The S4 build wait thread

[scotty76]

Rich, you lucky, lucky man.

I saw an S5 Sportback in black at the weekend. That cheered me up as it looked cool and black is what I've gone for. My kids wanted Misano Red and I was beginning to think they were right. Yes, I know I'm going to have to wash it every five minutes but fortunately car detailing is my thing so I don't mind. I should really get a more socially acceptable hobby, people look at me in disbelief when I explain "detailing". I doubt they'd look any more shocked/bemused if I said I enjoyed watching hardcore S&M videos.

 

[scotty76]

I doubt they'd look any more shocked/bemused if I said I enjoyed watching hardcore S&M videos.

BTW, I totally stole that from Dara O Briain...

 

[Rich M]

Rich, you lucky, lucky man.

I saw an S5 Sportback in black at the weekend. That cheered me up as it looked cool and black is what I've gone for. My kids wanted Misano Red and I was beginning to think they were right. Yes, I know I'm going to have to wash it every five minutes but fortunately car detailing is my thing so I don't mind. I should really get a more socially acceptable hobby, people look at me in disbelief when I explain "detailing". I doubt they'd look any more shocked/bemused if I said I enjoyed watching hardcore S&M videos.

It will look awesome in black and will be very stealthy. I nearly bought a used one in black when i was first looking.

 

[Keef]

Argh

I'm trying to resist emailing my dealer to be told, still no change still build week 20!
Thinking of a good excuse to call!?

 

[scotty76]

Argh

I'm trying to resist emailing my dealer to be told, still no change still build week 20!
Thinking of a good excuse to call!?

Ask them about the extended warranty and report back?

 

[Rich M]

Ask them about the extended warranty and report back?

That sounds like a plan.

Keep badgering your dealer Keef, he might make it go quicker if he gets fed up lol.

On slightly different note, I have only just realised that I could of specc'ed adaptive cruise control for £65 - yet I went and paid £75 for the tyre deflation system lol

Ah well, I cant go modifying my spec now or I wont get it till next year lol

 

[scotty76]

On slightly different note, I have only just realised that I could of specc'ed adaptive cruise control for £65 - yet I went and paid £75 for the tyre deflation system lol

Ah well, I cant go modifying my spec now or I wont get it till next year lol

Doh! I know which I'd rather have. Our other car (VW Jetta) has the tyre pressure monitoring and the only time it ever goes off is when I inflate the tyres and forget to reset it! Plus it doesn't do it immediately, it waits until you've driven a few miles before "binging" at you. This has the predictable effect of "WTF was that?" followed by "what is that symbol" before eventually "ah, forgot to press the reset button again". Hopefully you'll get on better than me! As an aside I heard there is an EU law coming in which will make this mandatory on future cars.

 

[warren_S5]

Just rang dealer for an update, he's on leave till next week. Left query with someone else to answer (which means I won't find out till he gets back).

Adaptive cruise on mine was hundreds of pounds extra. Ironically if I'd specced the Techology Pack Advanced it would have been about £600 (but included lane guidance which I didn't want). If I ordered on its own it was still about £500.

 

[Keef]

Just rang dealer for an update, he's on leave till next week. Left query with someone else to answer (which means I won't find out till he gets back).

Adaptive cruise on mine was hundreds of pounds extra. Ironically if I'd specced the Techology Pack Advanced it would have been about £600 (but included lane guidance which I didn't want). If I ordered on its own it was still about £500.

Typical! Easter break must be a popular time for sale guys to have off!

Just got an 'out of office' reply - unless he's avoiding me!

 

[Keef]

On a slightly different note, did you guys read about the car getting torched at the Milltek factory?

And with that tenuous link...I was all set to get the milltek cat back exhaust with oval pipes
but have been reading a load of reports of a cabin drone at 2k rpm.
You guys got any plans to change the plumbing? (I'm sure you will have Warren!)

If so what you thinking?

 

[Rich M]

On a slightly different note, did you guys read about the car getting torched at the Milltek factory?

And with that tenuous link...I was all set to get the milltek cat back exhaust with oval pipes
but have been reading a load of reports of a cabin drone at 2k rpm.
You guys got any plans to change the plumbing? (I'm sure you will have Warren!)

If so what you thinking?

Generally I think Millteks have always been on the louder side. My mate had one on his MK5 Golf R32 and man that was loud. I could hear the 6 cylinder warble from quite a distance.

The STaSIS exhaust looks good, Chris Harris has one on their battered S4. I'm usually a mongoose man from the Ford days but I might see if they can do me a custom one for the S4.

 

[warren_S5]

I had a Milltek on a previous car and to be honest I didn't really like the sound of it. It droned at motorway speeds, then the tail pipes caked quite badly and when I cleaned them with 3M pads provided by Phil at Milltek they really didn't come up that well. Then on the 8P a raft of people suffered cracking of the downpipes or DP mounting brackets (to the point where they new supply an uprated engine mount with it). My Blueflame exhaust was faultless on both S3's, and I think sounded better.

The Milltek is the only factory built exhaust system in my paltry budget (Capristo / Akrapovic etc... all too pricey for me), but I really don't fancy a Milltek so I'm going to approach Powervalve Exhuasts or another custom fabricator. I want a bit more bark at wide open throttle, but otherwise I want to retain largely OEM running. Maybe I can get a single pipe fabricated to remove a silencer rather than changing the entire system which may offer a cheaper alternative. The exhaust offers limited performance benefits, so it's all about the sound, and on the grounds of that I'll be spending conservatively on the pipework and may just invest in some tailpipes to finish it off.

 

[Rich M]

Indeed there's a fair bit of wedge to get a full exhaust system for this car.

I have just seen the capristo one and over 3k !!!!

 

[dpaz]

I usually change cars every 3 years, but if I like this it could be a longer ownership proposition if it's good.

Only risk for me is with modifications (spacers / remap etc.) they'll happily take the money then pull out every reason in the book why they don't have to pay. £500 odd for 4 years isn't bad, but it is if they pull the 'TD1' card on you. I doubt they'd then offer a refund of the original money for not wanting to cover you so on the grounds of that it may be better to look into independent extended warranty options (or chance my luck). If these cars were good enough from factory you wouldn't consider modifying, but in the name of making them luxurious / making them meet green targets they hamstring a very capable product. What a saga!

I've never had a problem with mods and manufacturer warranty. Depending on the mods your planning on doing, you typically have the ability to put the car back to standard prior to investigation of the issue. But generally the dealers don't give a monkeys, they're just billing VAG for the work required. Chances are the tech wouldn't even realise and he'd be a bit of a tw*t to go running to the Service Manager to cry about your -20mm H&R spacers.

Does make the Revo SPS a more appealing proposition though if you are genuinely concerned.

Interesting what colours everyone has gone for, just prooves it really is a personal preference. I've just spec'd one up in Nogaro Blue which is one of the exclusive range and wow that's expensive!!! I often look at Ibis white Audi's and fall in love but then see a Ford Transit pull up by the side and soon get disheartened. Black and silver are boring and the red's are famous for lacquer peeling which I've seen first hand as my neighbour's S4 B8.5 had the same plague. Leaves grey and not a lot else!

 

[Derbz]

Indeed there's a fair bit of wedge to get a full exhaust system for this car.

I have just seen the capristo one and over 3k !!!!

The AWE exhaust is worth looking at, works out around £1600 from the uk suppler (Regal) but if you have S-tronic they reccommend going for the Res downpipes aswell to avoid any Drone. but manual cars are fine with the stock downpipes. (well so ive been told!)

Ive got this system on order at the moment and it should be here anyday now.

The APR system sounds great aswell and thats drone free but its around 2.5k from a uk supplier,so not cheap.

The miltek res system sounds to much like stock and the non res is ****** LOUD and will drone.

Stasis ive heard drones bad aswell and not read much good about that system tbh.

This is just info ive picked up after spending a while deciding on what system to get.

Its a shame Audi didnt spend more time making the car sound abit more meaty from the factory, the sound remindes me of my old E46 M3 cs i had a few years back (but quieter), rather than a supercharged V6!

AWE system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSOSXDQPULs
APR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9PSgUnAe0Y

 

[Keef]

The AWE exhaust is worth looking at, works out around £1600 from the uk suppler (Regal) but if you have S-tronic they reccommend going for the Res downpipes aswell to avoid any Drone. but manual cars are fine with the stock downpipes. (well so ive been told!)

Ive got this system on order at the moment and it should be here anyday now.

The APR system sounds great aswell and thats drone free but its around 2.5k from a uk supplier,so not cheap.

The miltek res system sounds to much like stock and the non res is ****** LOUD and will drone.

Stasis ive hear drones bad aswell and not read much good about that system tbh.

This is just info ive picked up after spending a while deciding on what system to get.

Its a shame Audi didnt spend more time making the car sound abit more meaty from the factory, the sound remindes me of my old E46 M3 cs i had a few years back (but quieter), rather than a superchaged V6!

AWE system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSOSXDQPULs
APR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9PSgUnAe0Y

Great info!
Thanks Derbz


Cheers
Keef

 

[warren_S5]

Interesting what colours everyone has gone for, just prooves it really is a personal preference. I've just spec'd one up in Nogaro Blue which is one of the exclusive range and wow that's expensive!!! I often look at Ibis white Audi's and fall in love but then see a Ford Transit pull up by the side and soon get disheartened. Black and silver are boring and the red's are famous for lacquer peeling which I've seen first hand as my neighbour's S4 B8.5 had the same plague. Leaves grey and not a lot else!

Green?

 

[Keef]

Green?

No thanks!

 

[scotty76]

Lacquer peel is what put me off the red. Current car is grey. Previous one was silver. Undecided about the white. Looked at the dark blue can't recall the name, not Estoril, but it looked almost indistinguishable from black. So that was that.

 

[warren_S5]

Looked at the dark blue can't recall the name, not Estoril, but it looked almost indistinguishable from black. So that was that.

Moonlight blue

 

[scotty76]

That's it. Thanks.

 

[Tay]

I have now officially placed my order, the best deal I got in the end was with Coventry Audi.

Spec currently is:
S4 Avant Black Edition
Glacier White
Black/Silver Supersport Seats
Heated Front Seats
Drive Select
Sports Differential
Damper Control
Technology Pack
Folding & Autodimming Mirrors

Still considering adding the advanced key, but I'm not convinced if it's a good idea with it potentially not be unlocked if the 5 foot distance for key proximity I've read is true.

Looking at delivery in August/September so ill probably request September. No info on build week as yet.

 

[warren_S5]

I have now officially placed my order, the best deal I got in the end was with Coventry Audi.

Spec currently is:
S4 Avant Black Edition
Glacier White
Black/Silver Supersport Seats
Heated Front Seats
Drive Select
Sports Differential
Damper Control
Technology Pack
Folding & Autodimming Mirrors

Still considering adding the advanced key, but I'm not convinced if it's a good idea with it potentially not be unlocked if the 5 foot distance for key proximity I've read is true.

Looking at delivery in August/September so ill probably request September. No info on build week as yet.

Welcome to the waiting group; someone else to share our pain!!

Nice spec.

 

[Keef]

I have now officially placed my order, the best deal I got in the end was with Coventry Audi.

Spec currently is:
S4 Avant Black Edition
Glacier White
Black/Silver Supersport Seats
Heated Front Seats
Drive Select
Sports Differential
Damper Control
Technology Pack
Folding & Autodimming Mirrors

Still considering adding the advanced key, but I'm not convinced if it's a good idea with it potentially not be unlocked if the 5 foot distance for key proximity I've read is true.

Looking at delivery in August/September so ill probably request September. No info on build week as yet.

Nice one Tay
Coventry are part of Listers group, they are not too far from me but my local is Stratford (same group).
Similar spec to me, i also didn't go with advance key - its good but not £500 good in my opinion.

Good things come to those who wait! But its painful.

 

[elpeterol]

Hi Tay good spec almost identical to mine I was torn between the daytona grey and glacier white but went with the white as it just looked better! Mine is due mid june so I'm driving my trade in carefully hoping the tyres will last!!!

 

[Tay]

The price at Coventry was far better than even the carwow quotes so I was sold.

There were a few options I couldn't decide if they were really worth the cost.

134 days to go (assuming 1st September delivery)...

 

[elpeterol]

I tried carwow and coventry came up cheapest but my local dealer was close enough as made no difference and rightly or wrongly I would hope for better service from the suppling dealer esp as there are not many around here!

 

[Anthony566]

Does the S4 come with the interior lighting pack as std ??

 

[elpeterol]

I believe that it does - just checked yes

 

[Anthony566]

Good ... it realky hacked me off when I found out I didn't have it ... Audi should be ashamed...

 

[DAYTONA 500]

I have now officially placed my order, the best deal I got in the end was with Coventry Audi.

Spec currently is:
S4 Avant Black Edition
Glacier White
Black/Silver Supersport Seats
Heated Front Seats
Drive Select
Sports Differential
Damper Control
Technology Pack
Folding & Autodimming Mirrors

Still considering adding the advanced key, but I'm not convinced if it's a good idea with it potentially not be unlocked if the 5 foot distance for key proximity I've read is true.

Looking at delivery in August/September so ill probably request September. No info on build week as yet.

With advanced key you need to physically touch the sensors in the door handles to unlock/lock the car ,the car will not automatically unlock when you get near it.

 

[scotty76]

I tried carwow and coventry came up cheapest but my local dealer was close enough as made no difference and rightly or wrongly I would hope for better service from the suppling dealer esp as there are not many around here!

I didn't beat the carwow quote but the dealer 1 mile from my work got close enough and are taking my car as part-ex. I'm still hopeful of selling it rather than part-exing but have the option. In the end, like you, I hope using a dealer nearby means more interest in post sale support should I need it. We'll see. Also it's less distance to travel for pick up.

 

[Tay]

With advanced key you need to physically touch the sensors in the door handles to unlock/lock the car ,the car will not automatically unlock when you get near it.

I read on the Audi US website that it would unlock when the key is within a 5ft proximity of the car, so my worry was if the keys aren't far enough away then anyone could walk up and open the car.

 

[elpeterol]

I looked at this and really like the start stop function - but not the best part of £500 worth!

 

[Keef]

Just had a call from the dealers
Build week 19, week commencing 5th May, now confirmed.
Dealer says 3 weeks to ship, so hopeful of collection 1st week in June

 

[warren_S5]

Nice one Keef.

I'd been in a bit of confusion over the build weeks, and having resorted to Excel to work out where I've been going wrong (I thought week 18 was May 5th), it turns out my car is being built next week, and not 5th of May as I'd expected! Good news for me is there is one less week to wait!

In case anyone else has suffered similarly, here is a build week matrix (my own, not from Audi) to help you approximate your dates:

 

[Keef]

Nice one Keef.

I'd been in a bit of confusion over the build weeks, and having resorted to Excel to work out where I've been going wrong (I thought week 18 was May 5th), it turns out my car is being built next week, and not 5th of May as I'd expected! Good news for me is there is one less week to wait!

In case anyone else has suffered similarly, here is a build week matrix (my own, not from Audi) to help you approximate your dates:

Ah thought so mate, that's a nice little surprise - one week earlier

I think you need to buy more cars bits as you must have too much time on your hand to be playing in Excel!

I'm just hoping the shipping times are realistic, as from reading the A3 section there seem to be a bit of a backlog

On a side note, I got a price from 'LittleDevil' for an RS4 Steering wheel, very tempted as I much prefer the perforated feel.

 

[Rich M]

Great news guys!

Does anyone know roughly how long one takes to build? I'm just thinking of W/C 28/04 and a week to build, plus quote of 4 weeks tops for delivery pushes to end of May. Perhaps I should stop thinking about it and let time fly by

 

[warren_S5]

Ah thought so mate, that's a nice little surprise - one week earlier

I think you need to buy more cars bits as you must have too much time on your hand to be playing in Excel!

I'm just hoping the shipping times are realistic, as from reading the A3 section there seem to be a bit of a backlog

On a side note, I got a price from 'LittleDevil' for an RS4 Steering wheel, very tempted as I much prefer the perforated feel.

Might be a nice addition, the new S5 wheel feels fatter than I remember and has bigger paddles than 2013 model, but perforation would be nice.

I may have one last mod in the pipeline, Autostyle Premium carpet mats with Silver piping and S5 logos on front mats by door entry-point. About £60, but might be nice finishing touch.

Car build can't take more than about 4-5 days (giving consideration for paint drying times and road testing etc.). Then they are train transported over to port, ferried to UK, then shipped to dealers (circa 4 weeks inc. PDI inspection). There is a hold up at one of the ports due to high volumes and a lack of transporters, just hope it clears in the next 3 weeks.

 

[Tay]

Order Update:
After plenty of time comparing Glacier and Ibis White on a dull day at the local dealer, I have decided to go to Ibis instead as the extra cost isn't worth it IMO, so I've added advanced key instead.