Thursday 20th November 2014

Audi S4 (B5): Spotted

Stealth winter wheels with a surprisingly exotic powertrain - the PH answer to November gloom

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Winter is here, and so many a car buyer’s thoughts turn to four-wheel drive. Meaning that many an unscrupulous seller tries to offload any old wreck that sends its power to all four corners on the basis that – as anyone down the pub can assure you – you will never, ever get stuck.

Going by photos literally blends into background

This beautiful ‘B5’ Audi S4 definitely isn’t that car. But it does raise an interesting question. Surely something like this is now getting close to being too nice to be used in the sort of slippery, salty winter conditions that it excels in?

Although it’s the RS4 that always gets the plaudits, the massively cheaper S4 is arguably the better car for everyday use. Both used the same 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged V6, but while the RS4’s Cosworth-developed engine produced a stonking 380hp, the S4’s was in a far lazier 265hp state of tune. Still plenty, especially by the standards of 1999.

But the S4’s softer-edged suspension (and far less outrageous running costs) makes it supremely good at doing what fast Audis have always been best at: covering serious distances at high speed, pretty much regardless of the prevailing conditions. No, it’s not the most dynamic companion when you really turn the heat up – the heavy front end seems to attract the scenery in tighter corners and you’d need to be caning it on an ice rink to experience anything but understeer at the limit. That said, we do remember the steering as being considerably better on the B5 than it was on the subsequent B6, and hooning really isn’t what this car’s about.

Much more interesting under the bodywork

This one certainly looks to be in immaculate condition, with its previous owners seeming to have sensibly resisted the temptation to modify it. The dark navy exterior is a proper sleeper colour, although the same can’t be said for the bright blue Nogaro trim of the seats and doors. We’re sure you’d get used to that in time, especially as sitting on those tight-fitting buckets also gives you the chance to spend time looking at the S4’s grey dials: surely one of the clearest and best-looking sets of instruments ever put on a car.

Four and a half grand seems like a very fair price considering the condition of the car, what looks like an obsessively detailed history and a relatively low mileage considering it’s now 15 years old. You’d have to spend at least twice that for an even half-decent RS4. As with all elderly Audis the availability of more obscure parts won’t be great, but everyday running costs are acceptable considering the performance on offer, with mid-to-high 20s mpg on longer journeys presuming you keep off the Autobahn.

But if you bought it would you actually use it in the winter?

Does the S4 take your fancy? Browse second hand cars for sale on PH Classifieds

Read more:

Audi S4 Avant: Review

2018 Audi RS4: Driven

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AUDI S4 AVANT (B5)
Engine: 2,671cc V6 turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 265@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@1,850rpm
MPG: 25mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: Pre-2001 VED; £231
First registered: 2000
Recorded mileage: 105,000
Price new: c. £36,000
Yours for: £4,450 ONO

Original ad here.

 

[Sources: spec info via auto-data.net]

[Richair]

I was having a browse at this exact car yesterday which got me thinking! I could do with a more dog friendly daily soon and although one of these would be overkill, I've always fancied one.

Do we have any/many PH'ers with recent experience of running one for daily duties?

R