Audi S4 (2003 - 2004) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Gas is getting expensive and the MPG's aren't the best, but then again I didn't buy a 4-banger Civic. I bought an AWD, 4.2L V8 with about 344 at the crank and 236 to the wheels. The only think I didn't like about this vehicle was the cost of needed repairs. Oil changes and other fluids I can do myself, but hopefully you can find a good trustworthy mechanical for the major work.Jul 18, 2013

The car is a dream to drive. It is solid and feels like a bank vault on wheels. It displays some mild understeer if pushed hard, however I am hoping a new rear sway bar will rectify that. The engine is fantastic and revs like a 4cyl. The 4.2L V8 is not known for mileage, but if you want big MPG numbers, buy a Prius (and stay the hell away from me) The car looks like a $50k+ car, because it is. I opted for the Alcantera/Leather interior in black and I love it. I will say it's a maintenace whore. It is not cheap to repair or replace parts. If you can just barely afford the car, don't buy it. The maintenance will eat you alive! Of course, you could just not do the maintenance. That would be stupid, though, because a new engine with instal and removal from the dealership runs +/- $14K! Seriously. I guess the thing to say is this; If you want a german sports sedan and think that Benz's are pompous and BMW's are common then buy the $4.Feb 27, 2009

Where to start? The 2004 Audi S4 is a sedan that couples German luxury with V8 performance. The 4.2 liter 340HP engine is harnessed by Audi's famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The combination provides an extremely fun car to drive with a feeling of security in bad weather. The handling is quite sporty with very little body roll when sticking it through a corner at high speed. This is due to excellent suspension that makes a great compromise when it comes to the choice between sportiness and the ability to iron out most of the bumps in the road. With large disc brakes on all four wheels, the stopping power is nothing short of exceptional. The S4 is also very comfortable to drive with its luxurious accommodations. Features such as a 10 speaker Bose sound system, satellite navigation, xenon headlights, OnStar and XM radio are all great to have, just to name a few. One of my favorite features is the ability to automatically flash the turn signal three times just by briefly moving the directional stalk. This is very convenient for lane changes during highway driving. The heated leather Recaro sport seats with alcantara inserts are very comfortable, but an overweight person probably will not fit in the seat well. The appearance is absolutely stunning as well. It combines contemporary Audi styling with sharp, well defined lines that give an aggressive stance. The S4 looks almost identical to the A4 on which it is based to all but the well trained eye. Some of the visual differences include vertical slats in the grille, a subtle body kit, S4 door blades, standard xenon headlights, polished aluminum mirrors, chrome trim and sporty S4 badges on the trunk lid and grille. The overall build quality is exceptional. The interior/exterior is made of high quality materials and has a solid feel to it. Also, there is plenty of sound insulation to dampen road noise. There are only a couple negative aspects of this amazing car. The first is that it is quite thirsty...I only get about 17-20 miles per gallon. The second is that the rear seat legroom is slightly lacking, but that is normal in a small car. The trunk is quite large which offsets the point about the rear legroom. I would recommend this car to any car enthusiast. It is extremely comfortable, luxurious, beautiful and fun to drive. At around $52,000 new (including options), it is also good value compared to its direct competitors, the BMW M3 and Mercedes C32 AMG. One final point is that this car does not carry the stereotypes that cars such as the BMW or Mercedes do...that is, people will like you.Dec 03, 2008

A convertible that doesn't shout out "hey look at me, I need attention because I'm hitting a mid-life crisis" unlike many others. Interior comfort doesn't get any better in my opinion. Comfortable seats that keep you in place around corners, beautiful leather interior that is incredible to the touch. The engine will definitely get the car moving fast, quickly, and with power to spare. The premium sound system makes you feel like you are at a concert. But the car handles like it is very heavy, which it is, and the electronics for the folding roof are very unreliable. Apr 07, 2008

Take an Audi A4 and shoehorn a 4.2L, 40-valve V8 swiped from the A8 under the hood and you end up with the Audi S4. This is a good combination and I love this car...and this is coming from someone who doesn't like Volkswagens and their questionable reliability at all (Audi is part of the VW Group). PERFORMANCE: Amazing. The 4.2 V8 churns out 340 horsepower and sends the car from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. 0-200km/h (124mph) comes up in a shade over 20 seconds. The sound the engine makes is glorious - it's not obnoxious or objectionable in any way, but it's unmistakably V8 and unquestionably powerful. The six speed manual gearbox is quite nice, although the clutch seems to lack feel for its engagement point until you get used to it. Handling is tight and responsive, though some might find the ride too hard. It's not bone-jarring, but you will feel every road imperfection. The steering is appropriately weighty and has decent feel. The weight distribution is similar to a front-wheel-drive car because the engine is mounted ahead of the front axle line, so the prevailing characteristic at the limit will be understeer. The brakes are excellent.STomp on them, and you'll be having leather-wrapped steering wheel for lunch! Fuel mileage? Well, if you must ask, the one I drove has 16 average mpg on the display when I got in. Heh...with the rest of the car...you're not exactly going to be bothered about this factor when you're shopping for one. Five stars. BUILD QUALITY: It feels like it was carved from a solid block of granite. The interior is outstanding, as Audis always are. The exterior shows immaculate build quality, with perfect panel gaps and an outstanding paint finish on the black car I drove. However, being a Volkswagen product, I'm (understandably) leery of the all the electronic gizmos. There are a lot of electronics in this car, and that seems to be VW's weakness. Three stars because of the electrical concerns...I expect it to be average. APPEARANCE: This car is a total sleeper. You have to know what you're looking at to know what it is - it has subtle "S4" badging, bigger, unique wheels, and very slightly more aggressive fascias than the standard A4. If you want a small sports sedan that flies a little under the radar, this is it. It's much less conspicuous than a comparable BMW. Five stars. OVERALL: The big question: Would I buy one over a BMW 3-series? Yes, I would, without a second thought...if for no other reason than it is so much less pretentious than a BMW. Plus, how many quicker 3-series do you see every day? Now, how many S4s do you see every day? I thought so! Five stars. Great car, even though I'm neither a small sedan guy nor a VW fan.Feb 27, 2008

Brilliant family motor with amazing luggage swallowing capability. This was a great Q-car as it pretty much looked like any other A4 1.8 T Quatttro sport but when it came to the traffic lights most other cars were found wanting. Unfortunately it seem i had a "Friday" car and the build quality was not upto the usual Audi standards in 18 months ownership it spent 94 days at the stealers and after finding I had lost £21,000 in depreciation after 18 months I swiftly moved to the M3 CabJan 10, 2008

This was the first high performance car i ever drove, and it left a huge impression on me. This car changed the way i look at cars forever. Its V8 puts out 340HP and believe me when i say you feel all of it! The handling is outrageous... Come into a corner a little too hot, the nose starts to wash out, crashing seems imminent... just hit the gas and all of a sudden you come out ok! On top of it all, you can changeDec 03, 2007

I've had my S4 Cab for nearly two years and it still puts a smile on my face every time I look at it, let alone drive it. Living in Chicago, this car has proven to be a joy to drive in all seasons, not just in the summer as is the case with most convertibles. The Quattro system helps with winter driving (although I still recommend getting a set of winter tires in addition to the OEM performance tires for true winter driving confidence), and the soft top does a commendable job of keeping the cold air out of the cabin. The engine is quite responsive at all RPMs, and when really stomping on it, this car will just take-off in 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears (6-speed manual). And, the braking is as solid as I've ever experienced. The car will stay on a straight braking line even in emergency braking situations. Overall, this car is just a joy to drive, an excellent performer, and is quite confidence inspiring. Its tendency when pushed hard in corners is to understeer, which can be easily relieved by simply backing-off the gas, but you'll want to enter aggressive turns early to avoid completely losing the line. The soft top folds-up quickly and neatly. I've had no issues with mine to date. With top down and wind screen / side windows up, the riding experience in the front two seats is quite comfortable even at highway speeds. The road noise is high, as is probably expected with the top down, but largely due to the size of the tires holding this car to the road. The interior styling, as with most Audi's, in my mind is second to none. Very clean and stylish. The added trim in the S4 is a nice touch with the white piping on the black leather seats, as well as the stainless steel surroundings on the air vents and gauges. All around tight, with the exception of the plastic cover holding the review mirror to the windshield, which on my car actually popped-off and will no longer stay properly attached. The seats and general seating position are quite comfortable and won't wear you out on longer trips. At 6'2" and with long legs, I still find there to be plenty of room in this car, and don't even have the driver's seat extended backwards to its maximum point. The rear seats are really best for kids or a second set of golf clubs... good luck putting any adults back there for any length of time. As for the downsides resulting in a rating below "Love It": 1) The car really swallows a lot of gas. I get about 15 - 18 MPG around the city, and about 20 MPG on the highway. With a smallish tank, this means filling-up on longer trips every 250 - 300 miles. 2) Trunk size is limited, even with the top up. A function of the size of the car and the convertible, though. 3) This car is HEAVY! To be expected given the size of the engine, Quattro system, and converitible, but it is definitely felt in its performance. Although the S4 will stay close to an M3, in the end it can't really keep-up and is noticeably less agile. Tends to be a bit more towards the luxury end of the spectrum than the M3. 4) Poor visibility with the top up. A covertible, so I don't expect anything other than this, but is worth noting. For me and my driving style, this car is a great fit due to its versatility. All-season and high-utility performance convertible that is a lot of fun to drive with both top up and down while not knocking the fillings out of your teeth on the rough Chicago streets. It will leave most cars in the dust, yet is not an awful pain to be stuck in when facing Chicago rush hour traffic. For those seeking a truely high performance two seater, you should probably look elsewhre. This car is about confidence, style, and class with a good deal of power to back it up.Jan 29, 2007