Comparing S4 / A4 3.2 avant

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rhodri

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Narrowed down my want list to one of the above cars. I have found one of each in very good condition.

The S4 has just over 90k with FSH and well looked after. 55 plate lower tax bracket, S line kit without GPS. Offered for just over 6k.

The A4 avant 3.2 has only 60k miles again FSH. S line kit but no leather seats. 56 plate higher tax bracket. GPS unit. 4.5k wanted.

Insurance is around 50 more for the S4, tax is more for the v6. According to parkers etc, mpg is a 15 urban for the s4 vs 18 for the v6.

Most of my driving will be short distance 3-4 days a week some weekend trips. Would like to see the v6 with leather seats and lower tax but the s4 is slightly higher mileage than I hoped for.

Would be great to hear current owners thoughts. Want one this week ideally.

Thanks
 
Hiya. I’ve never owned the 3.2 so can’t really say much about them.
Ive had a 2.0 and my dad has a 3.0tdi, I now run an 05 s4. Had it since October. Not had any major issues (my missus might disagree) but running costs aren’t crazy. I get roughly 19mpg and that’s pretty mixed driving style. It does get through a litre of oil every 1000 miles but from what I’ve read that’s pretty common. Are you looking at manual or automatic? I spent ages mulling over the 4.2 and saw that the auto’s were returning a better mpg down to the gearing. I love every second I’m in the s4 tho!
 
Hi Sam

Thanks for that. I'm only looking at autos currently, so that's good news.

Think I'm more attracted to the S4 given the 3.2's lack of leather seats and lower tax. I do like the look of the double din GPS unit from the 3.2 so may have to upgrade if i go for the S4.

The more i read about (and watch on YouTube), the more i love the S4 but tbh both sound gorgeous!
 
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Would be a good excuse to upgrade the unit with a more modern one with CarPlay etc.

Yeah I do like the leather seats in the s4, very comfy!! Mine has similar mileage to the one you’ve seen, I’m very happy with it, nice comfy cruiser but when you want it they just pick up and go. I’m definitely biased towards the s4 so I’ll say go have a look that one.

I have recently serviced mine with Fuchs Titan pro 5w40 and it’s oil consumption has dropped to be honest!!
 
Having owned both a 3.2 and the s4, although both in manual format, they are totally different cars you really need to drive both back to back and decide. There's around 3-4 mpg difference between them i currently get 21mpg on the s4 25mile mixed commute.
The issues are pretty much the same for both cars, timing chain being the main issue so good oil change history is essential. The v6 is fsi so suffers from carbon build up which isn't an issue on the s4.
There is no real tuning for the v6 and only a little for the v8, in this country at least.

In my mind the s4 is miles better but it is also a ticking time bomb with clutch or chains being an engine out job. Parts alone are nearly £1k for the full chain and tensioner kit. I'm planning doing an engine out full overhaul on mine but the cost of the mods upgrades and overhaul puts it firmly in rs4 territory but then again rs4 have their own set of issues.
 
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i was going to ask about chain issues. From what I have read both 3.2 and 4.2 have potential chain/tensioner problems and if you're unlikely with that, it's an engine out job for either to fix.
 
Just buy a 2.0 tfsi special edition, at least you're only dealing with a straight 4 cylinder lump...:icon thumright:
 
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Out of the two, go for S4, you'll always wish you had more power if you get the V6 and you can retro fit the sat Nav for few hundred pounds. If you get the V6 you'll always think, this sounds great, imagine if it was a V8! If the V8 goes wrong it's going to be expensive, but V6 won't be cheap either. If running costs is a concern, then forget them and go for 2.0T.

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
 
running cost is not a concern. I am just intimidated at the fact the chain / tensioners could go on the S4, especially given it's coming up to 100k and it will cost a fortune to fix. Plus it's private so no warranty.

I am reading that the tensioner issue is also there on the 3.2 but given the mileage, it's seems less likely.

Both cars have great history, so that should rest my mind!
 
I went for the V6, drove both loved the S4 for everything it was and would still buy one now BUT I wanted a manual Avant and the perfect V6 came up with 1 owner and 40k on the clock so it was a no brainer for me.

Depends on what you want in the car, S4 gets all the bells and whistles along with the V8 and the V6 is something of a disliked cousin - underpowered and not needed against a tuneable 2.0T and V8 S4 but I’m a fan.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
thanks. yeah i can imagine i would be the same and fall in love the s4 having test driven the v6 already and smiling. The v6 has sold now so decision is a little easier. Just got to get over the timing chain scaryness
 
Just so you know...

...The 3.2 V6 FSI is fitted with the same timing chain setup as the 4.2 V8 in the S4. Replacement is along the lines of the timing chain service in the S4, so an engine out job too.
 
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