I've had my lease S4 TDI saloon for two and a half months now and, after 2500 miles or so, it's time for a first review. It took the place of a leased Golf R Estate which I had for three years, so I feel I can make a pretty well informed comparison.
Exterior
Looks - I know they've divided opinion but I quite like the looks of the new A4/S4, though I think a darker colour suits it better (mine's Navarra Blue). I even quite like the narrow design 'vent' (I know it's not a real vent) at the base of the bonnet. The now standard '5-spoke-V' 19's are, I think, much nicer than the standard wheels of the previous S4. I won't dwell on the fake exhausts on the offside - they don't bother me greatly but they are a c*ap idea. The headlights are really good and have a fairly fast acting auto dip mode (faster than my MX-5, anyway). I'd have taken the matrix option if a) it wasn't a lease car and b) they were even an option at the time!
Interior
This is a really nice place to be with much better material, fit and finish than the Golf. No squeaks or rattles at all, now that I've worked out how to stop the front passenger seat belt buckle from banging against the side of the seat / B pillar by adjusting the buckle height. The seats are comfortable and there's decent room for five adults, marginally better than the Golf. Coming from an estate I was a little worried about boot space but it's more than enough. The only obvious issue is carrying large objects e.g. on the tidy tip run (which was never an issue in the Golf Estate). No spare wheel is a bit of a concern.
The infotainment screen is really good and is very easy to use when the car is stationary. However, it is awkward on the move as you have little option but to glance away from the road ahead. Sometimes this means I hit the wrong icon. I would have preferred the MMI wheel in addition. The VCP is very good indeed, with crisp, responsive graphics. The infotainment has been a bit glitchy - occasionally it doesn't let me log on as a user (or it takes a few attempts) and inexplicably it's switched itself off altogether a few times. The sound through the standard speakers is decent and an improvement on the Golf.
Fault
A few weeks ago whilst driving in slow traffic, the VCP suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree - very seasonal! There were no fewer than 7 faults listed: stabilisation control (ESC/ABS); TPMS tyre pressure; parking brake; drive system; Audi adaptive light; Audi pre-sense; and safety system! I tried the stop, switch off and re-start option but that had no effect. Fortunately, the car drove fine still so, long story short, I managed to get it to my dealership (whilst the fault should not have happened, they looked after me superbly). The fault was identified and fixed the next day, after a faulty speed sensor was diagnosed on the rear offside wheel (it was showing a permanent speed recording of just under 2500mph - the S4 is quick, but not that quick!). Anyway, all fixed now and fingers crossed no more issues.
Drive
The suspension is a little firmer than the Golf but only marginally. You can definitely feel the extra weight though: a) the S4 feels more 'planted', as well as being / feeling wider; and b) it's not as fleet a foot as the Golf: the Golf was a little more 'fun' to drive fast on the 'twisties'. However, the Audi is much the better car for driving in 'normal' / 'commuting' mode (but then my MX-5 is quite a bit slower than both and it's more 'fun' than either!). That said, the S4 definitely feels quite a bit faster: it has got truly immense mid-range poke. In gear and on the move, I'm pretty sure the Golf would be left firmly behind. TBH, I don't much miss the 'revving out' of the petrol Golf because by the time that the torque has been surfed, in any meaningful way, the speed limit has already been very well met. As such, the S4 is a much more relaxing car to drive but even quicker when the mood takes you. For a diesel it's got a surprisingly great grumble / roar on semi or full chat, much more pleasant than the four pot Golf even if it's not quite as good as a petrol V6. It does have a little diesel chatter on idle but several colleagues and strangers have commented on how nice the exhaust note sounds from the outside and had assumed it was a petrol V6 or V8...
Of course, the S4 TDI has a DPF and a couple of times I've been caught out switching off mid recycle (which isn't great for the car). Unlike my previous diesel car, it's hard to tell that the S4 is doing a recycle unless a) you remember to look out for the stop / start not kicking in; b) you monitor the engine temperature (it goes up to around 110C); or c) you open the door before turning off the ignition (and detect the telltale burning smell). Usually you can tell a diesel car is cleaning its DPF from a a short-term, noticeable drop in fuel economy but the drop in the S4 is pretty marginal (probably because it's much less in percentage terms, at least compared with a Skoda Octavia Scout!).
The brakes are very effective and progressive. The auto box is mostly very good. Every so often you can catch it out with a sharper throttle input but it's easy to get around using a paddle change or sports mode.
Running Costs
Despite a massive 17 month WLTP linked delay, I hung on to my lease order having originally ordered a petrol S4 (it was a good deal then and got even better with the price hike and all the additional standard equipment). I was expecting the insurance premium to be higher than the Golf (group 41 versus 34) but nevertheless was surprised when my existing insurer advised that they could not cover the S4 - fortunately I managed to get cover elsewhere for not too much more than the Golf. It's worth checking this point ahead of delivery (or order!). I'd quite expect many people to scoff at my next comment bearing in mind I'm talking about an 'S' but I've found the mild hybrid quite intriguing in that it encourages me to get the engine to switch off whilst still moving, saving fuel. The battery doesn't provide any drive but it does keep all the other systems going when you're foot is off the gas (like a long coast down hill). I've managed well over half a mile without the engine on at all! Foot off the gas and approaching a junction / roundabout (the car tells you this automatically, using SatNav information, via the by displaying a green 'foot off the gas' icon in the VCP), you can also feel a stronger degree of engine braking as the battery regenerates.
So, finally the MPG (for most buying a diesel S4 this would likely be a pretty major consideration). Much of my driving is a reasonably tame 25 mile commute, mainly on A / B roads with a little town driving too. The Golf R averaged 31mpg. The S4 has less than 2500 miles on the clock so I'm expecting / hoping it's current 38mpg to improve. Still, despite Shell V Power diesel being 3ppg more than V Power petrol, it's saving me a reasonable if not earth shattering £31 per month.
Summary
I agree with most of the online video reviews. The S4 TDI is not a hugely exciting car. But it is a very fine, and very, very fast, car: a really good all rounder and absolutely perfect for what I use it for - commuting and family duties, with an occasional blast. I got a great deal on it and running costs are a little less than the Golf, even taking the increased insurance premium into account (I've also got a free service to look forward to, courtesy of my Audi CS following my order delay complaint).
Indeed, apart from the one inexplicable fault, I'm really pleased with it. Here's to another 22 months. HNY!
