Keep B8.5 S4 or Get B9 A4

[dubbs33]

Hi All,

I currently own a CPO 2013 S4 with all the fixins, sans nav. I really love the car, it just lacks badly in tech. The new B9 A4 is a tech dream. So, should I keep the S4 and wait a couple years or pull the trigger on the B9 A4?(aware of depreciation on new, I would lease if that helps) My concern on keeping the S4 is depreciation, currently sitting at 21,233 on the OD. Of course I would take a depreciation hit on the new A4 even if leased...
Tech is not my only priority... (why I bought the S4 in the first place) I would love to hear from folks who have driven both platforms. While I don't expect the B9 A4 to keep pace with the B8.5 S4 in all areas, is it closer than previous gens? Will it satisfy drive-wise? Tech-wise anything will top my MMi w/o nav. Thanks in advance for the input!

[tekmo]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-or-2017-a4-b9

[dubbs33]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-or-2017-a4-b9

Thanks.

Has anyone actually driven the two and have input?
My other concern is depreciation. S4 in 2 years with 60K or so, not going to get a lot of value back from what I have read. (I am not underwater, have a low payment as I put a large chunk down) I could sell the S4 for what I paid today to a private party.

[b6onboost]

I don't think depreciation should be much of a concern. A new A4 will depreciate more over 2-3 years than a 2013 S4 will. All cars depreciate, but new cars generally depreciate more and faster. Your S4 has already depreciated significantly, a new A4 hasn't. An A4 lease may shield your eyes from the depreciation, but its still there and you're incurring it. Selling your S4 now and leasing an A4 for 2-3 years will likely be more expensive than holding your S4 for 2-3 years and selling it.

So the real question is, is your prior model S4 without Nav better than a new model A4 with the latest tech? Only you can decide. Its a personal choice between a high performance model or the latest design/tech. A lot of people will say S4 for the performance and that all the tech is sort of a gimmick. A lot of people will say the S4 looks really old/dated and that the A4 is much more modern.

[dubbs33]

I don't think depreciation should be much of a concern. A new A4 will depreciate more over 2-3 years than a 2013 S4 will. All cars depreciate, but new cars generally depreciate more and faster. Your S4 has already depreciated significantly, a new A4 hasn't. An A4 lease may shield your eyes from the depreciation, but its still there and you're incurring it. Selling your S4 now and leasing an A4 for 2-3 years will likely be more expensive than holding your S4 for 2-3 years and selling it.

So the real question is, is your prior model S4 without Nav better than a new model A4 with the latest tech? Only you can decide. Its a personal choice between a high performance model or the latest design/tech. A lot of people will say S4 for the performance and that all the tech is sort of a gimmick. A lot of people will say the S4 looks really old/dated and that the A4 is much more modern.

Thanks B6! Well put. "its all just a matter of opinion in the end" ...but I really appreciate yours!

If anyone out there has driven both I would still love to hear thoughts on the New B9 A4 and if it even gets close to the B8.5 S4.

[LINDW4LL]

Wait for B9 S4.

You can't downgrade to an A4 after having an S4!

[vwblackb5]

Skip the A4 and get an F80 M3 + Competition Package instead or wait for the RS4.

[dubbs33]

Wait for B9 S4.

You can't downgrade to an A4 after having an S4!

^ That's my concern

[dubbs33]

Skip the A4 and get an F80 M3 + Competition Package instead or wait for the RS4.

Need AWD, otherwise the M3 would be at the top of list of considerations! (already have 2 RWD Bimmers in the Garage) When is the RS4 expected?

[Mitchfin]

I've driven both, and while they're very different cars I prefer the B9, may be biased as that's what I have. The S4 I use to drive frequently had alcantara seats and every option but it still doesn't hold a match to the interior quality and ride quality of the new A4. The engine is peppy enough for me now, lots of torque to play with at speed, but will plan for S4 next year. Yes the S4 is more fun, but also the B9 is a much better car than the B8/8.5 in my opinion, I was going to get a B8.5 S4 but knew I couldn't get in that interior everyday as it was the same as My B8. So far I couldn't ask more out of a car than my new one, and hopefully a tune and a few upgrades can bridge the gap to the S4. If it helps.

[RudyH]

For the price, I would keep the B8.5 S4. Especially if there is nothing wrong with it, besides it's not the latest model.

Why not wait a year, let Audi get all the kinks out of the introductory model and see where you are at? That is my plan. Next summer will look at it, though I am anxious to consider a new car now.

2017 will be a GREAT year for people in this price point, looking at 4 door cars :

B9 S4
B9 A5 / S5 Sportbacks
refreshed 8V S3 / RS3

TBH it's probably the worst time to settle on a car for more then a year, because you will kicking your own butt when the plethora of goodness Audi is bringing out next year. Personally, after almost 20 years of driving a 5/6-speed manual, then getting a taste of it again in my friends Ford Fiesta, I am aching for a B8.5 S4 /w 6-speed

[mjt20mik]

Don't downgrade on performance for the Tech. I would suggest just waiting for the B9 S4 or grab like a C63 amg.

[ModdedEuros]

Would def keep the B8.5 S4. Can't downgrade on performance. Think you would eventually regret it

[LINDW4LL]

^ That's my concern

Would you need/want to wait for a used B9 S4? Otherwise they should be here either Q4 or Q1. Not too much longer of a wait, all things considered...

[AJG.ESQ]

Curious - is the B9 A4 the same size as the B8 or larger?

[dbuxton13]

B9 slightly expanded in a couple dimensions:

(inches)

B8: L 185.1, H 56.2, W 71.9
B9: L 186.1, H 56.2, W 72.5

0.9 extra inch leg room claimed in back seat, yay!

[LINDW4LL]

Yeah, only an inch longer.

I guarantee some people will still post saying that the car "feels"/drives too big now, LOL.

[Mitchfin]

Yeah, only an inch longer.

I can guarantee some people will be posting that the car "feels"/drives too big now, LOL.

Well it's an inch longer, inch longer wheelbase and inch wider, coming straight from a B8 it is noticeable bigger in the head, elbows and slight leg room in the back. I also think a much thinner dash up from makes a big difference. It's perfectly big! Lol

[dbuxton13]

What's significant to me is that even with being slightly larger, they managed to drop a sick amount of weight. At the Frankfurt auto show the S4 on display weighed only 3593 lbs. You would have to toss a couple fatty passengers into the B9 just to get back up to the B8's curb weight.

[AJG.ESQ]

Well it's an inch longer, inch longer wheelbase and inch wider, coming straight from a B8 it is noticeable bigger in the head, elbows and slight leg room in the back. I also think a much thinner dash up from makes a big difference. It's perfectly big! Lol

Actually kind of happy to hear. I was in a 2016 A6 3.0t loaner for the past 5 days (awesome car). After getting back into my B8 S4, it feels small!

[Mitchfin]

Actually kind of happy to hear. I was in a 2016 A6 3.0t loaner for the past 5 days (awesome car). After getting back into my B8 S4, it feels small!

It's extremely noticeable, the cockpit just feels like you're not cramped but still contained if that makes sense. Definitely get sport seats though. Best $750 you can spend when you put the suspension and black headliner on top.

[doug97gxe]

wow seems like downgrading is a big issue for a lot of you huh?

[name.goes.here]

You might be able to strike a good deal on an S4 now that the B8 is on its way out; however, I would prefer to go for the new platform. Why not wait until the B9 S4 comes available.