I'VE DONE IT !

stoakseya4

stoakseya4

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After many months of soul searching (and persuading the missus), I've bought a B6 S4 Avant.

It's on a 53 plate with 37k miles, in Moro Blue with Silver Nappa leather, old RS4 18's, GSM, sunroof, BOSE, Isofix, heated seats, etc etc. Pick it up tomorrow AND CAN'T ****** WAIT!

It's like Christmas all over again.

Question for you all though - I understand you can buy seat protection to guard against child seats leaving marks on the leather? In my last Avant which also had leather, the child seat left indentation marks...?

Thanks
 
Nice one I wish I could persuade my wife to let me buy one of those!!

Looking forward to seeing the pictures :thumbsup:
 
Very Nice mate, get them pics up tomorrow.

You have a very understanding wife, Id be driving around in a Deawoo Matiz if it was up to my Mrs.
 
stoakseya4... Was that the one for sale from Fontain?

I've been looking at that one for a while now, but trying to hold out for one with DVD sat Nav fitted.
 
sounds like the one from fontain
lovely car looked at that one myself but decided i really wanted an auto
as opposed to manula
ive just bought a pearlescant black one from edinburgh audi
same trim and spec as yours
enjoy it mate
 
If it was the Fontain car, did you manage to get anything off the ticket price as I always found them a little hard to even approach...
 
Cheers everyone.

Yes it was the Fontain one, and yes they were VERY hard to get anything out of. In the end I settled for full price, with their 12 month warranty, and 6 months tax. Didn't want to lose it as I love the colour combo. Hadn't actually seen Moro Blue before. Also not as many out there with sunroofs. Yeah I wanted the DVD/SatNav but couldn't wait any longer!

Prefer manuals personally. Next service isn't for another 14k miles, so should have any expenses (hopefully) till next year too.

Just waiting for a dry day in subnlight to photograph - hopefully at the weekend.

Can't get over the sound, and the acceleration on the motorway, even in 6th! Just goes... Seem to be hovering at the 280miles range too, but will keep an eye on that over the next few months...

Possible Milltek and tints next...
 
How long have you been holding out then?

I've been looking for a 03 S4 avant, manual, in a dark colour (either black, grey or silver) with less than 50K on the clock, for what seems like months. Oh and DVD Sat Nav and Rear parking sensors would be a bonus.

I've got a 22K budget - am I being unrealistic?

This one caught my eye...
http://tinyurl.com/ygnap9

...but it's not an avant. But it looks suspiciously good value for money. Oh and it's got Milltek's fitted already! It's a fair distance away though!
 
Lokks pretty good to me mate and quite cheap???

I've been looking for yonks too. It's worth traveling for the right one I think.

I traveled 300 miles for the one I bought a few months ago.

Turns out a massive change in jobs means I have to sell it now so I'm gutted. I keep putting it off. Probably too many miles for you though, 64k and it's a saloon. I'm hoping to get about 19k. I wanted an Avant too but the lady friend hates them.

Good luck in the search buddy, I'll keep my eye out
 
Yeah it's very cheap for an 04. Why?!
I've been considering the S4 and B5 RS4 for months, but have only been in a position since just before Xmas to buy (house sale).

I eventually chose the S4 as I thought it would be easier to live with day to day. A bit worried I'd be driving it harder ?! Strange possibly but the RS4 seems to be more abouts power and revs, so to get the best out of it you need to be higher up the rev range (turbos), but with the S4 it's more about torque, so it pulls like an absolute mutha from tickover basically...

Mine has rear parking sensors too (keep forgetting), and they're great. Never have been brilliant at judging distances at the back!

My original question seems to have been forgetten, that is does anyone know of seat protectors for child seats? In leather, the seat frame causes indents in the leather... Not a good look...

Thanks, and hopefully pics this weekend...
 
Congrats! on the new car (Hmmm some day - S4 avant) I have 2 child seats in the back of mine and I noticed over the christmas when I removed them that they did leave indentations in the leather, no marks, but after about 4 days they disappered. So I wouldn't really worry to much about it. Enjoy the motor!
 
audi upgrades
On the Child seat front can you not put summit more rubust (word of the day!) like a piece of Lino or thick piled carpet? Nice car btw can you be sympathic towards us mere mortals now you've joined the holy grail of motoring :thumbsup:
 
where abouts in kent do you live? I saw a Blue/Nogaro Blue like S4 (B6) parked up well out the way on a Ashford Ind. Est. sunday afternoon, one that homebase is on, nearly mounted a kerb peeping at it :sex:
 
Cheers - I was thinking of a carpet tile actually, but thought I was being a bit cheap! I noticed it on my other car when I sold it, so wasn't sure if the indents came out or not. Have some carpet offcuts in the shed, so will try some of that...

Colemanlee - I live in East Kent - currently Westgate, but shortly Whitstable? Mine's the Moro Blue, which is much darker, almost navy blue?
 
my leon has leather seats and thats had a car seat in it from allmost brand new and now whenever you take out the seat you can tell
best thing ive found is to keep the seats in good condition
by using cleaner and protective additive after using it seems to make the leather nice and supple and return to its former shape
if you let the leather dry out it will crack and split
usually do it 2-3 times a year but its most moticeable this time of year when its cold in the summer it will hardly be noticeable
your right about the rear parking sensors too makes things a lot easier
 
Looks pretty cool, even better if its only done the mileage drivers door handle is missing tho!?
 
I was interested in this one, but wasn't happy with the differences on it. You'll notice it has body coloured mirrors rather than chrome, and the S4 badge was on the wrong side of the bootlid.

Probably fine, but for the same price I was happier with a recognised Audi Specialist dealer...
 
Yeah, i've been looking at that red avant for a while ago. But like you stoakseya4, it didn't quite seem right. Then I saw the thread on here where it was being discussed, and decided to leave it well alone. I see they dropped the price by £500 the other week.

I'm starting to get really impatient. I really want my S4 now! If only I can find the right one!

so, stoakseya4 having had it for a little while now what are your impressions of the S4? How's the fuel economy doing?
 
nice choice; i was very attached to my moro blue s4; pretty much the same spec as yours.
Bit hard to stop the isofix guides from marking the leather but it really didnt make any dfference on the trade in.
Regularly got 21 to 23 mpg on the motorway.
 
Nice one stoakseya4, excellent choice! The S4 is a fantastic car. I bought mine last March and the novelty hasn't worn off one bit - and neither has the big silly grin! Every drive is a real event. Enjoy!
 
S4 B6 Avant - great choice!
Had mine just over a year and it still puts a smile on me face!
planning a trip to AMD for stage 3 soon!

As for the child seat, i was in the same position evently i just got a foam sheet from a camping shop - does the job and protects the leather seat!
 
Keef said:
S4 B6 Avant - great choice!
Had mine just over a year and it still puts a smile on me face!
planning a trip to AMD for stage 3 soon!

As for the child seat, i was in the same position evently i just got a foam sheet from a camping shop - does the job and protects the leather seat!
Click to expand...


Stage 3 eh, What Power gains are you looking at??

All that Power & Torque is Just Greedy!!!ha...
 
audi upgrades
LOVE IT !
It is a bit like learning to drive all over again though, if you know what I mean? You approach corners much quicker than you're normally used to, so you do have to back off a bit and start to think about what you're doing...

Getting c240-280miles per tank, which I think is about average. It's hard to drive it for a full tank at 75mph, as you just want to nail it every now and again - just cause you can!! Guess all you other S4 owners out there know what I mean?

A DB9 had a little play yesterday - niot for very long to be honest! But I got a little wave all the same... Nice...

The sun's out, and the car's filthy. Been driving on muddy lanes, so will take some before and after pics. Watch this space... Might need some advice on how to put the photos into the message though???
 
Might need some advice on how to put the photos into the message though???
Click to expand...

simple just
web address
 
My original question seems to have been forgetten, that is does anyone know of seat protectors for child seats? In leather, the seat frame causes indents in the leather... Not a good look...

Even my black cloth upholstery was getting marked by my child's seat. Talk about really cheap - I have simply folded a dark-coloured hand towel a couple of times and put it on the rear seat before putting child seat back in. Problem solved!!

Congrats on your purchase you lucky sh1!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
jvbates said:
I've been looking for a 03 S4 avant, manual, in a dark colour (either black, grey or silver) with less than 50K on the clock, for what seems like months. Oh and DVD Sat Nav and Rear parking sensors would be a bonus.

I've got a 22K budget - am I being unrealistic?
Click to expand...

Why have you got a budget of £22k??

Something to consider here is what a warranty is worth, or will cost you.
If you want a proper Audi warranty it will cost you £125 a month on an S4!!
If you buy a warranty direct one it will cost you £50 a month.

What I am trying to say is this, it may be worth buying a newer car with a years warranty for say £24k, even if you have to add £2k with finance, it will still be a hell of a lot cheaper.

There is a nice 04 plate ebony black with Black/silver leather/alcantara at Chester Audi at £26k, it has 26k miles on it, Bose, DVD nav and has 8k miles till its service is due and just had new tyres put on. They will do this for £24,040.00 as I nearly bought it.
In the end however they wouldn't let me send someone to collect it, I didn't have time to get it so had to leave it, but luckily I did a deal with another car the next day, 2005 B6 avant in red, with black silk nappa, Bose, heated seats and a few other toys, plus I have bought the Nav and ordered the Millteks for the same money.

I love Moro/Dolphin/Ebony with silver seats, but my last few cars have been these colours and thought I would have a change with the S and go with Red or Noggy, found a noggy one and then missed it, then got drawn back to black again with the ebony one metioned above, but looking forward to picking up the red one, never had a red car before and don't actually like them apart from on Audi avants. Also the first manual I have had for a few years, but coming from a CSL the tip would have been too lazy.

Get some pics of the Moro/silver up mate. :)
 
gizze said:
Why have you got a budget of £22k??
Something to consider here is what a warranty is worth, or will cost you.
If you want a proper Audi warranty it will cost you £125 a month on an S4!!
If you buy a warranty direct one it will cost you £50 a month.
Click to expand...

But when you buy from Audi, you get 12 months, anyway? then after that I could extent it at £125 P/M (£1500 P/Y) which is still cheaper than adding an extra 2 grand to the purchase? Or am I missing something here?

gizze said:
Why even if you have to add £2k with finance, it will still be a hell of a lot cheaper.
Click to expand...

I'm already financing some of it anyway, and don't want to stretch myself too much. Especially as my fuel costs are going to increase alot from my current (Civic Type-R) car!!

gizze said:
There is a nice 04 plate ebony black with Black/silver leather/alcantara at Chester Audi at £26k, it has 26k miles on it, Bose, DVD nav and has 8k miles till its service is due and just had new tyres put on. They will do this for £24,040.00 as I nearly bought it.
Click to expand...

Jeez - Will they really drop nearly 2K off the price. I've had a real problem getting any dealer to budge at all on the sticker price!? Did you have a trade in or use Audi finance?
 
stoakseya4 said:
My original question seems to have been forgetten, that is does anyone know of seat protectors for child seats? In leather, the seat frame causes indents in the leather... Not a good look...
Click to expand...

We have this fitted in our Altea. Comes in two parts, the lower bit for the squab if you're fitting a rear facing seat, and both upper and lower bits if you're fitting a forward facing seat. It's actually a dark graphite colour, not blue as it appears in the picture. We bought it locally in a baby product shop but it was the same price as this.

http://www.vertar.com/sunshine-kids-juvenile-products/sunshine-kids-ultra-mat/
 
I would never use Audi Finance, it is a joke at best and more like robbery.

No trade in, for the pidly amount they offer better to stick it on autotrader or call a couple of local dealers.


If you are financing alot of the car then even more of a reason to up the budget a bit. For me to have bought an 03 car with 50k on it would have cost me £60 a month more than buying the 2005 car with 17k on it as the balloon at the end was much better on the newer car.

PM me if you want details.
 
I should have explained it a bit better.

Say for example you bought a 2005 S4 avant with leather, bose, nav and a few other toys for £24k.
If you put £2500 in you could pay £299 a month over 5 years and a fial payment of £7k at the end.

If you bought a 2003 S4 avant for £22k and put £2k in you would would only be given a ballloon of £8800 after 36 months, meaning your monthly payments would be £390 a month.


If you are paying outright for the car in cash then I understand why you may set a limit, but when using finance you have to buy the car at the right point in the depreciation curve, in the case of these sort of cars that is around 2 years old, the yhave lost the big chunk and if you keep it 2 or 3 years it will still only be a 4 or 5 year old car, not a 6 or 7 year old car which is starting to loose money again.

That is not always the case, and if you get a good deal with a trade in et. that changes things. But you want to be getting apr at around 6.7-7%. For Audi to have financed my car I was looking at nearly 25% extra each month, that was with the same deposit, and same balloon at the end, so 25% more just on fees and interest. Or to put it another way, I could have been into a 55 plate B7 avant for the same each month using the finance house I use.
 
Apologies - still no pics and the car's even dirtier! Had to do some manual work over the weekend (lugging bricks), as I've just started a house build. Will take some this week though...

Did manage to get out and stretch the car's legs though, with a Scoobie in pursuit. Nice guy too, not a 'boy racer' at all... Zorsts sound good when opened up, must be amazing with Milltek's...
 
one piece of advice, seek to find the finance deal suiting you. I find Audi finance pretty good and the trade in also good. Baloon deals carry an extra cost also like gizze says. Flat rates of 3.x% are pretty good these days if you ask me....
APR is not s good guide imo; work out the flat rate on a year by year basis and also the reducing capital (since you are buying chunks of the car each year) That is the real cost.
 
Flat rate is terrible, it tells you only what the flat rate is, it doesn't tell you what the dealer is adding on, fees built in etc. etc.
APR is teling you exactly what you are paying in total, and if you use balanced payments it is worked out mothly, not at the start and then added on, and then a discount based on what you have paid if you want to get out early.

Dealer finance does two things, it gueses what the interest rate could go to during the term and then adds that then uses that rate.
Also because they guaruntee the final value they they have to take into account it coming back being worth less, so they up the rate slightly to cover the possibility of any losses.

You are better to take the risk yourself, as long as you are sensible and don't set the balloon too high you will be quids in.
Put it another way, if you pay what Audi are asking each month you will have such a low balloon at the end you will be left quids in.
 
simple just
web address


Here goes! Also had the windows tinted yesterday (35% tint), which help darken the interior from prying eyes...

IMG_2129.jpg/http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q95/carlstoakes/S4/IMG_2129.jpg/img
 
gizze said:
Flat rate is terrible, it tells you only what the flat rate is, it doesn't tell you what the dealer is adding on, fees built in etc. etc.
APR is teling you exactly what you are paying in total, and if you use balanced payments it is worked out mothly, not at the start and then added on, and then a discount based on what you have paid if you want to get out early.


Not strictly true... A flat rate is the percentage interest applied per year notwithstanding reducing capital. It has nothing to do with dealer fees.
APR actually gives you an average rate of interest you are paying based upon how much of the car you are owning not as you state...
There is no penalty for closing Audi finance early and can be settled at any time UNLIKE many loans/finance deals.
So, rounding up, APR (by definition ) is the AVERAGE interest you pay over the duration of the loan for comparison purposes.

I am not sure who explained the Audi finance to you here but I suggest you go sit down with them 1 on 1 ...
Click to expand...
 
APR is an annual percentage rate, it does not just include the interest you pay over the given term but it also includes any other related charges and fees, as such it is really the only way you can truly compare borrowing between different lenders.

I don't get what you are saying really, like you say, when given a flat rate figure it has nothing to do with dealer finance company fees, so you don't really know what you are paying compared to another lender.

I have done finance with Audi before so I know how it works, just personally I don't think they are competitive enough, in fact they are very expensive.
 
Sorry about my lack of IT skills. After some very considerate advice (names withheld for security...), see photos at last ! Have just had the windows tinted so may take some more at the weekend, once I've cleared the snow off!

IMG_2175.jpg

IMG_2172.jpg

IMG_2166.jpg

IMG_2158.jpg
 
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