A very frustrating car to own
- Thread starter Urban Sports
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Im in the same boat mate. Literally a nightmare motor. Got so sick of it i just bought a new car.
Can’t wait for the Audi to be gone.
Mixed feelings about mine to be honest definitely has its fair share of niggles, it does lack character and is short of a few extras which are standard on a lot of lower priced cars. It's saving grace is that V6 though which I'm glad I chose coz it's a fantastic engine, lots of low down grunt, literally whisper quiet at cruise speeds and easily returns mid 40's (let down by a crap gearbox)
Not the type of car you drive for fun but it's served me well as a family car.
IMO BMW offer a better overall package at the cost of some refinement and interior quality.
I don't think I'll miss it when it's time to return the keys in December, and I probably wouldn't consider another especially with the interior changes due (replacing the rotary knob with a screen is just silly)
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Not the type of car you drive for fun but it's served me well as a family car.
IMO BMW offer a better overall package at the cost of some refinement and interior quality.
I don't think I'll miss it when it's time to return the keys in December, and I probably wouldn't consider another especially with the interior changes due (replacing the rotary knob with a screen is just silly)
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Funny how the S tronic seems to divide opinion.
For me it is one of the great things about the car, as it offers something in between a manual and a traditional automatic, which I always hated. They never seemed to be in the right gear for the road situation whereas I never get that with the S tronic. Its also as efficient as the equivalent manual, no power sucking torque converter to feed, is very smooth in normal use and I particularly like the intelligent coasting thing it does. It also doesn't eat brakes, as it does use the gears to slow down when descending hills, again a traditional automatic is not able to do this as effectively.
But like most things in life it won't suit everyone...
I nearly bought a 3 series before the A4 but was put off by the old fashioned interior, rear wheel drive, horrible orange coloured back lit dials and it actually still has a manual parking brake!
For me it is one of the great things about the car, as it offers something in between a manual and a traditional automatic, which I always hated. They never seemed to be in the right gear for the road situation whereas I never get that with the S tronic. Its also as efficient as the equivalent manual, no power sucking torque converter to feed, is very smooth in normal use and I particularly like the intelligent coasting thing it does. It also doesn't eat brakes, as it does use the gears to slow down when descending hills, again a traditional automatic is not able to do this as effectively.
But like most things in life it won't suit everyone...
I nearly bought a 3 series before the A4 but was put off by the old fashioned interior, rear wheel drive, horrible orange coloured back lit dials and it actually still has a manual parking brake!
The series 3 hasn't a perfect gearbox either by any stretch of the imagination , but yes you are correct the dsg is rather decisive. I like it too and think it is a wonderful piece of technology, although I have improved upon mine to deal with the tuning box.
May well be opening a can though...
May well be opening a can though...
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I ended up picking this up to replace the A4. Cannot wait for the A4 to be gone.
Spec -
Adaptive LEDs
M Sport Plus (Harmon Kardon, HUD, 20inch alloys)
Wireless Charging
iDrive with Concierge service
And a few other bits and bobs
Spec -
Adaptive LEDs
M Sport Plus (Harmon Kardon, HUD, 20inch alloys)
Wireless Charging
iDrive with Concierge service
And a few other bits and bobs
Attachments
Lovin the new motor great choice! Enjoy the HK system
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Lovin the new motor great choice! Enjoy the HK system
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
Thank you man! HK system is superb, no issues whatsoever. Car looks an absolute beauty
I don't know if the engine to which the gearbox is connected has anything to do with it but I have the 252PS TFSi one and have to say the gearbox is superb, especially when in Sport Mode, as the car takes off like, as an old friend of mine used to say "sh*t off a chromium plated shovel". Gear changes are very smooth indeed, which has also been commented on by a couple of my passengers, with one of them saying "I just cannot feel any gear change, it's so smooth". I might add I totally concur. 
A4 2.0 TFSI Avant 2016. Too much torque at the front, wheel spinning in damp/moist conditions and combine this with the mega delay with the gearbox makes for a lot of annoyance Yes, the gearbox changes, whilst on the move are seamless but the lack of relationship between your right foot and the car moving (or not moving!) is shocking. Also, when you select reverse (no problems there, even when still moving fwd) you have to wait an eternity for the A4 to start moving backwards - and naturally, when pressing the accelerator and nothing happens, you press some more and then try and not crash backwards, once the gearbox has wakened up!! This spoils the car. I even miss my Alfa manual gearbox!
A4 2.0 TFSI Avant 2016. Too much torque at the front, wheel spinning in damp/moist conditions and combine this with the mega delay with the gearbox makes for a lot of annoyance Yes, the gearbox changes, whilst on the move are seamless but the lack of relationship between your right foot and the car moving (or not moving!) is shocking. Also, when you select reverse (no problems there, even when still moving fwd) you have to wait an eternity for the A4 to start moving backwards - and naturally, when pressing the accelerator and nothing happens, you press some more and then try and not crash backwards, once the gearbox has wakened up!! This spoils the car. I even miss my Alfa manual gearbox!
Each to their own I guess but even with 400Nm of torque I find the traction easy to mange through the front wheels...
I feel like I can weigh in here a bit, having had a BMW M-Sport F30 320i (184 hp) and now a Audi A4 B9 (190 hp), I probably have good grounds to compare.
Audi is obviously better on the interior. No question. The BMW interior squeaks upon pushing the dashboard trim, and even when driving there are subtle, yet annoying vibrations and squeals. The tech inside is far superior than the BMW (although, I guess the Audi is newer) But the BMW doesnt even have bluetooth music as standard? A ****** Hyundai i10 has bluetooth as standard, as far as I know.
I had more gripes with the Auto Stop/Start of the BMW than the Audi. My Audi only does it when my aircon is either off, or above 18 Celcius, which it seldom is, because its hot AF in South Africa. The BMW did it always and it really felt like it was putting strain on the N20 engine inside.
Exterior wise, its each to their own. Both were beautiful for their own reasons. Though, where I live, everybody and their kid that has a 3 series wants to pretend its an "M" car; so theirs that. Its definitely more of an "immature/nu-money" car.
The A4 is more refined, and in terms of "sporty-ness", leaves a bit to be desired. I've gotten the same amount of head-turns/looks in both, if that counts for anything.
And now for the nitty-gritty. Driving experience? BMW wins. No contest for me. The RWD vs my FWD now, was a lot better. (Cant attest to the Quattro. I'm sure that's better..but there's no snow by me so i didnt feel necessary). The Audi is more refined, and "solid" feeling, but in the BMW I felt way more confident in overtaking/pulling off, and didnt have that throttle lag I experience now.
I'm no racer-car driver, so it doesn't matter to me all that much. I'd pick my Audi over a BMW F30 again, but if it weren't for me hating the exterior of the BMW G20, I'd consider moving back to BMW...... Though my friend just got a Golf Mk7 GTI and that thing looks like a lot of fun.
Audi is obviously better on the interior. No question. The BMW interior squeaks upon pushing the dashboard trim, and even when driving there are subtle, yet annoying vibrations and squeals. The tech inside is far superior than the BMW (although, I guess the Audi is newer) But the BMW doesnt even have bluetooth music as standard? A ****** Hyundai i10 has bluetooth as standard, as far as I know.
I had more gripes with the Auto Stop/Start of the BMW than the Audi. My Audi only does it when my aircon is either off, or above 18 Celcius, which it seldom is, because its hot AF in South Africa. The BMW did it always and it really felt like it was putting strain on the N20 engine inside.
Exterior wise, its each to their own. Both were beautiful for their own reasons. Though, where I live, everybody and their kid that has a 3 series wants to pretend its an "M" car; so theirs that. Its definitely more of an "immature/nu-money" car.
The A4 is more refined, and in terms of "sporty-ness", leaves a bit to be desired. I've gotten the same amount of head-turns/looks in both, if that counts for anything.
And now for the nitty-gritty. Driving experience? BMW wins. No contest for me. The RWD vs my FWD now, was a lot better. (Cant attest to the Quattro. I'm sure that's better..but there's no snow by me so i didnt feel necessary). The Audi is more refined, and "solid" feeling, but in the BMW I felt way more confident in overtaking/pulling off, and didnt have that throttle lag I experience now.
I'm no racer-car driver, so it doesn't matter to me all that much. I'd pick my Audi over a BMW F30 again, but if it weren't for me hating the exterior of the BMW G20, I'd consider moving back to BMW...... Though my friend just got a Golf Mk7 GTI and that thing looks like a lot of fun.
I have noticed in the S5 that the * button doesn't work when I have my iPhone plugged in for carplay. When just using Bluetooth connection or nothing then works 100%. I use it to change driving mode.
Start Stop I thought was faulty as it didn't kick in at all over winter (thought is was because lights,heater and other stuff affecting it). Even turning temp and everything off that drains power it still would work. But I found that the "young nipper" had set the temp in the back to highest temp setting.
So I make a habit of Monday morning setting rear temp back to 18!!
I do find that tracks are not displayed on VC a lot of the time (I figure its when there is less signal, as usually streaming Spotify). But I can't comment on Apple Music as I don't use it. But track info on main middle screen is displayed.
Start Stop I thought was faulty as it didn't kick in at all over winter (thought is was because lights,heater and other stuff affecting it). Even turning temp and everything off that drains power it still would work. But I found that the "young nipper" had set the temp in the back to highest temp setting.
So I make a habit of Monday morning setting rear temp back to 18!!
I do find that tracks are not displayed on VC a lot of the time (I figure its when there is less signal, as usually streaming Spotify). But I can't comment on Apple Music as I don't use it. But track info on main middle screen is displayed.
it goes without saying that the BMW is setup to be a 'driver's car' and the A4 is aimed at being a motorway cruiser. Having said that the BMW M sport versions I have driven have a simply awful urban ride quality compared to the A4..
I agree with the gearbox comments entirely.
I come from a 320d M sport on a 66 plate to a 190 TDI Sline on a 67 Plate so in theory a very similar car to compare.
Both Auto with paddles.
Both even the same colour.
To me the BMW was a much nicer car to drive, the gearbox was more responsive, the steering feel better, the fuel consumption significantly better, driving position suited me better as well. Traction was superior. I had no issues in 40k miles in 18 months
On the plus side the Audi interior is very nice, and does feel more up to date.
As a means of transport the Audi is a very nice car, but to me the BMW was more fun to drive, I will have another BMW, but I probably wont have another Audi.
Audi Pre-sense - horrible and slams on the brakes for no apparent reason
Audi Auto in efficient mode - unresponsive, potentially dangerous
Audi wet weather grip - poor
I know this is an Audi owner forum, but I believe the should be criticised if there area issues.
Kind of wish I have picked the Jaguar XE instead
I come from a 320d M sport on a 66 plate to a 190 TDI Sline on a 67 Plate so in theory a very similar car to compare.
Both Auto with paddles.
Both even the same colour.
To me the BMW was a much nicer car to drive, the gearbox was more responsive, the steering feel better, the fuel consumption significantly better, driving position suited me better as well. Traction was superior. I had no issues in 40k miles in 18 months
On the plus side the Audi interior is very nice, and does feel more up to date.
As a means of transport the Audi is a very nice car, but to me the BMW was more fun to drive, I will have another BMW, but I probably wont have another Audi.
Audi Pre-sense - horrible and slams on the brakes for no apparent reason
Audi Auto in efficient mode - unresponsive, potentially dangerous
Audi wet weather grip - poor
I know this is an Audi owner forum, but I believe the should be criticised if there area issues.
Kind of wish I have picked the Jaguar XE instead
I think there's a big chunk of 'grass is greener' for a lot of us. I was BMW for a 330d SE saloon, then a 335d X-Drive M-Sport Plus GT, then into a B9 S4. The B9 S4 wins hands-down for enjoyment factor, but for me the feel and noise of a powerful petrol is a big part of that enjoyment.
I do also prefer the interior, the seats, the looks at the same time. But that's me. I could have gone for a 340i/440i, but glad to be in the S4.
There will always be credits and debits on a BMW/ Audi/ Merc/ Jag (etc!) basis, but it's down to horses for courses, and getting used to/ bored of what we know. The key here is getting into a decent test drive and actually work out what ticks your box before you buy something. It can be a PITA, but it's so worthwhile to ensure long term happiness with a car.
I do also prefer the interior, the seats, the looks at the same time. But that's me. I could have gone for a 340i/440i, but glad to be in the S4.
There will always be credits and debits on a BMW/ Audi/ Merc/ Jag (etc!) basis, but it's down to horses for courses, and getting used to/ bored of what we know. The key here is getting into a decent test drive and actually work out what ticks your box before you buy something. It can be a PITA, but it's so worthwhile to ensure long term happiness with a car.
Agreed, horses for course definitely but we are only expressing opinions anyway. Don't agree with the wet weather grip at all though, and for the criticism of the gearbox and pre-sense, that is a car or life saver...
Regards the pre-sense, if you have had the brakes slam on from 30mph to dead stop whilst passing a bollard at a normal distance, then I am pretty sure you would have a different opinion, I had two kids both with sore necks following this issue
Whilst I appreciate that this is quite clearly a 'life saving addition' its early notification system in my vehicle is most definitely flawed.
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+1 - as have said before, pre-sense is downright ****** dangerous. The percentage of stupid 'self -braking' compared to real braking is beyond common-sense. Still trying to recall any life threatening incidents. At least Porsche list it as an option on their Macans, in Oz. Take up is surprisingly only 20%. Wonder how many of those now regret it.
Realise it is all part of autonomous driving, but no excuse for the very poor execution of the system to date.
Realise it is all part of autonomous driving, but no excuse for the very poor execution of the system to date.
No issues with mine, probably down to almost zero activation's of it now. I get that some can be surprised when it goes off and feel they've lost control of their car somehow. But it is a car and a life saver, as I have experienced personally, and we might as well get used to it because it will become mandatory in the next few years. If it prevents some distracted idiot from rear ending my car at 70mph then fine, can live with that.
Fortunately you can turn it off, but you also have to do it every time you start the car, either that or turn off the traction and stability control, which I would rather not, given the inherent lack of grip.
Don't get we wrong I am not saying it is a bad car, its just not as good as I expected it to be, but at the end of the day it is an Automatic Diesel Estate so it was never going to be anything but, it does do long journeys very well, but need to have the Gearbox in Sport at Junctions to prevent its slow get away.
Don't get we wrong I am not saying it is a bad car, its just not as good as I expected it to be, but at the end of the day it is an Automatic Diesel Estate so it was never going to be anything but, it does do long journeys very well, but need to have the Gearbox in Sport at Junctions to prevent its slow get away.
Get used to it. It's going to mandatory on all cars from 2022 along with a host of other absolutely ridiculous additions!
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It's a bit sad that now new drivers of the near future will be denied the pleasure of driving an amazing road car - to able to exercise discretion and access awesome, jaw dropping performance on demand. Hopefully when the new regulations are in place they won't cripple acceleration too?
Yea it's a real shame. According to the reports you'll be able to break the speed limitations in overtaking situations by stamping hard on the accelerator but there'll be audible warnings if you maintain a speed that's over the limit (similar to what you get when you don't put your seatbelt on) On top of that all driving data will be recorded which insurers can gain access to.
Imagine not being able to go above 70 on the motorway without the car continuously beeping and chiming at you!
madness!!
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