S4

[lucky4586]

I'm starting to look for a toy/extra car and a S4 hit my radar for a car that is under 20k. I wanted to know about the 4.2 and the 2.7t. I have read that the 2.7 have issues but it looks mostly the turbo that go to hell..? Not planning on doing a ton of mods mainly ecu flash and exhaust. I drive about 3k a month which over 2k is just for work so the car might get 15k a year. I have a DD so it will be more my fun/fancy car. Lets hear what you guys think.

Wont be doing anything for 6 months or so. Also I have a new son so being able to put the baby seat in the back is a big plus.

[TomKat]

This is what I've heard Audi mechanics have to say about the cars.

They are great. Once they are out of warranty get rid of them. Unless you have a pile of cash to keep them running.

[SgtRauksauff]

got an audi? get outie!

[lucky4586]

lol I have had an evo, wrx, gti, talon, honda's/gsr, mustang, firebird, and im most likely forgetting some to. I am looking for something that has more "class". max performance isnt a need but i do want it to go. Any one have more ideas for cars? fwd, awd, rwd doesnt matter much to me since its a second car. I really liked the gti for the feel off the car it was a 2001 gti vr6. I have gone around the block and then some trying to figure out what car I want. My wife is going crazy lol.

[benben84]

The guy you want to talk to is ragdoll on here, he's had one for years and can tell you everything you need to know about them.

[krazyk]

not gonna lie the audi is a blast to drive and all the comforts you want(coming from someone who owns an older audi, was an audi/vw mechanic/ and sold audi lol)..
But tom is right to an extent.. there are a few common problems that arent a big deal if your decent at wrenching... timing belt needs to be taken care of no matter what at the recommended interval, the front control arms that they call tie rids, top and bottom have an issue with the ball joint part going to shit, but you can get a kit for about $250 off ebay for them and they arent hard to change..
If you take it to a stealership you'll hate the car after warranty.. ;)

[TomKat]

The guy you want to talk to is ragdoll on here, he's had one for years and can tell you everything you need to know about them.

Don't bother. He'll tell you they are the greatest cars in the world. Never break and if they do they are super easy and super cheap to fix...............NOT

Buy a new Audi. Then trade in after 3 years or so.

[EVILUTION]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-S4-4dr-Sdn-quat-2004-S4-AWD-6SPD-MANUAL-340HP-BLUE-BLUE-BLK-XENON-RECARO-HEATED-SEATS-BOSE-XM-/330657333048?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4cfcb67f38#v4-44

[lucky4586]

So ya pretty much the above eBay car not sure if I want the 2.7 or 4.2 and I have done engine swaps and timing belts on honda's and have a buddy that has a shop so it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg for labor just my time and parts really.

[ragdoll]

If you like to tweak, the 2.7tt will get you a lot more fun. I like the driving experience of the 2.7tt in the B5S4 over the 4.2 V8 in the B6S4 anyways.

My B5S4 is in stock form. I like it. I'm at about 135,000 miles on it. Mostly just maintenance and wear-n-tear. The turbo thing is mostly that people want to boost the stock K03 turbo's way more than they should or, the passenger side turbo oil feed has a small kink in it from the factory which can lead to premature wear. I'm assuming at this point in the game, such an issue would have been weeded out by now if it was like that from factory on a 10-12 year old car. Regardless, mid 2001 they updated the part and refer to them as 2001.5 S4's with other updates done to them as well. Mine is a 2000 and Audi updated the problem part in 2005 for free.

Replace control arms/tie-rod ends every 60k-80k for $350, motor/trans/rear-diff mounts every 100k for $450, ABS module can get a short in it (mine did) and costs $150 to repair, and install some gasoline into the gas tank.

The fit and finish of the B6S4 feels a little more "modern" but even recently I've have people get in my S4 and say "wow" to the interior design.

If you want something ridiculous and don't mind a potential maintenance nightmare if you don't perform your own work(and they're a pain in the ass to work on), look up the 2003 Audi RS6. Twin-turbo 4.2L V8. $1000 in mods and it'll rip your face off.

Anyways, at this point I've dealt with, wrenched on, or read experience about most everything with these cars. If you have specific questions, let me know. I don't come on here very often anymore so there may be a delay. Otherwise go to www.quattroworld.com forums to talk to the Audi brain-trust directly about any model you're curious about. They will walk you through how to do anything you need on the car.

[lucky4586]

How are timing belts on both engines?

[ragdoll]

How are timing belts on both engines?

I just had the timing belt/accessory belt/waterpump/thermostat/random bearings and rollers/2 or 3 other things done on my S4. Parts/labor was $850.

Manual says something like 105k but most people say 75k. I did it at 70k and now again last week at ~135k. I'm over doing it. I'll wait to ~220k next time.

4.2L V8 has timing chains(B6S4)

2.7tt has timing belt with an Interference design(i.e. if it breaks you're buying a new engine[which aren't THAT expensive. $2000ish]). I've never actually heard of it happening to anyone on the forums before though. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Here's an older(They suggest you take poloroid pictures of progress, hah) Audi made video for techs on how to pull the engine. The first little bit is all you need to get to the timing belt and other stuff: http://vimeo.com/5238276

[Dizmm]

and I have done engine swaps and timing belts on honda's and have a buddy that has a shop so it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg for labor just my time and parts really.

This is NOTHING like a honda.


Total cost of ownership even if you perform the work yourself is probably 4X (or more) that of a honda.




Replace control arms/tie-rod ends every 60k-80k for $350, motor/trans/rear-diff mounts every 100k for $450, ABS module can get a short in it (mine did) and costs $150 to repair, and install some gasoline into the gas tank.

Replacing the bazillion control arms and ball joints every 60k? wheel bearings too? thats un-German like.

[TomKat]

This is NOTHING like a honda.



Replacing the bazillion control arms and ball joints every 60k? wheel bearings too? thats un-German like.

2nd. that. You've owned a VW so you should know what a PITA they are to work on.

Now double the PITA and you have an Audi.

[lucky4586]

im liking the Hp and tq numbers of a rs6 with a tune..apr says about 512hp 529tq on 91.

might be a little over kill lol

[ragdoll]

Yeah those things get nuts. But you can hit those numbers with the 2.7tt with a few grand, too. The RS6 has a few maintenance items that are a chore to do. They smashed a LOT of stuff under that hood.

I like to think of myself as a non-idiot and I have a couple Audi's. If they were as bad as the "I-heard-from-some-guy" people say they are I wouldn't own them. Go read around on them to make an educated decision on it instead of going by ignorant hearsay. Sounds like you have some experience wrenching, that'll save you money whether you drive a Subaru Legacy or a Ferrari F430. Once you plug yourself into the forums you'll find it quite simple to work on.

[Dizmm]

sorry for the ignorant hearsay,....I've never had to work on an Audi before....

[TomKat]

sorry for the ignorant hearsay,....I've never had to work on an Audi before....

Me either. Or other technicians that specialize in Audi's and own and have owned a lot of them.

[Greg86z28]

I believe a friend of mine is considering selling his 2002 Corvette ZO6 (in Wausau). Not sure on the milage, but he bought it 2 summers ago out in California with 8k miles on it. Probably has less than 15k miles.

Black, has the chrome rim option, mint condition, never seen a track before.

[lucky4586]

price?

[supradjza80]

I actually do work on my Audi and its at least 9 years older then the cars you guys are discussing but I hate working on it. My friends have B5 A4's and they also suck to work on. We have done everything from engine rebuilds to transmission swaps and they are a pain in the ass and do cost more then most other cars even if you do the work yourself. They also suffer from a lot more constant nagging issues then any other car I have owned.

With that said I do like driving them, however I think I will be moving on from the Audi world in the next year or two for good.

[Greg86z28]

price?

Probably a little over 20k. I'll inquire.

[DirtyBird]

Get a m3 if you want to be da german

[lucky4586]

I have to figure out how much money i want to spend...

[lucky4586]

Ok wifes says has to have a back seat and under $20k closer to $15k will be better. My best friend has a 08 mustang gt loaded with gt500 rims and 18k miles on it that i can get for a seal of a deal but I'm trying to figure out if there are other cars that would be better that I'm not thinking of. I have kinda gone back to the idea of a sti, evo, or mustang. No to gto, firebird, and anything with out a back seat. I like to do work on my own car and have a shop/ access to a lift and pretty any tool i could need. m3 is cool but not that great of a bang for your buck. Yes mustangs brake but they are cheap to fix which is ok with me. I guess I'm looking to see if anyone knows anyone that is going to sell a sti or evo. other then what has been listed here. Mustang mach 1 would be ok also.

[DontStopMe]

I have a 400hp BBY evo you can by in like 2 month. :)

[VPT]

This coming summer I need to sell poopy and get a back seat as well. I keep hearing people talk about these evo cars, are they any good?

[EVILUTION]

I think vpt's account has been hacked.

[ZXTUNER]

lol

[lucky4586]

lol nice...

[VPT]

Or a subaru!

[EVILUTION]

VPT... you should get an X5.

[VPT]

Yeah then I could sell my excursion and tow everything with the x5.