Faults:

The plastic guides and tensioners wear out, crack, or fail after 80,000 to 100,000 km.

High fuel and oil consumption.

Failures in auxiliary and peripheral components, thermostat issues, oil leaks at various engine gaskets, and PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve failures.

Apart from that, no problems, other than the fact that I bought the car used.

General Comments:

The S4 sports a more aggressive look than the A4, hinting at the herd of wild horses concealed beneath the hood.

It features aluminum side mirrors, side skirts, a subtle rear spoiler atop the trunk, and two substantial exhaust outlets. The exterior styling bears the Audi hallmark, featuring traditional rounded contours, a high waistline, and an arched roofline that slopes gently into the trunk section. It is an attractive, muscular, and well-conceived design that sits authoritatively on the road, complemented by 18-inch wheels that harmonize perfectly with the overall package.

Regarding comfort, the suspension offers an excellent balance. The Recaro seat—which provides superb body support—features electric adjustments, including lumbar support, while the steering column adjusts manually for both height and reach. Pedals are generously sized and well-spaced, the controls are intuitively placed, and the instruments are easy to read at a glance, complemented by a multifunction computer in the center of the dashboard.

The dual-zone climate control system operates flawlessly. As for sound insulation, there is only a hint of noise at very high speeds, situations where the engine’s melodious, throaty eight-cylinder note becomes audible once it revs past 5,000 rpm.

Setting aside its power and performance figures, the most remarkable and surprising aspect of this 344 hp naturally aspirated V8 is its torque curve; it peaks at 41.8 kg-m at 3,500 rpm but remains usable from as low as 1,000 rpm, delivering 28 kg-m at that engine speed, which corresponds to a road speed of 39 km/h in sixth gear. Believe it or not, in that gear and at that RPM, you can step on the accelerator and get a responsive reaction.

Things change when you bury your foot in the throttle and hold the gears right up to the 7,200 rpm redline. That is where the V8 truly comes into its own and unleashes its full potential, producing a deep, resonant note and forceful acceleration that propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds and to 200 km/h in a mere 21 seconds (excellent).

It is best not to talk about fuel consumption...

The engine displacement, power output, and the three differentials it has to drive mean that city driving requires 19 liters/100 km, necessitating a refuel every 340 kilometers. However, if you intend to unleash the S4's full potential, the situation becomes far more "dramatic"; figures exceed 25 liters during spirited highway driving, forcing a stop to top up the tank every 250 kilometers. It is crying out for a tank of 80 liters or more. As you can see, fully exploiting the S4's capabilities comes at a price—but then again, what customer wouldn't be willing to pay it?.

Finally, let’s talk about the driving experience.

Anyone who enjoys driving will find the S4 to be a benchmark. The driving position, brake response, seats with exemplary ergonomics, six-speed gearbox, and the heavenly sound of the V8 revving high get the adrenaline flowing the moment you sit behind the wheel and start the engine.

The city is not its natural habitat, though the V8’s surprising flexibility, combined with the precise, direct steering ratio and Servotronic system, makes urban driving easy. It is out on the open road, on fast stretches and sweeping high-speed curves, that the S4 can be fully enjoyed, revealing its character and virtues, as well as its absolutely predictable handling.

An expensive, high-priced car, one that isn't for just anyone. But for those who appreciate and enjoy this type of vehicle, the sensation is unique.