Audi S4 (B6) buying advice?!
Discussion
Audi got stopped from selling them a couple of years ago by the financial services types bacause they said they were selling insurance policies without the correct licenses etc (oh in hindsight how we realise perhaps they should have been looking closer at other financial institutions). At the time they wanted around £800 per year for years 4 & 5 which I declined, don't know if they are now allowed to sell them again or not.
But yes 3 years standard on a UK supplied car, first 2 years from Audi Gmbh then the final year from Audi UK who in my experience are a bit tighter as far as what they will pay out for.
But yes 3 years standard on a UK supplied car, first 2 years from Audi Gmbh then the final year from Audi UK who in my experience are a bit tighter as far as what they will pay out for.
Edited by mel on Wednesday 4th February 14:58
blimey that's interesting. I'm looking at a 54/05 car so it's going to be out of warranty - so any problems I'd have to stump up for myself? £800/yr though does seem quite expensive which is worrying (if you see what I mean).
But so long as there's a good independent I can use (
)that might not be too bad.
But so long as there's a good independent I can use (
)that might not be too bad.TonyHetherington said:
blimey that's interesting. I'm looking at a 54/05 car so it's going to be out of warranty - so any problems I'd have to stump up for myself? £800/yr though does seem quite expensive which is worrying (if you see what I mean).
But so long as there's a good independent I can use ( )that might not be too bad.
£800pa. in isolation is a lot of money - however you have gone into buying an expensive car (when new) with very expensive electronics.But so long as there's a good independent I can use (
)that might not be too bad.Clearly noonw in their right mind would spend that much on a car under £15k a year instead save it up and if something fails take it out of that pot of cash.
Id find out what impact losing the Audi warranty has on residuals, the main failures and what they cost (main dealer) and indy.
I'd also factor in my exit point - i.e. when to sell the car so as to hedge your exposure.
Welshbeef said:
Clearly noonw in their right mind would spend that much on a car under £15k a year instead save it up and if something fails take it out of that pot of cash.
I disagree - I don't think it has anything to do with the value of the car, I think it's got everything to do with the possibility, feasibility or opportunity for big bills. My Exige had a few problems which in itself was not bad...but factor in that to do ANYTHING requires 6 hours labour to get to the problem and you have big potential bills - the warranty on that was a life saver.So the question is not "what is the car worth" but "what is the potential for big bills".
With a big engine squeezed into the front, simple stuff might not be so simple (I recall an RS6 thermostat, a £3 item, costs £1k to replace).
But, from what Mel has said - there's no warranty for me to be able to buy, or therefore on any cars older than 3 years that I will be looking to buy. Which kind of makes my mind up pretty dam quickly
Don't take it as red from me that there is no warranty to buy, just that there wasn't two years ago when I took mine out of the main dealer network, I would guess that Audi have got their house in order now as far as selling extended warranties go, and that they are avaliable but fook knows how much.
Quick and easy....right....
For an S4 with under 60k miles, extended warranty can only be purchased while it is still under manufacturers warranty. If it's mfr's warranty has lapsed, you cannot buy it.
However, if you do wish to do it, for an S4 with under 60k
15k miles/yr max; £1220 per year
unlimited mileage; £1566 per year
You can't buy more than one year at a time.
As warranties go it does seem quite expensive, so I'm not too worried and will simply take the hit if the unfortunate happens; Mel, from what you've said there are some problems but nothing crippling?
For an S4 with under 60k miles, extended warranty can only be purchased while it is still under manufacturers warranty. If it's mfr's warranty has lapsed, you cannot buy it.
However, if you do wish to do it, for an S4 with under 60k
15k miles/yr max; £1220 per year
unlimited mileage; £1566 per year
You can't buy more than one year at a time.
As warranties go it does seem quite expensive, so I'm not too worried and will simply take the hit if the unfortunate happens; Mel, from what you've said there are some problems but nothing crippling?
Well I'm still walking 50,000 miles into the ownership experience, (and I mean walking metaphorically not as in literally walking because it's broken down) I can only speak from personal experience and as I told you that's been a few coil packs at £20 odd each, loads of brake pads at similar money, a litre of Catrol Edge every few thousand (Costco are by far the cheapest as it has to be the AVW longlife variable service stuff) and servicing which if you go where I've said is a few hundred quid a pop. It's actually been a cheaper car to run (from a maintenance POV, not fuel) than my S3 before it was.
TonyHetherington said:
blimey that's interesting. I'm looking at a 54/05 car so it's going to be out of warranty - so any problems I'd have to stump up for myself? £800/yr though does seem quite expensive which is worrying (if you see what I mean).
But so long as there's a good independent I can use ( )that might not be too bad.
Where are you finding an 54/05 car for £10-13k???But so long as there's a good independent I can use (
)that might not be too bad.Oh, and I'm picking up my 04 Tip on Saturday
Apologies that's a bit optimistic; more like 53/04!
Good work though - what colour did you for? (and do you mind my asking what you got - spec wise?)
My Exige sale has been delayed by a week - the guy was due to pick it up on Monday but snow prevented it, so he's now coming this Monday. I'll then have cash in my hand and I'll go visiting cars!
Good work though - what colour did you for? (and do you mind my asking what you got - spec wise?)
My Exige sale has been delayed by a week - the guy was due to pick it up on Monday but snow prevented it, so he's now coming this Monday. I'll then have cash in my hand and I'll go visiting cars!
Edited by TonyHetherington on Wednesday 4th February 18:05
give us some pictures mark!
Tony, advice, just buy one! advice thus far is pretty solid. The warranty debate is difficult. The previous generation S4 a more worrying prospect, twin turbos, 4 cats etc, and could be prone to gargantuan bills. I am assuming an HPI/experian check is a no brainer also. If you can find out who underwrites the policies for warranty it helps enormously. Dealership quotes can be enormous, i looked into that last year for my A4 on an 03 plate, and decided against the idea, on the WelshBeef theory. factored in a reasonable monthly figure for odds and sods, and the bite you in the arse unexpected bills which has worked out to be about bang on. £60/month.
I do relax a little more with an NA engine, esp one on chains.
Let us know how you get on, its good to shop!
Tony, advice, just buy one! advice thus far is pretty solid. The warranty debate is difficult. The previous generation S4 a more worrying prospect, twin turbos, 4 cats etc, and could be prone to gargantuan bills. I am assuming an HPI/experian check is a no brainer also. If you can find out who underwrites the policies for warranty it helps enormously. Dealership quotes can be enormous, i looked into that last year for my A4 on an 03 plate, and decided against the idea, on the WelshBeef theory. factored in a reasonable monthly figure for odds and sods, and the bite you in the arse unexpected bills which has worked out to be about bang on. £60/month.
I do relax a little more with an NA engine, esp one on chains.
Let us know how you get on, its good to shop!
Some of the other warranties may be worth looking into.
Tesco do one, as do AA, waranty wise etc.
I'm watching this thread closely, I'm going to change in a couple of months time and the S4 is on my list but I'm scared by potential bills!! Although there don't seem to be any possible biggies lurking around the web!
Tesco do one, as do AA, waranty wise etc.
I'm watching this thread closely, I'm going to change in a couple of months time and the S4 is on my list but I'm scared by potential bills!! Although there don't seem to be any possible biggies lurking around the web!
chrisk said:
Some of the other warranties may be worth looking into.
Tesco do one, as do AA, waranty wise etc.
I'm watching this thread closely, I'm going to change in a couple of months time and the S4 is on my list but I'm scared by potential bills!! Although there don't seem to be any possible biggies lurking around the web!
I honestly cant see there being big bills on one. The b6 models were pretty bullet proof in most forms. My tdi has 207k on the clock has never considered not starting and has never given me any major problems.Tesco do one, as do AA, waranty wise etc.
I'm watching this thread closely, I'm going to change in a couple of months time and the S4 is on my list but I'm scared by potential bills!! Although there don't seem to be any possible biggies lurking around the web!
In 200k miles only non service items have been iirc rear antiroll bar, front right wheel bearing (not a surprise considering i hit a crash barrier ) clutch release bearing (150k)and wiper mechanism refurb.
I am now kinda hoping my car will die so I can get on and replace it with a b6 s4 with a lpg conv and prob awe exhaust for my 40-50k a year snotter.
I have a B7 S4 Avant which will be 3 years old at the end of march, so far the car has been faultless but for peace of mind I have agreed a price with warranty direct to extend the warranty for 26 months, full Audi dealership cover (independant garage is slightly cheaper) for £1200. Audi wanted £1200 for 1 year and would not come down on price, the only difference is that you do not get roadside cover with it but i get RAC cover through my bank as part of my account so that wasn't a problem.
Normally I don't keep my cars for more than 3 years so the warranty issue hasn't come up before, however this is the first car I have had that I am in no hurry to replace as it does everything I need it to do, so hopefuly when the warranty runs out the new RS4 will have been released.
Buy one, you won't regret it.
Normally I don't keep my cars for more than 3 years so the warranty issue hasn't come up before, however this is the first car I have had that I am in no hurry to replace as it does everything I need it to do, so hopefuly when the warranty runs out the new RS4 will have been released.
Buy one, you won't regret it.
TonyHetherington said:
Excellent stuff. As I learn more about these things, the more happy and confident I am about getting one! Mel - I'll take you up on the offer of a drive over the weekend if I may?! Will give you a call sometimes tomorrow!
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