Audi S4 V8 engine
Discussion
My only knowledge of these is a friend who's had one since new. It was perfect up to 93k miles but since then it's just problem after problem after problem. This is with full service history, sticking religiously to service guidelines etc. I think it's on about 120k now as he just continues to pour money into it as he loves the car.
I don't think that they're particularly bad though - but obviously don't be surprised if some bills fly out.
I don't think that they're particularly bad though - but obviously don't be surprised if some bills fly out.
I am currently running a sub-70,000 mile B7 S4 Auto and the past few months have not been trouble-free. Just before Christmas the engine started developping an oil leak. Went to the nearest Audi dealership that informed me that they suspected it was coming from the timing chain covers. I was quoted north of £2,000 pounds to get the engine out, inspected, and put back in. That obviously did not include any repair.
I tried my luck with a reputable independent and after two days of testing, they confirmed that there was a leak, that they were sure it was not coming from the back of the block (sigh of relief) but they were unable to trace the source of the problem. Mind you, I did not have to pay for the time they spent investigating. Top blokes.
So now, I am keeping an eye on the oil level and will book the car in at the independent place should the problem become more serious.
Also, I have had temperamental parking sensors that refused to work for a couple of days and that have now stopped their industrial action.
Despite this I would buy another one in a heart beat ... if I could come across a low mileage 4.2. I don't fancy a turbo in my life at the moment.
I tried my luck with a reputable independent and after two days of testing, they confirmed that there was a leak, that they were sure it was not coming from the back of the block (sigh of relief) but they were unable to trace the source of the problem. Mind you, I did not have to pay for the time they spent investigating. Top blokes.
So now, I am keeping an eye on the oil level and will book the car in at the independent place should the problem become more serious.
Also, I have had temperamental parking sensors that refused to work for a couple of days and that have now stopped their industrial action.
Despite this I would buy another one in a heart beat ... if I could come across a low mileage 4.2. I don't fancy a turbo in my life at the moment.
Sweller said:
I had a B6 S4 V8 for a couple years and it drank about a litre of oil every 1000 miles or so, which according to forums was normal. Given that they take 10L of oil, by the time you have done 10K miles you have completely changed the oil 
really?Got the 4.2 V8 in our S5, and it's used ~1.5L of oil in 12,000 miles (from 0), ie. nothing to get excited about.
it;s about the same as the V6 uses in the B8 S4
Interesting, I was planning 4.2V8 when my 2.7T needs replacing, it's what I was originally going to buy but at the time in budget all I could find were clocked examples. My 2.7T is on 126,000miles and has been faultless think its been chipped in the past as it feels way quicker than 240bhp, I think what will finish it is the tiptronic box giving up before the engine. This thread doesn't make the V8 sound that appealing anymore which is a shame.
Thats because you only here of problems with threads like these.
There are many owners that are happy with the V8, for all of its niggles.
The main issue now is the early V8's are getting a bit long in the tooth, and there are bound to be issues surfacing.
However, the engines were designed with longevity and are good for around 200K apparently.
As with all performance cars, you dont buy one expecting it to never have problems.
I for one have had one for a few years, yes it rattles, yes it drinks oil, and if it costs me a couple of grand to have the chains and guides done at some point then so be it.
Its a lot cheaper than buying a newer similar performance car.
All imho.
There are many owners that are happy with the V8, for all of its niggles.
The main issue now is the early V8's are getting a bit long in the tooth, and there are bound to be issues surfacing.
However, the engines were designed with longevity and are good for around 200K apparently.
As with all performance cars, you dont buy one expecting it to never have problems.
I for one have had one for a few years, yes it rattles, yes it drinks oil, and if it costs me a couple of grand to have the chains and guides done at some point then so be it.
Its a lot cheaper than buying a newer similar performance car.
All imho.
The way to solve the timing chain rattle (and hence wear) on start up is to change from the long-life 0/30 oil to a 5/30 or 5/40 oil. The 0/30 is so thin it will leak out of all the hydraulic chain and tappet adjusters and hence have to refill them on every single start-up. Changing to the ever-so-slightly thicker 5/30 oil resolves the quick leakage and cures the rattle.
We've had an B6 S4 4.2 V8 cab from 47k to 68k and changed the oil (and service regime) upon buying it. It only now has a split-second rattle if it goes a week without starting.
We've had an B6 S4 4.2 V8 cab from 47k to 68k and changed the oil (and service regime) upon buying it. It only now has a split-second rattle if it goes a week without starting.
Hate to be the exception to the perceived rule but I've owned a B6 S4 V8 from new in 2003. It's only done 40k miles and currently does about 3k per year. It frequently sits in the garage for 2-3 weeks at a time unused but when I do use it it is a 100+ mile trip.
Servicing is the 2 year, 17k mile regime so based on my annual mileage it's always had an oil change sub-10k miles. No rattle on start up and I've only ever bought 2l of top up, one of which is unused!
I can't explain this compared to the majority of the stories on this thread. I could say it was my highly developed mechanical sympathy with the car but I did managed to trash the clutch and DMF at 34k!
Servicing is the 2 year, 17k mile regime so based on my annual mileage it's always had an oil change sub-10k miles. No rattle on start up and I've only ever bought 2l of top up, one of which is unused!
I can't explain this compared to the majority of the stories on this thread. I could say it was my highly developed mechanical sympathy with the car but I did managed to trash the clutch and DMF at 34k!
caiss4 said:
Hate to be the exception to the perceived rule but I've owned a B6 S4 V8 from new in 2003. It's only done 40k miles and currently does about 3k per year. It frequently sits in the garage for 2-3 weeks at a time unused but when I do use it it is a 100+ mile trip.
Servicing is the 2 year, 17k mile regime so based on my annual mileage it's always had an oil change sub-10k miles. No rattle on start up and I've only ever bought 2l of top up, one of which is unused!
I can't explain this compared to the majority of the stories on this thread. I could say it was my highly developed mechanical sympathy with the car but I did managed to trash the clutch and DMF at 34k!
Anyone asked you for first refusal if you ever sell?Servicing is the 2 year, 17k mile regime so based on my annual mileage it's always had an oil change sub-10k miles. No rattle on start up and I've only ever bought 2l of top up, one of which is unused!
I can't explain this compared to the majority of the stories on this thread. I could say it was my highly developed mechanical sympathy with the car but I did managed to trash the clutch and DMF at 34k!
pwd95 said:
caiss4 said:
Hate to be the exception to the perceived rule but I've owned a B6 S4 V8 from new in 2003. It's only done 40k miles and currently does about 3k per year. It frequently sits in the garage for 2-3 weeks at a time unused but when I do use it it is a 100+ mile trip.
Servicing is the 2 year, 17k mile regime so based on my annual mileage it's always had an oil change sub-10k miles. No rattle on start up and I've only ever bought 2l of top up, one of which is unused!
I can't explain this compared to the majority of the stories on this thread. I could say it was my highly developed mechanical sympathy with the car but I did managed to trash the clutch and DMF at 34k!
Anyone asked you for first refusal if you ever sell?Servicing is the 2 year, 17k mile regime so based on my annual mileage it's always had an oil change sub-10k miles. No rattle on start up and I've only ever bought 2l of top up, one of which is unused!
I can't explain this compared to the majority of the stories on this thread. I could say it was my highly developed mechanical sympathy with the car but I did managed to trash the clutch and DMF at 34k!
. Still, I'll bookmark the thread!
Alucidnation said:
The main issue now is the early V8's are getting a bit long in the tooth, and there are bound to be issues surfacing.
However, the engines were designed with longevity and are good for around 200K apparently.
As with all performance cars, you dont buy one expecting it to never have problems.
Niggles being a £2k chain sub 100k that's ridiculous.However, the engines were designed with longevity and are good for around 200K apparently.
As with all performance cars, you dont buy one expecting it to never have problems.
The Lexus V8 has a very simple and cheap belt to replace.
The Chevy LS series V8 is far simpler with a single cam, makes good power and has great reliability.
caiss4 said:
Hate to be the exception to the perceived rule but I've owned a B6 S4 V8 from new in 2003. It's only done 40k miles
But you aren't the exception most are reliable at 40k miles come back when you're trouble free at 150kMost 1.8+ litre cars easily manage 150k these days without huge bills - I thought Audi was supposed to be BETTER made.
V8RX7 said:
caiss4 said:
Hate to be the exception to the perceived rule but I've owned a B6 S4 V8 from new in 2003. It's only done 40k miles
But you aren't the exception most are reliable at 40k miles come back when you're trouble free at 150kMost 1.8+ litre cars easily manage 150k these days without huge bills - I thought Audi was supposed to be BETTER made.
CR6ZZ said:
My B6 S4 manual is approaching 60k. Uses pretty much no oil and only get chain rattle for less than a second on start-up. So far, been amazingly reliable (touch wood). Economy is another matter, but driven carefully on motorway trips can achieve 29-30 mpg.....
Likewise - but with no chain rattle whatsoever!Don't want to jinx mine, but I've owned it from 56k to it's present 77k with only one fault - the well documented coil pack failure (at 72k, which Audi - to their credit - swapped FOC).
I *think* a wheel bearing is on it's way out - no biggie... everything else is fine.
It's awesome. Feels like new.
That said, I was really fussy when I bought mine, and made certain it came from a fastidious owner with a monster stack of invoices... it's not leaving the family for a LONG time.
Thread here from when it was detailed on purchase:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
I *think* a wheel bearing is on it's way out - no biggie... everything else is fine.
It's awesome. Feels like new.
That said, I was really fussy when I bought mine, and made certain it came from a fastidious owner with a monster stack of invoices... it's not leaving the family for a LONG time.
Thread here from when it was detailed on purchase:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
I simply adored my S4 Avant. The engine was fabulous and the traction staggering. Heavy car though, with weight up front so tyres were quick to go. Had I not bought my current car I'd have another in a heartbeat. All cars have some issues, I'm afraid it's the law of physics, and as ever it's the luck of the draw. Fabulous cars though. Just my two penneth...
Edited by Bincenzo on Thursday 21st February 21:59
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