Torn between 2017 A4 and 2018 S4
03-08-2018, 03:37 PM
#11
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What's your drive like? Would you actually be able to enjoy the power and handling of the S4?
I own a B8 S4 and when it's on the highway, 98% of the time, an A4 would be exactly as good. Every once in a while I get a chance to pop down to 3rd gear to pass someone and giggle over the V6 power, or I take a corner and speed and enjoy the way the sports diff makes the car feel like it's on rails, but those are exceptions. I feel the car more when I'm off the highway, especially on rural roads, or old areas that were laid out to follow the countryside instead of a grid. Then, even if I can't really explore the car's limits, I can feel the full benefits of the diff and the sports suspension at work.
I guess the final reason to get the S4 is just regret minimization. If you buy the A4, then you'll periodically have a moment when you stomp it or hustle it around the corner and think, "I wish this was an S4." If you buy the S4, you may find yourself thinking about all the things you could have done with that money instead. Which worries you more?
I own a B8 S4 and when it's on the highway, 98% of the time, an A4 would be exactly as good. Every once in a while I get a chance to pop down to 3rd gear to pass someone and giggle over the V6 power, or I take a corner and speed and enjoy the way the sports diff makes the car feel like it's on rails, but those are exceptions. I feel the car more when I'm off the highway, especially on rural roads, or old areas that were laid out to follow the countryside instead of a grid. Then, even if I can't really explore the car's limits, I can feel the full benefits of the diff and the sports suspension at work.
I guess the final reason to get the S4 is just regret minimization. If you buy the A4, then you'll periodically have a moment when you stomp it or hustle it around the corner and think, "I wish this was an S4." If you buy the S4, you may find yourself thinking about all the things you could have done with that money instead. Which worries you more?
03-08-2018, 03:42 PM
#12
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That's some good advice, and it's kind of how I'm looking at the situation. About a year ago, I was pining after the A4. But now that finances will allow, I feel like I shouldn't miss out on the S4. Part of me feels selfish and like it's a silly way to spend money, because the S4 isn't cheap! But I would also like to have a little fun. Work hard, play hard 😜
03-08-2018, 03:49 PM
#13
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Wow--what a great problem to have! I actually traded in a Prius to get my S4 LOL, so I understand what it's like to go from one extreme to the other. My uncle gave me some sound advice many years ago. In the context of being able to afford what you desire, he said "never buy something less expensive, when you can put more money out there and get what you really want." If you get the A, each time you see an S4 you are going to say "dang it." This is a no brainer really. Although the car does accelerate extremely quickly with tons of power, I routinely get 32 mpg highway taking it easy, and from the safety standpoint the thing is on rails and stops on a dime. But, a word of caution--you have to be disciplined and avoid the "racing" temptations. Punch it and the car is going 125 mph in a hurry. As for the exhaust sound--one of the selectors for the suspension and transmission is "individual" where you can have everything in sport mode except the exhaust--when the exhaust gets on your nerves. Good luck!
A maxed out Prestige (with Sport Package) A4 vs a stripped P+ S4 would -- for me -- make the decision lean much more toward the A4. We have temporary custody of a 2018 Premium Q5 with the navigation package (whatever that's called) and 19" wheels. Everything else is whatever the standard stuff is: The standard sound system (which is Sucks+), no Audi side assist, no heads-up display, and overall a nice car, but really vanilla.
My wife is used to her SQ5 -- and she says she misses the power of the S's engine, but she likes the DSG transmission of the Q5 better, yet she really misses the safety and technology features she has on her S. I'm starting to think the Prestige A4 with a sport package would be the more long-term choice -- if the S4 was "bare bones." Does either one have the DAP package?
My wife is used to her SQ5 -- and she says she misses the power of the S's engine, but she likes the DSG transmission of the Q5 better, yet she really misses the safety and technology features she has on her S. I'm starting to think the Prestige A4 with a sport package would be the more long-term choice -- if the S4 was "bare bones." Does either one have the DAP package?
03-08-2018, 04:04 PM
#14
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Do you all consider the Virtual Cockpit a must have for both models? It's cool and everything, but I don't think I would have a lot of use for it. But if I'm getting an Audi, I don't want to skimp on anything.
03-08-2018, 06:20 PM
#15
Since you are talking about CPO'd (I assume) cars, you may not have the inventory to choose from compared to ordering one from the factory.
The A4 I would want would be equipped like this: A4 quattro, prestige, cold weather package, sport package, pedal dress package -- at this level of content, you get the DAP included. This car in Ibis would be at full MSRP about $51,400.
Mileage would be great.
The same level of content in an S4 Prestige would be about $61,000 (in Ibis).
I would not want either car unless it had the VC.
03-08-2018, 07:13 PM
#16
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The problem is you can't get a HUD without the Virtual Cockpit, and I view the HUD as an essential feature on a car in this class/price range. You may or may not care about that.
03-08-2018, 07:35 PM
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It is absolutely a gimmick, and I find days more and more lately where I wish I had traditional gauges. The A4 and S4 can still have a color screen with the same mode changes in the middle if equipped that way, and it works great. (It's been on my rental A4s through SilverCar.)
The problem is you can't get a HUD without the Virtual Cockpit, and I view the HUD as an essential feature on a car in this class/price range. You may or may not care about that.
The problem is you can't get a HUD without the Virtual Cockpit, and I view the HUD as an essential feature on a car in this class/price range. You may or may not care about that.
03-08-2018, 07:39 PM
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Say, Mark ... aren't the speed governors from Audi based off the wheel size? I remember the B8s had some weird thing where 18" wheels had a speed limit of somewhere around 130 MPH, while 19" has some ridiculous speed.
03-08-2018, 07:45 PM
#19
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FWIW, I had an ‘17 A4 PP, as a loaner when I took my ‘15 A5 in for its last audicare service before turn in. Was really impressed by its quickness and road manner, especially at passing. So much so, that I began thinking the S4 I ordered and due in next week was going to be overkill- too late now, and I’m sure I’ll adjust, but either way you’ll have a fine car. I’m pretty sure the s4 is going to cost more all around- financing, gas, insurance, yet I probably wont be able to use its full potential very much, at least without loosing my license.
03-08-2018, 07:46 PM
#20
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This is true in the A4 and A5 but not at all true on the S models, at least if you are like me and use the "Sport" layout that moves the tach to the center of the screen with a digital speedometer in the center and then puts the "infotainment" displays on the sides. After using the VC in this mode for a few weeks I never want to go back to the 2 gauge layout again.