About a decade ago Audi introduced the S7; a slinky four-door hatchback with a 420 horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 under the hood. While 420 horsepower was nothing to really sneeze at and a generation ago 350 horsepower was pretty impressive, in the top-tier luxury/sport cars executives expect 350-plus horsepower from the base models. As you travel up the ladder to the really impressive models that will get everyone to look, it’s now 550 horsepower that is the benchmark. Indeed, that’s where Audi went after only one model year in the US for the S7; it introduced the RS7, which kicked the horsepower up to 560.
So where does that leave the forlorn generation of “only” 400 horsepower road rockets? Well, a lot more affordable. Today’s S7 retailed for nearly $80,000 – though, admittedly, that got you a lot of kit. Standard was the S-Tronic 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, a sport differential, adaptive xenon headlights, a powered tailgate, heated and power-adjustable front sport seats trimmed in Valcona leather with diamond-pattern stitching, three-zone automatic climate control, Bose surround sound, Audi MMI with Navigation Plus, adaptive air suspension, 19″ wheels, and a powered moonroof. Today’s example was ordered in Ibis White with Lunar Silver leather – a nice combination – and added in Cold Weather Package with a heated steering wheel and rear seats for good measure.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2014 Audi S7 on eBay
Year: 2014
Model: S7
VIN: WAUW2AFC4EN035532
Engine: 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Mileage: 48,200 mi
Location: Dublin, Ohio
Price: $44,300 Buy It Now
2014 Audi S7 PrestigeAPR TunedIbis White over Lunar Silver InteriorRear Pads and Rotors Recently Replaced*Key Factory Options*4 L Twin Turbocharged V8 Engine7 Speed Automatic TransmissionFull Time All Wheel Drive*Cold Weather Package* – $500- Heated Steering Wheel- Heated Rear Seats- Rear Climate ControlsPower SunroofAudi MMI NavigationCarbon Atlas Inlays – $500Contact our professional Sales Managers at The Toy Barn for more information: 740-796-8033
This one is certainly a nice color combination, mileage is lower, and it appears to be in good shape. The asking price of $44,000 is right around the average new car sales price in the US today, and while this one doesn’t have the latest and greatest, it’s still a pretty potent package. The dealer claims it’s got some APR upgrades but doesn’t go into what that entails; but here’s a video of them doing an 11 second 124mph quarter mile run in a similar car. Sufficed to say, it’s quick. $44,300 seems around ballpark for this generation of performance, and stepping up to an RS7 will cost you at least 50% more for likely about the same amount of performance as an APR tuned S7. All in all, if you like the looks of the first generation of the A7 and S7, this seems like a decent deal for a nice luxury performance car.
-Carter
This generation S7 (and it’s mechanical twin, the S6) are indeed great cars. In fact when new, Car and Driver tested the S6 against the M5 and E63 and the S6 won. Unfortunately many Audis with this engine (the 4.0 TFSI hot V) have been experiencing turbo problems. Basically there is a screen in the check valve for the oil feed and it gets clogged and starves the turbos which leads to turbo failure which is a very expensive repair. It’s all documented in the forums. Another thing I’d be concerned with on this particular car, are the mods. My understanding is the dual clutch transmission in the S6/S7 is only rated for 406 lb ft of torque and I am pretty sure APR stage 1 exceeds that. Interestingly the high horsepower versions of this engine in the RS7 and S8 have a torque convertor automatic which can handle over 500 lb ft.
Some get excited to see a used car already “chipped” with all the extra hp, but if I was buying an expensive used German super sedan, I would only consider stock engines. You just don’t know how many times the prior owner took the car to the track or drag strip and repeatedly beat down on it. Buying a stock car gives you a little bit more reliability in my opinion.