2012 S4 CPO vs 2013 S4

[B Dot]

I'm on my way back to the audi community, but this time I'm looking to get into a "S series. I have found two similar S4s with similar mileage but one is a 2012 CPO from an Audi dealership and the other is a 2013 being sold by the original owner. Both are 6spd manual with optional sport diff. Neither have accidents or any issues to physically set them about other than they are different colors. The 2012 has the peelers (which I love). Asking price for both is 36k and they are sitting at the 30k mileage range. My question is should I lean towards the year older model just to get the CPO? Or feel confident in the remaining factory warranty for the B8.5. I have yet to drive one (will later this week) but I know it will check the blocks for me. I'm currently in a 2015 STI and I just miss the German sport luxury combination. Thanks in advance!

[ryanhmusic]

I'm on my way back to the audi community, but this time I'm looking to get into a "S series. I have found two similar S4s with similar mileage but one is a 2012 CPO from an Audi dealership and the other is a 2013 being sold by the original owner. Both are 6spd manual with optional sport diff. Neither have accidents or any issues to physically set them about other than they are different colors. The 2012 has the peelers (which I love). Asking price for both is 36k and they are sitting at the 30k mileage range. My question is should I lean towards the year older model just to get the CPO? Or feel confident in the remaining factory warranty for the B8.5. I have yet to drive one (will later this week) but I know it will check the blocks for me. I'm currently in a 2015 STI and I just miss the German sport luxury combination. Thanks in advance!

Biggest difference is gonna be the front facia update b8 vs b8.5 and the hydraulic vs electric steering.

For me, I vastly prefer hydraulic steering but the facia of the b8.5 so i'd get the one I could get a better deal on. $36k seems high to me.

[b6onboost]

In this situation the CPO is likely only giving you an extra 1 year of warranty. I would not make the decision based solely on that.

Now if you like the B8 looks or steering feel better...then that's a good reason.

I would personally get the B8.5 since I prefer the more modern looks and interior upgrades.

My question is should I lean towards the year older model just to get the CPO?

[bronz]

No input on b8 vs b8.5 but i made a move from 15 STi as well and could not be happier!

[doughboy17]

Test drive both. The difference in steering is supposed to be noticeable. How many miles/ yr. do you plan to drive it? That may determine which warranty is better for you -- factory remainder or CPO. I prefer the 2012 styling but the 2013 has that beautiful flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Look at the CarFax / receipts for differences in maintenance. Determine whether either has AudiCare.

Personally, I love the 19" peelers, too, but good look alikes can be purchased for cheap through ECS Tuning.

[BAHNSTORMER]

If it comes down to warranty, it depends on the in service date. The 2012 may still have original warranty and after it expires there will be 24 months of CPO warranty/up to 100K miles, whichever comes up first. CPO warranty will have $85 deductible for each repair.

[AnotherJake]

I like the new features on the updated MMI with the 13+ over the 12-. Bluetooth audio streaming is big for me cause I keep all my music on my phone. Good luck with your choice.

[B Dot]

Test drive both. The difference in steering is supposed to be noticeable. How many miles/ yr. do you plan to drive it? That may determine which warranty is better for you -- factory remainder or CPO. I prefer the 2012 styling but the 2013 has that beautiful flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Look at the CarFax / receipts for differences in maintenance. Determine whether either has AudiCare.

Personally, I love the 19" peelers, too, but good look alikes can be purchased for cheap through ECS Tuning.




Well I found a 2013 S4 auto local to me and I'm going to take it for a test drive. Just to get a feel for it. The 6spd B8.5s are a couple hour drive from me and I would make that drive when I'm going to pull the trigger. I will report back with my thoughts post test drive! As far as warranty I probably drive 10k miles a year if I'm lucky but I think just knowing I have extended warranty would help me sleep better at night. I've wrenched on a few VAGs but the peace of mind would be nice. I will make sure to check the in service dates, I've seen the autocheck and neither show service information so I'll look into pulling a carfax, and I'll look into which may have Audi care. I appreciate the feedback.

[StevenStarke]

36k isn't high for a 2013 6mt with 30k miles. People are trying to get 33k-36k for 10-12's.

I'd go with the 13. I had a 10 for 5 months and then went to a 13. I like the look of the 13 so much more.

[Frinkferta]

If you plan on tracking the car, I'd say 12. Otherwise enjoy the comfortableness of the 13.

[chaos2984]

get a B8.5 you will be much happier over all with the look of the car and the newer tech and layout of stuff in the car. I am glad I got a B8.5 The steering is fine to me I have 0 issues with it.

[The Fat Kid]

It would not be fair if we called it for you.

[RudyH]

No input on b8 vs b8.5 but i made a move from 15 STi as well and could not be happier!

that's too bad, the new 2016 Civic coming out has a really nice interior and exterior, should have waited. Or possibly stepped up to a S3.


OP, IMO, the only real 'mechanical' thing that seems to be steering for the '13's that people have been complaining about, otherwise solid car. With the B9's around the corner, I would sway more towards the B8.5, which will prolong your want to jump into one a tad longer. Plus the tech is newer, and the cosmetic items make the B8.5 appealing. In your shoes, I would do that, but I wouldn't be willing to sell my B8 for one

[LINDW4LL]

Go with the '13

[anerbe]

Try the 13 - and from your test drive determine if you are happy with the steering or not. All the updates outside of steering is better. Of course there's the few with opinions that the B8 looks better than the B8.5, but there's no denying the updated interior/tech.

Personally, I can feel the difference vs. the B8, but it's not a world of difference. For the steering notch, you either can feel it on the particular car or not. Luckily I don't have any such issues.

I came from cars with better steering feel than the B8 or B8.5, and i find the 8.5 more than adequate to do more sporty driving on the road and the occasional track day (except the brakes).

[MrFunk]

13's are known for steering issues not to mention the 1st gen of electric steering (which sucks IMO). I'd go with a CPO 12' over a 13' any day. The 12's are the best year of the B8's and the 13's are the worst year of the B8.5... call me bias but do research and you'll see...

[B Dot]

Well to make matters more complicated I was actually impressed with the DSG in the 13 S4 that I drove. The steering felt really sloppy but then again I just got out of my 15 sti which has very tight steering. The Audi dealer would not budge a penny off their sale price. It was CPO 1 owner but didn't have the sport diff and I just figured they would come off the price some what. Sigh.. Just have to plan for a drive to a dealer that's further away. The interior was impressive. My wife really liked it.

[doug97gxe]

if the 12 wasn't CPO'd i would say 13 .. if you must pick one of the two i say the CPO 12 or wait till you can find a CPO 13

[cw8307]

Just picked up a 2013 CPO w/ 30k miles (sport dif, nav, DSG) for $37,500 adjusted to $37k since Audi picks up the first payment. Asking price was $39k. Not the highest or the lowest priced CPO within 500 miles (lower priced had 35-47k miles, stone chips, less than perfect interior) but the condition was excellent so I wasn't going to lose the car. You can always extend your warranty beyond the 6 yr 100k. They will try to sell you on it especially to cover Nav if equipped but the monthly payment jumped $100 by adding extended coverages. I declined. I want to do some fun stuff to the car post warranty.

They had a 2014 CPO on the lot for $47k. Going to a 13 gets you the fresh face and tech while eliminating a lot of depreciation.

[chilort]

I have a '12 S4 and love it. Have driven the '13 a few times as a loaner (I've got 70k miles on the clock and have had a loaner for some of the longer services) and I'll be keeping my '12 for some time to come. I think the face lift doesn't look as good. The MMI is marginally better. The soundakotor should never have been an option and the steering and ride (somehow) were worse. The B9 looks even worse.