Audi S4 (B6) Thoughts after 18 months of ownership

[Tizzy]

Well the S4 went today, and my Aud driving days will shortly be passed when the 320d arrives early next month!

I thought it might be interesting for some, especially those who might be considering an S4 now that prices are beginning to soften, if I jotted down a few of my thoughts musings and observations after running an S4 for 18 months, so here goes:

General Driving: Well it's got a V8 - first one I've ever had (and probably the last given todays fuel costs ) but I'd always wanted to have a V8 powered uber-saloon car and generally it didn't disappoint. The S4's V8 is actually quite subtle in terms of sound delivery, particularly from inside the car - so the Milltek systems fitted by many on here (myself included) are a worthwhile addition, as it increases the noise without making it in any way obtrusive - visually the larger exhaust tips also look far better than the rather small standard ones as well!

Performance: Despite what some have said on here be under no doubts, the S4 is a very quick car indeed - especially in a straight line - I often said it was easily as quick as my Boxster S - but only on the straights. The Handling on twisty roads to be frank often disappointed me - it never felt other than very nose heavy (and I drove several examples on differing tyres) and often could get upset by tightening bends with uneven surfaces - really push on and grip could be lost - even with quattro. It is not a car that I would ever have called nimble.

The engine pulls well, but you really have to rev it hard - the best power is well up the rev range, which is no problem because it likes to rev & keep on revving! The gearbox is sweet and easily as good as a Porsche.

Unfortunately the engine's appetite for revs brings me to one of the car's greatest weaknesses - running costs : Now I've been lucky enough to own some fairly expensive and nice cars - two new Boxster's and an early 996 Carrera 2 come to mind for starters. I went into S4 ownership with eyes wide open, I didn't expect it to be cheap! But I'll make no bones about it, the S4 is easily the most expensive car to run that I've ever owned (to date!). I've never owned a Ferrari, but many have said to me that you need to be sure that you can afford to run a Ferrari before ever buying one! The S4 certainly is no Ferrari, but owning one is a seriously expensive proposition - especially as it gets older. Fuel Economy is very well documented on these pages, so I won't dwell much on that - suffice to say that 26mpg is good & 18 is the more normal day to day figure. Oil Consumption is another one to watch - mine would have a litre every 3,500 miles without fail. I got into the habit of always checking the dipstick before and after any long journeys.

Tyres are another hit - the heavy front end chews the inside edges of the front tyres through to the cords every 12K miles on mine - and that was with the quattro alignment done annually (at £120 -150 each time I might add).

Servicing: I've never known a car cost so much to service - my last 3rd AVS, was just shy of £900 - admittedly that was with front tyres and front brake discs. I had something similar done on my 996 - it was £650! Audi main agents know how to charge and the standard of workmanship can be variable - seek out a reputable independant if your car is out of warranty.

The build quality of the car is unimpeachable - it's an Audi after all. The standard spec for a £40K car is somewhat meagre, the DVD Nav is a worthwhile option indeed and enhanced my driving pleasure with the car considerably. The recaro interior looks great and the front seats are very comfortable - however for me they never went low enough - even the B7 SE I'm driving now has a much lower driving position - getting back in the S4 felt like I was perched another 2 feet in the air!

The car is incredibly tough and will take just about anything you can throw at it - it excels at barnstorming down open French (or preferably German) motorways at huge speed all the time feeling utterly composed - as a GT car for two or three people and their kit, it's an excellent proposition - as long as there is a plentiful supply of Super Unleaded outlets en-route.

In Summary: - am I glad I've owned an S4? - yes absolutely! - it has been an experience. Would I ever get one again (regardless of changes in driving circumstances) - no - been there, done that, move on. Not something I can say about the Boxster S for instance - where I would have another one tomorrow if circumstances permitted. Finally was I sad to see it go - to be really honest, no not at all - I was actually, sadly, thinking of the reduction in the cost of my motoring.

[Golfer]

Nice Honest reviw Tizzy.

[lmmlmmam]

You've quite accurately summed up my feeling on the S4 as well.

A V8 was an important right of passage and I'm glad I've had one. Without the Milltek I think I would've sold it much sooner. I don't see me hankeing after another one, and the prospective ownership costs of a RS4 put me off that.

The Boxster is a very different prospect offering many more raw thrills. Clearly it lacks the practicality and I now run a second car to plug that gap (although it's not getting used much at the moment).

[P_G]

Glad you enjoyed it Tizzy. It does have its down sides, but for me it is by far the best car I have owned as it gives me decent compromise between practicality and performance. It isn't an out and out sports car, but probably costs me less that what it would to run two cars that the S4 serves in purpose.

Dosappointed to hear your fuel consumption though, mine is regulalry returning 23+mpg although I imagine that is aided by full system S/S exhaust and remap.

Even managed to do Newcastle to Birmingham and back on a tank + £5 this week and suffice to say I wasn't hanging around.

[deanobeano]

Nice one. Having just come out of a V8 5 series (545) I can say that there is no substitute for a V8!

OK, the Bimmer was quieter than a S4, but I think it handled as well as a S4 and was just as quick! (with a remap to 340bhp) it went like stink.

And the good bit... I averaged 28MPG - you can't get that in a S4!

[Chav]

The fuel tank range of the S4 is a joke. They need to fix that sharpish. Going to a petrol station every other day is a PITA!

[Scotty]

I don't think a car the size of the S4 needs a bigger tank. If you're filling it everyday then maybe it's a penalty for being so enviromentally unfriendly.