cabrio993

A4's are available in 6 speed, even the new B8 platform.

Wilder

+1. Mine was 6MT. They're not easy to find though...

cabrio993

Yes, all of mine have had 5Mt or 6MT in later cars. I usually spec the car out and place the order to the factory. Then it's 3-4 month wait...is brutal, but worth it.

kr994

but not Avants, there will not be B8 S4 Avant in the US (sedan only).
Even the base 2.0T Avant is Tip only (not even dual-clutch S-tronic/DSG).

I had one of the first 2004 S4 Avants but had tons of issues with elcectronics, engine and clutch (dealer bought it back after 4 months in the shop). I hated refueling it every other day (14-16 mpg, small fuel tank). So I purchased 2004 A4 Avant 3.0 V6 (special order with 6MT, sunroof delete, sport suspension, had to wait 6 months). It has been my daily driver for the last 5 years/110K miles: decent mileage (around 23 mpg), good handling and performance in the stock form. Great car, feels very solid, classy interior design, no mechanical issues at all, works well as a family hauler, space is limited but works just fine if the kids are small. The roof rack is great for all kinds of IKEA/Home Depot/Christmas tree/bike/kayak/ski trips.
And nothing beats Torsen-based Quattro AWD (with a set of dedicated winter wheels). I can plow my driveway uphill...

H2NO

It replaced an 02 allroad 6MT. First, 2005.5 to 2008 is a B7 body. This is one solid, fast car. Faster than my 993 and fun in a different way. I highly recommend the car. I kept the allroad so long because I couldn't find a car that was all wheel drive, fast, room for a roof rack, and room for a dog. The S4 avant does all that with a little less room in the rear. If you have young kids not ready for a booster it might be too small. Otherwise, my 7 and 8 year olds fit nicely back there. In the month I've owned it I had some adults in the back seats without complaints, but I don't think they would be comfortably on a longer trip.

Expect to pay a premium for the avant in 6spd. Mine had 11k miles when I purchased it. I paid about 65% of original MSRP.

mooty

a very good friend had B5 S4. i drove it a lot, great machine. led me to buy B6 S4 avant. i never liked it. i wanted a low reving V8 for daily driving. it had not much tq or hp until you wind it up. it's very hard to heel and toe, at least for me and it is the only car i cannot smoothly heel and toe. uses a lot of gas and city stop/go traffic, you might as well just have a gas truck follow you.

BUT the RS4.... now that sounds great, though i know of two friends both with carbon build up on the DFI motor. and both drive like bat out of hell.

cgfen

Wow
easy to tell you live in SF from this photo!

thanks

Craig

AW21

Yup, pic taken in the Sunset where my in-laws/babysitters are.

rockwoodfarm

I had a 2003 S6 avant and put 80k on it without any problems. I replaced it with a 2006 S4 avant as a daily driver. The car is as solid as a rock, heavy as one as well but safe and stable. I has a great exhaust note when you put your foot into in and will cruise all day at high speed without any drama. That said I don't think that you can get more than 18 mpg regardless of how you drive.

Wilder

BTW, as far as the mod comments are concerned, I do suggest you consider upgrading the suspension as it goes a long way in dialing out the heavy feel of the car and will make it far more enjoyable to drive spiritedly.

cgfen

Thanks for everyone's comments and help.
Yesterday i went to the dealer to see what we could work out and...................... someone else that could make a decision more quickly beat me to the car.
sigh.


life is still good

cheers

Craig

Chuck W.

No worries. There are more cars (including S4s) out there than there are buyers!

Shark

I recently had this decision, and went with the BMW 335i. Better in every respect (except exterior looks), and gets 27.3 mpg on my daily drive (70% beltway). Gets over 30 mpg on trips.

Most S4 drivers seldom report over 18 mpg city......I just couldn't deal with it with the BMW being faster and feeling more nimble. Then you can get 80 extra hp for $300, my Audi aspirations went away

rockwoodfarm

Too bad "your car" was gone. There are a fair number of low milage S4 avants out there if you look carefully. I also have a BMW 328 XI sportwagon and it doesn't compare to thr Audi. Even if you ignore the HP difference which is hard to do, the BMW just doesn't have it. My lease is up in ten months and I can't wait to get rid of the car.

Chuck W.

I have to agree. My daughter has an '07 328I with the sports package. Very nice car but not in the league of an S4. Granted, the 335I is more of a car than the 328I, I still think the S4 is a differant beast.

That said, if it was a DD I would lean towards the BMW for the gas milage.