S4 Cab Purchase - Tip or Manual - Cab Pro's and Cons?

[Spr0cket]

Well after selling our much loved 04 S4 saloon a couple of years ago due to a short term overseas, the Audi bug has gone and bitten me again.

Previously had a saloon with the manual 6 speed box and was very pleased, except for occasional traffic congestion where the on / off nature of the clutch and 1st gearing made it less than ideal.

So this time around, wife wants a drop top - so we're likley going to opt for an S4 cab - though the avanat's have that sleeper appeal for me. I'm struggling on decision though of manaula or auto, anyone have any direct feedback or input on the tip vs manual debate. I've tried a tip for a short test run and it didn't feel quite as fast as a manual, though this may well be due to the less demnading nature of simply concentrating on the steering with less other things to juggle simultaneously? It was smooth enough and seemed responsive to changes, although down shifts were a little more hesitated than I'd like.

So any A4 / S4 cab drivers with good or bad stories of their ownerships - just trying to sanity check what is going to be a considerable (to me at least) financial outlay and would be keen to learn of any other experiences that might help conclude the buying decisions.

[audipersempre]

Phew tough one! Much of what you say is really open to personal choice. I have an A6 auto saloon and my girlfriend an A4 Cab manual. I love auto's and am at heart a lazy driver. Teresa just can't get on with an auto for any length of time.

Before the A4 Cab it was a TT Roadster. I think it's a great car but I din't like driving it more than an A road blast on a sunny Sunday morning (which was I admit a lot of fun!).

It's kind of chalk and cheeze really even with tiptronic and yes the auto will be slower than the manual but then that doesn't really matter coz you didn't buy the auto for out and out performance. Tried tiptronic in the past, never really saw the point and the only movement of the stick in one month of owning the A6 is between park, drive and reverse.

We have had the A4 Cab for nearly a year now and it is a lovely car. I think they look stunning too, way better than the equivalent BMW or Merc. This one is the 3 litre V6 so has a bit of punch. Rear leg room isn't great but fine for short to medium trips with teenagers or adults. Rear seat passengers get blown around a bit with the hood down (and if they are teenager daughters they scream and throw a fit coz of their hair....ask me how I know!) Other than that I can't fault it. Looks fantastic, goes fast enough, has been very reliable, great open top driving experience and it turns heads.

However, for me it doesn't have the auto box and Teresa, despite loving the car, preferred the TT.

Any other questions just ask.

[Spr0cket]

Thanks for input and feedback - some good points to consider.

Ended up finding a nice S4 cab on Saturday with the tip box and to be honest, while not as quick as my former saloon was, it was still more than capable of inducing grins.

Hope to pick it up friday after it's been fully prepped.

[Spr0cket]

http://uk.geocities.com/pbromhead@btinternet.com/pics/s4/Lg504213-01_1.JPG

[Spr0cket]

This week is dragging already :(

http://uk.geocities.com/pbromhead@btinternet.com/pics/s4/Lg504213-03_1.JPG

[churp]

wow, its so good looking. hope it brings a big smile to your face.:biglaugh:

[audipersempre]

Very very nice. Do you have an pic's of the interior?

Hope you are enjoying some of the sunny weather we seem to be getting in places at the moment! Looks like it from the pics :D

[Spr0cket]

http://uk.geocities.com/pbromhead@btinternet.com/pics/s4/Lg504213-02.jpg

[Spr0cket]

As for weather - a few nice days recently - but snow this morning - let's hope the summer this year is a drier one!



http://uk.geocities.com/pbromhead@btinternet.com/pics/s4/Lg504213-04.jpg

[audipersempre]

I am dribbling down my shirt now and everyone is looking at me in the office :Blush:

Really really great looking car inside and out. Look forward to seeing it at a meet some time in the future.

[Spr0cket]

Cheers Steve.

I Looked at plenty, some real dogs out there, as well as some really nice examples but with some of the simple features missing - why Audi didn't make the dimming mirror standard on this car is beyond me as the additional features it brings are nice to have.

Obviously well chuffed as this one had the mileage and toys I desired (tip, cruise, Bose, nav, htd seats, dim mirrors, mfsw, phone kit, etc). It also has some aftermarket exhaust modifcation - not sure what as tips are larger than standard and it has a more "snorty" sound to it when pulling hard. PLus teh subtle rear spoiler and front skirt were just enough finishing tocuhes to make it stand out from the others.

Can't wait to pick it up Friday - and the wife is just happy that the endless weekends of searching and checking out potential purchases is over.

[audipersempre]

Just goes to show how investing the time and energy to find the right car pays off. You really have a peach there.

I always make the mistake of giving up too early even when I don't have an excuse like this time around. I still had the Fiesta I gave my daughter for her first car and had plenty of time to look around for the A6 I wanted.

Don't get me wrong I love the 2.7T I bought. It has a great spec, exellent history and fantastic condition....................but it is metallic grey and really I went out to but a silver car this time having had blue and grey for the last four cars :(

[james1978]

Thats not far off the one I pick up this Saturday!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/boxstaman/audi1.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/boxstaman/audi2.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/boxstaman/audi3.jpg

I cant wait!!

You seem to have the 4 spoke steering wheel and the newer nav which i presume I have just missed :mad:

[Spr0cket]

LOL - I test drove that one.
Was a bargain but I had concerns over the clutch which slipped on hard pull up the hill towards the airfield.

I think you also have video input (the control module is lodged in between the back seat swabs where ski bag resides). Not sure what the flappy bit of wire is on passenger side of dash - maybe some for of toll or entry transponder.

They do look good in black - I'm sure you're gonna love it :)

[james1978]

How bizzare - I drove it plus a mate drove it the day before and he has a brand new A4 diesel and neither of us noticed the clutch.

I am now sh1tt1ng myself about this :aargh4:

[zeratul]

Hi Spr0cket - It looks Soooo good with the white interior. :)