filahebe

I've been browsing the forum for the last month and lots of great discussions. My current lease is about 6 months from ending and the S4 is on the top of my list for a new car. Probably looking at buying (rather than leasing) this time around. For various reasons, I want to hold on longer to my next car.

I'm playing around how to option my car, and I think I've got much of it figured out, except for the transmission….. I apologize in advance if this has already been discussed ad nauseam so if you point me at the right thread, that's cool too.

I like the MT6 because of price, potential durability, weight and maybe the fact that driver is more connected to the car.

The S-tronic is just plain cool... quick shifts, fun downshifts, slightly better mileage, better in stop and go traffic (don't encounter much on my commute). I’m concerned about how it performs in a cold climate. I live what is arguably the coldest city in the lower 48.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to becoming a new owner of an S4.

voltrons_head

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2772836

This thread may help you out. Enjoy.

NWS4Guy

There have been a few posts about operation problems when first taking off in very cold weather, but it shouldn't be too much trouble in the DSG. Depending on the length of your long term, and how durable/failure rate of the DSG it might be a wash.

The mechatronics is about the only thing you have to ever replace other than the oil. The mechatronics is damn spendy, I think around $1500 to replace, the oil alone for most DSG's is around $150, a typical change can run $400 - 900, however NONE of the current Audi literature or what AoA is telling dealers, shows that this new DGS ever needs service (oil changed). This is highly odd, since all others are quite sensitive and need a religous change every 40K miles. Then again this one has 2 seperate oil loops and is a radical change in how it works with regards to the oil and mechatronics.

thebishman

I won't go into the merits of the 6MT versus the S-Tronic other than to say that a few years ago I was a tried and true 'manual' gearbox owner and driver. When I was introduced to the SMG II in my '02 M3, I rapidly became a convert and will never again own a 6MT gearbox IF a DSG type of gearbox is offered as an option. Also, there is a good chance that the days of the true 6MT gearbox are numbered.

To answer your question re: the S-Tronic in cold weather. We are currently experiencing mornings of about 5F and the gearbox in my car is functioning perfectly. No hesitation, shifts being made rapidly and imperceptibly, etc. I'm very pleased with it so far, and consider it the most sophisticated automated manual I've driven; (granted I haven't driven the Porsche PDK system, yet).
Bish

filahebe

Thank you for the great information....

Does anyone happen to know what the weight difference is between the two transmissions. I know the PDK is about 90lb heavier so I have to assume this is similar. Not a big deal really, but Audi is already a "nose-heavy" car compared to the rear-wheel drive based competition. Adding more weight to the front doesn't help things in this regard.

I know all this doesn't matter in day to day driving, and that I'll never take the car to its limits where I can notice this. I'm just trying to talk myself out of the S-tronic because it's another $option that I might not really need.

NWS4Guy

S-tronic is about an extra 40 lbs over 6MT.

DroidAkty

After test driving the S4 and going back to my A4, I thought the clutch pedal on my A4 was broken because it felt so light. I initially ordered my S4 in a 6MT but after think about it while sitting in commuting traffic I called the dealer to switch it the S-tronic tranny.



From Car and Driver

NWS4Guy

I went DSG, after having a G35 coupe with 6MT for 5 years. I do not regret it for one second.

Tails

I'm in the same boat as NWS4Guy - drove 6MT STi's for 5 years, and I'm loving the S-tronic! Highly recommended.

filahebe

Ok here is a question for the S-tronic owners... How often do you drive it in Auto vs. manual? I've heard from owners of other double clutch equipped cars that after a few months (or less) auto becomes the default option for majority of the driving time.