A4 S4 4.2 Quattro

[keeling54]

I've been looking for a V8 barge for a couple of months and the above said Audi has cropped up local to me.

What's the general opinion of these, it's a 2003 car with 120k on the clock. MOT history looks ok.

Are they a horror story to keep well clear of or a reasonably reliable thing.

[Hiviss]

I think the timing chains are the real issue on this engine. If they need doing, the expense is very high, normally more than the car is worth. This is why i think the hang around so long. Just my opinion anyway.

[keeling54]

I'll do a bit of research, thanks.

[Adrian E]

Anything more than a brief rattle from the chains on cold start is potentially bad news. Those with patchy/longlife servicing are more likely to be afflicted by problems than those with annual services, but also giving it a boot-full from cold can stretch the chains over time

Basically it's a punt - buy a good one and it'll be a fine. A bad one will rape your wallet and/or end up as scrap