C7 V C8 S6?

[sparcbox]

All,

Hope everyone’s doing well. New-ish to this sub-forum and appreciate any information shared in advance.

I’m looking for a replacement (maybe) for my ‘09 S4 Cab. It’s pretty much a garage queen and has less than 70K on the clock with JHM ECU tune. I may or may not replace the car as I suspect what it would bring in trade isn’t worth the fun that I’d have just keeping it around for kicks.

Anyhow, the next car will be an S6. No desire to buy M as we’re a four-rings family. What I’m weighing is to go with the C7 V8 or the C8 V6. With the S4 I went through the same issue as when I bought that it was right as the B8s were coming out and I had a friend with a S5 Cab who let me test drive his a bit. Although there were some creature features that were nicer in the S5, the B7 S4 just felt better... and frankly, the exhaust notes were enough to flip things in favor of the S4.

So, what’s the general opinion on the S6 C7 v C8? Personally, if I had to pull the trigger today I’d probably go with the C7 for the V8 again. I don’t really see enough of a difference on internal cabin comforts to pull the trigger on the C8.

Any known issues with the C7 S6 that I should be aware of? With the S4s we had issues with chain guides breaking in earlier runs of the engine that lead to catastrophic failure... and the RS4s had all kinds of issues with carbon build up. All things that you have to take in stride when buying a performance car, I guess. But would like to hear from the community on what’s _really_ known through experience so I am going in eyes wide open.

Again, thoughts appreciated in advance. Also links to resources appreciated. Honestly, it seems to be a pretty reliable platform compared to the B6/7 S4s based on the lack of complaints I’m seeing in this sub forum. That said, want to make sure that I didn’t miss anything as well.

Many thanks!

[135Hoser]

There's multiple threads in the V8 subforum about premature turbo failure... Go do some reading there to get an idea about the pitfalls of the v8.

[wwhan]

V8 4.0TT Specific: https://www.audizine.com/forum/forum...4-0TT-Specific

4.0TT Blown Turbo Poll: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...own-Turbo-Poll

Motor Mount - Signal Failure: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post13678489

Reliability on 4.0TT: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post13334253

The 2018 Audi Technical Update (ATU) mentions cam adjuster & the newer optimized glide rail # 079109470A in production since April 2017 for the 4.0T (page 9 & 11):
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50761-9999.pdf

Some of the 2013 S6 had DSG (transmission) issues and there is an old TSB on this.

2013 S7 Transmission malfunction: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post12874456

[DoItAllGarage]

Do you wrench on your own car? If not, the upfront cost of updating the turbo oil system could sting.

[sparcbox]

I can and do wrench, depending on what it is and cost. I’ve had the S4 in pieces all over my garage at times... but at the end of the day, life’s too short to always do the wrenching. I just had the pressure valve in the AC done a couple of weeks ago. I probably could have done it in an afternoon myself + cost of parts which wasn’t a lot. I chose to just have it done because I was too busy.

Thanks for the replies above. Had seen those and compared to the horror stories with the 4.2 chain guides, this all seems pretty manageable... and frankly, in line with what one would expect from a performance platform. It’s all about the trade off, right? Know that you’re going to pay up for something, but may as well have a crap ton of fun driving it between.

[wwhan]

The C7 V8 4.0T is an Audi design.

The C8 V6 2.9T is based on a Porsche design and is a variant of the RS5 B9 2.9T.

The RS7/RS6 C8 V8 4.0T is based on a Porsche design.

[DoItAllGarage]

I can and do wrench, depending on what it is and cost. I’ve had the S4 in pieces all over my garage at times... but at the end of the day, life’s too short to always do the wrenching. I just had the pressure valve in the AC done a couple of weeks ago. I probably could have done it in an afternoon myself + cost of parts which wasn’t a lot. I chose to just have it done because I was too busy.
.

Absolutely agree with you! I say go for it!

[sparcbox]

Thanks! I’m in no super hurry, but to that end, I have cash to just do it any time I want... when I find the right car... and the wife and financial planner (not the same) know that I have that money earmarked and approve. I guess that’s half the battle... LOL. I took close to 18 months to pull the trigger on the S4 because I was happy to wait for the right one to come available. Will likely do the same here... just quietly peek around every week and when I find the right one, jump on a plane and drive it home from wherever.

If I go with the C7, which if I pulled the trigger right now I would, I’d likely go with an ‘18 with super low miles. I’ve bought plenty of new off the lot cars before, but something sub-10K seems to be almost ideal for this. There’s plenty of folks who get into one of these things who find them to not be to their liking for whatever reason and I’m happy to take advantage of them paying the depreciation for driving it off the lot.

One other question, for those who have these marvelous machines... I replaced the head unit on my S4 with a CarPlay from Kenwood. I’ve seen some discussion about CarPlay here and there. What’s the deal with this? Can this be ‘switched on’ if I take to the stealership if it’s not part of the OEM package? Am I looking at something after market? The wife is in a ‘15 Q7 so I frankly don’t know if there’s any learning that I have from her car that I can apply. Clunky or not, I do dig CarPlay. It’s nice to enter a location on my phone and not have to deal with the Audi Nav system.

Thanks again all. I do appreciate the discussion. These seem like such fun drives. The S4 certainly has been a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to my next set of rings.

[DoItAllGarage]

There are some good deals around.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-Carbon-inlays

Last December people were getting up to $25k off new S6.

[sparcbox]

Thanks all, again, who responded.

I pulled the trigger yesterday on a 2017 S6 Oolong Gray on Black. I think that I got a fairly good deal. Jumped a flight to Memphis on Friday night and drove it home to Chicago on Saturday. Great drive, although the weather sucked. Over the drive of eight hours I had at least three hours of solid downpour and a couple of brief hydroplane incidences. Not terrible, but certainly enough to get my attention. Once the rain was done I was gifted a couple hours of freezing rain and sleet from the southern IL border up to about Champaign... and then some more rain again from north of Champaign until I hit I80.

Not a ton of fun considering that the car is sitting on summer rubber...

So here’s the deal on the car and a couple questions of advice from those of you who know the platform better than I.

The dealer in Memphis was the dealer who sold the car originally. Came in off lease and they retained it for sale. The original owner has dual citizen status and this was his “US car.” When I hopped in the drivers seat for the test drive there were less than 4,900 miles on the car (not a typo). It’s, as you’d guess, exceptionally clean. Yes, my drive home added ~15% of the mileage that that car has had in the two years of ownership.

I have until January of 2021 with Audi warranty as I’ll never get to the mileage number for expiration.

Not counting taxes, plates, etc... the deal came in at $48K and change (sticker was $77K).
* Premium Plus
* Cold weather package
* Drivers assist
* Complete service documentation

Sadly no S-Sport package or Black Optic... both of which would have been nice but not necessary.

The deal was less than I had been budgeting for so I’m looking at the APR Stage 1 which I can have done by one of the Audi dealers out here in the Chicago burbs.

So, the questions:
* Given the mileage, after market warranty? If so, does anyone know of one that works with the APR Stage 1 tune? Or pass on the tune and just get the warranty?
* Ceramic coating? Have heard about this and am very interested. Anyone have experience with / recommendations?
* I’m in Chicago... I can’t keep that car on summer rubber. Recommendations on good all weather sports? 20-inch wheels.

I have an ‘09 B7 S4 Cab that I’m going to sell soon and am considering getting it detailed and do the ceramic coating on that as well. I’m going to miss the S4 quite a bit. It is a great car. JHM ECU tuned and for a NA engine I’ve enjoyed the hell out of the performance of the platform. Just a joy to drive... but after the small part of my ride in good weather yesterday, I don’t think that I’ll miss it too much. This S6 is a marvelous car.

Thanks in advance!

[Valpo A7]

I can’t speak for 20s but I run Continental Control Contacts all seasons on my 12 A7 in the 19 inch variety. I have 57,000 miles on them with 5/32nds tread remaining so this summer to fall will be new tire time. I live in NW Indiana and commute to Bolingbrook for work so I am familiar with where you live. The tires have served me well over the last 2 winters around Chicago and the car actually performed better in the snow than our 4wd Jeep Patriot.

Your S6 being a 2017 it might have the upgraded turbo oil screen in it already so that should be a plus. I would suspect you could research it with your local Audi dealer or reach out to AoA to find out.

As for the S4, if you are gonna sell it soon all you really need to do is wash and minor detailing. A pro level detail and the ceramic coating will not fetch any more money for the car. It will not increase the value on the used market.

[sparcbox]

I can’t speak for 20s but I run Continental Control Contacts all seasons on my 12 A7 in the 19 inch variety. I have 57,000 miles on them with 5/32nds tread remaining so this summer to fall will be new tire time. I live in NW Indiana and commute to Bolingbrook for work so I am familiar with where you live. The tires have served me well over the last 2 winters around Chicago and the car actually performed better in the snow than our 4wd Jeep Patriot.

Your S6 being a 2017 it might have the upgraded turbo oil screen in it already so that should be a plus. I would suspect you could research it with your local Audi dealer or reach out to AoA to find out.

As for the S4, if you are gonna sell it soon all you really need to do is wash and minor detailing. A pro level detail and the ceramic coating will not fetch any more money for the car. It will not increase the value on the used market.

Thanks for the reply. I do think you’re right about the ceramic coating on the S4 not brining any extra money, but there’s a part of me that wants to hand over a really clean car, especially if private sale. And I’d also like a test run application on the S4 before I do the S6. And Perhaps some of it is a matter of wanting the next owner to love it as much as I’ve loved it... and some of it is just out of respect for the car. Even with it being an ‘09 it’s got less than 72K on the clock, but it’s been a part of me for a long time. Damn fine car, and frankly, I might be a little emotionally attached to it. LOL.

So, how about that weather yesterday? Geeez... not exactly the driving conditions that I wanted to deal with for the maiden voyage. When I had breakfast at the hotel in Memphis I saw the weather and knew I was going to be in for a long day.

Here’s to spring, I guess.

Again, thanks for the reply.

[Papachristou]

I’m in Memphis! Too bad i couldn’t have picked you up. Nice ride. I hunted mine for about 6 months.

[sparcbox]

I’m in Memphis! Too bad i couldn’t have picked you up. Nice ride. I hunted mine for about 6 months.

Thanks! Aside from the weather on the way home, I much enjoyed your part of the country. I guess I should say, more my part of the country had the crappy weather... It was really more MO and IL that sucked. TN and AR were pretty OK.

I have to say, my B7 S4 has been the best car I’ve ever owned but this S6 is on a completely different level. The B7 is pretty raw in comparison, which for something marginally sporty, I guess is a good thing...

When Corona stuff all calms down I’ll see about the APR Stage 1. For now, I’m going to enjoy as is, which will likely be pretty little considering that I already work from home and all other reasons to be out of the house are seemingly on hold for a bit.


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