The storageforum Audi S4 Thread

Stereodude

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The shop I found confirmed that they will do the sunroofs and the windshield with a lifetime warranty. The whole car for $750.
That doesn't seem too extreme. I send an e-mail to the local shop I found to get a ballpark figure for the same thing on the S4 this evening. We'll see what they say.
 

Stereodude

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The local shop quoted me $500 out the door to tint windows, windshield, & sunroof w/ Llumar Blue Air 80 with a lifetime warranty. They said it would take 4-5 hours to do.
 

Stereodude

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Sounds about right. I have two more windows and one more sunroof than you do.
I don't think you have any more windows. By my count the S4 has 7 window + windshield + sunroof. The A3 has 7 window + windshield + 2 sunroofs. The most rearward windows are larger on the A3, but the count is the same.
 

Handruin

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It's a delicate balance.

While washing/waxing/detailing my TL in preparation to get some appraisal numbers, I noticed the amount of stone damage and nicks in the paint over the years. It's persuading me to consider the clear bra protective film for the S4.
 

Stereodude

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While washing/waxing/detailing my TL in preparation to get some appraisal numbers, I noticed the amount of stone damage and nicks in the paint over the years. It's persuading me to consider the clear bra protective film for the S4.
You're slowly coming over to the dark side. Pretty soon you'll be looking at Llumar Blue Air 80 tint too. :-D
 

Stereodude

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I'm back to making friends at AZ.

This seems pretty accurate of too many owners:
g0vkheinwhj3ymtk2bln2gy.jpg
 

Handruin

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In all fairness, you did instigate the argument. You're going to be fighting a long uphill battle by trying to point out the cockery with some of them. You're not likely to change their mindset.
 

Handruin

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You're slowly coming over to the dark side. Pretty soon you'll be looking at Llumar Blue Air 80 tint too. :-D

I'm not overwhelmed with the Blue Air 80. Functionally it sounds wonderful but I'm not yet decided on bothering with tinting the windows.
 

Stereodude

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In all fairness, you did instigate the argument.
Well not exactly. I didn't lure them into making the stupid statements. I just pointed them out.

You're going to be fighting a long uphill battle by trying to point out the cockery with some of them. You're not likely to change their mindset.
True, but I'm having fun.
 

Handruin

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Why not? It's fun!

Doing so can often times be regarded as trolling if it continues over a length of time. I understand the urge to want to stress an opinion and stop the douchebaggary. We just have different ways of expressing similar views. From a psychological standpoint, people are far less likely to consider or accept your point of view when you present it as an aggressive (passive or direct) insult.
 

Handruin

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Stupid question, but does the S4 use lug bolts vs a lug nut? I started inquiring at ModBargains about the Avant Garde M310 wheels and Elliot suggested the wheels need conical lug bolts. Simplistically I'm asking if I were to order the wheel/tire combo, could I get these things in and mount them myself or does something else need to happen because the wheels require conical lug bolts vs lug nuts? I have a hydraulic jack and stands and a torque wrench, so I'm able to swap the wheels. I just don't know what the S4 comes with from the factory.

This was the breakdown:

The wheels are $999.00 (19x8.5 et35)
The tires are $1232.00 (Michelin PSS 255x35xR19)
The touchless mounting/roadforce balancing - $120.00
The lug bolts $30
The shipping is $185.00
The discount is $99.00
Order total: $2465.00 to my door.
 

Stereodude

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The S4 uses lug bolts. They're a little more tricky to mount on the car because you can't stick the wheels on the studs and use the studs to support the weight of the wheel. You have to hold the wheel in the right spot and get a bolt started. You can also buy a lug bolt guide tool to make it easier.

I didn't realize you were going with 19" wheels. Have you gotten any other quotes?
 

Handruin

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The S4 uses lug bolts. They're a little more tricky to mount on the car because you can't stick the wheels on the studs and use the studs to support the weight of the wheel. You have to hold the wheel in the right spot and get a bolt started. You can also buy a lug bolt guide tool to make it easier.

I didn't realize you were going with 19" wheels. Have you gotten any other quotes?

AH, ok. That answers it for me. I figured they must be a pain in the ass to mount because there is nothing in place to support the wheel/tire while mounting. Thanks for the link on the bolt guide. That'll probably be worth it if I'm changing them over each season.

Yeah I went back and forth on it and decided I liked the look of the 19" sized wheel that comes from the factory but figured it wasn't worth spending on the factory 19" potato peelers. I don't want 19" wheels for the winter, but I don't mind chancing it for the spring/summer/fall. I'm going to see if I can time the wheels with the car arrival like you did and try to keep miles off the OEM summer tires. Then I'll post some ads around and see if anyone is interested in buying the 18" OEM summer tires to recoop some of the cost of the new tires. ModBargain is my first quote, but I haven't committed to anything yet. Elliot said they were on a 2-week back-order right now anyway. I plan to hit up a few of the other online places to see what price they come in for everything like ModBargains. The Michelin's were a main interest for tires, but I'm also considering the Hankoon ventus V12s at a lot less money or even the Continental DW tires. I haven't yet decided if I want to spring for the PSSs. ModBargains seems moderately close at $308/tire + $85/shipping ($1317) to tirerack's price at $298/tire + $49 shipping ($1241). There is some value to be had in just having the tires already mounted/balanced when they get here rather than taking them some place and worrying they'll fuck it up.

Have you decided yet on your wheels? What are your thoughts on summer tires? I know you're looking at the DWS, but what will you do after you use up the OEM summer tires?
 

Stereodude

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Have you decided yet on your wheels? What are your thoughts on summer tires? I know you're looking at the DWS, but what will you do after you use up the OEM summer tires?
I think I'm going to get the 18x8.5 ET42 Enkei Raijin after all. I plan to get the Conti DWS after the OEM summer tires are used up. I plan to get a set Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D to run in the winter on the factory 18" rims.
 

Handruin

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I think I'm going to get the 18x8.5 ET42 Enkei Raijin after all. I plan to get the Conti DWS after the OEM summer tires are used up. I plan to get a set Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D to run in the winter on the factory 18" rims.

I thought your DWS would be your winter season tire and you'd use another summer tire after the OEM was done. That's what I was considering doing. Those dunlops are pricey...but so are all the others in the dedicated winter tire mix.
 

Stereodude

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I thought your DWS would be your winter season tire and you'd use another summer tire after the OEM was done. That's what I was considering doing.
Nah... IMHO the portion of the year you can guarantee no snow is too short to run "summer" tires. You'll end up with your "winter" tires on a lot of the year. The way I see it is with my plan I can take my sweet time swapping the winter tires on in the fall without any real concern of an early snow and I can swap them off pretty early when it start to warm up without worrying about a late snow. I also don't figure my non-winter driving necessitates fast wearing "summer" tires.

Those Dunlops are pricey...but so are all the others in the dedicated winter tire mix.
That's certainly true. However, my scheme allows me to minimize the number of months they're on the car and reduces the wear on them. Ultimately, I'm geeked at the idea of having a pretty much unstoppable car in snow and that means snow tires. 8)
 

Handruin

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Nah... IMHO the portion of the year you can guarantee no snow is too short to run "summer" tires. You'll end up with your "winter" tires on a lot of the year. The way I see it is with my plan I can take my sweet time swapping the winter tires on in the fall without any real concern of an early snow and I can swap them off pretty early when it start to warm up without worrying about a late snow. I also don't figure my non-winter driving necessitates fast wearing "summer" tires.

That's certainly true. However, my scheme allows me to minimize the number of months they're on the car and reduces the wear on them. Ultimately, I'm geeked at the idea of having a pretty much unstoppable car in snow and that means snow tires. 8)

For me it's roughly April through November with sometimes being more, but less of a guarantee? That's like 2/3 of a year...that's by no means short to me. I can compromise and put the DWS on the 18" and extend the time a bit and do the same as you with taking my own time to switch over the summers. I also feel like I'm getting somewhat of a performance car...why not give it some good tread to handle well and stop quick to make the most of the car's abilities. I drive the DWS daily in my TL and they are a good tire, but I do find them lacking in some areas. My previous Goodyear F1 AS had a much better road feel and handling until they went stupid with noise and feathering, but the DWS were much better in the snow.
 

Stereodude

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For me it's roughly April through November with sometimes being more, but less of a guarantee? That's like 2/3 of a year...that's by no means short to me.
It doesn't snow in November or April where you are? It does here. Speaking from experience, you don't want to get caught in snow with "summer" tires. It's not something I would risk.
 

Handruin

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It doesn't snow in November or April where you are? It does here. Speaking from experience, you don't want to get caught in snow with "summer" tires. It's not something I would risk.

Not often but if it did it would be in the beginning of April and near the end of November. It varies a bit, but on the chance of a storm, I would just spend 30 minutes and change the wheels or work from home/remote. Even if I did go the beginning of May to the start of Nov, that's still a worthwhile amount of time on summer tires (6 months).
 

Stereodude

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Not to belabor the point, but what if it starts snowing after you're at work, or while you're driving? The latter scenario happened to me in my Maxima. I left home with dry roads and no precipitation falling. Before I got to work I got a first hand lesson on what summer tires do in/on snow & ice. I was lucky I didn't damage my car when the car started sliding sideways while I was stopped in traffic on a banked curve on the freeway. Later on in the same commute I slid into a curb and damaged a wheel while completing a turn despite driving very carefully.
 

Howell

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The S4 uses lug bolts. They're a little more tricky to mount on the car because you can't stick the wheels on the studs and use the studs to support the weight of the wheel. You have to hold the wheel in the right spot and get a bolt started. You can also buy a lug bolt guide tool to make it easier.

Bummer. My VW wheels would rest on part of the hub and all you had to do was align the holes and insert the bolts.
 

Stereodude

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Bummer. My VW wheels would rest on part of the hub and all you had to do was align the holes and insert the bolts.
It's obviously got a hub too that helps locate the wheel. You still have to hold the wheel in place which depending on how large and heavy the wheel is isn't a piece of cake while trying to start a bolt. The wheel hangar / guide tool definitely helps.
 

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Not to belabor the point, but what if it starts snowing after you're at work, or while you're driving? The latter scenario happened to me in my Maxima. I left home with dry roads and no precipitation falling. Before I got to work I got a first hand lesson on what summer tires do in/on snow & ice. I was lucky I didn't damage my car when the car started sliding sideways while I was stopped in traffic on a banked curve on the freeway. Later on in the same commute I slid into a curb and damaged a wheel while completing a turn despite driving very carefully.

I've driven a really nasty car (it was even with winter tires on) with blank summer tires on wet ice - it wasn't a problem.
 

Stereodude

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I've driven a really nasty car (it was even with winter tires on) with blank summer tires on wet ice - it wasn't a problem.
Uh... congratulations I guess.

My experience was quite a bit different. The car slid sideways one complete lane due to gravity while at a complete stop. The tires had virtually no traction. I'd liken them to a hockey puck.
 
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