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A4/S4/RS4 B8 2008 Onwards

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Old 21st July 2011, 10:39 PM
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Default The S4, one week in....

Almost to the hour, I've now had this motor for 7 whole days. I spent the first 3 hours hating it, scheming a multitude of ways to move it on quickly and quietly, but now, a week on, things are much different.....

I still find it small, underspecced and a bit feeble, function wise, compared the A8 - I've tried several times to put more than one thing into the door pockets, and failed. I dont think they're really pockets, more a lip, somewhere to balance something carefully. A well to do 8 owner with a wallet full of cash can pop it his (or her) fully recessed door pocket, and close it, knowing full well opening the door in the harshest of gales will see every hard earned penny retained. Not in the S4 though, you're more likely to find notes falling out whilst you're still driving, never mind waiting to open the door.


I discovered I have to use the ashtray for my loose change, as the handy coin areas in the 8 are no more, and my mobile phone and wallet now have to live in the armrest, which leaves nowhere for my drink - 600ml pepsi max bottles - which just wont stay in the single cup holder..... Hmmm. My huge scale inch thick philips road atlas that I carry with me religously in the front seat pockets, wont fit in the S4 seat pockets at all. Its a non starter, and theres nowhere else to put it.

Never mind, I dont care. Genuinely.

After a week, the s4 is averaging just under 24mpg on its all time average, and it made it to Birmingham and back with enough left for a spirited drive when I left the A1 on the way home. The A8 in contrast with basically the same engine managed less than 21mpg, and wasnt anything like as surefooted or fun. 3mpg doesnt sound much, but thats nearly 15% better economy....

I was worried my umpteen-way adjustable A8 sports seats would be missed when I was forced to manage with the basic functionality of the S4 ones, but really, they're just fine, nice and comfy, firm, but not too much.

The RNS-E is slow compared to the MMI, and it doesnt pop up out of the dash, and I cant fiddle with numerous on board computer settings, but somehow I'm not overly bothered as its less to go wrong. Its less distraction, and leaves more time for gripping onto the wheel and grinning.

I absolutely, 100% cant believe how pleased I am this car has the tiptronic box - I intially avoided it, but im so pleased I didnt. The gear changes are uber-smooth, yet so much faster and sportier than the A8. It wasnt at all a strain to get stuck in some slow moving traffic, where the manual would have been a ball-ache I guess.

and sports mode.

Well.

Chuff me. I cant get over it. Its basically the same engine, same gearbox, smaller body, but made out of heavier metal. It just shouldnt be this much more fun. Its like everytime you stop at the lights, some bloke out in front carries on marching, only your car is tied on to him with some bungie cord. The light goes green and wahooooooa, next thing you know you're slamming on for the car in front again. I find myself willing lights to turn red so I get poll position...

The last time I experienced this much willingness, V8 growl and attention from onlookers, I was in the RS6. This isnt quite as loud as that, and it is 0.7 seconds slower 0-60, but, only 0.7 seconds.... I can live with that, given that I get in the region of 50% more MPG than an RS6 driver...

+ it fits places. I'm finding round town I get A to B with less stress as I fit through gaps, parked cars for example, where I no longer have to wait for the other person. I dont have to circle the car park looking for a big space where I can park, and open the doors.

I love 8's, I always have, but sometimes a change is nice, and this is really, really nice. I'd like to think I work towards maybe a 2008 S8 sometime in the not too distant future, but right now, I'm enjoying the present...

A8 has had its number plate change sent off, and will be sold soon. Its been a great car, and I dont think I could have wished for a better example of a D3 to own for the past 9 months, but I dont carry passengers, I dont need all that space, and I'm just not going to miss it anything like as much as I thought......


P.S. I'm enjoying screen wash. That beautiful, slightly intoxicating waft of screen wash when you have a nice strong solution in your washer bottle and you give the screen a good squirt. I missed that. Fortunately, the auto recirc is an option on the S4, which nobody seems to buy, so if you want to enjoy fresh air (mostly) you have to leave it on fresh, and take whatever else comes in. Diesel fumes for example have become strangely desirable, gives an open top natural airy feel to driving. Any Audi with auto recirc will switch to recirc whenever it gets dirty outside or you touch the windscreen washers, hence many of us had been deprived of this smell for a good few years now.......
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The Daily Town Car - 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. Black with Black. Giant ipad screen, huge sunroof, 4 wheel drive, Tow bar, lots of ooomph and made in China, so actually built properly unlike the Californian ones.

The Family Wagon - 2018 Tesla Model X. Black, 7 Seats, Towbar, Homelink, Enhanced Auto pilot with Summon and self park, Heated front seats, CCS Charger upgrade, MCU2 Upgrade, Falconwing Doors, Self opening / closing doors, Netflix, Spotify, toys, Air suspension, alcantara roof + lots of other stuff......

The 17 year old Driver Wagon 2015 Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo. Alloys, Power steering, Aircon, Leccy windows, Sat Nav, bluetooth, central locking, cup holders, 59 whole bhp. Million times better than my first car. Well jealous.....

The First 20 Audis:

2001 D2 4.2 QS Silver, 1997 D2 S8 Silver, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2002 D2 S8 Dolphin Grey,
2003 C5 RS6 Blue, 1998 D2 S8 Black, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue, 2003 D3 4.2 Ming Blue,
2005 B7 S4 Blue, 2006 D3 3.0 Tdi Black, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2003 D3 4.2 LPG Crystal Blue,
2000 D2 S8 Silver, 2007 3.0 Tdi Q7 Black, 2009 B8 S4 Black, 1998 D2 S8 Agate Grey,
2006 D3 4.2 Tdi Blue, 2006 D3 S8, 2007 Q7 3.0 Tdi, 2006 C6 S6,

The Second 20 Audis:

2011 A7 Sline, 2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2002 A2 1.4 Tdi Silver, 2006 A8 4.2 Tdi Blue,
2007 4.2 Tdi Q7, 2006 S4 Cab Silver, 2010 RS6 Saloon Black , 2007 TT Roadster,
2010 A8 D4 4.2 Silver, 2006 C6 A6 2.7 Tdi Quattro, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue (again), 2008 Q7 4.2 Black,
2009 C6 RS6 Saloon Daytona Grey, 2001 Fully Loaded A2 Tdi, 2006 Avant S6 Black, 2007 VW Caravelle Exec Black (almost an Audi)
2009 TT Roadster Daytona, 2015 Q7 4.2 tdi lava grey, 2002 GmbH D2 demonstrator, 2006 D3 A8 LWB 4.2 Tdi Black

Most Recent Audis:

2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2007 4.2 FSi Q7 ABT Blue, 2016 S5 Coupe Launch model, 2004 S4 B6 Cabriolet, 2016 Q7 Sline White, 2006 Q7 4.2 FSi Black, 2012 Q7 Sline+ 4.2Tdi White, 2008 Blue Audi S8

Everything Else

1989 Subaru Justy, 1986 Vauxhall Cartlton 2.0 GL, 1985 Vauxhall Carlton 2.2 CDi, 1987 Ford Sierra XR4x4, 1983 Vauxhall Senator, 1985 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i, 1997 Polo Saloon, 1997 Peugeot 306 1.9 TDi, Ford Sierra Sapphire 2000E, 1990 Subaru Justy, 2000 Subaru Impreza, 2000 Subaru Impreza RB5, 1993 Range Rover LSE, 2005 VW Bora, 2003 Skoda Superb, 2003 VW Passat V6 4 Motion, 1996 Peugeot 106, 2000 Range Rover 4.0, 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
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Old 21st July 2011, 11:11 PM
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Does the 8's ventilation really go into recirculate mode when you squirt the screen wash, because I too have been missing that smell, since getting an 8.
I've had 27 mpg out of mine on a run, I'm surprised your 4.2 was giving so little.

Glad your enjoying your 'motoring holiday' and thanks for the great write ups
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Old 22nd July 2011, 08:12 AM
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Nice update Ian

Any comparison of a 4 against an 8 will fall short in the expanse and luxuries departments, although as you say the smaller car does have some benefits in town driving and parking scenarios.

But compare a B7 to a B5 or earlier S2 and it really is streets ahead.

Interesting comment on the fuel consumption as my 'long term' (about 3 months since I reset it) average in the B6 is just 20.6 and I'm lucky to get more than 22 on a long (and 'sensible') run. As it's the same engine, it must either be something to do with tiptronic vs manual or my dreadful driving!
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Old 22nd July 2011, 09:26 AM
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I do the occasional long run, with quite a lot of short runs - My rented house is about 2 miles from my renovation house, so lots short runs, hence why the A8 struggled a bit I think.

The S4 was clocking up high 20's on the motorway, and like the 8, 30 is achievable with some modest driving.

Its hard to explain, but the S4 seems to free-wheel more willingly than any 8, so on a bit of downhill, or back off the throttle, and the mpg seems quite a bit higher.... I cant add any real science to that statement, but thats gut feel right now.... Not having adaptive cruise, arguably may be helping also....

Tiptronic is quoted in the brochures as having better MPG than the manual, which is quite unusual, but does seem to be the case.....
__________________
For parts enquiries and Forum User Administration please contact customer services directly, not me - enquiry@a8parts.co.uk, www.a8parts.co.uk, or call 01642 783537

The Daily Town Car - 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance. Black with Black. Giant ipad screen, huge sunroof, 4 wheel drive, Tow bar, lots of ooomph and made in China, so actually built properly unlike the Californian ones.

The Family Wagon - 2018 Tesla Model X. Black, 7 Seats, Towbar, Homelink, Enhanced Auto pilot with Summon and self park, Heated front seats, CCS Charger upgrade, MCU2 Upgrade, Falconwing Doors, Self opening / closing doors, Netflix, Spotify, toys, Air suspension, alcantara roof + lots of other stuff......

The 17 year old Driver Wagon 2015 Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo. Alloys, Power steering, Aircon, Leccy windows, Sat Nav, bluetooth, central locking, cup holders, 59 whole bhp. Million times better than my first car. Well jealous.....

The First 20 Audis:

2001 D2 4.2 QS Silver, 1997 D2 S8 Silver, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2002 D2 S8 Dolphin Grey,
2003 C5 RS6 Blue, 1998 D2 S8 Black, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue, 2003 D3 4.2 Ming Blue,
2005 B7 S4 Blue, 2006 D3 3.0 Tdi Black, 1999 D2 4.2 Silver, 2003 D3 4.2 LPG Crystal Blue,
2000 D2 S8 Silver, 2007 3.0 Tdi Q7 Black, 2009 B8 S4 Black, 1998 D2 S8 Agate Grey,
2006 D3 4.2 Tdi Blue, 2006 D3 S8, 2007 Q7 3.0 Tdi, 2006 C6 S6,

The Second 20 Audis:

2011 A7 Sline, 2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2002 A2 1.4 Tdi Silver, 2006 A8 4.2 Tdi Blue,
2007 4.2 Tdi Q7, 2006 S4 Cab Silver, 2010 RS6 Saloon Black , 2007 TT Roadster,
2010 A8 D4 4.2 Silver, 2006 C6 A6 2.7 Tdi Quattro, 2000 D2 4.2 QS/S8 Ming Blue (again), 2008 Q7 4.2 Black,
2009 C6 RS6 Saloon Daytona Grey, 2001 Fully Loaded A2 Tdi, 2006 Avant S6 Black, 2007 VW Caravelle Exec Black (almost an Audi)
2009 TT Roadster Daytona, 2015 Q7 4.2 tdi lava grey, 2002 GmbH D2 demonstrator, 2006 D3 A8 LWB 4.2 Tdi Black

Most Recent Audis:

2001 A2 1.4 Tdi Black, 2007 4.2 FSi Q7 ABT Blue, 2016 S5 Coupe Launch model, 2004 S4 B6 Cabriolet, 2016 Q7 Sline White, 2006 Q7 4.2 FSi Black, 2012 Q7 Sline+ 4.2Tdi White, 2008 Blue Audi S8

Everything Else

1989 Subaru Justy, 1986 Vauxhall Cartlton 2.0 GL, 1985 Vauxhall Carlton 2.2 CDi, 1987 Ford Sierra XR4x4, 1983 Vauxhall Senator, 1985 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i, 1997 Polo Saloon, 1997 Peugeot 306 1.9 TDi, Ford Sierra Sapphire 2000E, 1990 Subaru Justy, 2000 Subaru Impreza, 2000 Subaru Impreza RB5, 1993 Range Rover LSE, 2005 VW Bora, 2003 Skoda Superb, 2003 VW Passat V6 4 Motion, 1996 Peugeot 106, 2000 Range Rover 4.0, 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
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Old 22nd July 2011, 12:12 PM
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Curtis Curtis is offline
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reason i started liking audi's is all thanks to the b5 a4.theres just something about a4's .they not most spacious but to drive they awesome.
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Old 22nd July 2011, 02:16 PM
A8 Doc A8 Doc is offline
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Just get the tiptronic serviced Highly recommend that.
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Old 22nd July 2011, 05:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Curtis View Post
reason i started liking audi's is all thanks to the b5 a4.theres just something about a4's .they not most spacious but to drive they awesome.
That's where it all started for me too - A4 B5 2.6 quattro
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Old 22nd July 2011, 05:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IT View Post
I do the occasional long run, with quite a lot of short runs - My rented house is about 2 miles from my renovation house, so lots short runs, hence why the A8 struggled a bit I think.

The S4 was clocking up high 20's on the motorway, and like the 8, 30 is achievable with some modest driving.

Its hard to explain, but the S4 seems to free-wheel more willingly than any 8, so on a bit of downhill, or back off the throttle, and the mpg seems quite a bit higher.... I cant add any real science to that statement, but thats gut feel right now.... Not having adaptive cruise, arguably may be helping also....

Tiptronic is quoted in the brochures as having better MPG than the manual, which is quite unusual, but does seem to be the case.....
Well I just got back from a trip out with MrsH to Meadowhell with cruise set at 70 most of the way and we reached the dizzy heights of 24.9mpg!

I've never seen anything approaching 30, maybe just my heavy right foot, but seems the tip is better on fuel than the manual.
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Old 23rd July 2011, 08:53 AM
A8 Doc A8 Doc is offline
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MAF sensor Clive, changed mine on the A8 when I saw those figures at those speeds and got another 3mpg

Worth a quick clean with Carb spray.
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Old 24th July 2011, 07:55 AM
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Thanks Doc.

The MAF was healthy when we last checked but certainly worth a look
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