B8 S4 or tune B8 A4 Avant?

[Tony81]

So here is my dilemma and I'm asking for opinions one way or the other. I currently have a bones stock 2009 A4 Avant P+. I was looking to keep this vehicle regardless of my decision. I was looking at picking up a used B8 S4 in the range of $25-$35K as a daily driver. I could do some mild tuning and I'm sure it would drive fantastic. However, I also really like the idea of a fast wagon. I bought the B8 A4 Avant instead of the B7 S4 because I really didn't want to take a chance on the S4 after reading some of the threads. So would you keep the A4 Avant stock and go with the S4 or put some of that S4 money into stage III on the Avant and why?

Edit: I will probably post in the Avants only section as well

[jimrobbington]

You will be very happy with a tuned A4 for a while, but the S4 really is another animal. I think you'll be content with a tuned avant though, and can't beat the cool factor of the avant. Imo, spend less money, improve the performance of the avant, then decide in a couple years how you feel.

Plus the A4 can make this sound:

https://youtu.be/liN2TevzFSY

[draekin13]

I had an 09 B8 Avant and loved the hell out of the car but I quickly realized that I wouldn't get the same performance as I get out of the S4. For one I wanted a manual. The feel of each is different, the S4 feels much more connected to the road and solid, power feels much more available.

[umairg35]

I was pretty much faced with the same dilemma. The choice to purchase B8 S4 high mileage or low mileage A4 B8. I ended up buying the A4 as the S4s were priced too high. With the remaining budged I have throughly enjoyed doing upgrades both aesthetic and performance. Upgrades included Bilstein PSS10 coilovers, stasis Exhaust, APR carbonio intake, APR stage 1 tune, Carbon fiber spoiler, Flat Bottom steering wheel, euro s-like shifter, 19" aftermarket rims and Michellin PSS tires. Stoptech BBK kit that just came in. The fun is in modding. However, dollars do rack up.


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[Tony81]

I just wish Audi would solve the problem by offering the S4 Avant again

[elijahallen]

I just wish Audi would solve the problem by offering the S4 Avant again

Second, I stayed with B5 S4 for years hoping they would make a capable, tunable, comparable avant... they didn't, I bought a manual trans 02 allroad for my wagon needs and sold my widebody 600hp Widebody S4 avant and bought the B8 S4 for the fun car. Its no beast but until they make another tunable avant it will due. I just can't do a 2.0t, fun car but slow and by the time you add big turbo and everything to make it fast its a chipped s4 with lag.

[MrFunk]

Is the Avant paid for?
I would not own two B8's. They are too similar and you'll end up just driving the S4 and leaving the A4 sit.
Either sell the A4 and get an S4 or mod the A4. I would personally never buy a high mile S4 or Audi for that matter. People beat on them and if you get one with issues or lots of maintenance items it can become a PITA. If you want an S4 then find a nice low mile one which may mean selling the A4 to afford it? Worth it IMO.

BTW - why would you daily an S4 over an A4 avant? Seems backwards to me.

[emnahum]

I just wish Audi would solve the problem by offering the S4 Avant again

Plus with a 6MT. Problem with the B8 Avants was no manual.

There are some threads in the B9 section about the new APR stage 1 tune that gets 300 HP and 310+ lb-ft. Apply that to an allroad and you get near-S4 performance, but again with the DSG. Plus pricey.

[Tony81]

Is the Avant paid for?
I would not own two B8's. They are too similar and you'll end up just driving the S4 and leaving the A4 sit.
Either sell the A4 and get an S4 or mod the A4. I would personally never buy a high mile S4 or Audi for that matter. People beat on them and if you get one with issues or lots of maintenance items it can become a PITA. If you want an S4 then find a nice low mile one which may mean selling the A4 to afford it? Worth it IMO.

BTW - why would you daily an S4 over an A4 avant? Seems backwards to me.

The Avant will be paid for in the next couple of months. Like I said I will keep it either way. It's my wife's daily driver and she hauls the kid around in it. So I would be fine having her drive the Avant and me drive the S4 as a daily. I'm currently selling my house and stand to make enough to comfortably afford a low mileage B8 S4 I just really liked the idea of a fast Avant which if I went that route would have my wife get something new so I could switch the Avant to a daily. My current daily is a 2012 Jeep Wrangler unlimited rubicon with a 2.5" lift and 35" tires along with tons of other goodies so it is absolutely not ideal for daily driving. To say it's slow and uncomfortable is in understatement but I love it and it's a beast off road.