My S4 thread

Chiefbadger said:
Since I sold my S4 I've been really regretting it. Bought the A6 with the same engine, but it felt a million miles away from the S4 as a total package. So . . . I've now got a golf r estate to replace the S4.

I just thought it might be interesting for some to hear a compare and contrast from anyone that has mulled it over.

First off, even with the brand new facelift of the golf, I think the B8 S4 is still the nicer place to be. Sure the dash/cockpit is a little dated, but fit/finish/materials etc are all still a notch up on the audi.

Overall body/finish etc too is still a notch up on the audi. Some messy welds - particularly around the boot/roof when open - are quite apparent on the golf.

Otherwise though - really impressed. It's still very tight as only done a few hundred miles, but the 4cyl sounds much better than expected and pulls very hard. Less low down linear torque, but revs out nicely. Feels a bit stiffer than the S4 too although I had the adaptive dampers on the S4 but don't have DCC on the golf.

Interestingly my wife said - this feels just like the S4 when she drove it for the first time.

All in - lower quality in a lot of places, but a lot of kit - ACC, new dash etc and feels far more me than the A6.
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I really like these golfs so thumbs up on your purchase. Autocar did an article where they pitched one against a B8 RS4 and they rated the golf higher!

Interestingly the Golf R is in the top 5 cars in the uk (according to Autocar!) while the new S4 has been identified as one not to buy due to its lack of soul!
 
longp2 said:
I really like these golfs so thumbs up on your purchase. Autocar did an article where they pitched one against a B8 RS4 and they rated the golf higher!

Interestingly the Golf R is in the top 5 cars in the uk (according to Autocar!) while the new S4 has been identified as one not to buy due to its lack of soul!
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Yes, I've now seen a few reviews of the B9 S4 (or S5 derivatives) that suggests it's become a bit characterless. One of the things I've always liked about mine is its understatedness, but I'm wondering if it's gone a step to far in the latest iteration. Aside from that, I'd not be in a rush to swap a supercharger for a turbocharger, or dual-clutches for a torque converter.
 
Thanks @Chiefbadger I always wondered how the R compared. My wife has a new Golf albeit only the 1.4 but the level of kit is impressive. ACC is fantastic! I have a sneaky suspicion the R is slightly quicker to 60 as well.
 
2367b4ec5e6aef13c608c3adcaeac757.jpg


The lighting on the sills and the door cards is a nice touch too :)


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scotty76 said:
Just a quick update to say that the brake pedal feel has improved massively since the brake fluid change. So IMHO 3 years seems to be too long for the first change. It's every 2 years thereafter so odd the first change is longer.
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I wasn't going to get mine changed at the 2 year service, but then when I was there, Mark asked if I wanted it done and I agreed. So glad that I did because same as you the braking has been better since. I don't think he was aware that the service schedule states that the first one should be after 3 years - his opinion was that it should be every 2 years. The best we could think of is that in the factory the fluid is put into the brake system in an environment where there is less likely to be any contamination (I think moisture is the danger) so 3 years is quoted, but after that and the system has been 'opened' the contamination is more likely. But we agreed that if that's the reason it seems fairly weak, and based on my experience 3 years would be too long.
 
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So in this hot weather returning to the car in the work's car park I managed to burn my finger on the metal bit of the S-Tronic gear lever. Crikey that thing gets hot. :D
 
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scotty76 said:
So in this hot weather returning to the car in the work's car park I managed to burn my finger on the metal bit of the S-Tronic gear lever. Crikey that thing gets hot. :D
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@scotty76 - Bet you could fry eggs on your roof to mate lol
I had difficulty holding the steering wheel when mine was parked in the sun on Sunday. Madness !
 
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Worked at home today so never got in the car. Should be safe from burns tomorrow as I go to work at 5.30am and park underground. :)
 
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Just got to work; froze my hand on the metal bit of the S-Tronic gear lever. Crikey that thing gets cold. :tearsofjoy:


(Sorry @scotty76, couldn't resist. :) )
 
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Another man logic reason for changing my car! Use to burn my hand quite often, but now B9 has a nice leather T bar shifter so didn't burn yesterday, just sweated
 
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Got a call from Reading Audi asking if I could be tempted out of my PCP deal early. Pointed out I'd settled ages ago... "(pause) oh erm right". :)
 
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Were you tempted to also say that you're not happy to deal with Reading Audi because of staff bullying?
 
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Dippy said:
Were you tempted to also say that you're not happy to deal with Reading Audi because of staff bullying?
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I was indeed. As I said previously I won't be going back. Frankly I wasn't in the mood to talk to them at 17:45 on a Friday so I kept the call short. :)
 
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scotty76 said:
Got a call from Reading Audi asking if I could be tempted out of my PCP deal early. Pointed out I'd settled ages ago... "(pause) oh erm right". :)
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Fail


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Chiefbadger said:
Since I sold my S4 I've been really regretting it. Bought the A6 with the same engine, but it felt a million miles away from the S4 as a total package. So . . . I've now got a golf r estate to replace the S4.

I just thought it might be interesting for some to hear a compare and contrast from anyone that has mulled it over.

First off, even with the brand new facelift of the golf, I think the B8 S4 is still the nicer place to be. Sure the dash/cockpit is a little dated, but fit/finish/materials etc are all still a notch up on the audi.

Overall body/finish etc too is still a notch up on the audi. Some messy welds - particularly around the boot/roof when open - are quite apparent on the golf.

Otherwise though - really impressed. It's still very tight as only done a few hundred miles, but the 4cyl sounds much better than expected and pulls very hard. Less low down linear torque, but revs out nicely. Feels a bit stiffer than the S4 too although I had the adaptive dampers on the S4 but don't have DCC on the golf.

Interestingly my wife said - this feels just like the S4 when she drove it for the first time.

All in - lower quality in a lot of places, but a lot of kit - ACC, new dash etc and feels far more me than the A6.
e09f9ced7d20f77d3d8fab415b386c0f.jpg



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Would definitely be interested in hearing some more comparisons and comments regarding how these 2 compare.. looking at potentially swapping mine towards the end of the year, and nailed the options down to a golf r estate or an S4 avant.. both tick various different boxes; so hearing from someone whose owned both back to back would be most useful..


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I'll start a new thread so as not to derail this!!


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This has got to be one of the best miles per tank I've got. 344.1 miles. :)

IMG 20170714 123812259
 
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jdp1962 said:
Who did you get to tow you, @scotty76? :)
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You know me Jeff, Driving Miss Daisy! :D This is just over a week's worth of runs to work. The M4 in the mornings is pretty chocker so average speed is low. If it cheers you up it was reading 70 miles remaining when I turned off the M4 but I managed to lower it to the 45 left you see in the picture in a little over 4 miles! :D
 
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Haha nice job I just reset mine when I filled up the other day I'll post my results soon, very soon :tearsofjoy:
 
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There's still at least 70miles left on that range too :tongueclosed:
 
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scotty76 said:
This has got to be one of the best miles per tank I've got. 344.1 miles. :)
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Get a stage 2 done mate - then you won't want to look at the miles per tank ever again. Just fill-up, right foot down, enjoy!
 
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audi upgrades
well its not looking good for the 344 mile challenge iv got 75 on the range and 176 on the trip and the 45 mile picture evidence is just one day at work away :tearsofjoy:
 
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Sounds familiar and just about right


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To remove the lid for the screen wash from the engine bay you will need:

- 1 x big stick
- 1 x big blob of Blu Tac

Method: fish until you catch it sprinkling the odd curse as you go.

IMG 20170725 195936787 3120x1755
 
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So here's a new annoyance. I seem to have a rattle from the driver's window. I'm not sure if it's the window itself or the trim around it. Hard to diagnose as it doesn't do it at idle, only whilst on the move. Pressing my elbow against the glass whilst driving stops it. :) I know it must be possible to adjust the window regulator as I had a different rattle fixed when the car was under a year old and that was the solution. Not sure I fancy my chances of a warranty fix at this late stage (into year 4 - still in warranty). Anyone had anything similar?
 
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I have a rattle coming from the passenger side two weeks after it came end of warranty. While cleaning it over the weekend I noticed the tweeter trim is a bit lose and no matter what I try it doesn't go away.

In your case It might be the trim around the glass both inside and out. And the fact that it goes away when you press it it is likely the foam like thing which holds the glass.


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Raining today and guess what? No rattle! Officially puzzled now as I already went round all the seals with my gummi pflege stick!
 
Still got the annoying rattle from the driver's window. Going to wait til payday then book it in for my indie to look at. Don't fancy chancing Audi. They might wash it and fail to fix it. :D
(I've been reading the B9 forum, there seems to be a lot of dealer related paint wrecking going on at the moment)
 
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scotty76 said:
Still got the annoying rattle from the driver's window. Going to wait til payday then book it in for my indie to look at. Don't fancy chancing Audi. They might wash it and fail to fix it. :D
(I've been reading the B9 forum, there seems to be a lot of dealer related paint wrecking going on at the moment)
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. Tis must be annoying @scotty76. Fingers crossed, I am sure they'll find a fix for it


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Hi Scotty,

Very nice post! Great to see you're active in it even still. I think your story is the path I will also be taking. My first real car was an "all extras" Peugeot 508 which was comfort. Moving from that to this SLine was a worry as it doesn't offer as many luxuries.

That didn't matter, I fell in love at the dealership and knew it was to be mine. Just recently, the same day i considered downgrading to save money it brought a smile to my face and I immediately changed my mind.

Finally getting my chip sorted has motivated me to take the S4 route, as you say the A4 range covers a lot of ground. Mine has had wardrobes inside, covered an EU road trip and even been on the Nurburgring.

I've been an American Muscle guy ever since Transformers but now my dream includes an RS6.

I'm a while off yet myself, I'm 23 so insurance probably massive for an S4 plus finance on my A4 has a while to go and want to enjoy the new chip for a bit!

Would you say it is worth pushing for an S4 or is a chipped A4 a comfortable place to be for a while?
 
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@SeanTFSI as you probably saw I had a remapped (Shark Performance) B7 2.0 TFSI before this and it was a great car. I'm sure you'll enjoy the chipped car. I always wanted an S4, something about the supercharged engine drew me in. The tuneability of these cars is immense. Having owned one for just over three years I'm still not feeling the need to tune it. It's good enough at the moment in standard form. In fact I would say this is as far up the ladder as I'm likely to go. I have a feeling an Octavia VRS estate is in my future but not yet. :D

At 23 I'd wait a bit before getting an S4. Get used to the A4 before moving on up. Plus it'll give more time for the second hand prices on S4s to drop a bit. Also, and this is just me, if I had given my 23 year old self an S4 I would probably have crashed it fairly quickly. I just didn't have the experience I have now nor the bank of stupid experiences to learn from to drive it safely. ESP and TCS are good, but they aren't magic, they can't always save you.

With the arrival of the B9 S4 I wonder if there will be a special place in people's hearts for the supercharged S4. The B9 is a great car with, from what I've read, a better exhaust sound and a nicer interior. However I think the power delivery and tuneability of the supercharged S4 may make it an option enthusiasts seek out for some time to come.
 
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