soc Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I'm looking at changing my 2002 Audi TT to a 2003 Audi S4 at some point in the first quarter of 2008. I've a few mods to my TT in the form of a remap (approx 265bhp), Koni sports, modified front wishbone bushes for more direct steering (Defcon), short shift and 18's. Scotty gave me a run down on the S4 but I'm looking for as much feedback as possible so would appreciate anyone who could give me the benefit of their experience with their S4 - I interested in all the usual - performance, handling, comfort, servicing, running costs (mpg), known issues, what to look out for when buying, etc. I like to look of the Avant - any differences between the Avant and the Saloon? All/any help appreciated. Cheers all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS3 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hi I went from a remapped S3 to the S4 and had similar concerns. Power is far more linear and feels alot stronger due to the torque being available so low. Check this this post here for my comparison graphs. MPG will take a hit. I'm getting 16mpg on the commute and around 24 on a run. Averages out around 20mpg though. I only cover 9k per year, of which 2,500 is the 5 mile to work each day. Touch wood no issues as yet (apart from a blocked AC drain which I fixed myself with some help from the kind folks here) First thing I did was to get it Milltek'd and you'll not stop smiling everytime you put your foot down, it even sweetens the MPG hit! Servicing seems reasonable, mine is on AVS so will not need a visit for another 10k or so, but I will change the oil at 6k intervals, as I do with all cars I've owned. I've not regretted buying mine one bit, I was initally worried about the colour, but with the cleaning regime I follow (religously once a week) it looks pretty good most of the time and I'm very glad I bought a black one. I'm sure others will be along with some advice too. Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] 2002 Audi TT to a 2003 Audi S4 at some point in the first quarter of 2008. I've a few mods to my TT in the form of a remap (approx 265bhp) [/ QUOTE ] Well I'd guess the TT will be near-identical performance to the S4. Maybe at 100+ S4 will push stronger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabGirl Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 There's one of each in the garage downstairs but I'd rather pick the S4 keys up.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soc Posted December 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Thanks for the info Matt - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soc Posted December 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Well I'd guess the TT will be near-identical performance to the S4. Maybe at 100+ S4 will push stronger. [/ QUOTE ] I was hoping the S4 would be another step up in performance - is the extra bhp totally offset by the extra weight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS3 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 It is another step up in performance and all round improvement in terms of space and refinement. The torque is most impressive and no more turbo lag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I went from a chipped 8L S3 (265bhp) to an B6 S4. Believe me the S4 is a step-up in performance, the performance at any engine revs is greater than the S3 at it's optimum engine revs. The S3 needed to be kept "on the boil" but the S4 is always "on the boil". MPG? Well my chipped S3 did about 22-28mpg, my S4 did 18-25 mpg. I didn't regret making the change for one moment, and I doubt if you would either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I was about to say that it's a big step up in performance .... then I realised mines running around 395bhp. I don't regret it for a minute Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 his S3 is running 265bhp.... 260 ish in an S3 gives 0-60 of 6 or under....same as S4. 50-70 possibly a bit better in the S4. S4 torque is more linear than S3, so it will feel slower in the real world. Not dissing the S4 - lovely car - but for all out "feel" of performance it can be a disappointment for some. As always - test drive before buying. S4 is pretty heavy and for cornering its a bit nose heavy unlike the S3. Proper torsen much better than haldex though. (no sudden torque shift from front to back etc) The sound of the S4 makes the S3 sound like a wet blanket though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 A 265 S3 would be around 6.0-6.1 I'd have thought. i.e. 1/2 sec faster than stock. The S4 will be that increase again (5.6 as standard). I agree that the smooth torque curve doesn't make it feel as fast. In fact I went out with some chipped TTs to compare it as I wasn't convinced. Mine was a lot faster so I'd expect a standard one to be faster too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soc Posted December 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 For you guys who moved from an S3 or a TT - how do you find servicing? Apart from the fact you need more engine oil I'm thinking about things like disks, pads, etc. Because I usually buy a car out of manufacturers warranty and I only usually get a 1 year warranty from the garage I have a mate who does the servicing so the labour is very reasonable But I've no idea what the cost of parts are like compared to the TT or even what kind of servicing intervals are required, for example - on the TT I did cambelt at 50k, haldex every 20k, engine oil every 5k - 7k plus standard serving. I believe the S4 has a timing chain? What are the intervals on this? How much to change? And if anyone has any info on any known issues with the S4 please shout, (again) for example on the TT there's dashpod, coil packs, arb bushes, window drop (among others).... anything specific to the S4 I should be aware of or should question a garage about? Any recalls? Cheers again for the help - definitely a friendly bunch on here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soc Posted December 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] A 265 S3 would be around 6.0-6.1 I'd have thought. i.e. 1/2 sec faster than stock. The S4 will be that increase again (5.6 as standard). I agree that the smooth torque curve doesn't make it feel as fast. In fact I went out with some chipped TTs to compare it as I wasn't convinced. Mine was a lot faster so I'd expect a standard one to be faster too. [/ QUOTE ] Cheers Scotty - tbh I don't think my TT is awesomely fast - probably just used to it now but around 120kph it wasn't hugely faster than a BMW 525 - Mine's a TT btw & I do love it but unfortunately it's let down by the lack of a decent engine note and the niggly sqeaks and rattles I hope I won't have in a bigger car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4teve Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I interested in all the usual - performance, handling, comfort, servicing, running costs (mpg), known issues, what to look out for when buying, etc. [/ QUOTE ] Known issues include Aux radiators leaking (mine fixed at 17k miles under warranty) and I think there is timing chain idler problem that causes a rattle but I've not experienced that. Handling can be prone to understeer due to weight and position of engine forward of front axle although I suspect this is worse with my cab that saloon / avant. Apart from that get on first name terms at your shell garage and open an account Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soc Posted December 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Known issues include Aux radiators leaking (mine fixed at 17k miles under warranty) and I think there is timing chain idler problem that causes a rattle but I've not experienced that. Handling can be prone to understeer due to weight and position of engine forward of front axle although I suspect this is worse with my cab that saloon / avant. [/ QUOTE ] Cheers for this [ QUOTE ] Apart from that get on first name terms at your shell garage and open an account [/ QUOTE ] Is it really that bad? I read the fuel tank on an S4 is pretty small? I guess the real question I should have asked is what are the essential mods? I presume power increases are not worth the outlay but what about handling and/or braking? Spacers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 To be honest the only mods I'd probably make would be Milltek (for sound) and put the RS4 rear ARB on (it's cheap and dials out a lot of understeer) I don't do many miles a year and so the servicing and fuel costs aren't really an issue, particularly in comparison to the depreciation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 When I first bought the S4 I was convinced it was not as fast as my previous chipped S3, approx 265bhp. The reality is that it is faster but as highlighted it did not feel fast. This is always the case when comparing turbo charged cars, petrol or sooty, with N/A. Also the S3 ran out of puff earlier as well. Regarding handling I actually think the S4 is better than the S3. I've done track days at the same venues I did with the S3 and the S4 gives more feel and repsonse than the S3 ever did. The S4 are good cars for the money they are now commanding, easy to drive, service costs are higher than the S3, mainly due to oil costs, they drink more fuel. I do not do many miles so the running costs arenot bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 I also changed from S3 to S4. The power delivery is different but far better. Running costs in reality I was putting about an extra £5 of V-Power in ever week in the S4 compared to the S3, oil top up of a litre every 5-7k miles. Servicing, AVS1 was around £300, AVS2 around £500. In the 46,000 miles I had my S4 didn't have to change brakes or pads although I had changed the front assembly to the RS4 Brembo kit by 36,000 mile but they still had plenty left in the discs and pads, so no issues there. Problems, only the auxiliary rads which if you have a warranty will be replaced FOC, otherwise when washing just make sure you jet wash the inlets next to the foglights to stop crap accumulating in there. Mods, Milltek definitely, if you are brave go for a full system plus sports cats and couple it to a remap (ala ScoTTy's car). The sound is awesome and it gives even more low rev range torque and top end power, the sound alone will make it worthwhile. Also the RS4 ARB sorts out the tail of the car. As for the S4's slightly heavy nose I went for better stopping power as said with the RS4 Brembo kit which also reduced unsprung weight. Although it is a pricey retrofit it does give better stopping power especially if you get that extra power from remap and Milltek. I loved my S4 and N/A engines for me are better than forced induction and make the car deceptively quick. On the plus side pootle around in 2nd and 4th all day in an S4 (will do a standing start to 100mph+ in 4th) and with mods mpg will improve too. Plus better practicality in four doors (five in an Avant)and more space if that is a requirement. Plus as said for the price you can get one for now they are a bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soc Posted January 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Thanks for all the replies guys - lots of useful info for me to work with. I'm started my sums this morning and it looks like with the reduction in insurance against the inceased car tax and fuel costs an S4 would only cost me an extra 55 euro a month to run assuming 18mpg and 12000 miles a year. Ireland is a bizarre country - amazingly my insurance on an S4 would be 660 euro while the TT is 1100 euro (both fully comp with a 500 euro excess). On the downside tax is 1500 euro a year for anything 3.0lts and over..... Now my mind is made up I just need to decide when Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Insurance is a bit like that, my RS4 is £100 cheaper insurance wise than my modified S4 even though it is over double the value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 When I got rid of my modded TT (value £17k) to my modded S4 (value £35k), my insurance when down by a third. I always said it was a sensible family car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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