35 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
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YOUR RESEARCHOK, here I go again!
Leading reported evidence
Replace gears
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I wondered what the crunching sound was when he changed gears.
Leading evidence: 'Replace gears' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Repair 's been done, the car really does drive well' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I've been trying, but even after the trans was fixed (a defective part was replaced) and works perfectly, the car just doesn't do it for me.
Repair 's been done, the car really does drive well
Suggestion or failed attempt
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Unsuccessful attempts
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Suggestion · Original poster
Now that the repair's been done, the car really does drive well.
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Suggestion
I had to remove the front end off the car to replace the timing belt and water pump.
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Suggestion
my wife has said no on several occasions for the same reason you noted - she knows that I'd drive it, then the mechanic bills alone would empty my bank account faster than Phil running after his wife when she picks up the keys to the C4S.
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Suggestion
my wife has said no on several occasions for the same reason you noted - she knows that I'd drive it, then the mechanic bills alone would empty my bank account faster than Phil running after his wife when she picks up the keys to the C4S.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
35 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
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Generation: 20261026T205155Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I know this is really OT, and flame away if you must, but I'm just not warming to my 2008 S4. I've been trying, but even after the trans was fixed (a defective part was replaced) and works perfectly, the car just doesn't do it for me. Some family issues here, too. I'm seriously thinking of selling it and may lease a 335xi coupe as a DD in its place if I do. The Audi is a Northern Blue car (quite literally the only one in the US in that color) and is loaded, with 6MT with less than 1000 miles on the ODO - and I'm prepared to sell it for well under invoice. PM me if you're interested or know someone who is. The P-car stays and although it won't be my DD, it's gonna see some road time this Spring. I'm determined to drive it. I have pics of the S4 and can email them to you if you like - I will post on the Classifieds also. Yes, I'm nuts, but life is just too damn short to settle!
Did the problem you encountered with the poor shifting on your S4 prompt you to lose faith in the car Phil, or perhaps the way your Audi dealer treated you and your car issue? It can be a bummer if all this early negative karma soured you on the S4.I drove Audis for the last 8 years before aquiring my 99 996 and had mainly positive results with the brand and dealer. Hope it all works out for you.
You may be trying to look for an alternative for the C4S... if that's the case, you won't find one. Even the 335 isn't as fun compared to the C4S after I did an "extended" test drive with it.
Good luck, nonetheless.
No, in fact the shifter is now perfect and the dealer (and AoA) have treated me well. I'm trying very hard to warm to the car, and am not having luck. I did this before with an '05 S4 and sold it after owning it for only 6 months. I convinced myself (again) that this was the car for me, but the same feelings I had then that prompted me to sell the '05 are returning. I'll figure something out, even if I lose a few thousand on it. I have to love what I own/drive and right now, the S4 isn't doing it for me.
I don't think that's the issue. As for the C4S -- "there is no substitute!" That one's a keeper. It's interesting, when I drive my wife's 328xi, the car feels more solid, better and more neutral handling, much better steering - and feels more tossable. The Audi is very massive and feels it. I'm sure Chris from Cali will weigh in on this - he has an RS4.
Apologies to Dell, but I NEED to borrow his phrase here.... WHAT IN THE BLUE HELL IS GOING ON HERE???? What I really meant to say was..... WTF???????
Just how many times do you have to smash your finger with a hammer to realize that it hurts? I can understand if THIS car doesn't really do it for you, but if you have already been down this path once already with an '05 S4 and you
admit it
(BTW - that's where you REALLY made your mistake) is CRAZY!
Take the money that you get for selling the S4 and add a bedroom and office on to your house, because your therapist needs to f'king move in with you!!!
OK, now that I have had a little fun at your expense, I'll get serious. Phil, I am sorry that this is not the car for you. I know how long you waited for it to arrive and for you not to love it and be that disappointed with it has got to suck. I feel really bad for you.
Two pieces of advice 1) take a very long test drive in the 335xi (I suggest you push them hard to let you drive a demo for the weekend) to make sure that is the car you really want, and 2) get started on the construction project ASAP!
Tim, you're a trip!! Seriously, after spending the day with the car, both cleaning it and driving it, I'm going to give myself some time to really contemplate next move - and that may mean keeping the car. I'm clearly ambivalent, but I don't want to make a dumb move and lose thousands of dollars by selling it with less than 1K miles on it. Now, I know that's 2-3 years of "driving" the C4S, but this is my daily driver. I think I just need to chill and see how I feel after a couple of months - if I really don't like it for the "right" reasons, then I'll sell it. The reason I didn't get a 335 was that I really didn't like the feel of the shifter! A bit ironic that I couldn't even get this damned car to shift into first?? Now that the repair's been done, the car really does drive well. We'll see. I'm going to avoid an impulsive or precipitous move.
One other to consider is an Audi tt turbo Quattro. I had the convertable version before my C4S and it was a good year-round driver. Not the same as the C4S (not close, actually) but fun and a lot less to worry about . . .
After owning an Audi for a couple of months I realized I will never buy another. They are built on a FWD platform and that means the engine is rammed against the nose of the car affecting the balance and the worst, WORKING ON IT. I had to remove the front end off the car to replace the timing belt and water pump. Sucked. Not to mention all the parts are interchangeable with VW.
Now the 335i on the other hand is soooooo sweeeeet. I wanted to order a dark blue one with black leather along with the upgraded wheels. Simply beautiful with power to boot.
Oh yea, it is a RWD platform.
The Audi TT is on my list as is the 335xi. We'll see - I'm gonna give this S4 some time. It is awfully fast, and by far, the thirstiest GD car I've ever owned.
That's because the first night in the garage with the C4S, the S4 found out that the Porsche was hardly ever driven, and the story was so sad that it drove her to drink. She is now a gasoholic.
I have a friend with an S4, and I know what you mean! Have fun! But I can't get over the fact it looks just like another sedan . . . The tt, however, strikes me as a high-tech 356
my buddy has an S4 and had similar things to say. I thought it was smooth and fast, but not a sports car. Then he added some coil overs and it is like a different car. If feels lighter and more responsive. He also has after market wheels but I think they are similar size to OEM so I don't think that affected it much. Try a more aggressive suspension. I think you will enjoy the car much more.
Sorry to hear that Phil. Haven't driven the 335, but as you know I bought the 530i last week to complement the p car as my daily driver, and I am really happy with that car. Drives very nice... obviously day and night versus th ep car, but BMW sure makes a very nice car! Assume the 335 is more nimble and would more closely represent p feeling that 5 series.
OMG! I don't get it. I go away for a few days and not only does all hell break lose, but Phil loses it and I'm in Rennlist backlog overload.
Phil, come on! After all this hassle you're going to sell?!?!
You're batty enough that you should be buying ME a new Ferrari.
Okay, let me share this story with you (it's true).
This morning I happened to pull onto Killington Road (yes, the one in VT) behind a fine looking S4 identical to Phil's.
I get closer and see that it's not only an S4, but one with brand new PA tags. After the shock passes, I see that it's not Phil, but in fact another identical S4 purchased down the road from Phil at Don Rosen Imports. I figure, cool, I get to play tag with an S4 during my drive home from VT to PA. We only got to Rutland (maybe 15 miles away?) before he pulled off into an Audi dealership.
I figure that based on this observation and Phil's experience the S4 must have the service intervals of a Lamborghini.
So, anyways, the S4 is probably sitting on a lift in Rutland with some local guy swearing at it and wondering how he's going to get back to PA and I didn't get to play tag with him on the way home.
Wayne, I've been wondering when you were going to respond to this debacle!
Phil IS crazy, no doubt! However, he's not f'kin' crazy enough to buy you a Ferrari. He knows you would drive it and that thought sends him into a coma!
Yeah, much as it was REALLY nice to be away from tv, radio and internet for a long weekend it was tough to skim through all the stuff that I missed.... this one had to be responded to.
It's funny, when we saw the S4 this morning my wife commented that there was no way that it was Phil, as the car was too far away from PA.
Phil buying me a Ferrari is the only way that I'll be getting one... my wife has said no on several occasions for the same reason you noted - she knows that I'd drive it, then the mechanic bills alone would empty my bank account faster than Phil running after his wife when she picks up the keys to the C4S.
Alright, you need some background here.
I am the sane one in my family!!!
I acquired this car-sickness gene along with my brother, who is by far, much nuttier than I could ever even aspire to. He has purchased a number of Porsches over the years, none of which he's kept for more than 1-2 months. Then he buys another one. He's got an '08 987S on order that I figure he'll keep 3 months, tops before he decides it's not right for him. Oh, could I tell you stories! The only cars he's really held onto are his 2 vintage F-cars - an unrestored '69 330GTC coupe with 9K original miles (yeah, do the math) and a '73 246 GTS Dino, that's impeccably restored with 16K miles. The cars are true garage queens, that happen to be great investments, and are incredibly beautiful cars. I've driven them both, and they're awesome. BTW, he's a psychiatrist!! No surprise there.
As for my wife, she just rolls her eyes when she sees my cars. She doesn't like either of them - says the Porsche makes her motion sick (tough to do when it's just sitting in the garage) and the S4 is "just so damn loud, and you guys buy these cars with big V8's just to show how big your ---- are" I don't have to finish that one. Flashback to the "Turtle" episode on Seinfeld. Oh well, it's a new day, and I'm not selling the S4 - at least not yet. I'm gonna give it a fighting chance. Insane? Moi?
The Audi TT is a good choice for many people, and maybe it would be a good choice for Phil.
The car is a fine daily driver with adequate power, plenty of interior room even though the car seems tiny from the outside, year-round tranction with either FWD or QUATTRO, rear seats (for easy stowage of stuff you bring into the car), and the advantages of a hatchback with a fair sized trunk, which expands if you lower the rear seatbacks. The car is fun, practical, comfortable, and functional.
You also get sports car handling (not as good as a Boxster or Cayman, however) and the opportunity to drive a car that is not often seen on the road.
I'm on my third TT, and I appreciate Audi's design and engineering achievements with this car every time I drive it. It can't compete with my 911, but then it's not intended to be in that class.
Good luck, Phil. If you're not sure about the TT, buy a used one (certified pre-owned). If/when you decide to sell, you won't take a monstrous depreciation hit.
Sweet Jesus! If you are the sane one, I would hate to meet the rest of your family!
Phil, after your brother dumps the 987S, have him order a 997 C2S, Carrara White with Sea Blue Full Leather, PSE, Bose, XRR wheels, supple leather seats, rear center console in leather, door finishers in leather, storage bin lid with modle logo, gear shift trim in leather..... and a few other small things.
That is the car I want and I figure I might be in a position to buy in about a year, which would make my timing right for me to buy your brother's car after he gets tired of it.
Actually, I probably would fit right in with your family! < sigh > That is soooo depressing to have to admit that!
Well going off the info from your previous post, you said he has ordered a 987S So here is how I got to 12 months from now. 2 to 3 months until delivery, he keps it for 3 months and dumps it, then thinks agout the next car for 1 month, then places the order for the 997 S, 4 months until delivery, drives it 200 miles in 2 months (after all, hi IS your brother
) and decides to sell it. Total duration of time 11 to 12 months, so I figure I'll get it in February of 2009.
Yeah, that's probably it... I wondered what the crunching sound was when he changed gears.
Oh Phil, I'm so sorry... just tell her that it's a good thing that you don't change wives as often as cars
I was going to make a comment about leaving the wife in the garage and not using her, but I thought better of it... oh damn, my fingers got carried away.
yeah, it's a good thing that you don't live closer, otherwise the three of us would be getting into so serious trouble.
As for the 987.... well, the best way to mess with your brother would be to offer to buy his pristine car and say that you intend to use it for the track.
Good plan!! I convinced him to order a sport shifter on the Boxster S. That way, he won't spend as much energy playing in the garage pretending to drive it.
