A4 272 or S4?

[Broonie]

Evening all, I currently have a B8.5 2.0tdi quattro avant black edition plus, lovely car but at near 2 years old now I'm considering replacing it with something new and a bit more poke,

Question is, is the S4 worth the extra £3-4K plus more running costs than the 3.0tdi 272? I haven't driven the S4 yet but took a 272 for a drive today and was quite impressed with it! Smooth and plenty power for our needs,

Mileage wise it's the wife that drives it to her work each day and she works less than 10 miles away through other side of town so not a long commute and not above 40mph

If we went for the A4 it would be a black edition avant, and the S4 doesn't appear to be available as black edition but can be ordered with the black styling pack with other extras added that I like having

What would you do? I have a good idea what I'm going to go for but would like to hear pros and cons for both cars

One thing that annoys me is I can't get a black edition A4 with the 19" 5 v-spoke wheels that I have on my current car and like, only comes with the 5 spoke rotors or awful 18" wheels, I can order a s-line with the wheels I like and add the black styling etc but comes in more expensive, imo the 5 spoke rotors are pretty dated now and don't really suit the b9

 

[Spaceman_RS3]

The big diesel and dpf not going to even get hot on that journey I wouldn't have a diesel in your position.

 

[Broonie]

We have a diesel just now and at weekends we usually head into Dundee/Aberdeen both 50 mile away so I'm not that worried about the dpf, trying to work out if the their would be much difference in fuel economy in the real world,

Current car is 2.0tdi 190 and trip says average mpg from new is 34mpg, not great from a diesel but it's doing short trips through the week,

I do like the thought of a new S4 but at the same time I was impressed with the 272 diesel

It's going to come down to what deal I can get, I'm around £3k negative equity on the current car but happy to wait a wee while to be in a better position and knowing my luck I'll go order one and a month or 2 later they'll have huge deposit contributions on the very same car I ordered!

 

[scotty76]

S4 because if you can, you should.

 

[Daggerit]

I had the same dilemma and in the end I went for the S4 because I could get more car for the money. Doing things PCP meant that the monthly payments were actually better on the S4 with the various discounts and residual values.


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[THQuattro]

You need to test drive the S4 and then make your choice.

 

[Dunders]

I had the same dilemma and in the end I went for the S4 because I could get more car for the money. Doing things PCP meant that the monthly payments were actually better on the S4 with the various discounts and residual values.


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Same reason I went S4. Had it 3 days and loving it. As good a car as the 272 undoubtedly is (had an A5 3lt tdi a few years ago) I can't see it being a patch on the S4 emotionally. Of course it's personal choice and no way will the S4 get anywhere near the 272 on economy. Both great cars.

 

[V6_Man]

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[Telboy]

I came from a BMW M140 to an A4 272. M140 being lighter and a bit quicker than an S4, in the bone dry of course so not quite the same as your requested comparison, however happy to share my experiences thus far.

Loads of quality issues with the BMW ( 2 x rejected cars in 7 months) meant me coming back to Audi and an ex demo 272 came up for grabs at a really good price with loads of kit.

My mileage requirements for work are going up so the Audi was a good option, thus far best return has seen over 55mpg and around town just shy of 40mpg so fits the bill nicely (brim to brim calc).

It comes down to mileage me thinks as both cars are very good indeed.

S4, the noise, the noise and the noise hmmmm, yes please plus it's a very grown up can do all type of car, handles everything the world can throw at it and just goes, very well, certainly did on the test drive I had.

The 272 in real world driving, not much slower and can look as tasty as an S4 if you spec it right, loads of torque so in gear still really impressive, however what's more impressive has to be the economy,

Bottom line, try both and if economy is not important and you can afford one, simples - S4.

However, real world pace not far behind the S4 with great economy if that's important makes the 272 a great option.

 

[ub7rm]

The S4 is surprisingly frugal, it probably won't be that different to your outgoing tdi in terms of real world fill up costs.

 

[cuke2u]

B9 S4 Avant real world mpg https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/audi/a4-b9-avant-2015/s4-30-tfsi-354-quattro-tiptronic
B8 2.0l Avant Quattro https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/audi/a4-b8-avant-2008/20-tdi-170-quattro

 

[Daggerit]

Think that the real world S4 results might be slightly skewed so far judging by how much the engine improves in mpg after a few thousand miles, so I'd take that with a pinch of salt for a little while since there are members on here getting high 30's on a decent run.

Can't imagine you'd ever be able to say that the mpg compares to a 2.0L tdi version though. But then you'd also never be able to compare the noise or fun factor either so I guess it depends on what is more important for you.

 

[Broonie]

The more I think about this the more tricky it is! I've spec'd and priced both the a4 and S4 how I'd like them on carwow and the same dealer had gotten back to me and the difference in price is a measly £1350! Waiting on the salesman phoning me back to discuss, I'll need to take myself to my local Audi branch again this weekend and try a S4

Tried the 218 3.0tdi on Saturday in Dundee and went to Aberdeen and tried the 272 as Dundee didn't have one to hand, the difference was unreal between the 2! The same sort of jump in power again up to the S4 would be something else in a car like that! Plus higher revving, better sound...

My heart says go for the S4 but my half grown up and near fully bald head says go for the derv bus! I keep telling myself I still have my b5 S4 with its milltek system etc so I have that v6 turbo noise but it's nearly 20 years old now and just isn't as refined as the new one would be

Very tricky decision but as said I'm in no hurry and the longer I wait the better position financially I'll be especially once my wedding in 5 weeks is out the way! If anyone here is thinking of proposing, DONT! You'd be cheaper buying a new S4 outright and it will last more than one day! I'm sure it'll be a fine day though

Oh and another thing, sports diff? Worth the extra £1200??? It won't be driven like it's stolen, that's what the trusty old b5 is for but I don't want to have a spirited drive over the cairn and feel like it's not coming through bends that well

 

[Daggerit]

The price difference might only be £1,350 but that may in fact mean that the S4 is a bit cheaper in monthlies if you're taking it on a PCP deal due to the generally higher residuals. Good news if you want the S4.

As for the sports diff, I had the same dilemma. I read lots of reviews that say that it's noticeable on the road if you drive a little spirited but wasn't convinced so I asked to test one. I could actually feel it working coming off roundabouts more than anything else because of the slower speeds with a bit of a weight transfer and things. Seemed to feel like it pushed the car out a bit more. Hard to explain so you'd best try it for yourself if you can.

 

[V6_Man]

The price difference might only be £1,350 but that may in fact mean that the S4 is a bit cheaper in monthlies if you're taking it on a PCP deal due to the generally higher residuals. Good news if you want the S4.

As for the sports diff, I had the same dilemma. I read lots of reviews that say that it's noticeable on the road if you drive a little spirited but wasn't convinced so I asked to test one. I could actually feel it working coming off roundabouts more than anything else because of the slower speeds with a bit of a weight transfer and things. Seemed to feel like it pushed the car out a bit more. Hard to explain so you'd best try it for yourself if you can.

This is one thing I have slightly struggled to understand as well - the sports diff. On track, OK, I get it.
On a roundabout where you are doing 30-40mph even my B7 A4 holds and the traction kicks in. Never had understeer and it is not Quattro. If you are going any faster than 40mph on a roundabout (a tight one) then I don't think one needs an Audi with a Sportsdiff, you need to consult a mental health specialist
On A,B roads again, I never had any problem in my A4 B7 and therefore would expect my S4 to do better and which it does. And again, if you are going through these twisty and bendy roads on more than the national speed limit the I don't think having a sport diff is a guarantee for safety.


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[Daggerit]

This is one thing I have slightly struggled to understand as well - the sports diff. On track, OK, I get it.
On a roundabout where you are doing 30-40mph even my B7 A4 holds and the traction kicks in. Never had understeer and it is not Quattro. If you are going any faster than 40mph on a roundabout (a tight one) then I don't think one needs an Audi with a Sportsdiff, you need to consult a mental health specialist
On A,B roads again, I never had any problem in my A4 B7 and therefore would expect my S4 to do better and which it does. And again, if you are going through these twisty and bendy roads on more than the national speed limit the I don't think having a sport diff is a guarantee for safety.


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Totally agree with you that you don't need it, but having driven them both it's something that I wanted. It just felt nicer to drive and although I didn't sling it around like I was trying for an ASBO, I could still feel the difference. To me, being able to feel it at those slower speeds made me enjoy the car more and made me think that if I went on a spirited drive it would be even that little bit better.

But again, it's not like the S4 does a bad job and unless you're being ridiculous then you'd never really need it for understeer. I just like the overall feeling better and could afford it.

 

[V6_Man]

Totally agree with you that you don't need it, but having driven them both it's something that I wanted. It just felt nicer to drive and although I didn't sling it around like I was trying for an ASBO, I could still feel the difference. To me, being able to feel it at those slower speeds made me enjoy the car more and made me think that if I went on a spirited drive it would be even that little bit better.

But again, it's not like the S4 does a bad job and unless you're being ridiculous then you'd never really need it for understeer. I just like the overall feeling better and could afford it.

Agree with you on that mate and it was no criticism on you at all - just a general observation.

I think I have to make the car understeer once to find out exactly the point it happens and therefore how likely it is that it might happen again.


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[Daggerit]

Agree with you on that mate and it was no criticism on you at all - just a general observation.

I think I have to make the car understeer once to find out exactly the point it happens and therefore how likely it is that it might happen again.


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That's alright, it's how I took it.

Yeah, I think the only times I noticed understeer in the B8.5 I had was in the snow when messing about in empty carparks (like a chav) and once or twice around roundabouts in the wet. The car is extremely good at using the various systems to quell it though and, as you rightly say, at any normal speeds you wouldn't see understeer.

That's one of the things that always makes me laugh about car reviews and things when they bring up that Audi's understeer - how fast are they test driving these things at on the public roads?! Haha.

 

[V6_Man]

That's one of the things that always makes me laugh about car reviews and things when they bring up that Audi's understeer - how fast are they test driving these things at on the public roads?! Haha.

I agree mate, if anything I found it easier to get the understeer from a friend's MB. TBH, i did mange to get understeer from my S4 and it was on a roundabout - but - it was wet, it accelerated hard in first gear thinking I was in second and the tread on my rears was 2.5 compared to 5.5 on the front. Changed all round and no issues since.



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[Superted80]

Hi guys new to the site and wanted to share this

Brought an Audi s4 b6 avant yesterday and on the way home red oil light came on
Got car home and today after removing sump I find pick up pipes and sump full of instant gasket or gasket seal
Not sure of damage yet as new parts still to be fitted before compression test
But what the hell and who the hell has been working on this car
It isn't normal to use this stuff is it??

I know I'm more then likely posting on the wrong page up hopefully you guys can direct it to the right place

 

[cuke2u]

B6 forum is here http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/forums/a4-a4-cabriolet-s4-forum-b6-chassis.20/