2017 (B9) A4 Avant 2.0 TDi S-Line Special Edition

[Rigger]

Afternoon all,

picking up a new to me A4 Avant 2.0L TDi S-Line SE, next week from the Birmingham area.

I've been trying to find any information on what the differences between the S-Line and S-Line Special Edition for my model year are, but I'm coming up on a complete blank.

 

The car comes with the usual S-Line specs that I am aware of, as well as TFT drivers console and a HUD - but I believe these are factory fitted options rather than a part of the SE add ons.  Happy to be corrected though.

 

Can the gurus on here enlighten me any please?

Edited May 30 by Rigger

[Magnet]

Hello Allan, 
I don’t want to instil pessimism, but I do hope to present a picture which will allow you to do your homework.

Guru? No claim in that direction.

’Special Edition’? 
I can only take you back a little over 10 years earlier to when your proposed purchase was first registered. 

In 2006, a family member bought an Audi A3 1.6 Special Edition brand new (the car is still with us). The Special Edition was then a posh name for ‘Basic’, although the family member did specify certain extras which were important to them at the time. 
So then, there was nothing special about the Special Edition, and most certainly not superior to any other A3 of the time. 
 

OK, fast forward to your 2017 ‘Special Edition’. Did the same criteria apply then? Don’t know. 
I think your assumption is that the Special Edition version of your proposed S-Line may be better equipped than the standard S-Line, but an assumption it might be, until you prove that it actually is. Sounds like you will have to do some homework Allan, and ask a local Audi dealer to give you a copy of the build record to see exactly what toys your example does and doesn’t have.

Possibly someone on here has one, and can advise, but meanwhile I would be erring on the side of caution and checking exactly what is and isn’t fitted - if the distance- seller is prepared to spend time and honesty to go through that for you. 
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Allan, and apologies if I’ve caused unnecessary concern. 
Kind regards, 

Gareth. 

[Rigger]

No concerns, I'm fairly happy that it is a S-Line (Insurers database says it is), just the Special Edition badge on the back puzzled me.

 

Current (outgoing) A4 Avant I have is a 2014 2.0L TDi Technik SE.  AFAIK, this is the base model for this year.  Its a bit dull and boring (compared to the 2017 Jag XJR that also sits on the drive) so its getting replaced with the more powerful 190Hp and newer interior B9 A4 Avant.

 

I'll take your advice though and ask the local Audi dealership in Belfast for more details.

 

Thanks again.

[Magnet]

There you go then Allan. 

[Rigger]

So, I picked up the car from Birmingham on Tuesday having sold the B8.5 A4 Avant on the Monday.

My apologies first off.  Its a limited edition S-Line.  What that means is that it has; virtual cockpit, HUD, in-car wireless charger, 19" alloys and improved lights.

The engine is a peach and pulls the car in a deceptively rapid fashion.  Frugal too!  Topped up after collecting and taxing, with the indicated range some 620 miles to the tank. In reality this was 550, with 50 left before I refuelled.  That said, I was using the gear paddles a lot driving through Wales.

Ended up at Diddly Squat Farm, who some of you may know belongs to a certain J Clarkson.  It was sodding closed.  My own fault for not checking.  Then Caffine and Machine before meeting up with an old buddy in Sutton Coldfield, meal pint and a chinwag to catch up.

 

Next day, headed to Wales and the Mach Loop.  Got buzzed by 6 F-15 Eagles as I climbed the hill.  Literally 50-60 ft above me though bring up the hill, they were still at the 100ft above the road.   Scared the cr*p out of as they were on top of you with only a second or two before you heard them.  Concentrating on my footing, they took me well and truly by surprise!

Then went onto the EVO triangle. Bit of a disappointment, due to speed cameras everywhere.  I can understand it, but it did spoil the drive a bit. Scenery going past Snowdonia on way to Holyhead made up for it.

Ferry to Dublin, and done.  Glad I bought it, and its a massive step forward compared to the old B8.5 Technik SE I had previously. 

 

Going to fit some proper rubber to it.  Ying Yang ditch finders fitted atm, so Michelin Cross Climate 2 are my choice. Hunter Laser alignment check to follow.  Might get it detailed and ceramic coated.

I've queries on the SIM card; apparently Audi are suffering supply problems with car SIM cards.  Can I use any PAYG data sim?  Also looking to replace the trim spear that runs on the left side of the centre (gear selector, drinks holder) console, some scuffs and scratches.  Anyone know of where I can get these aside from the dealerships?

[Rigger]

Why do some folks buy a prestige car brand then buy the w@nkiest tyres?  Seen too many accidents with cheap tyres not providing adequate breaking - more so in the wet, which we have plenty of in the UK and Ireland.

Changed the boots today for Michelin Cross Climate 2's, binning the winter Ying Yang ditch finders, and a Hunter Laser Alignment.  Fronts were toe'd out too much!!  Car feels better already!

You can see the wear on the inner edge of the tyres.  Rest of the tyre was near 6mm.

[cliffcoggin]

Good job. The right tracking should treble the life of the tyres.

PS. I like the humour in "ditch finders" and "Norn Irn".

[Magnet]

Thanks Allan, 

Glad you have started to sort this out. 30 profile tyres - hope your back is in good shape, and the potholes are kind to you!
 
An interesting take on budget tyres, and very true if the driving style is ‘to the limit’ - just don’t go there.

As it happens, I have used Accelera tyres on earlier family cars and never had a worrying moment with them during ‘ordinary’ driving. All I can say is that if the budget only stretches to budget tyres, and your driving style isn’t ’to the limit’ then Accelera would be my brand of choice, based on earlier experience. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Rigger]

17 hours ago, cliffcoggin said:

Good job. The right tracking should treble the life of the tyres.

PS. I like the humour in "ditch finders" and "Norn Irn".

Certainly hoping so, given the initial cost of them😆.  As for humour, its part and parcel of being a Jock, and living in Norn Irn.  Craic here is usually 100%🤪

16 hours ago, Magnet said:

Thanks Allan, 

Glad you have started to sort this out. 30 profile tyres - hope your back is in good shape, and the potholes are kind to you!
 
An interesting take on budget tyres, and very true if the driving style is ‘to the limit’ - just don’t go there.

As it happens, I have used Accelera tyres on earlier family cars and never had a worrying moment with them during ‘ordinary’ driving. All I can say is that if the budget only stretches to budget tyres, and your driving style isn’t ’to the limit’ then Accelera would be my brand of choice, based on earlier experience. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth,

Tyres are 35 profile.  30s would be like band of rubber😬.  My XJR has 30 profile tyres on the rear  295/30/20 - but to be honest, the ride in that thing is sublime, even given that they put the F-Type-SVR engine, transmission and suspension (Bilstein shocks) into it.  The Avant is sitting on 19" alloys, and even though I've only driven 30 miles in them since, the car just feels better for it - though that might be the alignment.

It helps that the roads here in Norn Irn are generally very very good.  Scotland's roads are horrific now in comparison.  England's weren't much better to be honest, but in Scotland the Greens were the tail wagging the SNP Dog, so no investment got put in the roads there - end result is that when I did the NC500 a few years back - I was appalled at how bad the roads had gotten.

 

I hear what you're saying regarding tyre choice and budget, but for me safety is paramount.  Not going to help if you get T-boned, but at least you can do what you can, more so in our rain dominated UK climate.   5th gear did a segment years ago with budget tyres breaking in the wet - the results were horrifying for me.  Been premium tyres ever since.

[Magnet]

Thanks Allan.

As with all ‘comparison tests’, the question which needs to be asked is -who is funding/sponsoring the test? 
My comments were really aimed at a better understanding of the much-used, and disliked, broad brush term ‘ditch finder’. 

I think anyone who fits budget tyres to a vehicle which they drive enthusiastically is indeed taking a higher risk than they would by buying well researched premium grades.

However, if your diving style is not-getting-anywhere-in-a-hurry, then I wouldn’t automatically dismiss all budget tyres. 
My point which might have been helpful to other members who drive as the last paragraph is that, of budget brands, Accelera has given me all round satisfaction for my requirements.  
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Rigger]

Hi Gareth, 

 

Apologies in not replying earlier  - on hols still and wifi is hit and miss.

 

Agree with what you say about driving style.   I tend to get on, but always in regards to traffic and weather.  Grew up in NE Scotland, so used to bad weather.  Norn Irn has some lovely roads, but some of the drivers can be erratic to say the least.  You could be driving at 60 on a damp road, and some idiot pops out a side road, misjudging your speed.   Had it happen to me a few times. To that end, I fit the best tyres I can, so that I can stop or at least slow down enough.

 

As for the 5th Gear segment, I think it was a neutral test, ie not sponsored by any one brand.  Budget tyres do have their place in the market, of course they do.  But given that I don't hang about, I prefer to have as good a tyre that I can fit.

Given the power in the Jag (near 600hp through the rear), it has Michelin Pilot sport 4S fitted, but rarely gets driven in the wet.  If I do, then I slow down accordingly.  The Audi is the daily and will be driven throughout the year in all conditions.   Last A4 Avant had them, and when we had a patch of snow, the Cross Climate 2s handled the snow with ease.  I am used to driving in snow though, but was really impressed with the Michelins.

[Magnet]

Thanks Allan,

’…given that I don’t hang about..’ , ‘… I tend to get on…’ , ‘ ….driving at 60mpg ( the legal limit) on a damp road …. ‘ some idiot pops out of a side road… ‘ -all of this points me conclude that you drive ‘enthusiastically’, and I don’t think anyone would recommend budget tyre as being suitable for you. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.