B9 A4 impressions. Not much to look at, but...

**SportVier** · 06-01-2016 10:19 AM

Have had a B9 as a loaner for a couple of days now. While I don't like the design much, I think it is a pretty impressive car.

Steering: Not really an improvement over the B8.5, but not a step backward either. Still completely numb in terms of lateral feedback, but very direct. Ratio seems a little slow, but guessing they would tighten that up for the S4.

Brakes: Very well executed. Definitely a notch up from what I have on the B8.5 S4. They bite in right at the top of the pedal travel and feel and modulation is very good. No idea how well they would hold up under hard use before fading, but for normal street driving at under 8/10s they are excellent. Would love to have the same pedal feel on my S4.

Suspension: Nicely done. Very good balance of comfort and feedback. The stock set up is definitely a bit on the soft side with a little too much body movement for me, but not bad at all as a starting point. I can imagine a lowered and tightened version feeling very nice indeed.

So, while I'm not a fan of the aesthetics at all, this is a damn good car and should make a nice "platform" for the next S4. I could even (maybe) overlook the weak design if they offered a manual or DCT option, but sounds like that is not going to happen.

**Leor604** · 06-01-2016 02:39 PM

Very disappointed in the "minor facelift" styling. Was hoping for something a little (a lot?) more daring.

**Vanimal** · 06-01-2016 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Leor604

Very disappointed in the "minor facelift" styling. Was hoping for something a little (a lot?) more daring.

Its Audi, they live by minimal and subtle. However i guarantee it will be refined drive and feel wise in the interior & perform better. I am not a fan of fixing whats not broke style wise, i think the b8.5 still looks great IMO.

**SportVier** · 06-01-2016 02:51 PM

Only things I don't like about the B8.5 is the grill and that angled "character line" across the door panels. That seems kind of superfluous.

The B9 just doesn't work for me. Kind of tall and bulbous. The design has a Ford Fusion vibe.

**doug97gxe** · 06-02-2016 05:26 AM

B7 is the best looking out of the whole '4 line up

**RudyH** · 06-02-2016 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

B7 is the best looking out of the whole '4 line up

I agree (however, behind the B5, B8 and B8.5 of course). It was a good evolution from the B6 which was a huge disappointment.

I have a feeling that the B9 was suppose to be substantially different then what we got. However, the lead designer on the B9 and Q7 was fired and the project delayed...leaving you wonder what it could have been (better or worse). If you search Feb 2015, there is a plethora of articles on it.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...changes-report

Not sure on the wording though if it is meant 'slight changes' towards the B9 from the B8.5 after throwing the original B9 plan out when Audi conservatives said 'DU BIST VERRUCKT!!!' NEIN DCT!!!

**acsgp** · 06-02-2016 08:08 AM

The B9 S4 is only going to have the 8 speed tip:

http://jalopnik.com/the-new-audi-s4-...sio-1730778195

which to me is not a bad thing.

**Bruno_s4** · 06-02-2016 08:14 AM

I truly can't stand the interior dash layout of the B9. The materials may be nice and the screen is impressive but the way they layed it out reminds me too much of a BMW.
I prefer a cockpit angled to the driver.
Looks like I'll be staying with the B8 until a B10 model fixes that (hopefully).

**BaumerS4** · 06-02-2016 08:21 AM

Sat in one at the dealer the other day, not a fan of the tacked on screen. Also noticed they swapped the MMI inputs to in front of the shifter, but they left the volume knob in a similar location to before, so you have to move your hand considerably between the controls and volume. Small detail, but something that would get on my nerves I think. Also, it seems like they fixed the MMI rotation orientation, so I kept going up on screens when I meant to go down...

**RudyH** · 06-02-2016 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Bruno_s4

I truly can't stand the interior dash layout of the B9. The materials may be nice and the screen is impressive but the way they layed it out reminds me too much of a BMW.
I prefer a cockpit angled to the driver.
Looks like I'll be staying with the B8 until a B10 model fixes that (hopefully).

Yup ditto...the ONLY thing that will move me I think is the RS3 or the S5 Sportback. I don't care if Audi wants to cheap out on the S4 and put the tiptronic in it only, but hopefully they at least give the S5 Sportback a 'drivers car' treatment and give us a few more transmission options. *praying* this is going to Audi's strategy, but who builds a car for enthusiasts anymore anyway? BMW pretty much that's it sadly.

**doughboy17** · 06-02-2016 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by Bruno_s4

I truly can't stand the interior dash layout of the B9. The materials may be nice and the screen is impressive but the way they layed it out reminds me too much of a BMW.
I prefer a cockpit angled to the driver.
Looks like I'll be staying with the B8 until a B10 model fixes that (hopefully).

Yep. Why in the world did Audi just paste an iPad on the dash ala BMW, MB? My B7 interior looks so much better, but I do like the B8.5!

**doug97gxe** · 06-02-2016 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by doughboy17

Yep. Why in the world did Audi just paste an iPad on the dash ala BMW, MB? My B7 interior looks so much better, but I do like the B8.5!

from what i read on this forum the government will be regulating in the future that all cars have backup cameras and that has something to do with why everyone has that fixed screen

**CrownSeven** · 06-02-2016 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

from what i read on this forum the government will be regulating in the future that all cars have backup cameras and that has something to do with why everyone has that fixed screen

That was a claim made by a salesperson which I think is complete BS as new Audi models do not have the ipad velcro'd on (check out the new Q7 which has it popping out of the dash). Its velro'd on because they probably didn't want to spend the dough on integrating a retractable screen.

**BaumerS4** · 06-02-2016 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by CrownSeven

That was a claim made by a salesperson which I think is complete BS as new Audi models do not have the ipad velcro'd on (check out the new Q7 which has it popping out of the dash). Its velro'd on because they probably didn't want to spend the dough on integrating a retractable screen.

Yeah, I got a similar BS reason from a sales guy when I mentioned the screen this week. He said that there were requirements for how quickly the screen had to be visible, so they went with a static one versus a retractable screen like the A3 or A6. Personally, if they could do a similar setup to the A6 I'd be happy, especially compared to the tacked on look.

**b6onboost** · 06-02-2016 10:05 AM

Car companies copy each other all the time. I truly think the tacked on iPad look has become a (silly) industry standard for lower end models. I think its to appeal to overly tech conscious buyers who'd rather have a tacked on big screen than a smaller integrated one. They do save money by eliminating the retractable function, but as anyone who has driven an A6 or car with a retractable screen will tell you...the screen is up 99% of the time. Closing it feels like you lose all this functionality and the high-tech look (again sort of silly, but true).

I think BMW (5 series) and MB (new E/S Class) do it best with a large, nicely integrated, screen.

Originally Posted by doughboy17

Yep. Why in the world did Audi just paste an iPad on the dash ala BMW, MB? My B7 interior looks so much better, but I do like the B8.5!

**maverickvii** · 06-02-2016 10:11 AM

Spent some time in a B9 as well and you're absolutely right, interior looks like my buddy's 335i. I do like the cleanliness of the dash but wish the screen was retractable like my old MB C300.

**jzinckgra** · 06-02-2016 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

from what i read on this forum the government will be regulating in the future that all cars have backup cameras and that has something to do with why everyone has that fixed screen

So pathetic that because I didn't get the tech pckg I don't have backup cam. On a $55K+ car it ought to be std. C'mon Audi

**SportVier** · 06-02-2016 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

B7 is the best looking out of the whole '4 line up

Agree.

And RS4 Avant is the best looking of the B7s.

**jygesq** · 06-02-2016 12:31 PM

it will be on all 2017 model year cars

**doug97gxe** · 06-02-2016 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by SportVier

Agree.

And RS4 Avant is the best looking of the B7s.

we were hand in hand till you said Avant

**SportVier** · 06-02-2016 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

we were hand in hand till you said Avant

Shun the philistine!

**doug97gxe** · 06-02-2016 02:35 PM

A5/S5 is out http://www.carscoops.com/2016/06/new...oupes-are.html

**SportVier** · 06-02-2016 02:43 PM

^ not a fan...

**doug97gxe** · 06-03-2016 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by SportVier

^ not a fan...

what about................ now???

Originally Posted by Mops@SupremePower

Mops on the move

**MrFunk** · 06-03-2016 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by SportVier

Have had a B9 as a loaner for a couple of days now. While I don't like the design much, I think it is a pretty impressive car.

Steering: Not really an improvement over the B8.5, but not a step backward either. Still completely numb in terms of lateral feedback, but very direct. Ratio seems a little slow, but guessing they would tighten that up for the S4.

Brakes: Very well executed. Definitely a notch up from what I have on the B8.5 S4. They bite in right at the top of the pedal travel and feel and modulation is very good. No idea how well they would hold up under hard use before fading, but for normal street driving at under 8/10s they are excellent. Would love to have the same pedal feel on my S4.

Suspension: Nicely done. Very good balance of comfort and feedback. The stock set up is definitely a bit on the soft side with a little too much body movement for me, but not bad at all as a starting point. I can imagine a lowered and tightened version feeling very nice indeed.

So, while I'm not a fan of the aesthetics at all, this is a damn good car and should make a nice "platform" for the next S4. I could even (maybe) overlook the weak design if they offered a manual or DCT option, but sounds like that is not going to happen.

I was entirely underwhelmed by my B9 loaner.
Yes - it's an Audi and it will drive nice and yes it has a "nice" interior and the brakes are "good", but these are all given from any Audi. It felt as expected.
What was missing was anything special or different. It felt less driver focused than previous A4's and in looking at it I was not inspired or even looking forward to getting in it.
Will have to wait to pass judgement on the B9 S4 once I see it in person. I'm hoping they get the RS right.

**d.p** · 06-03-2016 08:42 AM

I saw a new white A4 on the road the other day and it looked sharp. Sharp enough that I had to turn my head and keep looking.

**SportVier** · 06-03-2016 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by MrFunk

I was entirely underwhelmed by my B9 loaner.
Yes - it's an Audi and it will drive nice and yes it has a "nice" interior and the brakes are "good", but these are all given from any Audi. It felt as expected.

Brakes are "good" on any Audi? Not my experience at all.

**MrFunk** · 06-03-2016 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by SportVier

Brakes are "good" on any Audi? Not my experience at all.

Well, for perspective sake; for the average person daily driving the brakes on just about any modern car is good. It's not like your running drum brakes.

**SportVier** · 06-03-2016 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by MrFunk

Well, for perspective sake; for the average person daily driving the brakes on just about any modern car is good. It's not like your running drum brakes.

You mean "good" as in "stop the car effectively". Agree with you there.
The drum brakes on my 1973 Toyota Landcruiser were actually pretty good.

**MrFunk** · 06-03-2016 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by SportVier

You mean "good" as in "stop the car effectively". Agree with you there.
The drum brakes on my 1973 Toyota Landcruiser were actually pretty good.

Right. My point was that it's expected that it will have "good brakes" and "nice interior" etc. Just like any BMW, Merc and premium brand. And by good I mean acceptable to me and probably "very good" to the average Joe.
What's lacking is that drivers focus feel I've gotten from driving past Audis. Yes the new A4 is a "better car" than my B6. But when I drove my B6 I felt like it was more of a driver focused experience than this new B9. The tech and "features" of the new car have a cool factor but at the end of the day (especially after climbing back into my B8) I was very glad to be out of the loaner. It didn't grab me. Maybe the S4 will be an entirely different experience.

**doug97gxe** · 06-03-2016 11:23 AM

Sent from my iPhone8s using Tapatalk

**ALAN12186** · 06-03-2016 11:30 AM

New S5 is seriously ugly. I cannot get over how much the interior now looks like a BMW. The fixed screen sticking out of the dash is just hideous.

**jygesq** · 06-03-2016 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by ALAN12186

New S5 is seriously ugly. I cannot get over how much the interior now looks like a BMW. The fixed screen sticking out of the dash is just hideous.

You still can now order 2017 b8.5 S5 now. Still in production.

**ALAN12186** · 06-03-2016 11:37 AM

thanks but ill stick with my s4

**SportVier** · 06-03-2016 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by MrFunk

What's lacking is that drivers focus feel I've gotten from driving past Audis. Yes the new A4 is a "better car" than my B6. But when I drove my B6 I felt like it was more of a driver focused experience than this new B9.

If you thought the brakes on the B6 had a better "driver focus feel" than the B9, then we are definitely judging brakes by really different criteria. Which is fine.

**MrFunk** · 06-03-2016 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by SportVier

If you thought the brakes on the B6 had a better "driver focus feel" than the B9, then we are definitely judging brakes by really different criteria. Which is fine.

LOL - forget brakes. The car in general has lots the driver focus feel.