Finally found the right one... and wow has the S4 refined over the years

[Tom Sawyer]

First and foremost as always, it's so nice to be back in an Audi after a few year hiatus with the departure of my RS6. A few weeks ago, I picked up a 2016 Premium + in Silver, tech package/b&o, dynamic suspension and sport diff, and bone stock. A tad higher miles than average at 40K but was a single owner long commuter so majority highway miles and in pristine condition wear wise. Clean scan on vagcom other than backup camera... pretty common intermittent bad connection from what I read. I was really surprised and happy to see that the launch control counter was 0! Waiting to bump that up to at least 1 until after I get the DSG service taken care of.

3rd S4 (B5 2000 and B6 2004 previously) and just amazed at what a very different and refined S4 the B8.5 is. Decided to skip the B9 as I really wanted the last of the supercharged models with DSG and no regrets on that decision (or holding out for the sport diff!).

Continuing to fine-tooth-comb it with my OCD in full swing as this was definitely not owned by a 'car person', I don't think the exhaust tips had ever seen polish. Ever. Great to be back on Audizine!! Think I'll make this pic the new avatar...

IMG_E2156.jpg

[washyourrhands]

welcome back!

[hilmar2k]

Good looking car. I was going to say that the only thing it was missing was Black Optic, but in that color it looks great without it. My Misano Red looks much better with the Black Optic package than without.

[B8Addict]

Welcome back. Congratulations on the car. Looks great.

[kwik_shift]

Welcome back! Enjoy it

[b spot]

I just got back into a loaded 2015 with manual, sport diff, active suspension and dynamic steering as well. I was driving a Volvo for the last 5.5 years after begrudgingly selling my 2004 S4 because of timing issues. So glad to be back in the game! Although the chain rattle on cold starts terrifies me. Definitely going to get that looked at before the warranty expires.

My exhaust tips are also a mess. Let me know if you have any success cleaning them up! Congrats on the car!

[Tom Sawyer]

I just got back into a loaded 2015 with manual, sport diff, active suspension and dynamic steering as well. I was driving a Volvo for the last 5.5 years after begrudgingly selling my 2004 S4 because of timing issues. So glad to be back in the game! Although the chain rattle on cold starts terrifies me. Definitely going to get that looked at before the warranty expires.

My exhaust tips are also a mess. Let me know if you have any success cleaning them up! Congrats on the car!

Definitely understand that... after going through the dreaded and very expensive torque converter problem on my RS6, I'm always a little overly aware of how an auto trans is shifting. But, so far no regrets on going DSG, it is different, but fun for sure.

I'm terrible about taking before pics, but will post an after pic at least... I used White Diamond Metal Polish and it truly worked a miracle on the tips. They were completely black not to mention splattered with plenty of baked on asphalt specs. They are not perfect, but once the rain lets up I think another treatment will have them pristine.

tips.jpg

[b spot]

Wow! That looks fantastic! I'm going to try track some down and give it a whirl. Thanks!!

[Method]

Definitely understand that... after going through the dreaded and very expensive torque converter problem on my RS6, I'm always a little overly aware of how an auto trans is shifting. But, so far no regrets on going DSG, it is different, but fun for sure.

I'm terrible about taking before pics, but will post an after pic at least... I used White Diamond Metal Polish and it truly worked a miracle on the tips. They were completely black not to mention splattered with plenty of baked on asphalt specs. They are not perfect, but once the rain lets up I think another treatment will have them pristine.

tips.jpg

I'm in a similar position as you (picked up a 2014, same color & options from a lease return) and the tips are completely black. Any tips on getting in between the exhaust outlets? Yours look great!

[Tom Sawyer]

Nice! I'm really liking the silver, other than tint the only thing I'll probably do is go with some different wheels; the peelers are fine, but a little contrast would be great.

So I started with a small wheel brush (one with fairly stiff bristles in a loop... probably 6" or so length wise and some very hot soapy (dawn) water which did pretty well to break off the larger stuck specs and got in between the tips nicely.. After that I used several tough wipes from a 'Tub o Towels' (has a citrus base so does a nice job cutting the grime). This did create quite a bit of light surface scratches as the small particles broke loose, but all of that polished out fine. Then, it was just a few torn up old t-shirts, rubbed in the white diamond (takes very little), then wiped off and wrapped the t-shirt around the tips and buffed, kind of like a shoe shiner would do. Was a remarkable transformation that's for sure!

Brush I used is very similar to this: https://www.wolfgangcarcare.com/doub...eel-brush.html