New arrival

[Schuey]

So after a 4 year break I have returned to Audi (I took a break from Audi as my local dealer were starting to get a bit greedy), having previously owned an S1/S3/RS3 before moving to BMW where I have had a 335d Touring/X5 M50d and up until the last few days an X3M Competition.

So why the change?

The BMW products were in the main fantastic, especially the 335d & M50d but my change to the X3M was not the best decision I have made, primarily fuel economy and comfort around town are compromised - I appreciate there will be some who think well what did you expect buying an M Car and you’d be right, however things change & I now commute much further for work and the X3M was nowhere near suited to this, in comfort or financial terms. (High mileage ruins M Car Residuals)

I was looking for a 3 touring in 330d or M340d but happened to stumble across an S4 review on YouTube.

In the main the S4 stood up well, a lot of people criticised the diesel but for me that was a real attraction as it was offering better mpg than the 340d, similar performance and immediate availability.

I visited the dealer who I had previously dealt with and after a few minutes of looking at the car we started talking price, they barely offered a discount of 5%. As we continued our negotiation it was clear we were getting nowhere. I checked AT and found a vehicle I liked, photos of the car showed the virtual cockpit with a date of January 2020, so I thought it must be worth seeing what incentives there were.

After a few phone calls & emails I negotiated an extremely good discount of 25% plus current 3 on us incentive and with a p/ex on my X3M which resulted in a £2.6K loss in nearly a year. (Genuinely thought I would take bath when the time came to get out of it!)

Unfortunately due to the ongoing global issue we are all facing there was no dealership collection or handover, it was a very subdued delivery on a miserable rainy day, so unfortunately no decent photos yet, just the AT advert.

So assuming you have toughed this thread out (or just skipped to the photos) here it is, Daytona Grey, Rotor interior with comfort & sound, driving assistance pack, HUD. (More pics to be posted when the weather improves)

I’ll add some initial thoughts and feedback over the next few days.

 

[Frankiejr26]

Wow 25% is amazing. So was this a new or nearly new purchase? Looks great though


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[blackb9er]

Congrats mate shes a beauty. Let us know how it compares to the beamers you had.

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[Schuey]

It was a new car, so yes I’m the 1st registered keeper. The discount was incredible, no other dealer I tried could touch this, overall extremely happy with the price paid.

 

[Schuey]

Congrats mate shes a beauty. Let us know how it compares to the beamers you had.

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Thanks!

Definitely, I’ll get some initial thoughts/comparisons up shortly.

 

[Frankiejr26]

It was a new car, so yes I’m the 1st registered keeper. The discount was incredible, no other dealer I tried could touch this, overall extremely happy with the price paid.

I’ve managed 19% on my 40 TFSI through carwow. Not due until November so keep checking if anything comes up better.


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[Schuey]

I’ve managed 19% on my 40 TFSI through carwow. Not due until November so keep checking if anything comes up better.


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I’m sure you’re aware but if you’ve placed a deposit with the dealer it maybe a struggle negotiating further discount, but it’s worth a try! Mine was obviously a stock car so perhaps that helped.

 

[monkeyhanger]

Or maybe too many people put off the S4 with diesel engine is why 25% discount was possible? Wouldn't put me off but you do hear a lot of grumbling about the S4 having diesel power now.

Still too rich for me, I buy my cars outright as I don't like paying PCP rates of interest. A £25k cap and £250pm anticipated depreciation on each of our cars in the household gets me 40% off the ridiculous RRP of my 40TDI Avant at 10 months old. Really considering putting a DTUK box on it.

With 25% off, there mustn't be much margin left for the dealer even if they get top volume and customer rating discounts.

 

[Schuey]

Or maybe too many people put off the S4 with diesel engine is why 25% discount was possible? Wouldn't put me off but you do hear a lot of grumbling about the S4 having diesel power now.

Still too rich for me, I buy my cars outright as I don't like paying PCP rates of interest. A £25k cap and £250pm anticipated depreciation on each of our cars in the household gets me 40% off the ridiculous RRP of my 40TDI Avant at 10 months old. Really considering putting a DTUK box on it.

With 25% off, there mustn't be much margin left for the dealer even if they get top volume and customer rating discounts.

Yep fully understand your comments on depreciation, even with the incentive of a fairly low APR, but that figure you quote for your 40 TDI is heavy, my X3M was about the same and I was pleased (relieved) with that. I have a MK7.5 GTI that I purchased outright (a kind of fall back if you like ) but I could not justify paying out the full amount for the S4 upfront. Worse still I probably do pcp the wrong way around, I usually use a high deposit and arrange my own funding, for example my RS3 only cost me £65/ month. But I guess the benefits of pcp/outright purchase have been near exhausted on many forums.

The dealer did say that there was nothing left in the S4 for them but presumably wanted it off their books and as you say if people are that put off by the diesel (even with MHEV) then these must be a tough sell, however that possibly means that they should be an absolute bargain in a year or two!

I do need to factor in the running cost differences of the S4 against the X3M ( I used a calculator on next green car) so overall it looks quite favourable. I hope my man maths works out!

 

[Frankiejr26]

I’m sure you’re aware but if you’ve placed a deposit with the dealer it maybe a struggle negotiating further discount, but it’s worth a try! Mine was obviously a stock car so perhaps that helped.

I’m thinking more if another dealer offered something better I would just switch to them. The dealer I got the deal with wasn’t actually on carwow but they agreed to match one that was.


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[monkeyhanger]

I could well believe there's nothing left in it for the dealership.

At VW dealerships, according to my favoured salesman, VW give a basic 5% discount to the dealership, with a max 15% for sales volume tiers and 10% max for high customer satisfaction scores.

These jokey RRPs that no-one pays really annoy me. My A4 attracts the £475 purely due to the choice of 19" wheels to take it over the £40k threshold. The amount over the threshold it was is less than the year 1-5 additional VED of £325 a year!

If those TDI S4s are heavy depreciators and 1 year old examples can be had for less than £30k, I think I'll be all over one next change time.

 

[Frankiejr26]

I could well believe there's nothing left in it for the dealership.

At VW dealerships, according to my favoured salesman, VW give a basic 5% discount to the dealership, with a max 15% for sales volume tiers and 10% max for high customer satisfaction scores.

These jokey RRPs that no-one pays really annoy me. My A4 attracts the £475 purely due to the choice of 19" wheels to take it over the £40k threshold. The amount over the threshold it was is less than the year 1-5 additional VED of £325 a year!

If those TDI S4s are heavy depreciators and 1 year old examples can be had for less than £30k, I think I'll be all over one next change time.

So I have a question about that. My A4 RRP Is I thing £40,490 but the dealer says I will be below the £40k VED limit and not meet to pay the premium tax (it shouldn’t include the first year tax). Any thoughts?


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[jds_sg]

If its over £40K it will attract the luxury car tax the second time it is taxed, but I'm not sure how you can reliably find out if you're not sure.

When I was looking into my current car, where I am the second owner after the dealer, the first question I asked them was about the P11D value for road tax, as I didn't want to just creep over it and get hammered. Especially as my previous A4 190 TDI B9 was only £30!

 

[monkeyhanger]

So I have a question about that. My A4 RRP Is I thing £40,490 but the dealer says I will be below the £40k VED limit and not meet to pay the premium tax (it shouldn’t include the first year tax). Any thoughts?


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The threshold for luxury VED is £40,000, although I think this excludes delivery charges. That is on the list price. If you buy a £41k RRP car for £35k new then you'll still pay it.

The first year's VED is built into the OTR price, whatever price you have negotiated. In your case, if the delivery charge is less than £490 then you'll be paying it for the next 4 years after year 1.

 

[Soot1e]

@Schuey Another fine looking Daytona Avant. With you mentioning the car has a HUD and seeing the red callipers in the photos, these options were never available on any S4 apart from the Vorsprung editions. A number of German spec cars came into the UK at launch so that the dealers had cars for customers to see and drive with the new Diesel engine. If this is one of those you will find a lot of options fitted which are still not available on current standard and Black Editions such as matrix lights, carbon trim, active suspension and steering, sports diff and I think these also had auto park.

This may have been in stock for a considerable time hence the good price you got it for.

 

[Schuey]

@Schuey Another fine looking Daytona Avant. With you mentioning the car has a HUD and seeing the red callipers in the photos, these options were never available on any S4 apart from the Vorsprung editions. A number of German spec cars came into the UK at launch so that the dealers had cars for customers to see and drive with the new Diesel engine. If this is one of those you will find a lot of options fitted which are still not available on current standard and Black Editions such as matrix lights, carbon trim, active suspension and steering, sports diff and I think these also had auto park.

This may have been in stock for a considerable time hence the good price you got it for.

Yes, absolutely right mate, I used the stock age in my discussions with them, the spec is decent with the matrix lights, HUD and Quattro sport differential. The diff I would never normally have paid for, but it makes a notable difference in handling & steering feel.

I was slightly concerned on future value but as I paid just over £3K less than a black edition and looking at a final payment that is pretty much the same +/- a few pounds, so I’m not too fussed.

 

[WesT-gefül]

Congrats. Very jealous.

 

[Sandra]

@Schuey welcome back. Love the new car. Hope you enjoy it to the max.

 

[leedodds1]

Lovely car. Great to see another 2020 s4 driver, I've had mine now for 4 months and love it. Enjoy.

 

[Schuey]

Thanks for the comments, if it ever stops raining for long enough I’ll clean it & post some better pictures.

In the meantime we’re around 250 miles in now, slight issue with the MMI connectivity, the Bluetooth keeps dropping out or is not available, other than that no problems.

With all of the rain the reassurance of a Quattro system is obvious, fairly decent tyres probably helping as well, the Quattro sport differential (Not an option I would normally have considered for my own build spec) seems to make the nose of the car turn in so sharply, it really gives confidence.

With regards the performance well that is as expected (possibly better) these really are quick cars, I appreciate the engine or exhaust noise is not there but I’m not really missing it after my X3M and that was loud!

Matrix lights are impressive on these dark, wet evenings.

I’ll get a more detailed review very soon but for now, Bluetooth aside, very pleased.

 

[leedodds1]

Thanks for the comments, if it ever stops raining for long enough I’ll clean it & post some better pictures.

In the meantime we’re around 250 miles in now, slight issue with the MMI connectivity, the Bluetooth keeps dropping out or is not available, other than that no problems.

With all of the rain the reassurance of a Quattro system is obvious, fairly decent tyres probably helping as well, the Quattro sport differential (Not an option I would normally have considered for my own build spec) seems to make the nose of the car turn in so sharply, it really gives confidence.

With regards the performance well that is as expected (possibly better) these really are quick cars, I appreciate the engine or exhaust noise is not there but I’m not really missing it after my X3M and that was loud!

Matrix lights are impressive on these dark, wet evenings.

I’ll get a more detailed review very soon but for now, Bluetooth aside, very pleased.

Was the Quattro sport differential an extra?

Lee

 

[Schuey]

Was the Quattro sport differential an extra?

Lee

It’s standard on the Vorsprung, not sure on Black Edition or Standard S4? It’s listed on my build sheet but unclear on price?
None of that helps you I guess

 

[Nham68]

Lovely car. Great to see another 2020 s4 driver, I've had mine now for 4 months and love it. Enjoy.

how do you guys rate the Diesel S4 ? My B9 S4 is now 3.5 yrs old. Done 35K and its been a rock so far. I'd love to get a new one - just can't quite bring myself to the different coloured fuel pump.... so its either an M340i x drive, or as best late Petrol S5/S4 avant I can find.... problem is I ticked all the option boxes on my S4, which makes it hard to find a 1-2 year old petrol car with same options in the used market .. first world problem of course. Was looking at also at Mercedes shooting brake CLA, but not really taken by the externals.. I love the S4 avant Q factor...

 

[NevMan]

how do you guys rate the Diesel S4 ? My B9 S4 is now 3.5 yrs old. Done 35K and its been a rock so far. I'd love to get a new one - just can't quite bring myself to the different coloured fuel pump.... so its either an M340i x drive, or as best late Petrol S5/S4 avant I can find.... problem is I ticked all the option boxes on my S4, which makes it hard to find a 1-2 year old petrol car with same options in the used market .. first world problem of course. Was looking at also at Mercedes shooting brake CLA, but not really taken by the externals.. I love the S4 avant Q factor...

M340i xdrive all day long.....diesel! Pah

 

[motty225]

With what's the on the market currently I'd go for the m340 out of that list! My s4 has just turned 2 years old and I've ordered a polestar 2, so something completely different

 

[Schuey]

I moved from an X3M (Previously 335d) to the S4, I did consider the M340 but the S4 feels better inside, easier (relaxed) to drive and slightly better fuel economy. I have always believed Quattro offers better grip on a wet road than xDrive and in normal dry conditions the new S4 is just a good as the 3 series. The gearbox is the same ZF so pretty comparable.

Decent standard equipment means you don’t really have to spec much (anything?) to the S4 whereas BMW package up a lot of options. The Audi MHEV system is pretty slick, literally switches to coast mode and restarts and you would not know, other than the zero rpm & green indication light.

It’s a personal choice I know but I think the S4 TDI is a great car, probably too understated but I prefer that.

Don’t be put off by the diesel, the torque is super impressive and it’s very useable, I am not missing the X3M performance which was a huge concern when deciding if I should swap to the S4, but it’s rapid, effortless, easy to drive and I’m getting almost double the fuel economy. I’m only a few hundred miles in but it can shock a few cars with the performance.

BMW iDrive 7 is far more reliable than Audi MMI and it has the wheel but I’m getting used to the Audi touchscreen.

I like the Mercedes interiors but just never been able to convince myself to get one so I can’t really offer any comparison.

That said you could go the milk float option, plenty of them about now

 

[Nham68]

With what's the on the market currently I'd go for the m340 out of that list! My s4 has just turned 2 years old and I've ordered a polestar 2, so something completely different

that is precisely what I'd do if I had didn't have on street parking... it looks immense... I hope you really get on well with it... the M340i xdrive is an awesome piece of engineering, but darn ugly... whereas S5 Sportback is beautiful to look at.. (the petrol one)..

 

[Schuey]

that is precisely what I'd do if I had didn't have on street parking... it looks immense... I hope you really get on well with it... the M340i xdrive is an awesome piece of engineering, but darn ugly... whereas S5 Sportback is beautiful to look at.. (the petrol one)..

something about the appearance of the rear quarter window on the 3 that puts me off.

S5 TDI I was tempted by but I need the estate practicality.

 

[leedodds1]

how do you guys rate the Diesel S4 ? My B9 S4 is now 3.5 yrs old. Done 35K and its been a rock so far. I'd love to get a new one - just can't quite bring myself to the different coloured fuel pump.... so its either an M340i x drive, or as best late Petrol S5/S4 avant I can find.... problem is I ticked all the option boxes on my S4, which makes it hard to find a 1-2 year old petrol car with same options in the used market .. first world problem of course. Was looking at also at Mercedes shooting brake CLA, but not really taken by the externals.. I love the S4 avant Q factor...

I love it, like Schuey it was the diesel engine that attracted me to test drive the car. The pull from the low down torque it fantastic making the power very useable, it's a quick car yet will do 50mpg on long drive when needed. I do a lot of miles for work so it's the perfect blend for me. If I was going to a petrol engine I would have chosen the RS3 over the S4 petrol all day, it's a way better engine in my opinion.
I agree with the CLA shootingbrake, something about that car just doesn't look right.