Had a B9 A5 sportback s-line for a couple of days..

[Theiceman]

To be honest with you guys i preferred my car .. but it was nice to know im happier with a B8.5 and keep the 70G in my pocket.

dont get me wrong it ia a very nice car, the handing was same as mine, it was very quiet and very tight .
the entertainment system was updated and the lack of gauges with just a giant LCD screen was novel. The ipad wasnt the annoyance i thought it would be but it didnt really add anything either. just a second place to look at the nav really ( the lcd screen on the IC can be converted to show nav with smaller gauges. )

but overall I found the car uninspiring. it did 0-60 in about 6.0 seconds so not bad at all , and the roll on acceleration was as expected with a turbo.
i found the drive select very gimmicky and felt no real difference other than automatic shift points and a bit more noise. The pedal shifters really just give you something to do while you are waiting for the car to accelerate and really add nothing. I will take my manual transmission 8.5 any day over that car. The sound was awful compared to by B&O sound system in my car.

so is it a better car than mine ? debatable depending on what aspect you look at ...

consider mine is paid for and i would have to shell or 50 more G to get that car ? there is really no debate ... so boys stick to your cars if it is working well, there is no great leap to a B9.

[shreddykrueger]

funny enough, I test drove an rs5 sportback last week and felt the exact same sentiment when comparing to my swapped avant. incredible car no doubt, but it was just SO refined that it lacked any bit of rawness. Im sure it really opens up with a tune, but it wasn't enough for me to list my avant and pick one up just yet

[elscotto80]

I've been very happy moving from a base 2010 A4 to my 2020 S4. It did hurt to give up the 6 speed without a doubt. The S4 is pretty quick and I've been happy with the 8speed transmission.

The virtual cockpit is cool, but not totally necessary. Sucks to no longer see the coolant temp, but at least it shows oil temp.

Overall, I'm happy with the new ride.

[Spawne32]

lol See I bought a B9 A4 P+ a few days ago and it was the total opposite for me. B9 blows the B8 out of the water by a long shot.

[Theiceman]

lol See I bought a B9 A4 P+ a few days ago and it was the total opposite for me. B9 blows the B8 out of the water by a long shot.

weird huh .. I have a fully loaded manual 8 5 with a tune and lowered suspension, I wonder if that matters. glad you are happy. b8 gone ?

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[Spawne32]

weird huh .. I have a fully loaded manual 8 5 with a tune and lowered suspension, I wonder if that matters. glad you are happy. b8 gone ?

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Not yet, goes up for sale officially on Saturday after my detailer takes care of it one last time. It was a fun ride all these years but the B9 makes this car feel so outdated it wasn't even funny. Even I had to pull over after buying the car to figure out how the digital dash and everything worked before driving it home for 2 hours. lol It was amazing to be able to plug a USB drive in with music for the first time ever or use android auto. I will say that the DCT didn't impress me as much as I thought it would. I am sure with a tune it will be nasty but so far its about as lazy shifting as the old ZF trans was, and has a bit of judder when first starting out from a dead stop.

[redrackham17]

I feel like the B8.5 was the sweet spot for Audi and its design language... every line was purposeful, the overall aesthetic was the basis for the entire lineup after it came out, and there was the right level of analog and digital in the interior. Nothing really looked gimicky inside or out, and the whole design looks way more stately than the B9's as well as the comparable 3 series and C classes of the time (IMO of course).

[Theiceman]

Not yet, goes up for sale officially on Saturday after my detailer takes care of it one last time. It was a fun ride all these years but the B9 makes this car feel so outdated it wasn't even funny. Even I had to pull over after buying the car to figure out how the digital dash and everything worked before driving it home for 2 hours. lol It was amazing to be able to plug a USB drive in with music for the first time ever or use android auto. I will say that the DCT didn't impress me as much as I thought it would. I am sure with a tune it will be nasty but so far its about as lazy shifting as the old ZF trans was, and has a bit of judder when first starting out from a dead stop.

odd I couldn't figure out how to make android auto work ( 21) it showed apple play only. I thought it was exclusive as that's how porsche went.

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[elscotto80]

odd I couldn't figure out how to make android auto work ( 21) it showed apple play only. I thought it was exclusive as that's how porsche went.

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AA works flawlessly on my 2020 S4.

[rcprato]

After many VW’s I purchased a used 2009 Avant that was a great driving car with a unique look that I enjoyed driving every mile till we departed for a 2018 CPO SQ5. The A4 Avant is one of my favorite cars I’ve owned despite repairs it needed along the way.
My SQ5 is a nice change for driver conveniences and factory performance, not looking back wishing I still had the A4 Avant. It was fun while it lasted.


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[Theiceman]

AA works flawlessly on my 2020 S4.

oh well. only had IT a couple days anyway .

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[Theiceman]

this has been a good thread, lots of great opinions experiences and impressions.

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[sailboats]

I feel like the B8.5 was the sweet spot for Audi and its design language... every line was purposeful, the overall aesthetic was the basis for the entire lineup after it came out, and there was the right level of analog and digital in the interior. Nothing really looked gimicky inside or out, and the whole design looks way more stately than the B9's as well as the comparable 3 series and C classes of the time (IMO of course).

I have to agree. The B9 is an improved car overall, but the styling of the B8.5 is perfect imo

[RockJGC]

My problem with the B9 cars is the styling. The B8.5 cars just look so much better. I do like the interior better on the B9 cars though.

[Theiceman]

b9 is an improved car , if you say compared a manual to a manual for example.. but is it improved enough to justify the money ? especially since most of us own our cars outright, is it worth payments or cash outlay over what you have ?

[elscotto80]

b9 is an improved car , if you say compared a manual to a manual for example.. but is it improved enough to justify the money ? especially since most of us own our cars outright, is it worth payments or cash outlay over what you have ?

Yes. The interior is awesome. The upgrade in technology is very nice. Kept actual buttons and knobs for most functions.

Personally, my A4 was falling apart. Interior was showing wear (headliner sagging, etc). I was expecting another large repair bill for the turbo or clutch at some point. It was going to need new suspension. It was just time to move on.

Do I like having a car payment? Hell no, but it's worth it. Motor in my S4 "shouldn't" have the multitude of issues the 2.0 had.

[Theiceman]

Yes. The interior is awesome. The upgrade in technology is very nice. Kept actual buttons and knobs for most functions.

Personally, my A4 was falling apart. Interior was showing wear (headliner sagging, etc). I was expecting another large repair bill for the turbo or clutch at some point. It was going to need new suspension. It was just time to move on.

Do I like having a car payment? Hell no, but it's worth it. Motor in my S4 "shouldn't" have the multitude of issues the 2.0 had.

to be clear we are comparing A to A not an A to an S

[Spawne32]

b9 is an improved car , if you say compared a manual to a manual for example.. but is it improved enough to justify the money ? especially since most of us own our cars outright, is it worth payments or cash outlay over what you have ?

I mean, considering the fact that alot them sticker between 48-55k when new, and you can buy them now for as low as low 20s like I did, I don't see why not.

[AudiTLC]

There has been a tectonic shift with the new interiors. Driving around in the etron and A6, I strongly dislike the haptic double screens. I understand they want to sell flash (god knows Merc and BMW doubled down on it) but it's so annoying and swirl in teutonic historic lack of reliability with electronics and software... these won't even be very wrenchable.
I don't think the quality of interior materials is improving either.
Still, gorgeous Audi quality.

The Q4 etron interior is pretty cheap. All hard plastic dash. A lot of cheesy gloss plastics. Etron and A6 feel like Audi's.

I find myself gravitating to 8 and 8.5 gen A4's. New A4's don't do it for me. I still like the smooth, flowing feel of the B8.
Along with Stefan Sielaff First gen A7 of the same era is, imo, the best Audi got. (RS6 Wagon is pretty awesome though)

Rimlli's B9 is...clunky to my eyes. But Audi design is impressive. Their future cars look pretty fantastic.

I'm not sure how these new electronic-fantastic interiors will hold up, or if enthusiasts will be able to repair them cost effectively... If the HVAC screen bricks out, that's a lot $$ to replace.

[AudiTLC]

Motor in my S4 "shouldn't" have the multitude of issues the 2.0 had.

...said owners of every gen of every Audi, ever.

[elscotto80]

...said every gen of every Audi, ever.

Lol. Biggest issue I've heard of are water pumps which is par for the course. Some folks are saying early generation rocker arm needle bearings were bad.

Time will tell...

[Theiceman]

There has been a tectonic shift with the new interiors. Driving around in the etron and A6, I strongly dislike the haptic double screens. I understand they want to sell flash (god knows Merc and BMW doubled down on it) but it's so annoying and swirl in teutonic historic lack of reliability with electronics and software... these won't even be very wrenchable.
I don't think the quality of interior materials is improving either.
Still, gorgeous Audi quality.

The Q4 etron interior is pretty cheap. All hard plastic dash. A lot of cheesy gloss plastics. Etron and A6 feel like Audi's.

I find myself gravitating to 8 and 8.5 gen A4's. New A4's don't do it for me. I still like the smooth, flowing feel of the B8.
Along with Stefan Sielaff First gen A7 of the same era is, imo, the best Audi got. (RS6 Wagon is pretty awesome though)

Rimlli's B9 is...clunky to my eyes. But Audi design is impressive. Their future cars look pretty fantastic.

I'm not sure how these new electronic-fantastic interiors will hold up, or if enthusiasts will be able to repair them cost effectively... If the HVAC screen bricks out, that's a lot $$ to replace.

agree with this assessment 100% .. also to note is a lot of this is about cost saving for Audi .. one LCD panel is a hell of a lot cheaper than mechanical gauges and associated hardware ... they are " selling" you on them making it cheaper.

[RockJGC]

The Q4 etron interior is pretty cheap. All hard plastic dash. A lot of cheesy gloss plastics. Etron and A6 feel like Audi's.

I find myself gravitating to 8 and 8.5 gen A4's. New A4's don't do it for me. I still like the smooth, flowing feel of the B8.
Along with Stefan Sielaff First gen A7 of the same era is, imo, the best Audi got. (RS6 Wagon is pretty awesome though)

.

B8.5 A5 was the high point for Audi styling....but I'm a bit biased I guess. Still though, it's a design/style that will look excellent for decades. Almost timeless. Great road presence.

[Theiceman]

B8.5 A5 was the high point for Audi styling....but I'm a bit biased I guess. Still though, it's a design/style that will look excellent for decades. Almost timeless. Great road presence.

yeah im not a fan of the a4 hatchback ... oops i meant A5 sportback... A/S 4 8.5 or A/S 5 would be the one for me

[sailboats]

yeah im not a fan of the a4 hatchback ... oops i meant A5 sportback... A/S 4 8.5 or A/S 5 would be the one for me

How many more years until we can import B8.5 RS4 Avants?!

[DrGER]

How many more years until we can import B8.5 RS4 Avants?!

And I'd be fine with importing a B8.5 A4 Avant 6MT if that was possibility. --g

[RockJGC]

yeah im not a fan of the a4 hatchback ... oops i meant A5 sportback... A/S 4 8.5 or A/S 5 would be the one for me

I've always thought it was stupid for Audi to make an A5 with four doors. I mean, what's the point in that really?

[AOW162435]

I feel like the B8.5 was the sweet spot for Audi and its design language... every line was purposeful, the overall aesthetic was the basis for the entire lineup after it came out, and there was the right level of analog and digital in the interior. Nothing really looked gimicky inside or out, and the whole design looks way more stately than the B9's as well as the comparable 3 series and C classes of the time (IMO of course).

Fully agree. We ordered our '14 A4 S-Line in mid 2013. The car currently has 116,000 miles, is very clean inside & out, and looks plenty modern. It has been been a superb long-distance driver and has not given us any issues. I perform my own oil changes (Mobil1 0/40 every 3,000 miles), as well as spark plugs & air filter as needed.

The only two labor-intensive items to date have been brakes & wheel bearings. The stock brakes were in service until 113,000 miles. At that point I ordered & installed new Audi rotors / pads / bolts, and performed a brake fluid flush.

I started noticing a 'humming' through the steering wheel as the last set of tires (Michelin Pilot AS3+) were nearing the end of their life. Replaced those with a set of Bridgestones and the ride improved. But the 'humming' feeling was still present through the steering wheel (my wife never noticed). So I did some research, ordered four F.A.G bearing kits, and replaced all over the course of a few days. I have a very-well stocked shop at home and found this to be quite a job. The main issue was corrosion between the cast iron bearing housings and the machined-aluminum bore of the uprights. After a few broken tools and a few newly-welded tools, I completed the job. The humming noise/sensation is gone.

Love the car and hope to get many more years out of it.



Andreas

[Theiceman]

How many more years until we can import B8.5 RS4 Avants?!

RS6 would the one for me but Jesus Christ I'd need a 15 year mortgage to aford it

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[Spawne32]

RS6 would the one for me but Jesus Christ I'd need a 15 year mortgage to aford it

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That's gonna be all cars in the coming future. Along with subscription services to turn them on and use the features.

[rcprato]

I’ve seen an RS6 in person, gorgeous ride!


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[redrackham17]

Love the car and hope to get many more years out of it.

Yep yep yep. Got this car for $9k and put about $5k into maintenance on it, and spend $4k repairing damage out of pocket after a crazy accident. I'm confident that this thing will go to 300,000 miles, as long as I spend another $5k or $6k on more maintenance in the future (and don't get into any accidents). For me, that sure beats the hell out of paying $10k down at the dealer for a $500 monthly payment plus $300 a month for full coverage insurance here in the city. I'm driving this thing until the wheels fall off.

[RockJGC]

I’ve seen an RS6 in person, gorgeous ride!


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I've seen quite a few blasting past me on various Autobahns in Germany while I'm in my rental A4 combi. Those rental cars have stickers on the dash that warn you not to exceed 210 km/h.

[eljay]

And I'd be fine with importing a B8.5 A4 Avant 6MT if that was possibility. --g

No need to import. 6MT swap and lowered Allroad would be much cheaper. ;)