[s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?

Wed Nov 7 06:15:22 PST 2007

I have had my eye on an A6 4.2 sport (and C5 S6) but I'm not sure I want to go with a V8 for various reasons of fuel econ. weight and the demands in service needs/parts, $$$. I have thought about a 2001 S8 but dismissed it for the same reason. Although I am looking for more room than a VW bug, not sure if I need anything more than a B series sized wagon. We probably will only have 2 kids anyway, so I can stay away from the cancerous minivan craze (luckily my wife won't be caught dead driving a minivan). 

I was also looking at the Allroad for a while too because of the 2.7tt motor but all the plastic exterior and the ride height turned me off. I have to admit I have never really liked that car or the "crossover" segment very much but if I had to take that plunge it would be with an Allroad, it has warmed up to me. Then again this new car is not for me, it's for the wife and she will probably love anything with leather interior and climate control compared to the bug.

Thats interesting about the "sludge" issue with the 1.8T. Is this perhaps the blowby gases/crankcase ventilation? I know this has been somewhat of an issue with the 20vT in my S6 as the intake boot and crossover pipe get gummy. From what I have read a proper catch-can install can remedy this problem. I haven't got there yet with my S6.

Aaron

----- Original Message ----
From: "quattrojedi at aol.com" <quattrojedi at aol.com>
To: aaronryba at yahoo.com; s-car-list at audifans.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 6:57:37 AM
Subject: Re: [s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?

  Check the maint records of the 1.8. Sludge is a major major issue on these motors. I went from a 95 S6 to a A.6 4.2 sport and have no regrets, as well as my wife went from a 02 VW Cabrio  to an Allroad when we had Alanna, and she loves the car. Tip is the way to go when there is a child behind you.......even though I do have a 90CQ for weekend rowing :)
 P Brady

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Aaron Ryba <aaronryba at yahoo.com>
 To: s-car-list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
 Sent: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 11:49 pm
 Subject: [s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?

         S heads,

 The time has finally come. I am once again in the market for a new (to me) car 
 and was wondering what the all-powerful list would have to say. So with my first 
 baby now on the way my has FINALLY decided to get rid of her beloved (to her) 
 Limited edition, Luna Green 02 Beetle GLS for something with a few more doors 
 and some room for a car seat and stroller. Thank GOD! She will not drive a stick 
 so automatic is the only option here. I know, I know, How could I live, let 
 alone marry and have children with someone who will only drive an automatic? 
 Well, luckily she has many other fine qualities that make up for this character 
 flaw. My dilemma now is what to get. My choices as I have narrowed them down 
 thus fare are either a 2001/2 B4 S4 Avant with about 60-80k miles OR a 2004 A4 
 B5 1.8T Ultrasport Avant with about 30-50k miles. With some recent research I 
 figure good examples of each could be had for around $16-18k. 

 While I am temped by the persistent dream of owning a B4 S4 Avant I think I 
 would like the gas mileage and the better condition of the newer Ultrasport 
 Avant over the S4. I also worry that an S4 would be more costly to run & repair 
 once it gets up past 80k miles with two turbos and two more cylinders (my S6 is 
 at 143k so I know it can go the distance, its just that you can't wait for parts 
 to arrive when a baby needs to make it to a doctor's appointment). I have found 
 some S4's for sale that have had the major service performed recently though 
 (timing belt, water pump, etc.). I assume the 1.8T engine would be easier to 
 work on and more importantly would require less attention since it would have 
 possibly half the mileage of the S4's TT V6. I already have a 95 C4 S6 so I am 
 familiar with a turbo engine and Audi cars in general (4kcsq before this) so I 
 can put Bentley, ETKA and hopefully VAG-COM (in the near future) to use on this 
 new machine if needed.

 I like both cars because since I am forced to get an automatic both of these 
 come with the tiptronic steering wheel button shifter. I am likely to be the 
 pilot on most all long drives. Has anyone used these things? I haven't had a 
 chance to test drive with the buttons. I did get a chance to drive a 6spd B7 A4 
 2.0T recently with the basic Tip trans and it wasn't all that bad. The 1.8t has 
 some great potential for tuning to get hp up to about 230 or so to keep pace 
 with my S6 for a fairly cheap price. If I go with the S4 I'm not sure how much 
 $$ I would spend to modify a car my wife would primarily drive since it already 
 has some oomph. 

 So, this car is really for my wife and not for me. I hesitate to go for the S4 
 when she might not even care about all that extra horsepower, torque and sporty 
 suspension. Might we be better off with the Ultrasport since it is newer, better 
 on gas, cheaper and easier to work on?  I can only assume the newer less complex 
 Ultrasport will be more reliable. But an S4!!! Ah, decisions, decisions. 
 Recently my wife crunched the side skirt of her bug and punctured a tire which 
 resulted in what will most likely be $600+ in damages for new tires, mounting & 
 balancing, alignment and bodywork. The point is maybe an older car with a few 
 more blemishes will be a better bet for someone who isn't as anal retentive as 
 me to keep it in the best condition?

 I was also thinking about an A3 just for the DSG tranny paddle shifters but the 
 prices are still considerably high and it's not much car for the money compared 
 to a slightly used A4 or S4. Also always liked......dare I say it here......the 
 Volvo V70R and MazdaSpeed3 but prices are still fairly high for the Volvo and 
 the Mazda interior just can't compete with Audi not to mention front wheel drive 
 only. I'm pretty much sold on a new Audi, it's just which one to get. Any 
 thoughts and comments are appreciated.

 Aaron Ryba
 Upstate SC

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