Advice before buying

[Instructor31]

How's it going everyone,

Been looking around on the forums and reading about the Audi s4 and I think It's time to finally purchase one!
Before doing so, I had a couple of questions still not fully answered.

To start-
I'm coming from a 2011 BMW E92 328i; the 'ol lady and I finally came to the conclusion that It's time to move onto a sedan. Having a 3 year old and a 2 door car hasn't worked out so well. So it's time to say goodbye to my little 3 series. I've been looking on the market for a nice sporty sedan and quickly realized that a new F80 M3 was a little out of my price range.

I've been looking at a 2015 Audi s4 and I immediately fell in love. The aggressive front and rear end, the exhaust note, and of course the beautiful interior.
It has room for all of us and easy access. It's perfect! But things can't be perfect, no, that's not how things work haha.

So my question to the forums is-

What don't you like about your S4?
How's the maintenance on it and how's it like working on your car?
Where do you purchase your maintenance items? For BMW, I would use TurnerMotorsports rather than going to the dealership and paying 2x the price.

There's probably other questions I should be asking but don't know them, so if you feel like there's more to tell, please do so.

[LINDW4LL]

Scheduled maintenance on these cars is extremely basic besides the 35k/75k DSG fluid services. Just oil changes, plugs @ 55k, and air filter changes. The oil filter is top-mounted, too, so you don't even need to jack up the car if you use an oil extractor. If you have DSG, you're probably best off just getting AudiCare for $~800 for the first 45k and not needing to deal with any of this, as the DSG service is $$$. Comes out a better deal to get AudiCare.

For parts:

GenuineAudiParts
ECS Tuning
JimEllis Audi Parts

[Evan2]

Kids and the S4 are tough unless your wife has a bigger car. With two boys 4 and 8m its tight. Mainly for my wife right now with the baby behind her, the 4 year old just went to a booster and at 6ft tall I have enough room and he gained more with the booster but it was tight with his old front facing. Other than that I love it, wife is usually the kid hauler but on certain days I take them to day care and pick them up. Make sure you bring your car seat with you if you havent already.

[HeymyAudi]

What I do not like?? The sunglasses holder...
Maintenance - I got Audi care at the tail end of it now. But just like Turner you can use ECS to get brakes and oil filters

I too came from a BMW and the driving experience will be more refinded...

[S4Drew]

I've had mine for 5 months now, and love it. Only real dislike are the cupholders lol. Mostly because I have the 6MT and with a big cup it gets in the way of my wrist for shifting, but also if you have more than 1 big drink you have to use the flimsy back cup holders. Stupid gripe lol

Honestly, this car is amazing. I have 2 kids 7 and 11, and they fit just fine. The engine is great, I get around 20MPG, stupid fun, comfortable, great interior. No real complaints at all. Engine seems to be relatively bullet proof based on my forum research, unless you do something stupid to it.

Buy one and you won't miss that BMW ;)

[Instructor31]

Thank you for the replies!

The vehicle that I'm looking to purchase is still under a 4 year warranty. After the 4 years; would it be recommended to purchase the extended AudiCare(plus)?
I didn't extend the warranty on my 3 series because I found it fairly easy to work on the car.

The vehicle that I'm looking at is a 6MT.
I didn't experience any upsetting of the transmission or any violent jerks but I have read on the forums that sometimes It'll try to rev match for you?
Does the s4 rev match like the C7 corvette does, or does it only do it if you are down shifting from high speeds?

[LINDW4LL]

The vehicle that I'm looking at is a 6MT. I didn't experience any upsetting of the transmission or any violent jerks but I have read on the forums that sometimes It'll try to rev match for you?
Does the s4 rev match like the C7 corvette does, or does it only do it if you are down shifting from high speeds?

The S4 will only try to rev match if you make no attempt (or a very poor attempt) to do so yourself. As long as you're in the ballpark you'll never notice it. I think the general consensus was that it only does it above ~ 3500 RPMs, and you have to be off by over 1000 revs.

Also, I'd skip AudiCare+ with it being a manual. As mentioned, basic maintenance is really simple.

[Johnnycash]

I've had mine for 5 months now, and love it. Only real dislike are the cupholders lol. Mostly because I have the 6MT and with a big cup it gets in the way of my wrist for shifting, but also if you have more than 1 big drink you have to use the flimsy back cup holders. Stupid gripe lol

Honestly, this car is amazing. I have 2 kids 7 and 11, and they fit just fine. The engine is great, I get around 20MPG, stupid fun, comfortable, great interior. No real complaints at all. Engine seems to be relatively bullet proof based on my forum research, unless you do something stupid to it.

Buy one and you won't miss that BMW ;)

personally for me i dont drink pop or big gulps etc. i tend to use the holder in the door for my water bottle, so its a non issue...

my biggest complaint is that when i drive our other vehicle [2016 hyundai genesis] which is very roomy and the seats are comfortable, i sometimes find it difficult getting comfortable in the s4.

[Loe]

The S4 will only try to rev match if you make no attempt (or a very poor attempt) to do so yourself. As long as you're in the ballpark you'll never notice it. I think the general consensus was that it only does it above ~ 3500 RPMs, and you have to be off by over 1000 revs.

Also, I'd skip AudiCare+ with it being a manual. As mentioned, basic maintenance is really simple.

+1, its only really worth it for DSG cars since it pays for itself at the 35K DSG maintenance

[SportVier]

What don't you like about your S4?

The complete lack of any steering feel.

[Instructor31]

Thanks everyone for the feedback,

The Mrs. said yes and our little girl fit just fine!

I'll be sure to post pictures once purchased!

[yjypm]

What I don't like about my s4 (actually s5) comparing to a bimmer:
No led headlights, no head up display, MMI screen a bit too small (unlike bmw you can't see the next turn on the map when you are at an intersection, I would like the screen to be a bit wider), getting rid of the yellow reflector is expensive (ecode), and it's hard to go side ways :D

Great daily driver, love the power delivery and tunability of the supercharger.

[chaos2984]

I've had mine for 5 months now, and love it. Only real dislike are the cupholders lol. Mostly because I have the 6MT and with a big cup it gets in the way of my wrist for shifting, but also if you have more than 1 big drink you have to use the flimsy back cup holders. Stupid gripe lol

Honestly, this car is amazing. I have 2 kids 7 and 11, and they fit just fine. The engine is great, I get around 20MPG, stupid fun, comfortable, great interior. No real complaints at all. Engine seems to be relatively bullet proof based on my forum research, unless you do something stupid to it.

Buy one and you won't miss that BMW ;)

We going to see you like Better Call Saul bust out the cup holder so your drink can fit properly lol.

just like everyone else has said. If you buy a 6speed don't buy the Audi care. Its not worth it. If you get the DSG and depending on millage the Audi care is worth it. I didn't buy it because Im not putting that many miles on mine 11K in 2 years. Audi care would run out before I could get the 35K done. So Ill just do it all myself.

That being said the only downfall with the 6 speed is if you tune it be prepared for a clutch upgrade in the near future. From what I have seen on here they don't hold up very well to a tune. That just may be peoples driving habits. But you will be happy with either. I like the DSG its fun when you want and not when you don't care.

[The Fat Kid]

You can pick up a CPO F80 M3 for mid $60ks if you want a manual, just in case you have not looked. You should test drive the M3 and the S4 before you make a final decision. I would seriously consider the M3 if I were living in TX.

It is hard to beat the S4 if want a jack of all trades, master of none. The M3 is going to be better if you specifically want a sports sedan.

The S4 is absolutely fine with one kid, and would be adequate with two. We have an 11-month old and comfortably fit all his crap and ours for a week-long road trip. I would add a roof box if we were to have a second kid.

You should find a good indie VW/Audi shop if you plan on keeping the car after the warranty expires, or if you do not want to use the Audi dealer for regular maintenance. Skip AudiCare unless you buy a DSG car.

[agorich]

with weather like we are having right now in Houston, I am very happy to have the s4. so many cars on the side of the road and even a bunch under water. not good. be safe out there yall

[SportVier]

You can pick up a CPO F80 M3 for mid $60ks if you want a manual, just in case you have not looked. You should test drive the M3 and the S4 before you make a final decision. I would seriously consider the M3 if I were living in TX.

+1. Unless you are going to be seeing a lot of snow, then definitely M3 > S4.

[letterk]

Just got mine so can't comment on some of your questions, but I have three kids ages 7, 9 and 11 (big kids too). We can all fit in the S4 but it's a squeeze. 4 of us is no problem. My wife's is the main family hauler though, so that helps.

[mjames]

You liked the S4 exhaust note? WHAT exhaust note? This car's stock exhaust is so boring and silent, ugh. One of my biggest gripes.

[Dr GP]

I'm on my 3rd B8 S4 because I haven't found anything I like better in the price range. Still love driving it. IMHO, the S4 is a great car and a better daily driver than the M3 especially if you need or want AWD, Don't get me wrong, the M3 is a great car and a better track car. But I think the S4 is a better DD. IMHO, I would not buy one if it did not have the sport differential. Others will agree. Some will not. Good Luck with your search.

[Dr GP]

You liked the S4 exhaust note? WHAT exhaust note? This car's stock exhaust is so boring and silent, ugh. One of my biggest gripes.

Unless your car has a Soundakator! But I agree. I thought the OEM exhaust sound on the B6/B7 was weak sauce as well! Sounds great with a catback. B8 also improved with an exhaust.

[drevil2k2]

Coming from a 2011 E90 335...

Likes: seats, steering wheel, quattro great in snow, sports diff and B&O stereo, great sleeper car.
Meh: miss the BMW 'feel', especially when turning, less tech features (BMW Apps, internet radio).

[KevBow]

The steering is bad and the car experiences a ton of understeer, worst of any car i've owned. I am not a particular fan of the seat, kinda feels like its moving slightly. The backseat will be a tight fit for kids if you are tall.