My last S4 was a late 04 B6, black over black/silver alcantera 6-speed with a few tasteful mods. I have missed that car since the day I sold it. The lease will be ending on my CC next spring and I need to get a new DD...have thought about a 2010 or newer 335 iX sedan, 2011 535 iX and the B8 S4.

I know I am on the Audi forum, so I am not trying to start some thread about which of those options is better. My last 3 DD's have been Audi's and the CC - it is safe to say I love Audi/VW cars.

Early this year I was down in Scottsdale and spent some time driving a few different cars, including the B8 S4 w/ DSG. I loved it. I am a manual transmission person to the death but have come to like auto's for DD duties. I didn't like how the B6 was geared, turning about 3100 RPM around 75-80 seemed really high for that motor. The B8 I tested also had the sport rear differential and the "drive select controls" on the dash where I could select comfortm, auto, sport. However, the sales guy said the only thing that did was change the throttle mapping - I thought it changed suspenion settings? If someone could shed light on this I would appreciate it. I assumed any car with the buttons for selecting comfort, auto and sport had to have adjustable shocks...

Anyway, I know its early to start planning a car purchase for the spring, but I like the process My thoughts are this: pick up a low mileage, CPO'ed B8 w/ DSG and Nav. What options do others feel are necessary vs mandatory?

Things I would like: B&O, Sport diff, Drive Select w/ adjustable shocks....pretty much a loaded S4.

Anything I should watch for when looking? As I have started looking at pricing, I see a lot of places selling low mileage cars within 10% of MSRP - to me that sounds a little ridiculous. I would just get a new one if that is the case.

Sorry for the long post and I look forward to the discussion, as well as possibly reentering the S4 fray sometime soon!!

 

get S4 and be happy.

you could always look at other S4s like an 08 B7 S4 or RS4 if you really miss your 4.2. The platform has come a LONG way since you sold yours. Night and day. JHM has made it a great car to own


p.s. here's a photo of a couple of residents of Iowa I took in February. It was about 10 fahrenheit out...and they didn't seem to care. I was there in an AWD Audi so I didn't either...but I'd hate to have been driving a BMW. Remember that monster snow storm in early Feb? The one that closed Chicago?

 

The Sport Rear Diff option provides you with the dash controls. Those allow you to adjust (via the MMI) the throttle response, steering effort and aggressiveness of the sport diff. If you get the full Audi Drive Select (ADS) option, it adds on the suspension firmness and the steering ratio. There are not all that many used cars with ADS as it is a very expensive option.

I would suggest you find a car with Sport Rear Diff unless you really have a need for the adjustable suspension. The standard suspension setup is more on the taught side of the range without ADS.

I also do agree that many CPO B8s sell for only a little less than a new B8. If you want a specific color and options (and have the time), just order one. The dealer will let you walk away from the ordered car and give you back your deposit if you find something else or change your mind.

Good Luck!

 

Yes I do, and it was horrible!! I keep telling myself every year that I've endured the last Chicago winter of my life but never get around to moving to a warmer climate.

 

Thanks for your advice guys.

Agree that the platform has come a long ways since the B6, but I don't think I would gain much getting a B7. I drove the RS4 and liked it, but after my mods it didnt feel *that* much different - just couldnt justify the price increase at the time. If I get another S4, it will be the B8 for sure.

I also remember that snow storm..I was driving home from a wedding in Minneapolis in it - had the CC with blizzaks and it was a crazy experience...made it in about 7 hours. I was thinking the whole time "I wish I would have driven the A8!" That is also when I realized I would be getting a quattro or x-drive after the CC because I never want to feel like I can't drive due to weather.

Love the pics of those eagles!!

 

BTW, my previous 2 cars were an E92 335i and an 04 B6 S4. You are right about a number of things. The gearing on the B6 s4 was just not optimal. The B8 is just about perfect. No one complains about it. The B7 is really pretty much the same as the B6. And the B7 RS4 owners are very envious of the performance and handling of the B8 S4 especially at the $50K -$60K price point. Not to mention the ability to increase performance with a chip, pulley, and exhaust. The B8 s4 blows the 335xi Sedan out of the water with styling, interior and performance. No sport suspension available on the X drive 3 series models. As for the suspension. You can get the sport dif alone or as part of the ADS option. With the ADS, the suspension is adjustable, but not with the sport dif alone.The car you drove did not have the adjustable suspension if it did not have the ADS. Also the steering response can be changed. I'm not sure buying a used S4 is really the best way to go. Used car prices , and especially the S4s are really high due to a scarcity of used cars and S4s in general. Used cars generally have higher finance rates than new cars. What you are finding on used S4 pricing is really what it is right now due to the market. May change by next spring , but maybe not. BTW, many have been able to buy new S4s at $500_ $1000 over invoice. But it really depends on what area of the country you live and how far you might want to travel to find a dealer willing to give you the best deal. But it can and is being done. With some research and a little time on the telephone , you generally can get a good price on a NEW S4. Not sure that same will be so on a used one.

 

Prior E90 335i owner myself and I couldn't be happier with my B8 S4. The completely new 3'er is due for release very soon, so you might take a look at it before making your decision. Given where you live though, I'd still go for the S4 and get quattro!

 

Interesting comments. I hear this from B6 S4 owners who left the platform LONG before the real mods from JHM showed up. Dr.Volkl ironically used to make very similar comments about his old B6. Just imagine if you sold your B8 S4 today like some guys are. You'd say 'intakes rob you of 20 wtq, and the pulley causes your DSG to go into limp mode'

My B7 S4 with tune + full exhaust has beaten 2 different DSG B8 S4s in the past month in pulls...gearing worked just fine. It was also only about 2-2.5 cars down to an APR 93 + full exhaust B8 S4.

I don't know too many informed RS4 owners who are envious of the B8. Also, the RS4 is $35,000-45,000...not $50-60,000.

JHM full exhaust + JHM tune RS4 = mid to low 12s on 91 octane. The Sprint Blue car in this video recently ran 12.30 on 91.

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

 

DrGP - thanks for your insight. I generally agree with almost everything you said. What percentage off MSRP is invoice, typically? I am willing to travel anywhere to get the car (my local Audi deal is horrible on the sales side and I have vowed to not buy from them again - my family purcahsed 15 cars from them in an 8 or so year period and they were miserable even after that spending spree). I don't really want to finance a car purcahse, but would if the terms made sense for me. I will probably keep watching the market and see what pops up in order to make a decision. I think I recognize you from a few other forums I am on...nice to see you here as well!

 

I loved my B6 and thought it was a great car, but this is going to be my DD and I am not really interested in modding it that much at all. I like to do a few tasteful things, but with all of the money I am pouring into my 2 other toys, I just want a great car out of the box that I can enjoy year around. I dont really care about drag racing or tracking a 4 door sedan. I track the Cayman and just sold a spec racer ford so I can pick up an F1000 when the class is a bit more mature. For DD duties, the B6,7 and 8 are all great cars out of the box, I would simply go for the newest platform for comfort, technology and warranty purposes.