Just got my new 2021 S4

[drifto614]

After my 2014 S4 was heading toward it's 3rd transmission in 120k miles, I decided i'm done buying Audi's and i'm going to lease them from now on. I ordered a 2021 S4. I wasn't sure what to expect because I've always loved the B8.5 vast tuning options and parts available from 034 Motorsports and some other companies. But I loved the look of the 20-21's and wanted some options like apple carplay, lane assist, adaptive cruise, etc. This thing pulls way harder in my opinion stock vs. stock. I pulled the trigger and i'm really happy with this. I wanted to share. Only mods are 15% tint on 5 windows and 50% tint on windshield.

[brilliant_black]

Congrats! I got the 2020.
Sad thing is no flat bottom wheel on the 2021


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[drifto614]

Yeah I know... the steering wheel makes no sense. That's one of the major call signs of an S car is the thicker flat bottom wheel. And I was so close to buying a 2020 but I wanted the lane/adaptive cruise and was going to have to bump up to Prestige vs standard on the 21. Also on the 2020 I never understood wireless charging but not wireless carplay. Kind of defeats the purpose....Although after having this car for 3 days, wireless carplay drains the battery so insanely fast and the wireless charger won't charge the battery faster than it drains, so I end up just plugging in...

[toxicxk23]

Congrats! She's a beauty! I just picked up my first Audi ('18 S4) and I can see why ya'll love these cars so much!!

[drifto614]

Congrats! She's a beauty! I just picked up my first Audi ('18 S4) and I can see why ya'll love these cars so much!!

Thank you and your 18 is a sick car!!


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[YoYo]

You're going to love it. All around fantastic car in my experience. I went from '17 A4 with a JB4 to an '18 S4 and love it every time I drive. Still think about that DSG sometimes.

[HurrayFive]

Nice ride, enjoy it! I've had several S models, including two short term B9 leases, the '20 S5 Prestige is my third and a purchase because I've enjoyed them so much, heh. I like all of the little tweaks on the B9.5, and am very much used to and prefer the larger touch screen MMI. Def going to keep this one a while!

Also helps that they run a consistent 11.5-11.7 @ 117-18MPH with just a 93 tune, really easy to make them RS quick 😎

[DRKNESS65]

Congratulations on your S4 OP, I tried to get one but being 6’2” and 300lbs did not make for a pretty picture lol. So I ended up with a 2021 A6.

[JRYtheS4]

Congrats OP. Beautiful car. Any plans to mod? Wheels?

Sent from my LGUS997 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[drifto614]

Congrats OP. Beautiful car. Any plans to mod? Wheels?

Sent from my LGUS997 using Audizine Forum mobile app

The stock wheels look really good! I may lower it to fill the gap but I’m not sure if I tune it will get me in trouble with the lease. But I did want to put a hard pipe kit and intake on.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[brilliant_black]

The stock wheels look really good! I may lower it to fill the gap but I’m not sure if I tune it will get me in trouble with the lease. But I did want to put a hard pipe kit and intake on.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Mine is leased as well. I don’t think they’d really care unless you come in with a tune/intake.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mops@Nemesis]

Great looking spec - congrats!!

[DreamTFK]

You got the matrix lights standard, lucky dog. Why did they make the round steering wheel standard now is my big question???

[Daaavid]

You got the matrix lights standard, lucky dog. Why did they make the round steering wheel standard now is my big question???

It has something to do with Audi's capacitive touch for lane keep assists/active cruise control not being compatible in the flat bottom wheels.

[DreamTFK]

It has something to do with Audi's capacitive touch for lane keep assists/active cruise control not being compatible in the flat bottom wheels.

I had that feature on my rental Corolla for work and it was pretty nice I must admit. Semi-autonomous driving for sure.

Not sure I want to sacrifice my flat bottom steering wheel for it though.

[HurrayFive]

It has something to do with Audi's capacitive touch for lane keep assists/active cruise control not being compatible in the flat bottom wheels.

I'd be curious what the actual difference is driving, my '20 Prestige still has the flat bottom (a requirement for an S in my book) with lane keep/active cruise control/traffic jam assist and if I take my hands off and let it steer it tells me to take the wheel after about 20 seconds of driving itself, but just touching the wheel with a finger and baaarely moving it is enough for it to go away. Not sure how the experience would be different w/ a capacitive touch wheel, maybe just having any fingers present is enough for it to be OK, IDK. If that's the only difference, I'd rather keep the flat bottom at least as an option, heh.

[Longtallsally]

Very nice looking machine.

RE: lane assist and the flat bottom wheel, I have both on my ‘19 and absolutely love both- to the degree that I don’t mind not having the heated wheel in favor of the flat bottom. I guess my only other nit is no cooled seats with the Napa leather.

But back on topic, did they change how the lane assist is “measured” in the wheel? I too get about 20 seconds of “autopilot” and love that it is there, and it’s not particularly jerky about everything and would do it again. I’m also utterly addicted to adaptive cruise. But I was just wondering if the technology changed not allowing a flat bottom wheel any longer.

[HurrayFive]

Very nice looking machine.

RE: lane assist and the flat bottom wheel, I have both on my ‘19 and absolutely love both- to the degree that I don’t mind not having the heated wheel in favor of the flat bottom. I guess my only other nit is no cooled seats with the Napa leather.

But back on topic, did they change how the lane assist is “measured” in the wheel? I too get about 20 seconds of “autopilot” and love that it is there, and it’s not particularly jerky about everything and would do it again. I’m also utterly addicted to adaptive cruise. But I was just wondering if the technology changed not allowing a flat bottom wheel any longer.

Probably just the next iteration of their driver assist tech. I confirmed on a longer drive this weekend in my '20 flat-bottom that if I have one hand on the wheel but let the car steer itself (I make no adjustments), I still get the "take over steering" message until I make the tiniest adjustment myself (which, w/ dynamic steering, can be baaarely moving the wheel w/ one finger). I'm guessing if the '21+ is adding a capacitive touch steering wheel (that negates the flat-bottom) it's to sense at least one hand is on the wheel (like a Tesla does) and it will keep steering itself and not show the message so long as a hand is on the wheel (even if you are making no adjustments).

In practice, on long trips I'm making teeny adjustments often enough that I don't see the message to take control very often and have had it drive itself through full on curves in the freeway w/ traffic w/o any help from me. It does such a good job that I was on a road trip and legit reached over to grab something off the passenger seat and momentarily forgot I was driving as the car was steering itself around a curve and braked/accelerated w/ slowing traffic in front of me, looked back up like oh shit, still driving, hah. Def something that will be hard to ever give up now that I've had it.

Maybe OP can confirm if just having a hand present on their steering wheel (without making any adjustments, still letting the car steer itself) is enough to keep the message away on the '21+?

[Longtallsally]

Probably just the next iteration of their driver assist tech. I confirmed on a longer drive this weekend in my '20 flat-bottom that if I have one hand on the wheel but let the car steer itself (I make no adjustments), I still get the "take over steering" message until I make the tiniest adjustment myself (which, w/ dynamic steering, can be baaarely moving the wheel w/ one finger). I'm guessing if the '21+ is adding a capacitive touch steering wheel (that negates the flat-bottom) it's to sense at least one hand is on the wheel (like a Tesla does) and it will keep steering itself and not show the message so long as a hand is on the wheel (even if you are making no adjustments).

In practice, on long trips I'm making teeny adjustments often enough that I don't see the message to take control very often and have had it drive itself through full on curves in the freeway w/ traffic w/o any help from me. It does such a good job that I was on a road trip and legit reached over to grab something off the passenger seat and momentarily forgot I was driving as the car was steering itself around a curve and braked/accelerated w/ slowing traffic in front of me, looked back up like oh shit, still driving, hah. Def something that will be hard to ever give up now that I've had it.

Maybe OP can confirm if just having a hand present on their steering wheel (without making any adjustments, still letting the car steer itself) is enough to keep the message away on the '21+?

Good points. I actually only leave it on when I need the traffic jam assist. I don’t use lane assist unless I’m doing something that could distract me from the road for a few seconds. I still love it. Thanks for the info.

[RickNY]

Although after having this car for 3 days, wireless carplay drains the battery so insanely fast and the wireless charger won't charge the battery faster than it drains, so I end up just plugging in...

Out of curiosity -- which iPhone are you using? Is it one of the smaller ones or a plus/max sized?

[Longtallsally]

Out of curiosity -- which iPhone are you using? Is it one of the smaller ones or a plus/max sized?

Not to jump in an answer for anyone, but what was described doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. I use a full size iPad for off road navigation in my Jeep and even plugged in, it can barely keep up with charging and running GPS full time. If I go straight to the cigarette lighter, it’s fine, but if I try to plug into either of the OEM stereo ports, it struggles or doesn’t keep up. Same thing happens on my big KTM when I’m streaming music to my helmet, and doing navigation and the phone is plugged into the bike.

[RickNY]

Not to jump in an answer for anyone, but what was described doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. I use a full size iPad for off road navigation in my Jeep and even plugged in, it can barely keep up with charging and running GPS full time. If I go straight to the cigarette lighter, it’s fine, but if I try to plug into either of the OEM stereo ports, it struggles or doesn’t keep up. Same thing happens on my big KTM when I’m streaming music to my helmet, and doing navigation and the phone is plugged into the bike.

Well, the iPad in a USB port isn't surprising at all -- that's no different than plugging an iPad into the USB port on a computer -- many USB 2 ports are limited to 500 mA charge current and that will usually provide just enough current to keep an iPad under no load level - or charging very slowly. If you have a cigarette lighter adapter than can deliver 1A or the full 2.2A for an iPad, you'll have much better results.

The reason I was asking about which iPhone was being used is because Audi has a TSB stating that the smaller iPhones will sometimes have a problem remaining centered on the charge surface and can become hot. They sell a spacer kit for the smaller phones (although ECS shows it discontinued) - https://parts.audiusa.com/p/78451307/8W0051431.html

The TSB for the issue is here - https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...78590-0001.pdf

[drifto614]

Out of curiosity -- which iPhone are you using? Is it one of the smaller ones or a plus/max sized?

iPhone 12 pro


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[RickNY]

So, I took delivery of my 2021 S4 almost a week ago.. I've been using wireless CarPlay with Waze and either Spotify or Amazon Music at the same time while keeping my iPhone 11 Pro Max on the wireless charger.. My phone does not got hot, and I've checked battery before and after my trips and its generally been 0-5% higher than when I left - although my trips so far have been back and forth from work (12 miles each way).. I don't have a thick case on it - its the Apple leather case.. May want to check if you have a specific app on your phone that is using all of your battery.

[drifto614]

So, I took delivery of my 2021 S4 almost a week ago.. I've been using wireless CarPlay with Waze and either Spotify or Amazon Music at the same time while keeping my iPhone 11 Pro Max on the wireless charger.. My phone does not got hot, and I've checked battery before and after my trips and its generally been 0-5% higher than when I left - although my trips so far have been back and forth from work (12 miles each way).. I don't have a thick case on it - its the Apple leather case.. May want to check if you have a specific app on your phone that is using all of your battery.

I’m convinced the wireless charger only keeps the battery percentage stable. It hardly seems to advance the charge while wireless CarPlay is being used. I end up just plugging mine in essentially bypassing the wireless feature just to prevent draining my phone battery.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Longtallsally]

I’m convinced the wireless charger only keeps the battery percentage stable. It hardly seems to advance the charge while wireless CarPlay is being used. I end up just plugging mine in essentially bypassing the wireless feature just to prevent draining my phone battery.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

I stream from mine basically every time I get in the car. It charges up my iPhone XS Max perfectly. I rarely use car play or nav from the phone as I actually hate car play and think it sucks.

[drifto614]

Yeah but your are using Bluetooth, that’s much less demanding on the phone. Something like wireless CarPlay has a heavy draw on the processor.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[RickNY]

Audi says the Qi charging current is 5W, max.. I'd say thats about right in my experience.. I put my phone on a 5W Qi charger overnight, and it typically takes around 2 hours or so to bring it from 50% to 100%

[DreamTFK]

She's a beauty! Jealous you get the Matrix standard but you do lose the flat bottom steering wheels which stinks.