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fun estate? circa 5-6K S4 worth it?

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Hudson1984

Original Poster

379 posts

98 months

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Saturday 28th March 2020

So, since my last asking, the life is looking likely to change.

More time at home, no commute, so no need for a practical daily driver.

That being said, I think an estate still suits me best for dog duties and family outings etc

I've seen a couple of S4s which appeal for the V8 factor, but are a bit dated at this price point. That being said, there's something to say for an easy 400bhp to play with! and being as I really don't care about mpg it's sitting top of the list at the moment.

Saw on someone elses post the Vauxhall VXR, i've had an insginia before and it also was enjoyable - plus looks a bit newer inside.

anything else i should consider? I am an auto fan but can't afford the ones i'd really like.

This car needs to see me through for the next 2 years without a major issue, so reliability is key, I need to be able to jump in and go without too many worries. In two years I can reasses.

be alot easier with a hatchback/saloon but I really do want an esatate.

other contender is a VRS of course. But don't know, the S4 really is appealing.

Burnzyb

300 posts

206 months

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Saturday 28th March 2020

A £5-6k S4 is going to be verging on money pit money to get back to a good standard, if you do go for it, make sure it’s had it’s chains and tensioners replaced, but also be aware that fast Audi’s are not cheap to keep, the b6 which is what will most likely be in your price range are juicy on fuel and love to drink oil too.

The chains are a £3.5k+ job iirc and most will be near to needing them at this point, it’s not if but when with their chains.

Don’t even consider a b5 (2.7t) either, mine is a labour of love, but you’ll be plowing money into it from the beginning, hence why most don’t see 12 months of ownership as they have nearly all been run on a shoestring and abused.

The VRS is a nice choice, we’ve currently got a TFSI VRS with a stage one map and it’s got bags of torque and drives well, few common issues which once fixed make it a nice motor, I’ve got the earlier EA1113 engine with a belt, the later facelift cars with the EA888 engine are apparently a bit more problematic and where one of the engines effected by the high oil usage issues.

Not sure about the vxr, but we had a few zafira GSI’s and they where also reliable once the common issues where sorted.

I had a c5 s6 and that was the earlier 4.2 v8 with a cambelt belt, only 340bhp but that was fairly reliable once all the normal maintanance had been done, took it on track at ADI and did a 1200 mile trip round the highlands without fuss, it will be dated though.

If modern looking is a preference then the VRS and VXR would be on my list to check out, but they don’t have the presence of a V8.

I’m also driving round in a 2.5t Mondeo mk4 and that’s a great drive, I’d also say it seems better put together than the VRS and also my A6 C6, a map will see around 280bhp iirc, might need a bigger downpipe though, it’s also nice and cheap to maintain and the Volvo engine is reliable, 5 cyilinder burble is lovely too.

Patrick Bateman

13,145 posts

203 months

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Saturday 28th March 2020

335i?

Not without their issues from anything I've read but most issues I've heard of seem small-fry to a car with known timing chain issues.

Burnzyb

300 posts

206 months

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Saturday 28th March 2020

Might struggle in that price range, there’s only one on eBay that are remotely close, one at 4.8k bidding 9 days left, and two on AT, one at 5.5 and 7.5, AT has a few others all starting at 8.5k upwards though.

With everything that’s going on that may change, specs are awesome on the 335i’s though.

Hudson1984

Original Poster

379 posts

98 months

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[news]

Saturday 28th March 2020

Not against a bimmer. Don’t want to pay for a crap s4 when I can get a decent 335 that’s for sure.

Just really want a fun car seeing as I don’t need the practicality other than space.

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

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Saturday 28th March 2020

Burnzyb

300 posts

206 months

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Sunday 29th March 2020

Is the ford 2.0t EB engine any good?

I’d steer clear of longitudinal 2.0tfsi engines like in the A4 too as they where riddled with problems, I know the BUL engine was a right disaster with oil starvation issues due to sump design iirc plus other flaws.

dave328

347 posts

251 months

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Sunday 29th March 2020

It’s not easy/cheap to extract 400bhp from a B6/B7 V8 S4. The B8/8.5 3.0 V6, yes - but not the V8.

I’ve had both. Loved the B8 more. The auto B7 is better for various reasons, MPG especially.

Hudson1984

Original Poster

379 posts

98 months

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Sunday 29th March 2020

I think given the notices today, i'll not be buying anything for another 6 months, so perhaps a "make do" won't be needed now.

and after discussing with the wife, I don't think the estate is actually needed, we already have an XC60, so might be better to just have a decent normal car and not worry too much about the body shape.

Now, I still love the 4WD of an audi, just give more confidence than I haver had from an old 3 series in the rain. But maybe something with X drive could be considered?

this being said...pretty much taking this as a green light to get something fun.....might have to look into something a little more daft.

Mind you, looking at the VXR insignia, it does seem to tick all the boxes

Edited by Hudson1984 on Sunday 29th March 20:32

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