View Full Version : Just Picked Up New S4 - Road Feel In Pedals
stewie
09-04-2009, 08:46 PM
Hi Lads
New member with my first Audi. Coming over from a BMW 135i, which was a little too small for my needs.
S4 is Ice Silver, Premium Plus, Navigation, Carbon Fiber Inlays, Bang And Olufson, Black Silk Nappa.
My car came with Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires. I am finding that on the highway, especially rough concrete that the car has a LOT of vibration and road feel through the pedals, to the point where it isn't comfortable. Anybody else having this issue? Anybody have different tires that came stock or replaced the stock tires?
There is a lot to like about the car but this is something that's souring my ownership experience.
Sharkfin
09-04-2009, 08:52 PM
Maybe your wheels/tires need balanced or you need an alignment?
stewie
09-04-2009, 08:59 PM
It doesn't feel like either of those. The steering is perfectly calm, no vibration or pulling to either side or drifting. It's really just the pedals. I was driving on one highway near my home, the route isn't to bumpy but it is concrete with small stones embedded. The vibration was so bad my feet were beginning to feel numb. I have driven many cars on this road without a problem. I'm just wondering whether it may be the tires or just typical of the car.
Sharkfin
09-04-2009, 09:03 PM
Well if it is just the pedals then maybe you should go back to the dealer and see if you can get them cleaned, adjusted and tightened. Maybe get SS brake lines as well
s4_fishingbean
09-04-2009, 09:54 PM
lets see some pics!!
A4Ber
09-04-2009, 10:03 PM
nice ride and welcome!
stewie
09-05-2009, 05:25 AM
Will post some pics later today.
I'm thinking about swapping out the Pirellis and going with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. We don't get too much snow in South Jersey most of the time and don't want to shell out on new wheels and winter tires at this time. Hoping the dealer can cut me a deal and buy back the current stock tires. BMW did that with my runcraps form 135i. Will find out today.
Anybody put the Michelin's on the new B8 A4? How were they for comfort while maintaining performance? How did they perform in snow with Quattro?
02A4TURBO
09-05-2009, 05:32 AM
Will post some pics later today.
I'm thinking about swapping out the Pirellis and going with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. We don't get too much snow in South Jersey most of the time and don't want to shell out on new wheels and winter tires at this time. Hoping the dealer can cut me a deal and buy back the current stock tires. BMW did that with my runcraps form 135i. Will find out today.
Anybody put the Michelin's on the new B8 A4? How were they for comfort while maintaining performance? How did they perform in snow with Quattro?
Some of the new S4s have been coming stock from the factory with Michelin PS2s.... I REALLY hope mine does, we shall see. Either way, you're going to want snow tires in the winter. PS2 + snow = death wish.
From what I saw on the lots, the 19's have PS2's, the 18's have P7's. I have not heard or seen anything on the pirelli, seems like a new tire.
Nice to see Audi is attracting brand new owners during this recession. BMW is taking the brunt of Audis recent sales records.
HobbesA5
09-05-2009, 07:59 PM
Either way, you're going to want snow tires in the winter. PS2 + snow = death wish.
He was talking about getting the Pilot A/S, not the PS2.
I live in South Jersey also, and we really don't get enough snow for dedicated winter tires if you are otherwise willing to run all-seasons (which many S4 owners might not be willing to do). If you want the performance of summer tires you certainly need something for the winter, but all-seasons work great as an all-around tire in our climate.
Nice to see Audi is attracting brand new owners during this recession. BMW is taking the brunt of Audis recent sales records.
Good to see that. I recall reading somewhere about a year or so ago an interview with the BMW Chairman and he was saying that he doesn't consider Audi a competitor as Audi is not premium. Guess he'll have to eat his word very soon...
the pedal feel is odd kinda. My A3 blew the tire off the rim nearly on a severe pothole. After changing all 4 tires, the machine could balance them, but the 2 wheels on the pothole side have a huge up and down in them. The pothole basically flatspotted the rims. Yet though all the horrific vibration, and noises from things vibrating now...the pedals are the same as new for feel. Sorta weird to get pedal vibration. My sterring wheel is also rock stable. Its the image in my rear view mirror now that is distorted from the vibs shaking the whole car at high frequency. (wife hardly notices, yet I am looking for 4 new rims to go with the rubber. freaking potholes)
AFizzle87
09-06-2009, 08:08 AM
tell the dealer, they changed my sportmaxx for ps2's when i had slight vibrations
DenverNoob
09-06-2009, 08:22 AM
you want an AMAZING AS ultra-performance tire...check out the Bridgestone Potenza RE 960 AS.
I have run them for 2 years...good winter performance in Colorado including mountain winter driving, and even reasonable track performance in the summer. Until well over half worn, they are quite quiet on the road and have very predictable performance when pushing the car.
stewie
09-06-2009, 07:13 PM
Well I got to drive the car today for the first time since I brought it home and for no other reason than pure pleasure. Took her onto some nice highways and twisty roads and all I can say is wow!!! I was having a bit of buyers remorse and missing my 135i. I was beginning to wonder if I had done the right thing, all I can say is I am now a happy man, this is a seriously fun car. It's a mixture of the 135i with the torquey engine and the E90 M3 with the superb transmission and planted suspension. I'm loving it!!!
Also I talked to the dealer yesterday and they are going to work out a deal for changing out the tires. The drive was so good today I am not sure if I want to. I have typically used dedicated snow tires and summer performance tires on my BMW's but I guess I will have to drive the car on my daily commute on Tuesday and Wednesday and see how it feels on the roads I drive most of the time, then I will decide. Take it from a die hard BMW fan (trust me my wife is still shocked I bought an Audi) this is a brilliant car.
Thanks a lot for the feedback guys. I hope to have some pictures up soon....have some house guests at the moment that is limiting my time.
stewie
09-06-2009, 07:25 PM
If I decide to go all seasons then Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and Bridgestone Potenza RE 960 AS are top of the list. Anyone have other recommendations for all seasons????
Those are some of the best all-seasons.. But seriously, I think it's better if you just get a separate winter set. That's what I'm doing in NJ.
toaster
09-07-2009, 01:29 PM
Take it from a die hard BMW fan (trust me my wife is still shocked I bought an Audi) this is a brilliant car.
Everyone wises up some time...audis kick some serious ass.
for dd's, it gets no better.
AeroSmith
09-07-2009, 02:16 PM
This is probably too obvious. But have you thought about playing with the tire pressures?
stewie
09-07-2009, 04:47 PM
So I checked the tire pressures and they were 36psi all round. The drivers door states they should be 41psi. Should I crank it up or is it likely to be more harsh.
Anyway here are some pictures....I'm not much of a photographer, this is the best I could do.
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/bottom.jpg
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/strfront.jpg
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/strint.jpg
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/strquarter.jpg
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/strrear.jpg
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/strside.jpg
AeroSmith
09-07-2009, 04:50 PM
Is that Ice Silver? My S5 Cab will be Ice Silver.
Yeah, try 41 PSI. What have you got to loose. These are heavy cars. I had a shimmy in my S8 when I first got it. But then I realized the tire pressures were off (too low) and I adjusted accordingly. Though, generally, lower pressures should give you a softer ride.
Beautiful Audi, BTW.
leviathan18
09-07-2009, 04:54 PM
how an S4 doesnt come with alu pedals is beyond me
AeroSmith
09-07-2009, 05:04 PM
Hey, how do you like the 7 speed S-tronic dual clutch tranny?
stewie
09-07-2009, 05:14 PM
Yeah it's Ice Silver. I really like it. It actually looks like white in some lighting. I was thinking the same about the pedals. Does Audi offer as many accesories as BMW does for the car (pedals, trim etc). I couldn't find anything on the Audi USA website. --------------Ignore this question, I found it. It is in a less than obvious place at the bottom of the site.
I think I am going to up the tires to 41 psi and see how they feel. I am also leaning towards going with dedicated snow tires.
The 7 speed dual clutch is my favorite aspect of the car. I absolutely love it. I haven't had any jerkiness at low speeds as another poster has mentioned. In fact I have driven the E90 M3 DCT a couple of times and it's fantastic, but it was violently jerky at times when taking off from a stoplight. This car has been smooth and it shifts very quickly. The 135i I had prior, had the best auto tranny I have driven. It was made by ZF and was excellent, but the STronic blows it away in my opinion.
stewie
09-07-2009, 05:18 PM
Does anyone know if Audi or an aftermarket company are working on a carbon fiber trim piece to replace the silver around the dials and MMI? I really wished Audi had made that trim CF as well as the center console and doors. I think it would look great.
UmIsThisThingOn
09-07-2009, 05:44 PM
Does anyone know if Audi or an aftermarket company are working on a carbon fiber trim piece to replace the silver around the dials and MMI? I really wished Audi had made that trim CF as well as the center console and doors. I think it would look great.
Yes sir:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308168
OCarbon.com are working on it right now. I'm going to call my salesman tomorrow to see if I can upgrade the trim to CF.
If not, then I'll get an aftermarket trim set from OCarbon.
stewie
09-07-2009, 06:50 PM
Yes sir:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308168
OCarbon.com are working on it right now. I'm going to call my salesman tomorrow to see if I can upgrade the trim to CF.
If not, then I'll get an aftermarket trim set from OCarbon.
Thanks that is definitely something I will purchase, I really think it will suit the interior nicely as longs as it is an exact or close match to the OEM trim.