simonp
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Audi S4 (B6,7)Does anyone know if evo (or any other mag for that matter) have ever done a buyers guide on the above. I only buy it now and then, so have no idea!
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ALF
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I don't think so, and they are not fans.
I still have the Autocar full road test of the B6 S4 Avant somewhere - although I'm crap at knowing what sort of cars I might want to buy in the future, I try and keep some of the mags and that was one.
Our own Colin put a lot of miles on a B7 S4 saloon didn't he?
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simonp
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I read his 'end of term' report last night and it prompted me to think I might like one. Probably just dreaming, though! Autocar have their (Avant) road test on the website and I've read that as well. I was after info like how to tell if the allegedly dodgy radiators had been changed, whether the exhaust is original/aftermarket and other common things to look out for etc.
I did join an Audi forum some time ago looking for info for the wife's A3, but it seemed an unfriendly, cliquey sort of place where you had to have thousands of posts before you were spoken to. Haven't been back since!
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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The problem I'd have with a B7 S4 is the knowledge that I really wanted the RS ...
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"him"
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| Dr. Hfuhruhurr wrote: | | The problem I'd have with a B7 S4 is the knowledge that I really wanted the RS ... |
you didn't with your car... 
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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Simple reason: the RS4 is (more than) worth the extra money, the GT3 RS isn't. In fact IMHO it's actually less good, as it loses the "all-rounder" attributes of the regular GT3.
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"him"
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I know that, and agree with your reasoning totally...  ...you have stated on here many times that you prefer the 'vanilla' GT3.
But for some, having the "best" model is all! I am sure the manufacturers know this too, hence the RS6 (Plus) version in the last gen. model, Audi bringing out the V10 version of the R8, Lamborghini bringing out ever more expensive iterations... etc. etc.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr
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| "him" wrote: | | But for some, having the "best" model is all! |
This is very true, though try pointing that out. One guy on BM3W got most shirty when I suggested this as his reason for buying a CSL. Had to laugh when he sold it a month later and started bitching about how much money he'd lost.
Given the colour of my car, "vanilla" GT3 is quite appropriate ...
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simonp
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The thing with the RS is that it's holding its value whereas the S is affordable (relatively speaking).
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Frank Bullitt
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I do remember seeing one but can't think in which magazine - as I buy CAR, used to buy Top Gear and occassionally buy Autocar it leads me to suggest it may have been Top Gear; might be worth contacting their back-issues department. They usually do a 'used car' report on something that has a replacement getting prodigeous coverage in the magazine so about winter 2006 sounds right.
Agree the S4 is starting to look like a great option but I think their general reliability is not terribly good and they can, as you'd expect, eat wallets for breakfast...
Actually, thinking out loud a copy of Audi driver magazine, probably the most recent, has an S4 buyers guide in it - happy to find it, scan it and send it on to you if you pm your email address.
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franki68
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A friend ran one but his was auto and he didn't really like it much.Sayin that he replaced it with the s5 which to me is the same car but with 2 less doors.
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Guitar Zero
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PPC did a great buyers guide for the B6 S4 (the 2.7 V6 twin turbo - right ?).
Apparently it's reasonably robust and amazingly tuneable - if your into that sort of thing.
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"him"
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| Guitar Zero wrote: | PPC did a great buyers guide for the B6 S4 (the 2.7 V6 twin turbo - right ?).
Apparently it's reasonably robust and amazingly tuneable - if your into that sort of thing. |
I think he is after the N/A 4.2 V8 version?
How good did that example in PPC look though...
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Frank Bullitt
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| "him" wrote: | | Guitar Zero wrote: | PPC did a great buyers guide for the B6 S4 (the 2.7 V6 twin turbo - right ?).
Apparently it's reasonably robust and amazingly tuneable - if your into that sort of thing. |
I think he is after the N/A 4.2 V8 version?
How good did that example in PPC look though... |
It's the B5 that is the 2.7 twin-turbo beast, the B6 being the non Jimmy Hill A4 and the B7 being the Jimmy Hill version.
I had a spin in a heavily tuned B5 RS4 (470bhp from memory) which was uber-quick; felt much more butch than the B7 RS4 but less elegant, for want of a better word. Incredible piece of kit and the noise from low revs was just awesome. The owner also has one of the most tuned TT's in the country, a 450bhp 1.8T roadster!
The owner wanted to see what the A2 was like as he was considering it as a commuting tool - bought a 135i coupe in the end...a little different
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ALF
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I've always been fond of the B6 and 7 S4 - the idea of that V8 crammed into the relatively small engine bay and full time 4WD appeals, for sure, and while I'd much rather have an RS4, the "S" is itself seriously quick and much more of a Q-car.
Wheras the normal B7's picked up some suspension mods from the S4, I'm not sure the B7 S4 picked up much over the B6 one, until very late on (post-RS4) when it got the rear-biased drivetrain. I like the looks of the B6 and a tidy B6 might be the best bargain, then again the B7 looks decidedly more modern.
When I bought the GTA S4's had held onto their value too well - this is no longer the case. However - get a run in one before you get too into the stats. I hope Colin won't mind me saying that I was underwhelmed by his (B7 saloon) example. The engine is incredibly muted, especially from inside the car, and didn't seem that keen to rev, plus the whole car didn't feel especially lithe. And it's not like it had much in the way of ride comfort to redeem it - a car that stiff should be a lot rawer, in my book.
I certainly won't condsider one when I replace the GTA as I doubt an out of warrantry S4 this is a good idea as a privately owned 25k a year car!
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Turbonutter
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| Frank Bullitt wrote: | | I had a spin in a heavily tuned B5 RS4 (470bhp from memory) which was uber-quick; felt much more butch than the B7 RS4 but less elegant, for want of a better word. Incredible piece of kit and the noise from low revs was just awesome. |
Guy on Youtube, ViperBL, had some great vids of his 500bhp B5 S4 on the IOM. Sadly he removed the really good ones after some comments. The one following the police bike over the Mountain was good to watch
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