SouthernBoy

Both a sad and a happy day was Friday, September 25. I let my beloved 2004 TL 6MT go and took delivery of a 2016 Audi S4 6MT that I ordered on June 30. Audi is no longer accepting orders for 2016 S4's with manual transmissions and my salesman told me I very well may have gotten one built in the last production run for those transmissions.

This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to take in my car purchasing experience. But it's gone now and if this frigging rain and wetness ever stops, I can take the new machine out for some more driving.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Let's see some pics

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

^ What he said

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

congrats brother, I'm sure you'll love this one even more than the TL! and would love to see you keep it til the wheels fall off!!

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

Congrats! That is one car I would love to have one day! Gotta put some pics up though

Thanks for your help through all the years, when I first got my car back in 2008 you always had helpful posts and responses!

Looking forward to seeing the car and your thoughts

pohljm

congratulations! nice choice

NBP04TL4ME

Wow! Congrats

SouthernBoy

As for pics, I don't use a hosting service. So if there is a way that I can post pics from my camera on this site, I'll do it. I took a few when it was in the new car delivery bay last week on the day I took delivery.

Slpr04UA6

Congrats!


I'm sure it was hard letting go of the TL, but very nice choice on replacement!


In for pics!



I'm pretty sure you can post pics straight from your computer now.

SouthernBoy

Initial impressions...

Using Audi's Drive Select and setting the mode to dynamic produces fantastic throttle response, which I love. It also tightens up the steering and firms up the suspension a bit.

Torque is the first thing that hits you. There is gobs of it right off idle and throughout the power band. Same for the horsepower.

The clutch is VERY forgiving... nothing like the touchy TL clutch. Clutch pedal travel is longer than that of the TL but very predictable. The shifter feels great in the hand and the throws are acceptably short (not too short). There is some notchiness, probably due to the longitudinal engine layout (more direct and precise).

The car is super loaded with features and techie bells and whistles. Gonna take some time to get used to it all.

The engine is a 183 cubic inch (3.0 liter) 90 degree V6 topped by a supercharger with two intercoolers. Audi rates it at 333 HP and 325 ft/lbs of torque. Now if you so some research, you'll see that those numbers are dyno pull wheel numbers, not at the flywheel. And since it is an AWD, the parasitic loss is probably over 20% which puts the horsepower well over 400 and the torque close behind. And when you consider that the car weighs close to 3900 pounds and manages a 4.4 0-60 second run with a quarter mile of 12.9 seconds at 109.8 MPH, the reported numbers don't hack it. Trust me, it is quick.

Overall, a near perfect mix of luxury and performance. What's not to like. As a postscript, BMW apparently has discontinued the 335i and now has its replacement; the 340i. Looks like a great car.

MarcDavidoff

Sounds like quite the machine. Amazing how much can be squeezed out of an relatively small engine these days. Good luck with it!

SouthernBoy

Indeed it was. Took me a year to firm up my decision.

SouthernBoy

Sure is. Just look what Ford has coming in their Focus RS. That 4-banger is slated to produce 354 HP.

MarcDavidoff

Geesh.. And to think that the 92 GSR's 1.7L at 170hp was one of the first engines to produce 100hp per liter

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

congrats buddy

SouthernBoy

Thanks much... from a fellow guitar player.

dinks07

iTrader: (4)

Dude i bought your car today from audi chantilly what a small world

eastcoastguy

Just click on the insert image and upload them to the forum, if I'm correct you do not need a hosting service anymore. :-)

SouthernBoy

I saw your PM. Please respond.

BTW, you got a good one. Hopefully you've read my writeups about operating a manual transmission and will treat it accordingly. It still has the original clutch (it should after only 112,000 miles) and the original rear brake pads. The front pads are Rotex Kevlar Golds to reduce the dusting so common with Brembo brakes.

Legend2TL

SouthernBoy, Congrats! Very nice replacement to the 3G!

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

Congrats man!

SouthernBoy

That's what I felt, too. It's really nice.

Thanks. Hard decision but what the hey. I'll be 70 in three months so why not.

jim1234664

Smart move for sure, may as well treat yourself.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Excellent choice! It seems to me a lot of people trade in their Acura for an Audi.

And yes it's amazing what they can do with a little engine. Hell even the 2.0 TFSI's can be chipped to add 100hp/100ft lbs. Which blows my mind.

SouthernBoy

Some of the after market tuners are managing some insane numbers for the S4 engine. With HP numbers in the high 400 range (like 480), that means that flywheel HP comes in around 600. The APR Stage 1 93 tune results in 444 HP and 372 ft/lbs of torque.

I watched a couple of videos of a tuned S4 blowing away a Dodge Charger Hellcat. That's crazy.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Yep. I've had my eye on S5s for over three years now. Once the 2013+ coupes start filling the CPO pages I will be getting one. Which is a SCed 3.0 not too far removed from your turboed 3.0. Most of the tuning numbers are about the same.

Did you opt for the sport differential or are they standard on the MT?

SouthernBoy

The S4 does not make use of a turbocharger. Its engine is supercharged. No I didn't opt for the sport diff because I don't intend to track the car. And if you're not pushing it hard, you won't notice whether or not it has a sport diff.

Audi is going to go the route of turbo charging their 2017 S4's but the 2016's are still using their supercharger.

wlbolton

I got the bug to purchase the A5, but I did not have the heart to part with the TL. Love them both.

Will Y.

Congrats!
The Audi is an ideal replacement for the TL, and the stick shift and clutch probably feel much better than that on the BMW 3-series.

Don't be a stranger-- many of us are over in the Car Talk and Ramblings sub-forums.

mtiaz

Nice choice. Colour combo?
I loved driving those things at work. Driving stick in those things are pretty easy although the shifter was kind of disappointing. It was weird when I first got in my TL & a bit over two weeks to drive the TL smoothly. Phenomenal driving dynamics & the engines a real gem!
Congrats on the upgrade

SouthernBoy

I got Daytona Grey Pearl with the Fine Black Nappa interior. I don't like the multi-toned interiors at all. And the Alcantara seats, which is the standard interior, don't work with me. I really loved the Anthracite exterior color on my TL so I wanted to stay close to that. And the all black interior just goes so well with it. Understated and nice.

I don't look at the S4 as an upgrade over my TL but rather more like a change. Believe me, I agonized over this for well over a year. Two weeks before it came in I was seriously thinking of backing out and keeping the TL because I loved that TL so much. Very difficult decision for me to take.

SouthernBoy

I've never driven a BMW with a manual transmission so I know squat about its characteristics. How is a manual BMW to drive? I have to say, their new 340i looks great on the web.

What's the path to Car Talk and Ramblings? It's been quite a while since I have been on that forum.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Ahh sorry I thought they had already made that jump on the '16s. The CAKAs are strong!

Slpr04UA6

The Path......






Car Talk - AcuraZine Community






Ramblings - AcuraZine Community


Still want to see pics!

Will Y.

The 335 manuals that I drove all had somewhat rubbery shifters and clutches that didn't have much feel and used all their travel, not engaging until let up fully. The Audi 4s look better and has nicer interiors overall.

See above post for links to Car Talk and Ramblings.

mtiaz

Good choice ma man! Dayton Grey Pearl is such a very beautiful colour, very "rich" looking in terms of depth of that makes sense. Personally my favorite behind Sepang Blue & Suzuka Grey. I don't mind the alcantara leather but I see what you mean with the two-tone seats.

Very true, sometimes you just need a change. I've driven every single Audi in the current line-up & most don't do it for me but the S4 was an exception & I fell in-love with it. For the class of vehicle it is in, it's the best choice imo. Hope it serves you well in the years to come

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I say "Pictures or it didn't happen"..........



































Congrats dude.

6MTrules

SB = MT god.

In the early days, you helped us all out with tips and techniques for shifting, both up and down. Thanks.

SouthernBoy

Please excuse my ignorance but what is CAKA (somehow I feel I should know this)?

SouthernBoy

Thanks, I appreciate this. I'll try to get some pics up soon. I did take some when the car was in the new car delivery bay.