Well, I recently sold my '04 Lightning and bought a Subaru. I am already having problems with the Subaru at 20k miles and I'm missing the "fast" factor, so I'm considering trading it in for an '04 s4 because they recently caught my eye. I would like to see how everyone on here likes theirs. I want to get an automatic '04 s4 and I was wondering what MPG you guys are getting in the city with your autos? I read some people are getting 9mpg in the city with their manuals which seems hard to believe and I'd consider just buying another Lightning if that was the case haha. How is reliability? I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance everyone!

 

Also, what could I expect a stock '04 s4 automatic to run in the 1/4th mile?

 

The B6 and B7 S4's (2003 and newer) are really amazing cars. The interior is great, AWD makes it practical all year round, its safe, the 4.2 is very reliable, and you get plenty of hp/tq.

But it seems in the city you shouldnt plan on getting more than 12-15mpg, if your lucky on the highway you might see a little above 20mpg. This is assuming you keep you foot off the throttle.... If you drive like a jackass youll be happy to get 8mpg.

I would highly reccomend getting a manual. Autos are useless, i dont even know why your asking about 1/4 mile and auto in the same thread lol. In an auto it will be about 14.00 seconds, in a manual you can get high 13's.

$.02 - SVT lightnings and S4's are in COMPLETELY different categories and arent easy to compare. If you want a fast, safe, reliable, practical, good looking car with a top notch interior get the S4. The svt is more like a base f150 with a blown 5.4l, not very safe or practical, unimpressive interior and good luck in the snow.

SVT content

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmHdwa6XP2g

 

I have an '04 S4 Avant with the 6M tranny. HP addict is right on with his statement about autos vs manuals, but if an Auto is what you need then that's that. I generally get better than advertised mileage because I'm pretty good finding what gear works for that purpose - that's unless I'm in a mood for acceleration. In the city I'm at or above 16 MPG most of the time on the highway, its as advertised ~21 - less if I need to get somewhere.

As far as the rest of the factors go, the S4 is top notch. The interior is the best I've been in. Its a great ride with good handling (for a heavy car). Pick-up is awesome and the car is solid at very high speeds. The Avant is great for carrying around lots of stuff too - if you're missing that aspect of the lightning.

 

I agree with hp, but also if you are looking for a fast car with room and care about mpg, i hate to say it but get a older b5 advant s4, or if you hate older cars get a new sti even if I hate to say it.

 

Its called compromise.

Relyablilty, Cost, Performance - You can only have 2

 

Thank you for your help everyone! I am looking at autos because I feel more comfortable driving them, manuals and I do not get along haha. So, basically in the city (where I would do most of my driving) with a pretty heavy foot, I could expect around 14-15mpg? Autos run low 14's?? I will have a warranty on the one I do buy so small mods are probably all I can do, but with small mods on an auto, could I get into the mid-high 13's??

 

B7 S4 on city driving with a heavy foot = < 8 mpg; Highway with heavy foot = < 15 mpg.

FYI = dont be too dismayed with the mpg, because, afterall you are getting an all wheel drive car with a big V8 that puts out 340 hp.

Dont even compare the mpg to twin turbos or even the M3. The twin trubos obviously will sip gas compared to the naturally aspirated V8. The M3 is rear wheel drive. Cars with full time 4wd or AWD consume more gas than a similar displacement car but FWD or RWD. (but you may have already known that after owning a Subbie).

 

there's not much you can mod out of the B6 or B7 S4 as far as engine and transmission are concerned. After the B5 model line, Audi was faced with a nightmare warranty situation and as such, Audi tried to design the next models to be harder to mod than the B5s.

Dont get me wrong though...if there's a will, there's a way. Ive seen some modded B6 and B7s here, just not probably to the same extent as the B5.

 

A 6speed does 0-60 in 5.3 sec and 1/4 mile in 13.7 while the auto does it in 5.6 and 13.9. And as for just fun to drive the 6 speed is 10000000x times more fun. Honestly you do not want an auto in this type of car. But if you're set on the auto, then you'll have no problem finding one worth your liking...

And yes, gas mileage sucks but if you're concerned about it you're in the wrong market.