I have noticed that my new S4 (B6) makes a whining noise when it is moving. The sound is not very noticable from the inside but when moving in 1st and 2nd gear you hear a fairly pronounced whine. It almost sounds like a supercharger whine. Does anyone else get this sound?

 

Yes.

I asked the dealer about it and demonstrated for him (In neutral, obviously) a couple of days after I got it. It's almost as if there are two soundtracks: The V8 rumble (Not as impressive as my Camaro V6 for some reason though), and the rev whine, as if things weren't as loose as they should have been. He gave me the standard 'they all do that' line, but I've no reason not to take him at face value.

Considering how much I hear people raving in the reviews about the noise from the V8, frankly, I'm disappointed. Then again, there are things like 1978 Trans Ams running around here, which puts things in perspective.

NTM

 

give me the sound of a DOHC multivalve German V8 over the sound an OHV American V8 any day of the week. i guess we all have our tastes and biases though.

 

I like the s4 engine note, but it is a bit on the subtle side...in fact way on the subtle side.

I have heard a few with catback mods that sound sweet...thinking about going to a miltek non-resonated system.

 

i haven't heard one with an aftermarket exhaust system yet, but based on some of the sweet systems i've heard for the B5, i can only imagine what the B6 will sound like.