S4 substitute?

I

imported_timwiti

Guest
I need to replace my S3. Can't quite afford S4 but have seen a A4 Avant Sline quattro 190bhp with a few extras. looks the part but dissapointed by the performance - felt a bit boring! should I wait till S4 prices drop or live with the S line?
Are all 04 SLines 190bhp and are they rare?
Any other suggetions for an S3 replacement with 5 doors?
 
Hi Timwiti and welcome to the forum. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

All A4 B6 S-lines are 1.8 turbo 190 bhp engines, but could be re-mapped if you wanted to go down that route.

Some other alternative 5 doors could be a Golf R32, new Golf GTI (take a test drive), A3 Sportback 3.2Q or 2.0TFSI, A4 3.0Q Sport.

Is your budget around 19-22K ?
 
Budget could stretch to 25-28k but not if running costs are sky high.

Golf GTI - 6 month waiting list last time I visited VW - not an option

Golf R32 - exhaust pipes in middle mean I can't fit a towbar I think?

A3 sportback - 3.2 - with decent spec its up in the S4 price range. doesn't look speacial

2.0TFSI - too new, hard to find one with leather

A4 3.0 - not driven one - seem to be quite rare - most seem to have low spec - small alloys/no leather/no Sline styling

S4 is really the only substitue - too damm expensive though - could get A4 and wait for prices to drop or run S3 for another year.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I need to replace my S3. Can't quite afford S4 but have seen a A4 Avant Sline quattro 190bhp with a few extras. looks the part but dissapointed by the performance - felt a bit boring! should I wait till S4 prices drop or live with the S line?
Are all 04 SLines 190bhp and are they rare?
Any other suggetions for an S3 replacement with 5 doors?

[/ QUOTE ]

A Re-Map will get you to about 230+ bhp and 230+ lbft and make the drive a little more exciting.
But nowhere near your S3! It's a shame Audi didn't put the 225 engine in the B6 S-Line - That really would've been something!

I agree the standard car has a very flat torque curve and makes for a boring drive.

The Re-Map's well worth it . IMO

BUB /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
 
The S-Line has sold now anyway! Looks like I'll be keeping the S3 a while longer. not such a bad thing - except for the wife who has to sit in the back while child seat is in front.

didn't think much to the stereo or the gearbox either

RS4 starting to look a little dated? no warranty on high miles = big bils on a car like that.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Didn't think much to the stereo or the gearbox either

RS4 starting to look a little dated? no warranty on high miles = big bils on a car like that.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think Symphony and Bose are a must have on the A4 - Mine sounds fantastic.

Agree gear-change not the best. I'm off to Florida next week and hope to pick up a AMS ShortShifter. Should help out a little.

RS4 Dated? NO WAY /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
It's a timeless classic already and still looks fresh in my eyes. I guess 380bhp a V6 Bi-Turbo and Quattro help! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

As for 22k for one - No thanks. That's really scraping the barrel.

I could've just stretched to 30k+ when I got my car and good RS4 territory.

But the running cost's would've been horrendous - They really are Big Boyz Toyz /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cry.gif

BUB
 
i agree with the 190bhp being a bit dull to drive but once remapped ive heard it changes the car alot /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I would have thought you would get an 03 03 S4 for £28k quite easily. With their 19k mileage service intervals they are not too expensive to keep on the road and any 03 is likely to have been recently serviced.

FWIW, trade on an 03 is c£25k. You'll find one if you look hard enough!
 
What about an E39 M5?

A absolutelty fantsic car, easily the best I have ever driven and you could pick up a nice one for £20-22K with about 40,000 on the clock. No more expensive to run that a S4, quicker, more fun, more luxurious and more space. I know its a BMW and this is an audi forum but those M cars are serious something special.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would have thought you would get an 03 03 S4 for £28k quite easily. With their 19k mileage service intervals they are not too expensive to keep on the road and any 03 is likely to have been recently serviced.

FWIW, trade on an 03 is c£25k. You'll find one if you look hard enough!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto, I've seen plenty 03 S4's around that you could pick one up that has just had its first AVS for around £26-30K.

Try looking at Autotrader, plenty on there. Go on Timwiti, take the plunge, I've done it and am far from bankrupt moving from S3 to S4. Ideal time is when yours is due for a combination of road tax, tyres, insurance or service, then you'll feel the benefit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ok.gif

Autotrader
 
@bbg52, whats your S4 like on fuel ?
I too, am thinking of swapping my S3 for an S4.

Chris.
 
Last week I had to revert to putting £45 of fuel in which is just over 3/4 of a tank of Optimax at 95.9p (approx 47 litres). It's giving me somewhere in the region of 220-240 miles dependent on how heavy footed I am.

Not bad really, S3 would only do marginally more, I was probably in direct comparison spending a fiver a week less in petrol for te same mileage.

On long journeys will get 350-360 from a tank whereas S3 was around 400-410 max to give you a decent example.
 
Found a March 03 for 28k - 21k miles but low spec.
full leather, parking sensors, cruise are the only extras

but no -
heated seats!!!
BOSE
multichanger


Can a concert radio/cd be replaced for the larger symphony multichanger or sat nav?
 
seems like the S4 is not too bad on fuel if your careful /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

a4quat
S4
Replies
51
Views
5K
Marc1
Marc1
I
S4
Replies
9
Views
1K
Just Plain Old
Just Plain Old
C
S4 Steering
Replies
11
Views
962
dualmono21
D
TURBOTRONICS
S4 SEAT
Replies
2
Views
995
TURBOTRONICS
TURBOTRONICS
9
S4 honeycomb
Replies
3
Views
1K
quattrogone
quattrogone
Top
Back