Me too; but unfortunately I didn't find it while browsing - I find myself here as a result of yet another reported post (we're having a few over the last few days, from various sources (and in this case someone who hasn't even posted on the thread - they were shocked enough at what they read) - there is a bit of a concerning theme emerging too).
So, without naming people publicly, I would first like to give congratulations on such a lovely welcoming impression of ASN that has been given to ROSSCOV8. There's a fine line between cogent debate and arguing like bitches. Unfortunately I feel (and evidently others do too), that this thread has pretty quickly gotten on the wrong side of the line.
It strikes me that in places a bit of time to breath might've been better before launching into pretty firery replies.
Lets look at the situation here in a few basic areas (and that WAS lets look, not lets ARGUE, or even in fact lets debate)...
ROSSCOV8 arrives here hoping to find out if there are any common problems with a 2004 S4; because he's all but decided to buy one. Pretty quickly people are pulling his idea to bits - OK not offensively so at first, and of course with them speaking from personal experience, the opinion might be valid/helpful.
It might be helpful to chronical perceptions of fuel economy, power delivery and handling - I'm by no means saying there's nothing wrong with that. The problem develops when it gets a bit more heated, at the end of the day there's little point getting at each-other's throats over issues which are pretty damn far off topic. Lets remember, ROSSCOV8 was asking if there are any common problems with his CHOICE that he should be aware of. It'd be pretty unlikely that he's unaware there's a difference in the economy and power delivery of a 4.2L V8 and a TDI of any description. Jeez, even his username is a clue...
That's accentuated when it remains pretty heated even after ROSSCOV8 has given a few more clues to what he's about...
The guy has owned a 5.7 litre V8 car previously - I think that probably means he's got a decent perception of whether they'll do 100 miles to a tenner or not. Yes fuel is cheaper now, yes it'll probably go back up - but I'm confident the Monaro with its V8 a full litre and a half bigger than that in the S4 probably gave a good impression of what to expect.
It's probably also a safe bet that he's a bit of a petrol head - from his car history and description of it, as above, you could probably take it for granted that he knows about the key differences between a 4.2L V8 and anything else, so why we're getting all hot and bothered about 2.0TFSIs, 3.0TDIs and anything else is pretty much a mystery...
As a few people have picked-up on, it would appear that ROSSCOV8 is looking for a practical (read: big) car, with a decent amount of power - delivered progressively (hence the V8) - this pretty much ratifies his decision to go for an S4.
Being particularly unimpressed with the way the normally complimentary style of debate which occurs on ASN appears to have been compromised, I'll get off the fence for a split second and venture an opinion of my own - It might appear, NHN, that your own perception/opinion of the fun derived from power delivery might be weighted toward whether you get a big kick in the back or not. What do an S3 and a tuned TDI have in common? The bulk of the power from each arrives more or less all at once - once their turbos are wound up. I'm not saying they're identical, obviously there are still differences between the petrol and the diesel; but what I am saying is that no matter how 'progressive/smooth' the map you whack on them, they're never going to be as progressive and linear as the delivery from a N/A V8. If that difference in power delivery counts toward the fun-factor for you, that's great, sincerely, good for you. We have to maintain a little perspective though, and realise that what's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. People might find preference in different things.
I can completely agree that the sound of a car can be a nice bonus, it's probably not the overriding factor in a decision to buy for the majority. It's not worth arguing about though; and to be honest, there's no denying that the V8 will always sound nicer than a 4-pot petrol, or diesel (even a V6).
I've driven all kinds of cars, the last two have been TDIs. I've had them because they're more suited to what I need. Would I prefer the TDI to sound exactly like an N/A V8 petrol if it could? Damn straight I would. If fuel-economy and the amount of torque from that amount of fuel didn't matter to me, would I prefer an N/A V8? Damn straight I would. I hasten to add that I'm aware that might not be the case for everyone, but does that make me wrong? I think not, it makes it a completely subjective, personal opinion.
I'm not going to venture any more personal opinions on one car over the other, just request that we can chill out and get back on topic a bit...
So, common problems with S4s then - so far we've got Coil Packs, which are probably not too serious... Any others?...
Regards,
Rob.