02tii

With a 2005 Avant due in August, I'm curious to know how bad the fuel consumption is on current vehicles, both 6 speed and tip. With the gas guzzler tax assessed only on the 6 speed, is there really a significant difference in fuel efficiency between these powertrain systems? How much of any difference might be due to driving profile differences (manuals driven more aggressively than automatics)rather than inherent engineering differences? Any thoughts?

Sia Bani

I live in a hilly region. In LA, I'd average 14mpg daily. I don't do much highway driving, but if you're really careful you can achieve 20mpg on the highway. It's hard to do with a performance car, but it's possible.

GG is 1700.

Auto vs manual...gearing. The auto revs lower in 6th than the manual, ie on the highway. Better mpg.

Concept

Oh man... bad gas economy is an understatement. But you know what, it's definitely worth it. When it starts costing close to $50 to fill my tank, that's when I'll begin to think about investing in a hybrid. Until then, I'll down it as a fee for being a priviledged S4 owner.

nirad

If you keep the revs low it's not so bad. Though that's hard to do- the engine is tempting

Concept

The S mode intentionally revs at higher RPMs to give it an immediate punch off the line. I think regardless of the transmission, if you drive it hard, be prepared to pay some cash at the next gas station. But we already knew this would be the case even before buying the S4.

HarnessedLunacy

gas mileage in it too because you can't resist pushing that gas pedal.

It is all going to depend on how you drive it.

I have no complaints with the gas mileage.

ceresma

I just filled my S4 cab for the first time. Mixed just regular driving I got slightly over 20 with the tip.
Mark

Goldmember

Thats with mixed driving and I havnt reset the Average Miles since I picked the car up with 11 miles on it.

ThanksForAllTheFish

I've done several highway trips (fill up and drive on the highway until on "E") and manage 20.5 mpg at average speeds of 80-85. This is calculated by miles/gallons and not the trip computer which seems to read low.

I've never done pure city driving for a tank but I'd guess about 12-14 mpg.

Yeah, milage kinda sucks in the S4 but it goes with the territory. After reading the numbers reported by G35, E46 M3, and 545i owners, the S4 doesn't seem too far off.

JDBlueAudiS4

I have never broken 20 until today. Very interesting, probably is the weather.