Audi from Lexus

**NWGeno** · 03-09-2016 10:56 PM

Hey Audi guys,

I currently have an 07 IS350. Looking to get something a little more fun to drive. I love the B8 S4. I have been looking at some in Seattle WA recently and they aren't priced bad at all for low miles! The only thing that I am concerned about is reliability with the car. I drive less than 8000 miles a year. The majority being highway. I just want something that is fun to drive, AWD, and luxury all at the same time and I feel like the S4 fits this criteria. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

**tsaktuo** · 03-09-2016 11:00 PM

I've owned my B8 since late 2011 and have had 0 reliability issues. However, I have had to replace the thermostat (known issue), but other than that, I've been quite happy.

Now to wait and see if the B9 S4 is any good...

**ocardona** · 03-09-2016 11:40 PM

Get the S4. You won't regret it. AWD + Stage2+ is near perfection for Seattle weather!!!

**ocardona** · 03-09-2016 11:44 PM

BTW I also live in Seattle, so I'm not making this up. :-).

**levigarrett** · 03-10-2016 12:27 AM

32k miles, never been broke.

**wangshuo1989** · 03-10-2016 12:44 AM

Also live in Seattle, Audi Bellevue has a few S4 with good price, haha. I've had my CPO B8.5 S5 since last Dec and 0 issue. Oh well, I'll see.

**AudiS4SD** · 03-10-2016 04:31 AM

I had an IS350 as well (see signature) and liked it. However, it was too small and not quite fun to drive. You will love the S4. Take a test drive and see for yourself first. He perfect car for Seattle...or really anywhere for that matter!

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine mobile app

**Sceanzo** · 03-10-2016 05:19 AM

I also had an IS350. Loved that car. B8 is a nice upgrade. Some things I miss about the Lexus like smart key standard, cooled seats and both mirrors tilt when parking. But I'm stage 2 so the power makes up for a lot of it :)

**Loe** · 03-10-2016 05:29 AM

i came from an '14 IS350 F-sport. The AVS suspension/chassis/steering feel of the latest generation is very very good. The only thing missing was acceleration, where my S5 fitted the bill. Reliability issues? I have not had any (i've only had it 8 months though). However, in the 2 years I had my IS350 (leased in '13), i went in for brake squeal issues, front control arm bushing, battery drain (twice), E-brake adjustment as it rattled, one front AVS shock leaked, and I forget one more item which I still have the invoice for.

**chaos2984** · 03-10-2016 05:43 AM

Buy it you won't regret it. Very reliable car.

**jsh139** · 03-10-2016 05:45 AM

I went from a 2010 IS 350 to a 2010 S4. Only owned the car a year and never really fell in love with it. It was small and cramped. I could never find a comfortable driving position, and I'm not a big guy (5'9" 155 lbs). It had a lot of power, and the RWD was fun, but it had no soul. Just felt like I was driving a tin can, honestly. There was nothing special about it. And the lack of manual transmission was a killer for me. I thought that I could get over it, but I found myself missing the stick shift.

The S4 has a totally different feel to it. It's heavier with AWD, but it honestly doesn't feel like it's almost 4,000 lbs. It has the same linear power delivery as the IS, it's way more roomier, the back seats fold down, and honestly, the only thing the IS has over the S4 are the cooled seats. But, I rarely used mine anyway; and they never really provided much, IMO. I was worried about reliability, so I bought a 3 yr, 36,000 mile warranty, but honestly, if I were to do it over again I would have saved myself the cash. These cars are very reliable, aside from a few things from the earlier years.

Drive one, you won't regret it.

**Chigger** · 03-10-2016 08:26 AM

I also came from an IS (Gen 1 - had my IS300 for 10 yrs).

The difference is night and day. 100% more fun to drive. I've had my B8 (CPO) for 8 months and no issues.

**cjw** · 03-10-2016 08:34 AM

Bought a new 2014 IS350 F-Sport, drove it for about 18 months. Don't miss it one bit.

**bhvrdr** · 03-10-2016 09:15 AM

I had a 2014 IS350 as well for about a year. If I were one to keep a car for 20 years its a great car. It handles better than the S4 but it is very much lacking in the drivetrain department. Power is poor and the transmission was not responsive to commands at all. The S4 was well worth the trade.

Your IS350 is the 2nd gen when the handling was very poor compared to the 3rd gen so I'd expect you'll be extremely pleased with the S4 both handling and powertrain.

It happens to be that the B8 S4 is also probably one of the most reliable models of Audis that they have made to date when comparing to past S4 and A4 models.

Mike

**melomandn** · 03-10-2016 09:17 AM

It seems the only widespread issues with the B8 have been: tstat, some dsg problems, some sport diff problems and somewhat rare crank pulley issues. The tstat seems to be the only issues that has affected a large number of cars.

Honestly, the B8 S4 has been the most reliable S4 Audi has made (except for maybe the URS4 of the mid 90's).

**vaa4** · 03-10-2016 11:30 AM

Also a Lexus convert here. Owned 2x IS300 for 14 years. Last one being a manual.
Nothing in the Toyota lineup fit the bill, so here I am. Granted I only put 4K miles on my S4, but I couldn't be happier. No trips to the dealer, knock on the wood.
I did have a '15 STi before for 10 months and it just didn't do it for me.

**circle** · 03-11-2016 06:59 AM

Just came from an 08 250. That car was hard to replace lots I really loved that as much as new cars were new, just didn't have the feeling I wanted. The S4 is it man, and the supercharger is great. Though I had the 250 and found it was just under powered for anything.

**SportVier** · 03-11-2016 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by melomandn

Honestly, the B8 S4 has been the most reliable S4 Audi has made.

haha. not sure you could set a lower reliability bar than that.

OP, this is not a Lexus. Assume it will break on a regular basis, so make sure you are good with that going in. Mine has been in for four major, multi-day repairs in <40k miles. But with a nearby dealer and decent mix of loaners, it has not been too painful.

IMO, a good warranty, ideally Audi CPO, is a must if you're buying used.

**Thurston** · 03-11-2016 10:37 AM

I'm a huge lexus supporter and fan of how ridiculously reliable they make there cars, I drove the absolute hell out of my old is300 and it was the most bulletproof car i've ever experienced, my sisters is250 is the same way and my parents Ls460 is boss.. that said i have had horrible luck w many german cars from mercedes e class & s class to bmw e36 & e46 but this b8 audi has been reliable for me so far as it should be it's a 2015 but still after 18,000 miles it has proven reliable up to this point. (i think you would be very happy with a b8.5 audi s4)

**nagatec** · 03-11-2016 11:03 AM

I am also coming from Lexus and live in the Seattle area. In fact, I also owned a 2007 IS350 - loved that car. Modified it quite a bit too (Tanabe exhaust, Tein coilovers, Volk Rims, StopTech BBK, etc.). I would still be driving it if I didn't have to sell it due to an overseas move. Drove the car for 7 years with zero issues.

I've always admired and wanted an Audi S car - so when we moved back to the States I test drove several cars including the 2015 Audi S4 I have now. I've shied away from Audi because of reliability concerns. But, once I test drove one I knew exactly why people buy these cars. The driving experience blows away my IS350. The transmission and torque is just ridiculous. Audi has come a long way in reliability too. I've only had the car for about 8 months, but I don't have any issues.

The only issue I have with Audi is with aftermarket modifications. I have my S4 modified too - nothing too crazy (AWE exhaust, HandR coilovers, ECS intake, etc.). I don't plan to tune. Audi's stance on bolt-on modifications is very stringent in comparison to Lexus. Lexus could care less about my mods, but Audi seems to frown upon them. I've already gotten some negative comments about them from two different service techs from different dealers. When I had my Lexus, I never heard a peep from the service techs about my mods.

**wangshuo1989** · 03-11-2016 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by nagatec

I am also coming from Lexus and live in the Seattle area. In fact, I also owned a 2007 IS350 - loved that car. Modified it quite a bit too (Tanabe exhaust, Tein coilovers, Volk Rims, StopTech BBK, etc.). I would still be driving it if I didn't have to sell it due to an overseas move. Drove the car for 7 years with zero issues.

I've always admired and wanted an Audi S car - so when we moved back to the States I test drove several cars including the 2015 Audi S4 I have now. I've shied away from Audi because of reliability concerns. But, once I test drove one I knew exactly why people buy these cars. The driving experience blows away my IS350. The transmission and torque is just ridiculous. Audi has come a long way in reliability too. I've only had the car for about 8 months, but I don't have any issues.

The only issue I have with Audi is with aftermarket modifications. I have my S4 modified too - nothing too crazy (AWE exhaust, HandR coilovers, ECS intake, etc.). I don't plan to tune. Audi's stance on bolt-on modifications is very stringent in comparison to Lexus. Lexus could care less about my mods, but Audi seems to frown upon them. I've already gotten some negative comments about them from two different service techs from different dealers. When I had my Lexus, I never heard a peep from the service techs about my mods.

My wife drives a GX460. Lexus's service is light years ahead of audi...

**vaa4** · 03-11-2016 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by wangshuo1989

My wife drives a GX460. Lexus's service is light years ahead of audi...

I have dealt with AoA and their service was on-par with Lexus corporate.

**r32breeze** · 03-11-2016 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by ocardona

BTW I also live in Seattle, so I'm not making this up. :-).

Dude, you just revealed your top secret location!

**JackDecompiler** · 03-11-2016 06:22 PM

B8 S4 is one of the most reliable cars that Audi made
And Audi are quite high on the rankings with reliability now, topped only by Toyota/Lexus
http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2...-brands/3.html

**Luna's S4** · 03-11-2016 07:21 PM

T-Stat and Mech Unit wiring harness. Both covered under warranty. 50k on the clock. My SA and I enjoy talking mods and the techs seem to enjoy seeing the mods. Time and miles will only tell about reliability. And what a blast to drive!

(DSG but that could be construed as shifting in M mode. I dunno...)

**BLACKS4-10** · 03-12-2016 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by NWGeno

Hey Audi guys,

I currently have an 07 IS350. Looking to get something a little more fun to drive. I love the B8 S4. I have been looking at some in Seattle WA recently and they aren't priced bad at all for low miles! The only thing that I am concerned about is reliability with the car. I drive less than 8000 miles a year. The majority being highway. I just want something that is fun to drive, AWD, and luxury all at the same time and I feel like the S4 fits this criteria. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I had a 2006 IS350 fully loaded with 18" summers that I bought new.The handling and speed is incomparable to my 2010 S4 and the IS is not really mod friendly since it's really a Toyota Corolla spiced up and didn't respond to well to mods.. IS350 IMHO was okay in acceleration but handling was not great with lots of body roll in turns.BTW my Lexus had 3 recalls one being possible leaky fuel lines..not good

**jygesq** · 03-12-2016 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by JackDecompiler

B8 S4 is one of the most reliable cars that Audi made
And Audi are quite high on the rankings with reliability now, topped only by Toyota/Lexus
http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2...-brands/3.html

. This year APRIL 2016 auto issue, Consumer Report gave Audi first place for reliability .

**SportVier** · 03-12-2016 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by jygesq

. This year APRIL 2016 auto issue, Consumer Report gave Audi first place for reliability .

2016 JD Power VDS had Audi 15th for power train reliability (ie. what really matters) and 5th overall.

Lexus just crushed it across multiple categories.

**chi123** · 03-12-2016 09:35 PM

I have both the IS350 and S4. Have had the IS350 since high school and bought the S4 over a year ago. The IS have had maybe $20K in repairs done including a new engine. I was out of warranty but Lexus stood behind their cars and offered to pay for the repair. The S4 already needed two new thermostats in the year I've own it and some minor things. Overall, I saw the S4 is a better car. The only thing I really like about the IS is that it looks better. I also supercharged my IS350 and it's still nowhere near as fun as my stage 2 S4. I would go for it. I only kept my IS350 mainly cause of all the work I put into it but if it were near stock, I would have traded it in.

My IS350.

And my S4.

**maf9** · 03-13-2016 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by BLACKS4-10

...IS is not really mod friendly since it's really a Toyota Corolla spiced up...

You may have been joking, but this is like people saying that the S4 is a fancy VW.

**Thurston** · 03-13-2016 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by SportVier

2016 JD Power VDS had Audi 15th for power train reliability (ie. what really matters) and 5th overall.

Lexus just crushed it across multiple categories.

well that's a pretty damn important point.