2004 Audi S4 Avant 4.2 V8

2004 Audi S4 Avant 4.2 V8

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VF7

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

214 months

Monday 17th August 2015
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Following my "Should I buy an Audi S4 Avant 4.2 V8" thread in GG, this one in the readers section means I have bought said Audi S4!!

This is my first "build" thread of this kind. So I hope I'm doing it right.
Some key data:

  • 04.2004
  • 162'000km/100'000miles
  • Tiptronic
  • Black/Black Nappa leather interior
  • cruise control, glass sunroof, park distance control, Bose speakers
I wanted a sleek, unpretentiously, comfy car I can park everywhere and still have some fun.
Having AWD also comes in handy over here in Switzerland (or "land of quattro" as Audi calls it in their adverts over here). I have always been a fan of the B6 S4 Avant, since they launched them. So with ever increasing taxes and the government trying to basically ban all cars from city streets there never has been a better time to buy a V8!!
I love the fact the Audi represents this crazy type of car they only ever built a short time at the beginning of the 21st century: The middleclass estate with a big V8 in it!

I will be picking up the car later this week so in the meantime I only have some dealer pics:









Pros:

  • 1 Owner since new
  • Full Audi Service history
  • Everything works
  • I just paid £ 3'800
Cons:
  • last Service has been carried out in 2012
  • has been standing for a year now
  • tyres are worn
  • brakes judder
  • battery is flat, so may need a new one (30min test driving didn't allow to start it again)
  • last MFK (MOT) has been in July 2014, so it needs to be MFKed
  • a few stone chips, a few tiny scratches and a small dent above the left rear light (visible in pic 3)
So my plans are to do an oil change within the first hour I pick it up with some decent oil to get rid of the Audi Long Life stuff, brake fluid change and do some hard braking to try to get rid of the juddering. Since the brakes performed well on the last MFK 13 months/3k miles ago I am hoping it just due to the handbrake stuck standing the last couple months.
Then I will buy a set of Michelin PS3 and do a thorough Service with al the filters, etc and yet again an oilchange with Mobil one 5W50 to really get all of the LL stuff out of the system
The dent and scratches will be staying for now.
I already did bid on a set of 17" Avus wheels for some decent winter tyres on ebay. Can't wait to go on a ski trip with it!
I then need some kind of AUX or BT interface to connect my phone to the Concert II Stereo.
This will be the stuff I'm doing right away.

Things I might be doing is a sports exhaust and a thicker rear sway bar to get rid of the understeer.
And there I have already some questions for you:

Sports exhaust:
I have my mind set on the exhaust from BN Pipes. I would hate myself for destroying a great long distance cruiser with a silly loud exhaust. I would like some more of this V8 growl, but at 80mph (2200rpm in 6th) it should just whisper. I think most of you guys tend to the milltek system, which I'm not sure to pass MFK in Switzerland with. So has anybody any experience with the BN Pipes?

Sway Bar:
I wonder whether I should install a H&R 24mm rear Sway Bar. I have yet to drive the car spritely so can't decide just yet. All the reviews suggest it to be really nose heavy (no wonder with that V8 in front of the axle) and understeery. The uprated Sway Bar will no doubt cure that, but I'm afraid of snap oversteer (my other half will be driving the car a lot too) a general loss of ride comfort and rattles from the rear seats.
Has anybody of you installed one?

CaptainSensib1e

1,432 posts

220 months

Monday 17th August 2015
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Congrats, looks like a great buy for the cash. Welcome to the club smile

iacabu

1,348 posts

148 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
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I do like these. Bit more of a sleeper on those wheels too

VF7

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

214 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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Yesterday I collected the car!

I'm relieved to report that the brake juddering vanished completely after some hard 60-0 braking!
I also put a bottle of wynn's petrol clean 3 in the half empty tank. When I stopped for a red light after 30 miles I had a rough idle and instantly regretted putting it in. But by the time I was home the car ran super smooth and braked beautifully! I have never used such a product before (I already learned "if it ain't broken don't fix it" the hard way) but since the car was standing for a couple of months I thought to give it a try. And it just worked aut perfectly. Cars just don't like to be standing for too long (I should get my other car out more often!!!)

Unfortunately the battery was completely dead and it wouldn't start even after driving for two hours (luckily I bought one of those amazing tiny power banks a couple of weeks ago that even bring back a 4.2l V8 to live).
So the first thing I did this morning was installing a new Battery (95ah 800A Batteries are quite expensive btw) and filling the completely empty tank with Shell 100.
I also had to regulate the tyre pressure as it was 60psi at the front left and 26 psi at the rear rigth tyre eek

First impressions after 150m:
It baggers belief how much car I bought for the money... It feels such a quality product.
And then there is the drivetrain. The engine really is a peach! But the greatest aspect of the car is its quattro chassis.
I have been driving up a rainy mountain road today and the speeds it is capable in the corners is just staggering!! It feels so planted and reassuring.

So next I will have the oil and brake fluid changed.
And then there is the question about the wheels: It comes on S-Line 17" wheels. I intend to keep them for the winter and buy some winter rubber.
Some Michelin PS3 18" are already awaiting their employment. I just need to get some wheels for them. I think I will go for the original 18" Avus wheels the S4 came standard with. What is your pov?


And yes: Pics will follow!!!

Trollied

279 posts

134 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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These still look incredible! How does the power feel, for an estate?
Looking forward to the future updates & of course, pictures!! smile

John Boy 616

199 posts

164 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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A car that i always find myself looking for in the classifieds, yours looks smart, keep us updated!

iacabu

1,348 posts

148 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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VF7 said:
Some Michelin PS3 18" are already awaiting their employment. I just need to get some wheels for them. I think I will go for the original 18" Avus wheels the S4 came standard with. What is your pov?
MTM Bimotos, RS4/6, BBS CH. These would be my considerations.

VF7

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

214 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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iacabu said:
MTM Bimotos, RS4/6, BBS CH. These would be my considerations.
Thanks for that. While browsing for the Bimotos I stumbled acros some Sportec Monos which I instantly bought!



They are 8.5/18 with an ET of 35mm. This Results in an increased tread of 30mm per axle.
I think they really suit the car and still looks smart and not "boy racer".
Being 18" they will not look too flash and the ride will still be comfortable as well. Cheaper Wheels/tyres too.

I will have them refurbed but I cant decide on the colour. I might try something a little darker but nothing to excessive. What are your thought regarding something like this:



Too dark allready?
Or should I stay with classic silver to complement the silver trim?

iacabu

1,348 posts

148 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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VF7 said:
iacabu said:
MTM Bimotos, RS4/6, BBS CH. These would be my considerations.
Thanks for that. While browsing for the Bimotos I stumbled acros some Sportec Monos which I instantly bought!

Useful for something at last!

thumbup they look great

pjfamilyguy1

778 posts

131 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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given you've said

Unfortunately the battery was completely dead and it wouldn't start even after driving for two hours

I would be checking the alternator in case its not charging, hopefully it is just the battery.

nice purchase OP

VF7

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

214 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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So time for a small update:

Since I have purchased it last Tuesday I have done the following:

  • driven 200 miles @ ~18-20 mpg
  • replaced the battery with a new Varta 800A 95 Ah
  • sheared off the bolt from the rear number plate bracket
  • sheared of the screw extractor while attempting to get the broken screw out
  • paid a mechanic some money to get out the broken screw and install my number plate (all the hatch trimming had to come away for that.... rage)
  • replace one of the license plate lights
  • had an oil/filter change with Mobil 1 5w40 (will change to Mobil one 5w50 after a couple of hundred miles)
  • had the brake fluid changed
  • replaced the cabin air filter
  • mounted the missing rear windscreen wiper cap
While it has been on the ramp I had a good look of the underside of the car for the first time. It really looks like it has done half the miles!!
The mechanic stated that I had some very slight oil leak/sweat, most probably from the valve cover gasket. Nothing to worry about, I think.
After the brake fluid change the senior mechanic went for a short test drive and reported that the car drove very well indeed! So well happy wit what I bought.

Things that need to be sorted out:

  • the rear windscreen washer doesn't work...
Only discovered that last night so I will have a look asap! Hopefully it isn't a broken hose somewhere inside the car... Needs to be rectified as it is an MFK (MOT) failure over here.

And I’m terribly sorry of course for not getting pictures. Didn't even do an iPhone pic yet!! Will do that after a good wash and polish!!


VeegasRS6

367 posts

156 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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Be careful with the rear windscreen washer, as if it's been left blocked / not working for a while, it's highly likely that the motor has gone as well - they are renown for these as well as on the Passat because the water goes into the interior trim and wiper motor, instead of coming out the washer.

I wont tell the story of my last S4 B7 catching fire in the rear trim panel, two days after purchase when I went to use the rear wiper for the first time.

It's a fairly easy DIY repplacement and certainly worth having a look what state the motor / loom is in.

Lovely looking car by the way, I liked mine so much that when it needed replacing, I bought another.

Edited by VeegasRS6 on Monday 24th August 16:10

jamiebae

6,245 posts

210 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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Didn't realise rear washer was tested, I need to un-block mine then...

I hope you have the right paperwork for the wheels, or they'll be an MFK failure too wink

Looks like a decent buy!

spats

838 posts

154 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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VeegasRS6 said:
Be careful with the rear windscreen washer, as if it's been left blocked / not working for a while, it's highly likely that the motor has gone as well - they are renown for these as well as on the Passat because the water goes into the interior trim and wiper motor, instead of coming out the washer.

I wont tell the story of my last S4 B7 catching fire in the rear time panel, two days after purchase when I went to use the rear wiper for the first time.

It's a fairly easy DIY repay and certainly worth having a look what state the motor / loom is in.

Lovely looking car by the way, I liked mine so much that when it needed replacing, I bought another.
Excatly this! Get it checked asap. Mine started leaking, which has killed the wiper motor and also started to corrode the boot lock mechanism. This in turn started setting the alarm off randomly.

I didn't know it had stopped spraying as the wife was driving it. With some contact cleaner I sorted the alarm and boot lock issue. Ive still got to buy a new motor but in the mean time I've sealed the pipe off to stop any leaks and taken the plug off the motor.

Awesome motor you have there!

VF7

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

214 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Thanks for all the advices so far, especially regarding the rear wiper washers!!

I took the nozzle of the rear wiper and the water jet went a good 3 yards!! I don't think the hose is broken as the jet would be way less powerful. So I cleaned it thoroughly and put it back on. Voila, working rear jet washers! cool

I have received the wheels in the mean time! They have had a bad respray in the past and the milled SPORTEC is sometimes filled with paint mad. They will get refurbed completely at the same cost I paid for them in the first place... Not the bargain I thought it would be but still a very good price!
I also got the all so important paperwork for the wheels in order to get them through MFK (MOT). This also cost me 60£...
The thing is, it takes a month to get them refurbed and that is the time to change to winter tyres.
I think I will just continue driving the Nexens fitted to the 17" and change them for a set of winter tyres in October. So the nice wheels will stay in the garage until springtime next year rage

I also changed the wiper all around and remember the rear license plate light I changed last week? I wouldn't work...
So I changed both of them with the LED lights of an Q5. Straight swap and no dashboard warning lights on the B6 biggrin

ETA:
Wanted to put up an ad for the Lupo GTI I'm selling this weekend and guess what I doscovered today: A note on the windscreen with someone who is intereested. What a nice coincidence!

Edited by VF7 on Thursday 27th August 14:03

VF7

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

214 months

Wednesday 28th October 2015
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Sorry for the delayed update...

In the meantime I sold the Lupo. I had it advertised only for half a week and sold it for 500£ more than what I paid for the S4!!! I also sold it only 200£ cheaper than what I paid for it 2 years ago. 100£ depreciation a year isn't to bad, is it?

Since I bought the Audi two months ago I did 5k miles in it. Went to Italy with it a couple of times and did a lot of different passes in doing so.

to make it short:

What a great car!!!!!

I just had it with Audi for service and fitted some Dunlop 4D Winter Sports on the 17" wheels. (The 18" Sportec will go on next spring with some Michelin PS3)
Can't wait for the first snowfall to try out the highly praised quattro drivetrain together with those highly praised Dunlops!!!

The car hasn't missed a beat except for the following:

  • left Parking light went. bought a new bulb the next day. Got asked by the salesman whether I want only one or two. Bought just the one.
  • yep! You guessed right: The very next day the right one went too. Back to Audi to get the second one two.
Due to the big V8 you have to remove the entire headlamp to change a bulb. Also the S4 parking lights are halogen and at 7£ each 7 times more expensive than on non Xenon models.
  • The day I took the car for it's service the FIS informed me it is short of coolant. The mechanics at Audi diagnosed a leaking hose and was quoted 160£. Have to take care of that in the very near future.
  • Going over some high speed bumps I get the occasional "klonk" noise from front left. Never while driving. It is the lower control arm (wishbone?) that needs replacing sometimes.
During the 5k miles the engine needed less than 0.5l of oil. On cold start ups it does rattle for .5 of a second. Has done so since ever. Mobil 5W50 didn't change that. I might try some Castrol 10W60 during summer... Frequent oil changes for quality oil is supposedly the best cure/preventative, so will do that.
But I'm not worried since it never did it for longer than half a second and also on second start up even after just 5 seconds it doesn't rattle at all.

It is a hugely capable car and such a pleasant drive! That V8 puts it so much apart from an ordinary A4 and gives the car character. It really is one of the old breeds where the halo model doesn't have just an other chip to give you more power.

Oh and here are some (well exactly two, as they are the only ones I ever did...) photos:


In Carrara, only minutes before it was covered in white marble dust like Bond's DBS. And no, of course did I forget to take a picture rolleyes


And with the Lupo GTI and the V70 R.

CR6ZZ

1,313 posts

144 months

Monday 9th November 2015
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Well done. Excellent buy and hugely competent car. I love mine, although mine is a manual and, as such, has a lower final drive so likely a shade thirstier than yours. I have PS3s on mine and they are brilliant in dry or rain, but total crap on snow. As for changing the side lamp bulbs, it can be done without removing the whole headlamp unit. It's a bit fiddly, but possible. On the topic of wipers, a drop of oil every now and then down the spindle of the front wipers will keep them lubricated and stop them seizing. This is a design fault (lets water in and starts corrosion) that can be rectified by fitting an updated wiper mechanism, but I have found that a drop of oil now and then keeps the problem at bay just fine and a lot less expensively. Happy motoring.

jamiebae

6,245 posts

210 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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Don't you just love AMAG...

To be fair I've not owned a VAG car here but I understand their pricing is far from cheap from friends who have.

VF7

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

214 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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jamiebae said:
Don't you just love AMAG...

To be fair I've not owned a VAG car here but I understand their pricing is far from cheap from friends who have.
About the same as Emil Frey, tbh...

I know because we have an Evoque Si4 in the family too biggrin

jamiebae

6,245 posts

210 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
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VF7 said:
About the same as Emil Frey, tbh...

I know because we have an Evoque Si4 in the family too biggrin
Mine goes to Uetli Garage in Zürich, and is still covered by the warranty and servicing pack so thankfully I haven't bad to experience Emil Frey's bills. I have, however, experienced their (lack of) customer service - they didn't bother to respond to my emails when inquiring about a car so I spend my money elsewhere!

A pair of new Continental winter boots last week at 500 chuffs hurt a bit though, I wanted Vredesteins (currently on Pirelli Scorpion which are noisy as hell) but it seems everywhere has sold out of 235/55 R19 so there wasn't much choice.