like that but not a "remote start" which is what I was hoping to see.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Premium gas or no S4

[anerbe]

http://www.audiusa.com/help/contact-us

Click on AudiChat, and message them your VIN and ask if the Sports Diff is fitted on.

You can also get the Monroney Sticker of the car to be safe and know every option on the car. You can then cross check the physical car for any differences (changed out trim, etc...).

[hotleadsingergu]

I'm going to mirror everyone else: If you are even contemplating the reasoning behind using premium fuel, a luxury performance car that costs $50k-$60k is absolutely not for you. This is a car you have to take care of, not one you cheap out on. If you don't take care of the car, it will last 2/3 or less what it would if you had taken care of it.

Beyond that, there are aftermarket remote start systems you can get for Audis, but they're prohibitively expensive (think like $2,000+). It's a complicated smart key system.

[TMurt]

I'm sure there are people who use regular or maybe mid-grade fuel but this forum is not the place where you will find them. While many cars won't necessarily be hurt by user lower grade gas, you'll probably experience a bigger percentage drop in power/performance than the percentage of the cost you save at the pump and it won't keep the engine as healthy. Article on C&D on the topic: http://www.caranddriver.com/features...results-page-2

Bottom line, use premium gas

[hodrosS42001]

WTH is with the trolls in this section recently...

[jzinckgra]

Premium gas is $0.25 more per gallon than regular. That is about $4 per fillup. Even if you fill weekly, that is only saving you about $208 per year. When your engine dies, you will be wondering if saving $208 per year was worth it.
Your priorities are not right if you are looking to save that little on the investment that this car is.

As for smart key, that is the key that when you get close to the car and touch the door handle, it unlocks for you and once in the car, you can keep the key in your pocket and just push the start button.
Audi has never had remote start from the factory on any of their cars. I have seen it as a dealer installed option in upstate NY once.

IDK what's going on in ME, but most stations are running ~$2.11/gall of regular, but $2.60 for prem. Wtf?! Used to be 0.10 diff between grades. I was out in LA last week and that's what it was, but in ME, we get hosed.

[TMurt]

IDK what's going on in ME, but most stations are running ~$2.11/gall of regular, but $2.60 for prem. Wtf?! Used to be 0.10 diff between grades. I was out in LA last week and that's what it was, but in ME, we get hosed.

Same in Indiana, used to be $.10 between grades then creeped up slowly and now its almost always .$25. Had one place that was charging $2.10 for regular and $2.90 for premium at one point. The premium grade has much higher margins I'm sure and they probably figure with the economy doing well they can cash in on people willing to spend the extra

[Thurston]

I'm not sure that many new cars offer a "remote start" option from the factory but I could be wrong. Interesting thought . I'm sure you can add it aftermarket for not to much change. The "smart key" is actually really convenient, it allows you to never have to search for your key when it's in your pocket or purse - the car recognizes it and unlocks for you, you'll see it's nice but can not remote start the vehicle.

[jsh139]

I'd be willing to bet that there are tons of people using regular or mid-grade gas in their S4s. Sucks to be the second or third owner of your car. You never really know what was done to it or how it was treated before you bought it. I've been using premium gas in my cars for over 17 years, so it's no big deal for me.

[goodoleboy]

Thanks for all the input. I had a 5 speed Taurus SHO back in the early 90s that required premium gas. I drove it hard and never noticed a difference when I used regular octane. So that's why I was asking. I drive less than 8,000 miles a year and can afford premium gas.

[LINDW4LL]

Put VIN in here and you will see the equipped options, including Sport Diff if applicable.

http://www.vindecoderz.com/

[S4 00 2.7]

Premium gas or no S4

this X1000

[SouthernBoy]

As for the sport diff, if you drive your car normally, i.e. not crazy in the corners, you will not notice the lack of a sports diff. However, if your wish is to be hard on the car and/or track it, then you may want to consider finding one with this option.