2004 Audi S4 ... absolutely stunning!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Engine, interior, handling, styling, it's a complete driving experience.

Cons: Not much.  Other than it's not a cheap car.  It's an investment.

The Bottom Line: 
For an all around driving experience, there is no other option.

Author's Review
A variety of people will give a variety of reviews with regards to the Audi S4.  Having purchased and driven the 2004 Audi S4, I must say, it is sublime!

Many people will say how expensive a car it is.  Let's just get this out of the way right here and now.  If money is an issue with regards to your car, do not even think of purchasing this car.  It's expensive.  Why is it expensive?  It's not just because it's an Audi.  It's because it's a high performance car.  And it's an Audi.  Combine the two, and it's going to be expensive.

Now, with that out of the way, let's get right down to the car.  My wife and I are Audi drivers.  We will drive nothing else.  They are magnificent!  We both own Quattro's.  Which is to say, that if it rains, snows, the road catchs fire and the sky cracks in half, inside your Audi, will seem as though you're sitting in your living room.  And with it's full-time 4 Wheel drive (Quattro), the handling is unreal!  It's amazing!

First impressions with actually getting into the 2004 Audi S4, is comfort.  The Recaro seat immediately wraps around your body, holding you, comforting you, accepting you.  As you adjust your seat with the electronic seat controls, the seat then forms to your body, and it now feels as though you are in a cockpit of a jet fighter.  The car comes alive as the cabin lights fade on.  The smell of the leather passes by your nose.

You shut the door, and all sound is quieted.  And for a moment, ... you can hear your heart beating.  Locking the door, you insert your flip out your programmed wireless key into the ignition, and start the car.  The ignition scrambles for a moment, and then, it happens.  The computer checks the car for any issues with the internals, and moments later, the car roars a live.  Immediately the car is awakened, checking over it's systems and breathing alive.  The one thing I absolutely adore about this car, ... is the sound it makes.  It's a low rumble from the 4.2 dual exhaust V8 engine.

Moments later I can feel my body heat against the leather seats.  I click my seat belt on, and step on the brake.  Putting it into gear, I back out of my garage onto the driveway.  While the car warms up, I adjust the 6 CD changer stereo, as the sound appears from the BOSE speakers.  Driving this car, is an experience.  Every, single, time.  I have never WANTED to drive my car, until I purchased the Audi S4.  I look for ANY excuse to drive my car.  I have never felt that way about any car I've owned.  Literally.  I've had Porsche, Audi 4000S, Saab, Volkswagen, the list goes on, not one of them made me feel like I've WANTED to drive them.  Maybe my Saab did.  I had a Saab SPG.  That car was extremely comfortable and very sporty to drive.  Lovely experience that car.   But there is something about the Audi S4, that just takes my breath away.  And I know exactly what it is.

It's not necesssarily the leather seats, or the body shape and styling, or the 18" Alloy Wheels, or the stereo, or it's overall luxury and comfort.  It's the ride and performance that does it.  Not until you go to get on the highway, and you depress the accelorator, do you understand exactly what this car is about.  And it's not even necessarily the speed.  It's the experience.  The sound.  The handling.  It's a variety of impressions.  It's almost like being in love.  Sure the sex might be great, but it's the feeling of having someone love you back, buying you gifts, going to dinner and movie, or just out for dessert and playful conversation.  It's the experience of being in love that gives you that complete feeling.  The same thing goes for driving the 2004 Audi S4.

I LOVE stepping on the gas pedal in this car.  The car has this roar to it, somewhat like a NASCAR engine.  It just growls!  I love it!  I honestly can't get enough of it!  This car is literally addictive.  If you love to drive, like I do, you will absolutely fall head over heels with this car.  Driving this car, is basically like commanding an experience like no other with an automobile.  It's balanced, the power is immediate and aggressive.  You drive down the road, with 345 horse, and know that practically nothing else on the road can touch you.  Not just because of the horse power, but because of the full package of the 2004 Audi S4, it's complete package.  It's absolutely an unearthly feeling, honestly!

There are a few things that you should know when purchasing a car like this.  Number one, and foremost, this car DRINKS gas.  I don't care how cautious you are with the pedal, it drinks it!  And with it's 17.1 gallon gas tank, to fill it up with Premium gas (which is a must), you can easily pop in $50 of gas without blinking an eye.  And then 4 days later (depending on your driving), do it all over again.

Aside from the gas mileage, or lack there of, there are no other issue's I've had with this car.  None.  It's ... for the lack of a better word ... perfect.  The balance, the experience, the styling, the handling (which is orgasmic!), the horse power, the feel, I could go on and on and on, it's just perfect!  I will own no other type of car.  I can't.  Now I'm spoiled.  I read something that is so true with someone elses review.  Don't drive this car, if you can't afford it.  Because it will spoil you.  It will warp your reality with regards to what a car should be.  And once you've had a dessert that is like no other, you want nothing else.

I could go on about how big the trunk is, how spacious it is, how comfortable it is, how cool the electronics are, how bright and how much coverage the outside headlights are, how you can automatically pull in the side mirrors with the click of a button to go through a car wash, or when parking in tight spots.  I could go on about the Telematics/Onstar ability, or the blue tooth ability that syncs with your phone, on and on and on.  But the fact of the matter is, I can't wait to get into my car to go to work.  Which is something for the first time, I can't wait to do!

So, in closing, again if you love to drive, you love comfort and handling, you love to feel in control of the vehicle you drive so much so that its the entire experience that is most important ... buy this car.  Some cars just look good, but they drive like garbage.  Some cars look good and drive well, but the interior stinks or the stereo sucks.  Or, you get the handling, the interior, the styling, but the engine just doesn't do it for you.  What you are looking for, is the Audi S4.  Believe me ... the total experience, will speak for itself.  For the first time in a long while, you will remember what it is, to be in love.

**UPDATE**  Specifically with the 2004 Audi S4, you can't activate the OnStar Telematics System.  It uses an Analog System which isn't supported any longer.  So I would check out some other vehicle tracking devices, which work even better.

Also, when you are driving in heavy rain or snow, turn off the traction control.  The car becomes an entirely different vehicle.  All four tires grab, and it's virtually impossible to get stuck.  The grip is insane!  There was a snow day when it snowed so much, that everyone had to drive in one lane on the highway.  I made my own lane.  The car was THAT amazing with it's handling and grip.  The car is just amazing in the snow!  But just remember to turn off the traction control in order to really get the grip.  You have to have the traction control ON in normal driving conditions, or else the car is extremely tricky to drive.

Finally, if you want to fly like a jet fighter, slap that transmission into "S" drive, and hold on.  WOW!  The thing is like a missle!  I've tested this over and over, every time it comes out the same.  0 to 60 in around 4.5 seconds.  The car is just sick!

Also, don't take a chance.  When the car hits 75-80k miles, change the timing belt/water pump.  It's expensive going through the dealer, but just do it.  If the timing belt goes you're looking at almost $8k to fix the car.

Last point, I've gone back and fourth with people on this.  I like to do my own tune-ups and work on my cars.  The only car I have never felt totally comfortable doing that with is my Audi's.  Simple things like air filters, light bulbs, etc. are a joke.  Even the tune up if you know what you're doing, but with more complicated procedures go to the dealer.  Just go.  It's my belief that for cars like this, they need to go to the people that have all the parts and tools to fix the car properly.  If you can't afford to do that, my suggestion is to NOT purchase this car.  It will just depress you when you get a bill for $240 just to change the fuel filter.