B8 vs B8.5 S4

[Bayy613]

Now I’m sure this has been a talked about thread more than once but I’m having the hardest time trying to determine what are the main differences. Should I wait for the right B8.5 to show up or would I be just as satisfied with a B8? I know this is like a super beginner question lol but I’m looking to buy my first S4 and I would obviously prefer the better model. Thank you for your help, you’ll be doing me a thousand favors for helping me out.

[03redgti]

With how cheap b8.5's are right now..it's a no brainer. Some of the main differences are with the b8.5 you get electronic steering..updated MMI..flat bottom steering wheel..updated water pump (metal) and thermostat..2014 and up have the better trans/mech units..some 2013 have the old style that fails..like my car smh. The LED headlights are obviously different.. If you can swing it get a 2014 and up imo.

[YSPAIK]

Lots of threads out there, but a lot of differences between the two. Appearance wise, b8.5 has the updated front and rear end (bumpers, grille, lights). The updated led running lights are a huge difference when looking at the car. Also, interior is updated as well with new steering wheel and shifter. Mechanically, the s tronic transmission is updated based on some previous issues, thermostat doesn’t fail anymore, and rear diff is updated. Might be missing some items, but I’m sure someone else will chime in

[03redgti]

Also with the b8.5 you don't run the risk of being called a peasant like b8 owners.

[YSPAIK]

Also with the b8.5 you don't run the risk of being called a peasant like b8 owners.

🤣 that’s harsh... true, but harsh.

J/K!

[rrated]

Also with the b8.5 you don't run the risk of being called a peasant like b8 owners.

Gives us more of a sleeper advantage

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[Shuga]

B8.5 all the way. It’s updated over the B8

[Dr GP]

Lots of threads out there, but a lot of differences between the two. Appearance wise, b8.5 has the updated front and rear end (bumpers, grille, lights). The updated led running lights are a huge difference when looking at the car. Also, interior is updated as well with new steering wheel and shifter. Mechanically, the s tronic transmission is updated based on some previous issues, thermostat doesn’t fail anymore, and rear diff is updated. Might be missing some items, but I’m sure someone else will chime in

Sorry to disagree, but Audi is using the sane POS Tstat was used in the b8. It will usually fail somewhere between 60k and 80k miles.The B8/8.5 water pumps have been metal since mid 2011 production.The PCV valves have been upgraded with a newer unit that is less prone to cause oil consumption. The B8.5 do have more bells and whistles. I have gone from B8 to B8.5 add back to b8 again.(now driving neither) All 3 cars provided the same driving experience. I would not pass up a good deal on a low mileage B8 in great condition. I would pass on any B8/8.5 S4 that did not have a sport differential.

[rrated]

Sorry to disagree, but Audi is using the sane POS Tstat was used in the b8. It will usually fail somewhere between 60k and 80k miles.The B8/8.5 water pumps have been metal since mid 2011 production.The PCV valves have been upgraded with a newer unit that is less prone to cause oil consumption. The B8.5 do have more bells and whistles. I have gone from B8 to B8.5 add back to b8 again.(now driving neither) All 3 cars provided the same driving experience. I would not pass up a good deal on a low mileage B8 in great condition. I would pass on any B8/8.5 S4 that did not have a sport differential.

Sport differential is definitely nice I've had both non and sport and I missed the sport diff. Same goes for hydraulic dynamic steering pump

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[fstr n u]

I'm going to stand out on a limb as someone who has actually track raced on professional courses and daily drives an 800+hp car, the Sports Diff is an added bonus but not necessary.

My driving in the city consists of city/freeway hauls. I don't track my S4 ever so the Sports Diff would never come into play...even in the winter. My non-sports diff S4 with a 6MT is a hoot in the winter. Definitely not a feature to lose your shirt over as most Audi owner realistically don't autocross their cars enough to warrant a sports diff. If they do, they'd be smart enough to buy a car that handles better than ours do with the weight distribution f/r.

[Bayy613]

What do you guys think of this?

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/ct...851362589.html

[Dr GP]

What do you guys think of this?

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/ct...851362589.html

Looks nice. .I believe Rear heated seats were not available on US models. Manuals are rare but I do think it is overpriced Maybe worth $17k. I traded my 2011 with 80k miles in last Feb and got $ 15k from a dealer. So you would expect to get more for the car with a private sale.

[Schadenfreude]

Looks nice. .I dont believe Rear heated seats were not available on US models. Manuals are rare but I do think it is overpriced Maybe worth $17k. I traded my 2011 with 80k miles in last Feb and got $ 15k from a dealer. So you would expect to get more for the car with a private sale.

I agree. That seems overpriced. If I thought I could get that price for my 2012 6MT with 44k miles (which had new front and rear brakes done 2k or 3k miles ago) I'd probably sell it. I don't think heated rear seats were an option in the US either.

[rrated]

I agree. That seems overpriced. If I thought I could get that price for my 2012 6MT with 44k miles (which had new front and rear brakes done 2k or 3k miles ago) I'd probably sell it. I don't think heated rear seats were an option in the US either.

They were available certain years and certain packages but I thought only on luxury packages and not with the sport seats.

Probably wouldn't be super hard to add, or it could just be a mistake.

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[Dr GP]

They were available certain years and certain packages but I thought only on luxury packages and not with the sport seats.

Probably wouldn't be super hard to add, or it could just be a mistake.

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ONLY in Canada!

[rrated]

That's probably correct

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[ns8013]

I agree. That seems overpriced. If I thought I could get that price for my 2012 6MT with 44k miles (which had new front and rear brakes done 2k or 3k miles ago) I'd probably sell it. I don't think heated rear seats were an option in the US either.

Unless the market has seriously dropped since I was shopping in November, I would think getting around $20k for your car would be possible. I ended up going with a 2015 with only 19,500 miles, but looked at a lot of 2011 and 2012's that were all in the 70k-80k range for mileage, and they were all asking $19,000-$21,000 or so. So with only 44k miles and 6MT, assuming it's in great shape, that seems very reasonable to me.

[Schadenfreude]

They were available certain years and certain packages but I thought only on luxury packages and not with the sport seats.

Probably wouldn't be super hard to add, or it could just be a mistake.

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You'd probably have to swap out the rear seats for seats that contained the heating elements (or see if the seats come apart and a heating element can be installed). I've seen under mine and there are no wiring harnesses to suggest that they contain a heating element that just needs to be attached to a harness.

[Schadenfreude]

Unless the market has seriously dropped since I was shopping in November, I would think getting around $20k for your car would be possible. I ended up going with a 2015 with only 19,500 miles, but looked at a lot of 2011 and 2012's that were all in the 70k-80k range for mileage, and they were all asking $19,000-$21,000 or so. So with only 44k miles and 6MT, assuming it's in great shape, that seems very reasonable to me.

They were asking those prices but were they selling? With the tax credit, I'll most likely just trade my car if/when a car I like shows up at a dealer (unless I buy private party).

[Bayy613]

So I think IÂ’m going to go with the 2011 lbis white S4 with sport differential, black optics package, Black alcantara seats which I was looking for, timing and cam chains have been replaced which he says was $5700, the front brakes need done which is fine with me. The total out the door price will be 18k with 71800 miles. What do you guys think? I think in the future IÂ’ll purchase the rs4 but for now I think IÂ’ll be satisfied with the 2011 B8 until then. Thanks again for all the replies you guys are much help.

[Bayy613]

It is the prestige edition btw.

[Schadenfreude]

Were you considering an RS4 too? I didn't see that in the thread.

[Bayy613]

Well I haven’t been looking for an rs4 particularly, just looking at the older models. I’m just hoping my purchase on Saturday is the right one and I’m getting it for a good price. It sure seems like it to me.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...CarId=1e785aae

[JeffSQuattro]

2014+ , some peace of mind


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[Bayy613]

But why the 2014 and up? What’re the significant changes?

[03redgti]

But why the 2014 and up? What’re the significant changes?

Because with the 2014 you are guaranteed the gen 2 mech unit. Some 2013's have 1.5 which have a higher failure rate.

[Ford Prefect]

But why the 2014 and up? What’re the significant changes?

I’m curious why they replaced the timing chain. That’s not a huge issues on these cars from what I’ve read.


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[Ford Prefect]

But why the 2014 and up? What’re the significant changes?

Not sure if this will be a second reply but...there is nothing wrong with that B8. A southern car is good, trust me there.

Although I’d ask for receipts on the timing chain. That’s not a huge issue on the 3.0T.


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[jsh139]

Well I haven’t been looking for an rs4 particularly, just looking at the older models. I’m just hoping my purchase on Saturday is the right one and I’m getting it for a good price. It sure seems like it to me.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...CarId=1e785aae

FYI, I'm pretty sure that car is not a Prestige model. It doesn't have the push-to-start/advanced key, seat memory, and a few other options which are standard for the Prestige package.

[AudiAdrian]

I’ll make this quick. Why am I running 20% lean? 2013 Q5 B8 210hp CPMA engine. My HPFP was leaking, probably just the o-ring but I replaced the whole pump and roller-type follower anyway(no wear). One month later fuel pressure codes start appearing. I don’t want to start throwing in multiple parts if someone on here can give me the likely scenario. Car starts and runs fine, maybe a slight rough idle for 10-20 seconds. No BCD’s but scanner shows 40bar at idle and up to 70 bar at 70mph. Any thoughts. Btw, do have a slightly stretched timing chain but not a big issue.

[B5Dreaming]

I’ll make this quick. Why am I running 20% lean? 2013 Q5 B8 210hp CPMA engine. My HPFP was leaking, probably just the o-ring but I replaced the whole pump and roller-type follower anyway(no wear). One month later fuel pressure codes start appearing. I don’t want to start throwing in multiple parts if someone on here can give me the likely scenario. Car starts and runs fine, maybe a slight rough idle for 10-20 seconds. No BCD’s but scanner shows 40bar at idle and up to 70 bar at 70mph. Any thoughts. Btw, do have a slightly stretched timing chain but not a big issue.

You might be in the wrong thread.

[fastboatster]

I think that B8 can be a good buy if its a 6 speed, otherwise if you want a dsg, b8.5 is somewhat safer choice, although don't think that these are completely bullet-proof (if some b8 has a brand new trans installed and has paperwork to prove it then dsg is not a huge concern)

[B8Addiction]

I think that B8 can be a good buy if its a 6 speed, otherwise if you want a dsg, b8.5 is somewhat safer choice, although don't think that these are completely bullet-proof (if some b8 has a brand new trans installed and has paperwork to prove it then dsg is not a huge concern)

The 2012 B8 S4 has had the least reported problems to date for the whole line of b8/8.5 S4. That goes for the Engine and DSG.

[wangshuo1989]

Because with the 2014 you are guaranteed the gen 2 mech unit. Some 2013's have 1.5 which have a higher failure rate.

Check the build date, my MY13 has 2.0 and its build date is 07/2012. I guess at least any MY13 from that date should have 2.0.