Talk to me about Audi S4's
Discussion
Morning all,
I've developed a hankering for a B4 Audi S4 Estate. I've wanted one for a while but i've recently moved to within two miles of my work and so fuel costs would be much less of a concern.
I currently drive a Mk4 R32 Golf with 110,000 miles on the clocks. I think I could sell that for around £6000 and it looks as though i could get a good condition S4 for about the same. I've got no problems with the golf, in fact a think it's brilliant but an S4 is a good bit quicker!
Anyone done something similar or got any advise? I'm not really sure what to do.
I've developed a hankering for a B4 Audi S4 Estate. I've wanted one for a while but i've recently moved to within two miles of my work and so fuel costs would be much less of a concern.
I currently drive a Mk4 R32 Golf with 110,000 miles on the clocks. I think I could sell that for around £6000 and it looks as though i could get a good condition S4 for about the same. I've got no problems with the golf, in fact a think it's brilliant but an S4 is a good bit quicker!
Anyone done something similar or got any advise? I'm not really sure what to do.
Would you be using this for a 2 miles commute? I'm not quite sure how well the turbos will last doing that sort of driving. I believe they're a weak point to start with.
If its not for the commute, then go for it. Sounds like its a box you want to tick. I'd have mine in nogaro blue with matching Alcantara
If its not for the commute, then go for it. Sounds like its a box you want to tick. I'd have mine in nogaro blue with matching Alcantara
The B5 is a fantastic car, although it's getting slightly long in the tooth now particulalry compared to the R32, you'll notice that mainly with the interior I think. If that doesn't worry you, and you can get hold of a well looked after specimen with good mileage, then it's worth a go.
The engine in the S4 is a proper V6 (unlike the VR6 engine in the R32) and it's well regarded as a very reliable power plant. As mentioned above the turbos can fail, but then they can fail on any car that has them, the key is to ensure it's been well looked after and do the correct checks before you buy. Having said that, reconditioned turbos are not as expensive as they once were for these cars, so it's not as bad as some make out.
The S4 also has permanent 4WD, as opposed to the Haldex clutch systemn used on the R32. In my experience of owning cars with both, I actually do prefer the Haldex system for various reasons, although others will disagree. But either system is good and pretty bullet proof.
The S4 is fast, and faster in standard form than an R32, make no mistake, but if modding is your bag then there is a alot more performance to be had for relatively little outlay, especially compared to the Golf (thats the way with N/A vs. FI)
I'd recommend www.audi-sport.net for doing more research.
The engine in the S4 is a proper V6 (unlike the VR6 engine in the R32) and it's well regarded as a very reliable power plant. As mentioned above the turbos can fail, but then they can fail on any car that has them, the key is to ensure it's been well looked after and do the correct checks before you buy. Having said that, reconditioned turbos are not as expensive as they once were for these cars, so it's not as bad as some make out.
The S4 also has permanent 4WD, as opposed to the Haldex clutch systemn used on the R32. In my experience of owning cars with both, I actually do prefer the Haldex system for various reasons, although others will disagree. But either system is good and pretty bullet proof.
The S4 is fast, and faster in standard form than an R32, make no mistake, but if modding is your bag then there is a alot more performance to be had for relatively little outlay, especially compared to the Golf (thats the way with N/A vs. FI)
I'd recommend www.audi-sport.net for doing more research.
doogz said:
What's a B4 S4?
You mean B5, the 2.7TT?
If so, i doubt it's really much quicker than your Golf, they're big heavy cars.
Believe it or not, the S4 is not as heavy as the R32 (I was surprised about that)You mean B5, the 2.7TT?
If so, i doubt it's really much quicker than your Golf, they're big heavy cars.
The B5 S4 weighs in at 1510 kg / 0-60mph 5.6 seconds / 1/4 mile 14.3 seconds
The Mk4 R32 weighs in at 1552 kg / 0-60mph 6.5 seconds / 1/4 mile 14.7 seconds
Thanks Beanoir, really helpful post.
I was under the impression that an S4 would easily leave an R32 in a straight line, especially if it was modified. Modifying is certainly something i would look at, although i don't think i'd go much past exhaust, intake (if they work on these cars) and a remap.
What are S4s like in corners? I do like the way the R32 handles and i wouldn't want to go back to a car with wafty suspension. (I used to have a 328i and I wasn’t a fan)
I was under the impression that an S4 would easily leave an R32 in a straight line, especially if it was modified. Modifying is certainly something i would look at, although i don't think i'd go much past exhaust, intake (if they work on these cars) and a remap.
What are S4s like in corners? I do like the way the R32 handles and i wouldn't want to go back to a car with wafty suspension. (I used to have a 328i and I wasn’t a fan)
aldo56 said:
Thanks Beanoir, really helpful post.
I was under the impression that an S4 would easily leave an R32 in a straight line, especially if it was modified. Modifying is certainly something i would look at, although i don't think i'd go much past exhaust, intake (if they work on these cars) and a remap.
What are S4s like in corners? I do like the way the R32 handles and i wouldn't want to go back to a car with wafty suspension. (I used to have a 328i and I wasn’t a fan)
I think a simple stage 1 re-map (and assuming no other mods) from the likes of Revo or AmD would take it to somewhere in the region of 300-315bhp. A re-map like that depending where you go would cost about £300-500 or maybe cheaper if you go to a smaller custom coding place. I was under the impression that an S4 would easily leave an R32 in a straight line, especially if it was modified. Modifying is certainly something i would look at, although i don't think i'd go much past exhaust, intake (if they work on these cars) and a remap.
What are S4s like in corners? I do like the way the R32 handles and i wouldn't want to go back to a car with wafty suspension. (I used to have a 328i and I wasn’t a fan)
They're good in the corners, i've not owned one, but I have driven them. And A4's of that era as a whole are not that big a car, although will feel slightly bigger than the golf. The suspension on the S4 is quite firm, it's certainly not wafty, although many people do go that step further and fit all-sprts of springs and coil-overs, personally I wouldn't bother.
It's difficult to really give you a good view, i'd say it would feel a similar size to the 328, but dependant on what model you had, the S4 should be a much firmer ride.
Try and get out to view some, a test drive should go some toward giving you an idea.
With regard to cornering, they do understeer a bit as the engine sits quite far forwards, and you'll notice that front tyres can wear quite quickly.
As has been said already, the turbos are fine if well maintained and allowed to warm up and down properly - you'll see loads of cars for sale with >100k on the original turbos. Having said that, if you can find one that has been upgraded with K04 turbos (as used on the RS4) these are generally understood to be more reliable than the K03 and you'll have potential for loads more power
Make sure that the timing belts have been done on time (every four years or every 40k). The tensioners, water pump and thermostat are usually done at the same time, as it makes sense to do once the front of the car is off.
If you're looking at a pre-facelift car (<1999), the exhaust manifolds can be problematic - its something do do with an inner lining coming loose and rattling. Its quite expensive to fix, so either look for one that's been done, or look for a facelifted car.
Loads more to read on rs246.com
As has been said already, the turbos are fine if well maintained and allowed to warm up and down properly - you'll see loads of cars for sale with >100k on the original turbos. Having said that, if you can find one that has been upgraded with K04 turbos (as used on the RS4) these are generally understood to be more reliable than the K03 and you'll have potential for loads more power
Make sure that the timing belts have been done on time (every four years or every 40k). The tensioners, water pump and thermostat are usually done at the same time, as it makes sense to do once the front of the car is off.
If you're looking at a pre-facelift car (<1999), the exhaust manifolds can be problematic - its something do do with an inner lining coming loose and rattling. Its quite expensive to fix, so either look for one that's been done, or look for a facelifted car.
Loads more to read on rs246.com
Turbos are expensive, yes - engine out to change them. Usual things to check for really, smoke, excessive noise, poor boost (although airflow meters and diverter valves aren't particularly durable either).
Complicated front suspension with a million rubber bushes wears fairly quickly and can cause knocks, squeaks and vague feeling steering.
Facelift dash (99) looks much fresher than the early cars but they all suffer with the dash LCD failing (repairable) and the volume knobs on the standard stereos fail commonly too (go aftermarket or retro a later stereo).
I wrote a buying guide on here a good while back but audisrs.com is a treaure trove on info for these cars. The gallery on there is full of everything from standard examples all the way through to big power loony wagons.
Complicated front suspension with a million rubber bushes wears fairly quickly and can cause knocks, squeaks and vague feeling steering.
Facelift dash (99) looks much fresher than the early cars but they all suffer with the dash LCD failing (repairable) and the volume knobs on the standard stereos fail commonly too (go aftermarket or retro a later stereo).
I wrote a buying guide on here a good while back but audisrs.com is a treaure trove on info for these cars. The gallery on there is full of everything from standard examples all the way through to big power loony wagons.
option click said:
Make sure that the timing belts have been done on time (every four years or every 40k). The tensioners, water pump and thermostat are usually done at the same time, as it makes sense to do once the front of the car is off.
All good advice! I have a B5 RS4 and I'm "pretty sure" it's only the RS4 that requires a Timing Belt every 40k and not the S4 (every 70k I would presume).Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff