S4 Avant - 1 Week

[JRO]

This is only my ever 2nd Audi, previous was an A7 Oil burner.

New S4 Avant spec.
* Misano Red with Grey Leather
* 19 inch V Spoke Wheels
* Lights & Vision Pack
* B&O Stereo
* Rear sun blinds
* Folding Mirrors
* Virtual cockpit
* panoramic sunroof

One week in and just over 500 miles completed, long term average is at 24.7 which is positive considering some short haulagon bursts trips to hear the exhaust fart.

Very happy with the car apart from the already stone chipped front bumper (felt sick when Spotted) during the first wash today.

Handling is great, but feel the Continental tyres could be better, previous cars have all had Mich Super Sports after OE tyres were exhausted.

Love how the car is understated, Google Maps and the virtual cockpit are certainly a great addition and so is apple car play.

Keyless entry for car like this should be standard (IMO) not sure I spent my. Only wisely on the stereo as at the moment all I concentrate on is the engine noise and that exhaust.

On average cover between 19-22k per year so looking forward to enjoying this for at least 30 months before the warranty expires.

One week in and loving the car.......

 

[Nham68]

Glad to hear you're loving it ! Me too.. for a diesel v6 to petrol v6.. my son keeps asking me to put in dynamic..

Amazed how smooth the ride is (I have adaptive). 1250 miles in 3 weeks and averaged 33.4 mpg.. so you must be caning yours ...

Headlights are amazing,,,

 

[JRO]

Glad to hear you're loving it ! Me too.. for a diesel v6 to petrol v6.. my son keeps asking me to put in dynamic..

Amazed how smooth the ride is (I have adaptive). 1250 miles in 3 weeks and averaged 33.4 mpg.. so you must be caning yours ...

Headlights are amazing,,,

LOL I didn't buy this not to enjoy it out of interest what fuel are you running use on with regards RON - I have been using Tesco Momentum 99 after reading reviews but interested in reading what others are using?

Agree with the headlights -

 

[Nham68]

LOL I didn't buy this not to enjoy it out of interest what fuel are you running use on with regards RON - I have been using Tesco Momentum 99 after reading reviews but interested in reading what others are using?

Agree with the headlights -

Local BP standard unleaded and super every third...

 

[JRO]

Do you notice a difference with the Super?

 

[Nham68]

Not really, I don't drive it like a devil, and too early to tell if it has a real impact...

 

[kennyboy993]

How are you guys running it in?

I plan to keep under 3k revs apart from the odd very short blast until 2k miles?


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[Nham68]

Been a good boy until 1000 miles...very gentle.. . then last 400 been having more and more blasts .. now at 1500 I consider it run in ...
Only completely floored it once... you just don't need to floor it .. that's the scary thing ..

 

[Riko0073]

Interesting that Audi advised that my S4 doesn't really need running in as long as it's up to normal running temperature then ok to give it some beans?

Is running in really needed on new cars these days?

To be honest though I'm keeping mine below 4K revs and only when it's warmed up.

Will soon be up to 1000 miles and will then gradually take her up to the red line over following few hundred miles.

 

[cuke2u]

I have read it is ok to drive a new car like you'd stole it, in reality what harms new engine is cylinder glaze created by racing an engine whilst it is cold, excessive high rpm continuously and letting it labour. When I was running my car in I used sport mode most of the time because it hangs on the gears.
But then it begs the question do we really keep our cars long enough for it to be a concern?

 

[Nham68]

Interesting that Audi advised that my S4 doesn't really need running in as long as it's up to normal running temperature then ok to give it some beans?

Is running in really needed on new cars these days?

To be honest though I'm keeping mine below 4K revs and only when it's warmed up.

Will soon be up to 1000 miles and will then gradually take her up to the red line over following few hundred miles.

Did you read the handbook ?
"A new vehicle should be run in over a distance of 1,500 km. For the first 1,000 km the engine speed should not exceed 2/3 of the maximum permissible engine speed - do not use full throt tle. From 1,000 to 1,500 km you can gradually increase the engine rpm and road speed"

 

[Riko0073]

I have read it is ok to drive a new car like you'd stole it, in reality what harms new engine is cylinder glaze created by racing an engine whilst it is cold, excessive high rpm continuously and letting it labour. When I was running my car in I used sport mode most of the time because it hangs on the gears.
But then it begs the question do we really keep our cars long enough for it to be a concern?

Did you read the handbook ?
"A new vehicle should be run in over a distance of 1,500 km. For the first 1,000 km the engine speed should not exceed 2/3 of the maximum permissible engine speed - do not use full throt tle. From 1,000 to 1,500 km you can gradually increase the engine rpm and road speed"

haha, clearly not!

I'm being sensible to a degree as said but sticking to 2-3k I am not, once up to temperature I see no harm in exceeding that but obviously not red lining and I'm trying to stick to 4K revs max.

I've done this with my last 2 new cars and never missed a beat or had any issues, although I've changed both within 2 years so who knows long term.

Cars plenty quick enough at those revs but looking forward to taking her higher after a few more hundred miles : )

 

[kennyboy993]

I have read it is ok to drive a new car like you'd stole it, in reality what harms new engine is cylinder glaze created by racing an engine whilst it is cold, excessive high rpm continuously and letting it labour. When I was running my car in I used sport mode most of the time because it hangs on the gears.
But then it begs the question do we really keep our cars long enough for it to be a concern?

I'd guess this is true and what's in the manual is there to increase the likelihood of long engine life - who really knows the benefit apart from the engineers eh, certainly not the marketeers.

Personally I have too much mechanical sympathy not to run it in.


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[cuke2u]

Well there is plenty of advice out there to help you and everyone is entitled to a opinion. Although I treated my car more gently in the first 1500 miles it isn't something I am really concerned about as the car will probably be swopped out in a couple of years having only done about 15000 miles...

 

[Nham68]

I'd guess this is true and what's in the manual is there to increase the likelihood of long engine life - who really knows the benefit apart from the engineers eh, certainly not the marketeers.

Personally I have too much mechanical sympathy not to run it in.


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Heat ..Expansion.
, new surface friction , tolerances.... etc..as a professional engineer , I'd recommend anything mechanical with moving parts, lubrication - don't hammer it from the off if you have any concerns on longevity..

 

[JRO]

867 miles in and it has been a joy, tried to run the engine in slowly but after 14 miles I just couldn't do it to myself. I agree with Riko, as long as the oil temp is good you should be safe.

One small issue is that the car doesn't feel as fast as it is travelling, this will be down to the way it handles and places down the power through the 4 wheels.

Hit the red line daily, but as I have said before I didn't buy this vehicle to become a Sunday driver.

Fuel economy is improving too, current long term is at 25.8 which is great considering the spirited driving.

So far, I feel this is money well spent..........that was until I saw the pictures of the new RS4.........currently trying to wear the wife down......wish me luck

 

[RichardMMM]

I collect mine in 2 weeks and I have no intention of running it in carefully, but I will always make sure the oil is up to temp.

 

[ub7rm]

'Gently' running the engine in could do more damage than harm. The piston rings depend on pressure being applied to them to properly bed into the cylinder walls. The engine starts life with very fine markings on the side of the cylinders to aid this process but soon wear off. If you baby the engine too much you wont generate enough pressure to really push the rings into the cylinder walls and they won't be sealed in properly. This leads to higher oil consumption etc.

You obviously do have to be mindful that the brakes and tyres are also new and need bedded in as are many other components. So don't be afraid to explore the rev counters range, but be sensible about it.

 

[Riko0073]

867 miles in and it has been a joy, tried to run the engine in slowly but after 14 miles I just couldn't do it to myself. I agree with Riko, as long as the oil temp is good you should be safe.

One small issue is that the car doesn't feel as fast as it is travelling, this will be down to the way it handles and places down the power through the 4 wheels.

Hit the red line daily, but as I have said before I didn't buy this vehicle to become a Sunday driver.

Fuel economy is improving too, current long term is at 25.8 which is great considering the spirited driving.

So far, I feel this is money well spent..........that was until I saw the pictures of the new RS4.........currently trying to wear the wife down......wish me luck

Totally agree about the speed, you just don't feel it in this car and getting up to 80-90mph is just effortless.

Yes new RS4 looks amazing, although I promised my wife I'd keep the S4 for at least 3 years given the S3 only lasted 1 1/2yrs!!...we will see ; )

 

[JRO]

That's one thing that is a little scary, the speed......in previous cars you knew you were motoring .....but in the S4 it's just so stable. It's only when you look down to the bottom right corner and your like......S**t

The S3 is such a great package for the money,

 

[Riko0073]

That's one thing that is a little scary, the speed......in previous cars you knew you were motoring .....but in the S4 it's just so stable. It's only when you look down to the bottom right corner and your like......S**t

The S3 is such a great package for the money,

Never felt confident in my S3 when pushing on, quite 'floaty' at speed, the S4 is just so planted and gives so much confidence. I haven't really pushed it to test the sports diff but I'm sure it will be great around the twisties!

The adjustable dampers are a wonder and soaks up the UK roads pretty well in comfort and solid but still with no crashing in dynamic so far.

 

[JRO]

I never opted for the Sports Diff but reading feedback on here think this was the option I should have had.

 

[Nham68]

I never opted for the Sports Diff but reading feedback on here think this was the option I should have had.

I think it really depends on the kind of driver you are : if you like to push a car close to the limit, might be a great option. If you just like to have a small bit of spirited fun that's well within the capabilities of the car (and driver) and the road , what's the point - it's already a really great handling car already...