Buying an Audi S4
Discussion
I'm thinking of swapping my Impreza for an Audi S4 (given up on looking for an R33!), i fancy a V8 and the C63 is out of my budget, I'm looking at B6 4.2 V8, preferably pre-56 to qualify for lower tax.
Fuel economy isn't a worry, mileage isn't massive and my previous cars have always been thirsty.
Not decided on auto vs. manual, i've had a DSG Golf and liked it, i've had manuals and like them too. I also have a CVT auto Polo for daily and like that as well. Would love to hear peoples opinions on which is the one to have.
Are there any big repair bills or common faults to look out for? Heard cats can be pricey and there are problems with the manual gearbox?
Any other ownership experience welcome!
Fuel economy isn't a worry, mileage isn't massive and my previous cars have always been thirsty.
Not decided on auto vs. manual, i've had a DSG Golf and liked it, i've had manuals and like them too. I also have a CVT auto Polo for daily and like that as well. Would love to hear peoples opinions on which is the one to have.
Are there any big repair bills or common faults to look out for? Heard cats can be pricey and there are problems with the manual gearbox?
Any other ownership experience welcome!
Loads of info on here but in summary:
I had saloon manual one for 7 years:
Pros - The noise, performance, space, stealth factor.
Cons- Constantly worrying that the start up rattle would turn into the dreaded cam chain issue (£2.5 k bill, search it) and the fact the needing replacement would be near on another £2k.
When the car reached an age where it was only worth £6k, it was time to move it on. Any of the above bills would have left a nasty taste in my mouth.
I had saloon manual one for 7 years:
Pros - The noise, performance, space, stealth factor.
Cons- Constantly worrying that the start up rattle would turn into the dreaded cam chain issue (£2.5 k bill, search it) and the fact the needing replacement would be near on another £2k.
When the car reached an age where it was only worth £6k, it was time to move it on. Any of the above bills would have left a nasty taste in my mouth.
Had an avant for 2 years and loved it, only had to sell due new larger house move.
Obvious cam chain rattles are to be looked for, should be for a brief few seconds only on start up, regular oil changes with correct grade are vital to ensure this should be okay long term. To be honest I think failures are rare and something of a net myth, any performance car has potential pitfalls just do you research and pay for an inspection for extra piece of mind.
Manual only, don't get an auto with that lovely engine! Check tyres, crap tyres affect handling, it will under steer like a pig with incorrect pressures and week side walls. Fuel wasn't too bad, averaging 28mpg on run, a lot less when pushing on. With fuel prices the way they are now is a good time!
Cons are new tyres all round every 12k, and parts can be pricey, I had to replace my alternator at £650 for part alone!
Service history over miles when looking. The engines are great and will go on forever properly maintained!
Obvious cam chain rattles are to be looked for, should be for a brief few seconds only on start up, regular oil changes with correct grade are vital to ensure this should be okay long term. To be honest I think failures are rare and something of a net myth, any performance car has potential pitfalls just do you research and pay for an inspection for extra piece of mind.
Manual only, don't get an auto with that lovely engine! Check tyres, crap tyres affect handling, it will under steer like a pig with incorrect pressures and week side walls. Fuel wasn't too bad, averaging 28mpg on run, a lot less when pushing on. With fuel prices the way they are now is a good time!
Cons are new tyres all round every 12k, and parts can be pricey, I had to replace my alternator at £650 for part alone!
Service history over miles when looking. The engines are great and will go on forever properly maintained!
MattS3 said:
Cons- Constantly worrying that the start up rattle would turn into the dreaded cam chain issue (£2.5 k bill, search it) and the fact the needing replacement would be near on another £2k.
Is this the same/similar issue that affects the TFSI engine? Loose chain tensioner knackering the inlet cam?I'll be looking to spend around £10k, so it wont be a minter but I'm hoping to avoid the dogs.
How well do these engines cope with higher (100k +) miles?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Have you thought about one of these? A best mate bought one at the same time I had my S4, nothing in them straight line wise, but may be slightly better drivers car. The Audi felt bigger and I preferred the interior, and was slightly more economical. We drove them both down to France for 2 weeks fully packed up with roof boxes and bikes, awesome soundtrack wherever we went!
The auto is paddle shift where the s4 I think isn't.
Have you thought about one of these? A best mate bought one at the same time I had my S4, nothing in them straight line wise, but may be slightly better drivers car. The Audi felt bigger and I preferred the interior, and was slightly more economical. We drove them both down to France for 2 weeks fully packed up with roof boxes and bikes, awesome soundtrack wherever we went!
The auto is paddle shift where the s4 I think isn't.
pinseeker said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Have you thought about one of these? A best mate bought one at the same time I had my S4, nothing in them straight line wise, but may be slightly better drivers car. The Audi felt bigger and I preferred the interior, and was slightly more economical. We drove them both down to France for 2 weeks fully packed up with roof boxes and bikes, awesome soundtrack wherever we went!
The auto is paddle shift where the s4 I think isn't.
My old B7 S4 had paddles but the box was quite slow, but I'd take the auto over the manual any day. If I were you I'd try to stretch to the B7, just a more modern car all round really.Have you thought about one of these? A best mate bought one at the same time I had my S4, nothing in them straight line wise, but may be slightly better drivers car. The Audi felt bigger and I preferred the interior, and was slightly more economical. We drove them both down to France for 2 weeks fully packed up with roof boxes and bikes, awesome soundtrack wherever we went!
The auto is paddle shift where the s4 I think isn't.
Thanks for the tips guys. Considered C55's but always felt like it would just remind me I can't afford a C63!
Not interested in tuning, done it with my last three cars to varying levels, anything over 350hp is a waste so I'd rather have the nicer sounding V8 over the 3.0l TFSI. I may go for full miltek and a map but that'll be it.
Not interested in tuning, done it with my last three cars to varying levels, anything over 350hp is a waste so I'd rather have the nicer sounding V8 over the 3.0l TFSI. I may go for full miltek and a map but that'll be it.
I think most of the posts have covered most of the issues. It does appear the chain rattle has become the internet's big issue with these cars but I've owned my S4 from new and there is absolutely no hint of the death rattle.
The fact that I still own the car after 11 years stands as testament to how bullet-proof these cars/engines are.
The only surprises have been the replacement of 3 aux. radiators, a clutch and DMF at 37k miles and new front wheel bearings at 44k miles. I've serviced it on the long-life service plan which has actually meant about 18 months to two years and £400 typically. I should point out that the mileage between oil changes is substantially less than 10k miles (long-life servicing supposedly gives 17k miles between oil changes - I'd suggest any car that has been serviced at those mileages might well suffer the death rattle).
As mentioned fuel consumption averages about 22mpg of 97RON (noticeably better mpg than with 95RON)but it is very easy to average 17-18mpg in stop/start urban driving and 8mpg at 150mph (on the autobahn of course
).
As pinseeker has noted tyres do around 12k miles(front) with rears managing about 15k miles. Make sure they are the right speed rating and load factor(97) as 95 or lower and the sidewalls just can't cope and the handling is atrocious. According to many the handling is atrocious anyway because of the nose-heavy design and major understeer but you develop the technique to negate that. Nothing like putting the power down through the bend after getting the entry speed right in the knowledge that the 4WD will take care of a perfect exit.
I don't think you will be disappointed if you apply the usual rules of buying a second-hand car but don't forget the old addage that a car that cost >£45k new will attract bills from time to time that reflect that purchase price. I won't be selling mine any time soon. Good luck with your search.
The fact that I still own the car after 11 years stands as testament to how bullet-proof these cars/engines are.
The only surprises have been the replacement of 3 aux. radiators, a clutch and DMF at 37k miles and new front wheel bearings at 44k miles. I've serviced it on the long-life service plan which has actually meant about 18 months to two years and £400 typically. I should point out that the mileage between oil changes is substantially less than 10k miles (long-life servicing supposedly gives 17k miles between oil changes - I'd suggest any car that has been serviced at those mileages might well suffer the death rattle).
As mentioned fuel consumption averages about 22mpg of 97RON (noticeably better mpg than with 95RON)but it is very easy to average 17-18mpg in stop/start urban driving and 8mpg at 150mph (on the autobahn of course
).As pinseeker has noted tyres do around 12k miles(front) with rears managing about 15k miles. Make sure they are the right speed rating and load factor(97) as 95 or lower and the sidewalls just can't cope and the handling is atrocious. According to many the handling is atrocious anyway because of the nose-heavy design and major understeer but you develop the technique to negate that. Nothing like putting the power down through the bend after getting the entry speed right in the knowledge that the 4WD will take care of a perfect exit.
I don't think you will be disappointed if you apply the usual rules of buying a second-hand car but don't forget the old addage that a car that cost >£45k new will attract bills from time to time that reflect that purchase price. I won't be selling mine any time soon. Good luck with your search.
Recently bough a B7 S4 Avant in Sprint Blue and so far been very very impressed by its all round capabilities. Have to say the V8 sound is worth getting one for alone, it's very very addictive. Speed and handling are superb, and the auto box is smooth and very good indeed. I normally always go for manuals, but wanted something easier to drive in traffic and also with enough poke for fun round the twisties, and this certainly is the car! Best of driving both and seeing what you think, prices seem to be quite strong for low ish mileage cars, and even the very high milers, are still around 7k + Get it inspected, but wouldn't worry about chain, rad costs etc, life is too short, buy one, enjoy it, if it needs things doing, get them done, enjoy some more!
Also e prepared to feed it a little oil.
Mine started to use around half a litre every 1k in the last 12 months of ownership, up considerably on the 250-300ml every 1k it had used in the 6 years before.
Great cars though, I still miss the sound mine made. I moved onto a DSG S3 sportback, which when re-mapped was quicker and far more nimble than the S4, but it made me drive like a hooligan everywhere, so I sold it after just 12 months.
The S4 had the ability to go fast but also let you drive it sedately when the need arose.
I've now moved onto a Discovery 4, but can see me going back to an S4 supercharged 3.0 at some point in the next 18 months.
Mine started to use around half a litre every 1k in the last 12 months of ownership, up considerably on the 250-300ml every 1k it had used in the 6 years before.
Great cars though, I still miss the sound mine made. I moved onto a DSG S3 sportback, which when re-mapped was quicker and far more nimble than the S4, but it made me drive like a hooligan everywhere, so I sold it after just 12 months.
The S4 had the ability to go fast but also let you drive it sedately when the need arose.
I've now moved onto a Discovery 4, but can see me going back to an S4 supercharged 3.0 at some point in the next 18 months.
I picked up a B6 S4 recently and really like the car. Only thing I'm not a massive fan of is the steering and it's too quiet as standard, I'll be changing the exhaust of course..
I got 30.9 mpg driving back after picking it up from Chelmsford to Warrington - I was quite impressed (this was taking it very easy mind) This obviously goes down in different scenario's
There isn't much room to check - but try and check down the front of the engine for oil leaks - Mine is currently in the garage and it's costing £500+ to sort out (Audi specialist) - this is replacing valves, gaskets and the oil breather, the main housing was leaking oil due to the oil breather being goosed..
I got 30.9 mpg driving back after picking it up from Chelmsford to Warrington - I was quite impressed (this was taking it very easy mind) This obviously goes down in different scenario's
There isn't much room to check - but try and check down the front of the engine for oil leaks - Mine is currently in the garage and it's costing £500+ to sort out (Audi specialist) - this is replacing valves, gaskets and the oil breather, the main housing was leaking oil due to the oil breather being goosed..
orangio said:
I picked up a B6 S4 recently and really like the car. Only thing I'm not a massive fan of is the steering and it's too quiet as standard, I'll be changing the exhaust of course..
I got 30.9 mpg driving back after picking it up from Chelmsford to Warrington - I was quite impressed (this was taking it very easy mind) This obviously goes down in different scenario's
There isn't much room to check - but try and check down the front of the engine for oil leaks - Mine is currently in the garage and it's costing £500+ to sort out (Audi specialist) - this is replacing valves, gaskets and the oil breather, the main housing was leaking oil due to the oil breather being goosed..
I also live in Warrington & have S4 B6 cab with full non resonated milltek & cat replacement pipes so if you want to hear what it sounds like straight through give me a shout ( you may hear me around ) 😄I got 30.9 mpg driving back after picking it up from Chelmsford to Warrington - I was quite impressed (this was taking it very easy mind) This obviously goes down in different scenario's
There isn't much room to check - but try and check down the front of the engine for oil leaks - Mine is currently in the garage and it's costing £500+ to sort out (Audi specialist) - this is replacing valves, gaskets and the oil breather, the main housing was leaking oil due to the oil breather being goosed..
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