Here we go - Post #1.

I'm in the market for a new car. Not really sure what I want but a new S4 seems to top my list. The other cars I'm looking at are the CTS-V, STS, IS350 and the M3. At 31, I'm not ready to move to a pure luxury car. Presently I have a 04 STi. I totally love the performance of my STi but it is now 2 years old and I'd like to have something a little a little more classy (for lack of a better word.) I'd love to go down and test drive an S4 but I'm very worried I'd want to buy it right then and there, so I'm going to do a little research first.

Here are some of my questions:
How bad is the road noise with this car? My STi is loud no matter what tires I run. What is kind of MPG are you guys getting? Is the ride stiff and ruff? How does this car sit with the insurance companies? My STi insurance goes up every 6 months. How is the back seat room? Can people ride in the back comfortably? How are Audi service departments? Is it a challenge to get dealer warranty work done on the S4?

Thanks for your time,
Don

 

Im in a similar situation. I currently have an 01 M3 & am looking for an 04 S4 avant to use as a bussiness car. Im keeping the M3 ( after a few months ill decide if i can live without it...if i can ill sell it & get a new M3 in 08 ) but I have all the same questions as you about the S4. What year are you loooking for? Let me know what you find out & ill do the same. Thanks

Jamie

 

I'll see if I can answer some of these:

1. Road noise is very low. This is a luxury car after all. You can't compare an S4 to an STi. German vs. Japanese are just completely different.
2. For the 4.2 V8 people are ranging from 13-21 depending on driving style and conditions.
3. Ride is firm but not jarring. German cars are very well balanced for ride and handling.
4. Insurance can be high because of the V8 but with a good record it's not that bad. I pay $1900 a year in the New York area.
5. Back seat depends on who is sitting in the front. With 6 footers in the front the back should be limited to people under 6 foot.
6. As with any car company ever service department is different. I haven't have any good luck at my dealer so far but I am hoping that will change.
7. Can't say on warrenty work because I haven't needed any.

 

I'll confirm what Meradin says;;;;;

1) With the stock tires there is very little interior noise.....
2) I have 16k miles on my 2004, and am averaging 18.7mpg...that is 80% highway miles.
3) Ride in my opinion is very firm...great on highways and smooth road surfaces. Kind of a pain on the streets of NYC....but hey, I don't drive it in the city that much anyway.....

4) My insurance is about the same as Meradin....no points....

5) Back seat is small....I don't often sit back there, but with a six footer in the front, pretty cramped in the back (i'm 6feet tall).

6) I've had scheduled maintenance done at 2 different places...one was great experience, one was average....I think it is going to vary from dealer to dealer. I have had no problems that required any work other than scheduled maintenance.

Good luck with your search...I'd say test drive all the cars you are thinking about before deciding...they all sound like pretty good choices (well except for the caddy - I'm not a fan of that car) so you really need to drive them to understand the difference behind all the performance numbers...

 

Thanks for the quick response. I'm 6'3. I guess the backseat on the s4 is similar to that of the STi - very tight. I mostly haul kids in the back so that's not to big of issue. It seems rather difficult to find a sports car with a full back seat. I suppose it's a tradeoff. I really like the Caddy CTS-v but after reading the forums it seems they have a LOT of problems. I like the idea of 400hp w/ no turbo lag but I'd prefer to stay out of the dealership's service department. How is the turbo lag with the newer s4's? How do the new s4's compare to the new vette in straightline speed?


Bama, I'm looking for a new s4.

 

Since 2004 model year the S4 has a NA V8. So no turbo lag. I think Audi claims 0-60 in 5.1 seconds. Not sure which vette you are talking about , the c6 or the z06 but I would imagine the S4 is slightly slower than the c6 and even a little more behind a z06....

The S4 is rated at 340hp and I think 315 ft/lb torque, and weighs in at about 3700lb

 

I used to have a 2004 WRX before I got my 2005 S4, so I think I can provide some reference points for you:

First of all, the S4 is much, much quieter - fit and finish is in a different league altogether.

Second, the S4 is not really a true sports car - more like a grand tourer: a fast luxury car. But if you're looking for seat-of-the-pants acceleration, it's nothing like a turbo. I'm not sure it really was, but my WRX felt faster than my S4. The V8 is fast, mind you, you just don't notice it as much. It kind of sneaks up on you and you realize you're going 90, but it feels like 50. But if you're looking for a car whose acceleration will take the skin off your face, this isn't it. The S4 is much more composed, matter-of-fact, under-stated = classy. And then there's the TORQUE...the S4 pulls and pulls at just about any RPM and the V8 roar is something else!

Third, the back seat in the s4 (at least in the B6, V8 s4) is considerably roomier than a WRX/STi. I'd give it a good 4-6 inches more leg room - at least, that's my impression. I think two 6 foot+ people will still be tight, but not terribly.

FYI, I get low 20s mpg on the highway and ~ 10-15 in the city, depending on driving style.

Finally, you should differentiate between the B6 (V8) and the B5 (earlier, biturbo V6) S4s. The B5's are much more tunable and can ultimately be made to be much faster than the B6s. The B6s are significantly more powerful in stock form, have better suspensions and chassis rigidity + the interior is much nicer. The B6s are also a bit bigger than the B5s.

Hope this helps.
Claudio

 

get the S4 (thought id throw that in there)

 

I have an 05 STi and an 06 S4, so here is my 2 cents.

The STi produces louder tire noise, interior noise, rattles and squeaks etc than an S4.
The STi has a unique exhaust note for a T4 but the V8 is intoxicating on the S4, but it still does not interfere with the interior.
The S4 is firm but is a Cadillac in comparison to the ride of the STi.
Ave mpg on S4 = 16mpg and on the STi 18mpg and that is driving with basically every shift going to redline. However I still have very few miles on the S4 so take that into account.
The handling on the S4 is great but pales into comparison against the STi of course. That level of grip is tough to beat.
The S4 feels heavier than the STi (as it should) but the build quality, tightness and feel is far superior on the S4 obviously.
The DCCD is great but I still prefer Quattro overall.
The S4 is quick but you will certainly miss the performance of the STi.

Both are great cars and I am fortunate that I don't have to give either one up, because I have no idea which one it would be. However, considering your needs I think the S4 would be a very strong choice for you. Good luck.

 

Well, my family is in the market for a car under $20K, and we've come across an outstanding 2002 S4. Anyone want to fill us in on that car - the good, the bad, the performance, etc? The car is at nearly 80K miles, so we're a bit conserned about the upkeep and what not being an 02.

It'll be accompanying our '04 CTS.

d0n - I know the CTS-V would be an awesome choice - blitzkreg-like performance, still decently comfortable for the performance, sub 5 second 0-60 and I believe low 13's or upper 12's through the quarter, as well as top-notch handling. Plus, ya can't beat raw American V8 muscle and sound - after all, it LS2 (if you're talking 05 or 06) - the same engine used in the C6 Corvette - 400 hp/395 tq to the rear tires. I know a few people who have CTS-V's, and they're honestly one of the coolest car around. And CTS's are extremely reliable. You won't go wrong if you go CTS-V.

Anyway, so, can anyone fill me in on the '02 S4 please?