2008 Audi S4 Review
2008 Audi S4 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Plentiful power, excellent handling, standard all-wheel drive, attractive and well-crafted cabin, multiple body styles
Cons
- Cramped backseat
What’s new
The three flavors of Audi S4 receive only minor changes in feature content for 2008, including the addition of Bluetooth and satellite radio as standard equipment. Heated front seats are also now standard on the S4 Cabriolet, while an iPod interface becomes optional on all S4s.
Edmunds says
The 2008 Audi S4 is one of the best high-performance small luxury sedans around, while having the added bonus of wagon and convertible body styles. However, its fellow German competitors are rapidly giving the S4 a run for its money.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2008 Audi S4 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.14 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Carolina.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Carolina
$320/mo for S4 quattro
S4 quattro
vs
$171/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
The high-performance luxury car isn't a segment; it's a gosh-darn arms race. When the Audi S4 entered 2004 with a 4.2-liter V8 wedged into its small engine bay, it represented the latest in borderline-insane factory modifications made to an already capable sport sedan. A whopping 340 horsepower seemed like a tremendous amount at the time, besting even BMW's mighty M3.
But in this cold horsepower war, any sort of dominance the S4 enjoyed has quickly been eroded by Audi's dual nemeses from Munich and Stuttgart. Never mind that a regular BMW 335i is now quicker than the S4, but the upcoming M3 will be powered by a 420-hp V8, which will thoroughly smoke the S4 in a 0-60-mph sprint. Likewise, the all-new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG has a truly monster 457-hp V8 that should make it the quickest of the lot. Yet both these cars are more expensive than the S4 and are therefore no longer really appropriate competitors -- they are closer matches to the Audi RS 4.
Regardless of its competition, or lack thereof, the 2008 Audi S4 is still a wild ride. Besides its potent V8, the S4 differs from the regular A4 by its sport-tuned suspension, bigger wheels, performance tires, more powerful brakes and several unique styling elements. Plus, its Quattro all-wheel-drive system has a 40/60 front-to-rear power distribution that gives it a more aggressive (and less understeer-prone) feel while cornering.
Like the A4, the S4 maintains the good looks and excellent interior quality that have become two of the model line's best selling points. Also, the fitment of all-wheel drive and a selection of sedan, wagon and convertible body styles give the S4 a leg up on its competition. However, despite the expected price difference, the new M3 is rumored to eventually come in sedan, hardtop convertible and perhaps wagon forms.
Although its previous principal competition may have moved to loftier plateaus, the 2008 Audi S4 remains a very attractive choice for those looking for extra oomph in their sport sedan. It's a serious performance car that can easily and comfortably perform the duties of an everyday or road trip companion. Still, those who want similar performance but with a less hard-core driving experience, should look at the BMW 335i, Infiniti G35 Sport and Lexus IS 350. The BMW and Lexus actually out-accelerate the S4, but neither offers the same type of visual panache or the street cred that goes along with the Audi's mission of intensifying an automotive arms race.
Performance & mpg
The Audi S4 is fitted with a 4.2-liter 340-hp V8 that sends its power through either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed Tiptronic automatic. The latter transmission allows manual-style shifting via steering-wheel-mounted paddles. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which is standard on the S4, is unlike most other Audi Quattro offerings. It has a 40/60 front-to-rear power split in normal situations to give the car a more dynamic attitude when cornering. Audi claims that an S4 sedan equipped with the manual tranny can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, with the Avant ringing in at 5.4 seconds and the Cabriolet at 5.8.
Safety
Stability control, antilock disc brakes and a multitude of airbags (including front seat side airbags on all body styles and full-length side curtains for the sedan and Avant) are standard on the 2008 Audi S4. Rear-seat side airbags are optional on the sedan and Avant. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash testing, the A4 sedan (on which the S4 is based) received four stars (out of five) for frontal crash tests, while side-impact testing resulted in five stars for the front seat and four stars for the rear seat. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the Audi garnered ratings of "Good" (the highest possible) for both frontal-offset and side-impact categories.
Driving
As one would expect from a 340-horse V8, performance is thrilling, and on winding back roads, the S4's top-notch underpinnings result in excellent handling while still providing a supple ride. While the Audi isn't quite as razor-sharp as a BMW or Infiniti, the extra grip afforded by its all-wheel drive could justify the trade-off for many enthusiasts, particularly those who live in parts of the country where rain- or snow-slicked roads are a part of life.
Interior
Audi consistently produces some of the finest automotive interiors and the 2008 Audi S4 is no exception. The sedan and Avant's design differs slightly from the Cabriolet's, but all models feature superb materials, excellent fit and finish, and efficient controls. The optional navigation system isn't a model of user-friendly design, though. As serious performance cars, the S4 sedan and Avant are saddled with standard Recaro front seats, which feature aggressive bolstering to hold one in place when zipping around corners. Although the rear seat is fine for small children, adults seated back there will likely complain about a shortage of legroom. The Avant wagon provides up to 61 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded.
2008 Audi S4 models
The 2008 Audi S4 is available in sedan, wagon ("Avant") and convertible ("Cabriolet") body styles with one well-equipped trim level. Standard features include 18-inch wheels and tires, sunroof, xenon HID headlights, 12-way power-adjustable Recaro seats, Silk napa leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated mirrors, Bluetooth and a 10-speaker audio system with an in-dash CD changer and satellite radio. The Cabriolet is equipped with more conventional leather-upholstered sport seats in place of the Recaros, along with heated front seats and a power-operated "Acoustic" soft top that promises a quieter cabin, especially at freeway speeds.
Options for the S4 include parking assist, memory seats, heated front seats (sedan and Avant), heated rear seats, an upgraded 215-watt Bose stereo, an iPod interface, a navigation system and, for the sedan only, a "DTM" exterior package that adds unique front and rear fascias, multispoke wheels and carbon-fiber spoilers.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average
#61 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi S4 from 2008-2022.$847/yr
vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).2.21x/yr
vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).19.8%
vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
for Average Luxury Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2008 Audi S4.
5 star(82%)
4 star(16%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
43 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Road Machined
Road Machine, 12/24/2006
2007 Audi S4 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
This is my second S4; a black on black automatic sedan with carbon fibre trim; bluetook; parktronic; premium sound; navigation and front heated seats. The car is sensational - even better than the first. The combination of the handling with the steering wheel controlled tiptronic transmission is fantastic. The navigation is a first for me and is a fascinating feature as in the bluetooth … cell phone feature which is a must option in my view. This is a great road and highway vehicle; it comes close to handling as well as my 2004 40th Anniversary Porsche 911 coupe with short shifter, sport exhaust and H&R springs. The AWD with snows makes for year-round fun in the northeast. In short, worth the $$.
4.88 out of 5 stars
First months of ownership
RX Express, 05/07/2007
2007 Audi S4 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6M)
This is my first Audi/German car. I was looking for a fun, safe, classy car that would accommodate my 6 year old twins. I looked at all cars under 60k. The S4 fulfilled all my expectations and more. I still find new features on the car, i.e. the way it channels rain over the car not on the side windows and the memory of seat, mirror and climate settings tied to the remote. The build … quality is excellent. It is so solid. The speed is addictive. Cornering is phenomenal. It's limits cannot be safely explored on the street. I am a quattro convert.
4.75 out of 5 stars
I love this car
Edmund, 10/08/2008
2007 Audi S4 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6M)
This car is awesome. In no way too flashy. The audi S4 performs really well and gets the job done on the road. I chose it mainly because I wanted a complete package I could enjoy for years to come. It is also a pretty rare car and I have only seen one more other exact car as mine on the road. I have the dtm package on black so its a very low profile look. The exhaust sound is very … menacing stock and it sounds amazing with the windows down. The transmission shifts smoothly and the power is across the whole power band. Its amazing how you don't have to wait for any turbo to give you the extra power you need. Its all there.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Bang for the buck
mikebs4, 06/22/2012
2007 Audi S4 quattro 2dr Convertible AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Simply the best car I have owned and here is my list of previous cars: 07 M5, 05 M3, 06 Cayman, 03 M5.
Just purchased a 07 S4 convertible with 24k miles.
This is an outstanding car for the money.
It performs very well, goes where you point it and blazing fast.
I smile every time I turn the key in the morning.
Gas mileage is what it is and you can average over 20mpg in the city if you … baby it. I have a family of 4 and this car is the perfect machine for a daily driver and fun for the dad.
And that Audi craftsmanship, you cant go wrong there either.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2008 Audi S4, so we've included reviews for other years of the S4 since its last redesign.
2008 S4 Highlights
Convertible
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $56,775 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $330/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the S4 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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