Personal Feedback wanted! S4/S5

[jwallace0988]

Been looking for a couple few months now... and ALMOST ready to pull the trigger aka (pending my GTI's sale)...

I am looking to pick up a used S4/S5 - I have a friend who is helping me acquire one through auction... I'm set on color (Black or white... MAYBE red). However I'm stuck on the whole B8 OR B8.5... Im pretty much fully aware of the differences - Im just looking for some possible sway in a certain direction. ALSO - I'm absolutely getting S-Tronic... Kinda over the whole 6spd daily driver.

SN: I plan on going mods right away... So maybe throw out would you would do with say 5K extra ;)

[snowmuch]

For me, I went with B8.5 because:

FLat bottom steering wheel
Refreshed LED headlight and tailights lights
Refreshed shift knob
Revised gen II DSG Box (Better reliability?)
Amplified cabin sound

[superswiss]

If you are getting the S-tronic, then that's your sway right there. The B8.5 has the gen 2 S-tronic, which is pretty solid. The B8 for the years 2010-2011 have the gen 1, which has all kinds of issues and 2012 B8 have gen 1.5, which fixed some of the issues, but isn't as solid as gen 2 in the B8.5.

The B8.5 also has updated cabin tech, and Audi Drive Select works better. It remembers the last mode and you can toggle the transmission between D/S, whereas in the B8, the transmission doesn't have an S position if the car comes with Audi Drive Select, otherwise it does, but from the S position you can't enter manual mode.

The second part is personal preference I guess, but if you want a solid transmission, I would go for the B8.5, not to mention that if you go for the S5, the B8 S5 doesn't come with S-tronic, unless you get a cab.

[pdqgp]

Audi Drive Select works better. It remembers the last mode .

mine always goes back to Auto. not sure how I can set it so that it always stays in Individual Mode?

[superswiss]

mine always goes back to Auto. not sure how I can set it so that it always stays in Individual Mode?

It shouldn't do that. The transmission doesn't stay in Dynamic/S, but everything else should stay in the mode you left it in.


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[pdqgp]

It shouldn't do that. The transmission doesn't stay in Dynamic/S, but everything else should stay in the mode you left it in.


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Well if I press in the car button it shows it in auto. Not sure why.

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[superswiss]

Well if I press in the car button it shows it in auto. Not sure why.

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That's not normal. It should show Individual if you left it there. Did you or the previous owner mess with VAGCOM settings?


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[eurotic]

Drive a 2012 and a 2013+ and see how you like the steering. I really disliked the steering in my brother's 2013 so I opted for a 2012. I like the styling of the b8.5 a little better but I prefer the the feel of the 2012. I'm 6MT so the stronic issue wasn't a concern but for sure something to consider although if you are going B8 get a 2012 with the Gen 1.5 which is Gen 2 electronics and Gen 1 gearing (AFAIK). No streaming bluetooth audio is probably the biggest thing I find missing in the B8. And although I think the fake sound in the B8.5 sounds better, I would remove it anyway just on principal...glad the B8 didn't have it.

[jwallace0988]

For me, I went with B8.5 because:

FLat bottom steering wheel
Refreshed LED headlight and tailights lights
Refreshed shift knob
Revised gen II DSG Box (Better reliability?)
Amplified cabin sound

Great call outs - my GTI has the flat bottom steering wheel and I love it, also I have read about a lot of people buying B8.5 interior pieces to enhance their B8

If you are getting the S-tronic, then that's your sway right there. The B8.5 has the gen 2 S-tronic, which is pretty solid. The B8 for the years 2010-2011 have the gen 1, which has all kinds of issues and 2012 B8 have gen 1.5, which fixed some of the issues, but isn't as solid as gen 2 in the B8.5.

The B8.5 also has updated cabin tech, and Audi Drive Select works better. It remembers the last mode and you can toggle the transmission between D/S, whereas in the B8, the transmission doesn't have an S position if the car comes with Audi Drive Select, otherwise it does, but from the S position you can't enter manual mode.

The second part is personal preference I guess, but if you want a solid transmission, I would go for the B8.5, not to mention that if you go for the S5, the B8 S5 doesn't come with S-tronic, unless you get a cab.

That is huge to know, I'm definitely looking to add some power and less issues = more reliable for DD... Good info on the Trans versions! Thank you!

Drive a 2012 and a 2013+ and see how you like the steering. I really disliked the steering in my brother's 2013 so I opted for a 2012. I like the styling of the b8.5 a little better but I prefer the the feel of the 2012. I'm 6MT so the stronic issue wasn't a concern but for sure something to consider although if you are going B8 get a 2012 with the Gen 1.5 which is Gen 2 electronics and Gen 1 gearing (AFAIK). No streaming bluetooth audio is probably the biggest thing I find missing in the B8. And although I think the fake sound in the B8.5 sounds better, I would remove it anyway just on principal...glad the B8 didn't have it.

I have driven a 2015 B8.5 and I think that's what originally sold me in the Audi direction, I drove a crap load of cars including the new BMW M235i, and 435... But neither were as fun as the Audi... Not to mention the styling interior and exterior. Also my GTI had the soundakor... I ripped it out right away. Haha - no BS kinda guy myself. Thank you for the feedback

[creativecody]

For me, I went with B8.5 because:

FLat bottom steering wheel
Refreshed LED headlight and tailights lights
Refreshed shift knob
Revised gen II DSG Box (Better reliability?)

Pretty much what this guy said plus the refreshed grille. I too went from an MKV GTI to my B8.5 S4. I too debated between the S4/S5 and the B8/B8.5. I ended up with the B8.5 (2013) S4 and couldn't be happier. Even APR has said that Audi really nailed the transmission from 2013 onwards.

[jwallace0988]

Haha you were definitely thinking the same exact things I am now - good to know! I feel like the 4 doors make the car more functional...

[yjypm]

One more thing: MY2014+ has bluetooth streaming

[chaos2984]

Get a B8.5 and you won't regret it at all. The Upgrades they did are awesome and give that car that more sporty feel with the flat bottom the shift knob. And the other upgrades to the car make it nicer.

As far as the steering goes. I have a 14 and I never noticed any issue. The only issue I had with it was with the factory stock tires were a little grabby with ruts or groves in the road. But since I put different tires on it and went with the AK and CR-15 its all gone and the steering is tight.

As far as the upgrades depends on what you want to do. Best bang for the buck is stage 2 for power. If you want to hear the SC get a roc euro intake. As far as body and suspension goes get the AK CR-15 trans and diff mount inserts. Then sway bars.

[Dippy]

...Audi Drive Select works better. It remembers the last mode...

Are you just referring to the fact that it stays in the same mode after switch off? That implies that the B8 didn't and it would revert to a default mode?

I love ADS but am amazed that Audi didn't make the button a bit more user-friendly. I'm not sure if my UK car is like the US ones, but if I am in Individual I need to press it 5 times to switch to Dynamic. To put it back to Individual I need to press it twice. I don't see why they couldn't have include 'previous setting' logic. One press will switch it to the mode it was in before the current mode. Then further presses within a short timeout would go through the cycle of modes. That way it would just be a single press to toggle between Individual and Dynamic which is what I bet most owners do.

[superswiss]

Are you just referring to the fact that it stays in the same mode after switch off? That implies that the B8 didn't and it would revert to a default mode?

Correct. At least for me it results in not having to mess with it constantly. I basically have the Individual mode setup to my liking and that's where I keep it 95% of the time and then I just change the transmission mode using the shifter depending on the driving situation and my mood. When I do need to change the entire mode, because I'm going on a long highway trip or I'm heading for the canyons, I can always go into the MMI and directly select the desired mode instead of cycling through them all with the button.

[Chris@EPL]

A stage 1 or stage 2 tune with a TCU tune would be a good start before doing dual pulley with E85

[kobrian85]

I drove both a 2012 and 2013 S4 on Saturday. Needed to know what direction I'd start looking for at auction as well. The 2013 is the way I'm going.

The refresh to the MMI and lighting, as well as the flat bottom steering wheel were the things that sealed it for me. I preferred the shift knob on the 2013 as well. The paddle shifters were different as well between them, the 2012 seemed to be more analog and them off the wheel more (more similar to my old A3), where as the 2013 were more "button" like, where they were tighter to the wheel, and although I'm searching for a 6MT, I was only able to find DSG cars that were convenient for me to drive. The difference in steering feel between the hydraulic (2012) and electronic (2013) were not as night-and-day difference as I anticipated them to be. Neither car I drove had the Sport Diff in it, so I can't speak to that, but having that feature isn't a deal breaker one way or the other for me (although, everyone says it is a "must have").

Good luck with your search!

[RudyH]

I will warn you now, 6MT is something you will miss during fun time. During traffic, yes the Stronic is nice...but I thought the dual clutch would compensate...still not the same. Still best tech out there so can't go wrong.

I would go B8.5 IMO, the B8 isn't that dated, but at quick glance you can confuse a B8.5 for the B9. Interior has a lot of nice upgrades also from the B8.5 over the B8, it's a face lift it is expected!

For someone who doesn't currently have a S4, I would go B8.5. My position I plan on driving my B8 to the ground, as I can't quite justify having a small car payment and needing to buy all the ECU / TCU software again...the only perk in the B8 seems to be the hydraulic steering *more or less*.

[johnstah]

Been looking for a couple few months now... and ALMOST ready to pull the trigger aka (pending my GTI's sale)...

I am looking to pick up a used S4/S5 - I have a friend who is helping me acquire one through auction... I'm set on color (Black or white... MAYBE red). However I'm stuck on the whole B8 OR B8.5... Im pretty much fully aware of the differences - Im just looking for some possible sway in a certain direction. ALSO - I'm absolutely getting S-Tronic... Kinda over the whole 6spd daily driver.

SN: I plan on going mods right away... So maybe throw out would you would do with say 5K extra ;)

I have a 13' S4. I love it. The car with a stage 2 tune is great! the only thing I did not like is the steering feel but definitely not a deal breaker. You should definitely get the sport differential. I bought one without sport diff and ended up doing suspension mods (look at my sig for mods). I recently got myself a c63 as a weekend car. The steering on this car is on another level! but the S4 is good for winter time :)

[Dr GP]

One thing to remember, all B8/B8.5 S4s and S5 cabs have the 3.0 Sc engine. BUT, Pre 2013 S5 coupes have a 4.2 V8. IMHO,the 3.0 Sc engine is a great engine. The 4.2 V8, not so much. I've had S4s with both. Would never want another 4.2. So if you are looking at an S5 coupe, you definitely want a 2013 or newer. Also the 2013 and newers S4/s5s have some extra bells and whistles. Try to get one with a sport dif. Otherwise the driving experience is the same with a 2010 and 2016 S4. Also, the same as the 2013 and newer S5 coupes. Not sure that it matters, but the sunroof in the S5 does not open, it only tilts.

[Hofahome]

I think that the 8.5 will age a bit better due to the solid LEDs, although I like the b8 front fascia more than my 8.5. Also agree that if you are set on dsg and especially if you mod the car, you should get the one with the best/least problematic version of it.

[Kayone73]

Great call outs - my GTI has the flat bottom steering wheel and I love it, also I have read about a lot of people buying B8.5 interior pieces to enhance their B8



That is huge to know, I'm definitely looking to add some power and less issues = more reliable for DD... Good info on the Trans versions! Thank you!



I have driven a 2015 B8.5 and I think that's what originally sold me in the Audi direction, I drove a crap load of cars including the new BMW M235i, and 435... But neither were as fun as the Audi... Not to mention the styling interior and exterior. Also my GTI had the soundakor... I ripped it out right away. Haha - no BS kinda guy myself. Thank you for the feedback

It's interesting that the 435 & M235i didn't feel as fun to drive, I would have thought the opposite

[Kayone73]

I will warn you now, 6MT is something you will miss during fun time. During traffic, yes the Stronic is nice...but I thought the dual clutch would compensate...still not the same. Still best tech out there so can't go wrong.

I would go B8.5 IMO, the B8 isn't that dated, but at quick glance you can confuse a B8.5 for the B9. Interior has a lot of nice upgrades also from the B8.5 over the B8, it's a face lift it is expected!

For someone who doesn't currently have a S4, I would go B8.5. My position I plan on driving my B8 to the ground, as I can't quite justify having a small car payment and needing to buy all the ECU / TCU software again...the only perk in the B8 seems to be the hydraulic steering *more or less*.

The Dual Clutch is much better w an APR or GIAC reprogram, much more responsive & aggressive when you need it to be.

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[levigarrett]

That's not normal. It should show Individual if you left it there. Did you or the previous owner mess with VAGCOM settings?


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My car does the same thing. It never powers up in anything but Auto. I'm the original owner. It's not the end of the world for me but I have to switch it to Individual every time.

[Vanimal]

The Dual Clutch is much better w an APR or GIAC reprogram, much more responsive & aggressive when you need it to be.

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OP has to keep in mind that's a $1,300 "reprogram". That isn't cheap but worth it to many. But that's the name of the game. Between that and a stage 2 tune with pulley your looking at about $3300-ish?

That might catch some people off guard who are new. It's not like the B5 S4 you can plug and play used ECU's for like a few hundred.


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[Chris@EPL]

OP has to keep in mind that's a $1,300 "reprogram". That isn't cheap but worth it to many. But that's the name of the game. Between that and a stage 2 tune with pulley your looking at about $3300-ish?

That might catch some people off guard who are new. It's not like the B5 S4 you can plug and play used ECU's for like a few hundred.


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Wow well I guess we are quite a bit less expensive than them.

[Vanimal]

Wow well I guess we are quite a bit less expensive than them.

I personally wouldn't go APR but that's just me. It irks me they still charge what $600 for a b5 S4 tune that hasn't been touched in years? They are a great company but their prices a bit high IMO compared to a EPL or GIAC.

I actually plug and played a EPL tune on my B5 S4 a few years ago, worked great ;)


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[superswiss]

My car does the same thing. It never powers up in anything but Auto. I'm the original owner. It's not the end of the world for me but I have to switch it to Individual every time.

Dunno, what's going on here. The 2016 S4 loaner I drove a few months ago stayed in the last mode I left, so does my RS5 and every 2013+ Audi I drove over the last three years, including the new 2017 A4. Would certainly irk me if I had to select Individual mode every time I started the car.

[Dr GP]

My 2011 always reverts back to auto when I turn it back on. I think the newer models do not. I also believe you can vag the older models to start in the setting that it was in when the car was turned off.

[jimrobbington]

My car does the same thing. It never powers up in anything but Auto. I'm the original owner. It's not the end of the world for me but I have to switch it to Individual every time.

Vag com allows you to set default at startup to something different.

[jygesq]

My 2015 stays in the settings I program through MMI. AS MENTIONED above, when I want to change the tranny fron D to S I just pull back on the shifter knob. When I want to go back to D I pull back on it again. All my Settings made through the MMI REMAIN the same

[Dippy]

Well I already voiced my dissatisfaction with how the B8.5 ADS button works but at least it does remember its setting. I'm rather surprised that the B8 starts in the default mode each time. Seems to me that Audi didn't think too much about the usability of the button. Sure I can go into the MMI and change it there, but the button is there for convenience isn't it? After all the new TTRS gets an ADS button on the steering wheel, but if it has the same logic behind it then that will seem like a missed opportunity. Then again it also has a start/stop button on the steering wheel which seems rather frivolous to me. Methinks that Audi marketing are doing a bit more of the design decisions than perhaps they should.

[eurotic]

Well I already voiced my dissatisfaction with how the B8.5 ADS button works but at least it does remember its setting. I'm rather surprised that the B8 starts in the default mode each time. Seems to me that Audi didn't think too much about the usability of the button. Sure I can go into the MMI and change it there, but the button is there for convenience isn't it? After all the new TTRS gets an ADS button on the steering wheel, but if it has the same logic behind it then that will seem like a missed opportunity. Then again it also has a start/stop button on the steering wheel which seems rather frivolous to me. Methinks that Audi marketing are doing a bit more of the design decisions than perhaps they should.

Agreed but after a quick VAG-COM mod it stays in individual on the B8, so it's all good (for those that can access a VAG-COM and are willing to do it of course).

[XLR8 Craig]

OP has to keep in mind that's a $1,300 "reprogram". That isn't cheap but worth it to many. But that's the name of the game. Between that and a stage 2 tune with pulley your looking at about $3300-ish?

That might catch some people off guard who are new. It's not like the B5 S4 you can plug and play used ECU's for like a few hundred.


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One thing to also keep in mind is how expensive these cars are and how much more sophisticated they have become. They aren't tuned as easily and required a significant amount more time in development (cracking ecus, more ECU part numbers and box codes, immobilizers, calibrations and testing, cost of the development cars etc) the list goes on, but I hear you though, everything keeps getting more and more expensive.

Stage 1 - $1299
Stage 2 $549
Labor $320
DSG $999

Looking at just under $3200 for stage 2 with dsg if you have us (or another shop) do the labor. Not bad for the power gained if you ask me.

If anyone was around back in the B5 S4 days, pricing for a tune and fueling kits were not far off from price, and that was back in early 2000's

With that being said go with the B8.5! :)

Greg

[hotleadsingergu]

For me, I went with B8.5 because:

FLat bottom steering wheel
Refreshed LED headlight and tailights lights
Refreshed shift knob
Revised gen II DSG Box (Better reliability?)
Amplified cabin sound

These, plus less chance of issue with oil burning. Lots of B8s are driving around burning oil because there was a problem if the rings weren't seated well and the break-in wasn't done properly. Those engines are gaining a lot of carbon.

The biggest things are the V2 S-Tronic (huge), and the visuals (mainly the steering wheel and LED lights).

[SportVier]

These, plus less chance of issue with oil burning.

Have been impressed with this on my B8.5. Now at 45k and very minimal oil consumption. Well under 1qt per 5k.
But I'm coming from a high-mileage B7 RS4 that was drinking a quart every 500 miles...