S4 advice please....

[Colin_147]

I am looking at buying an S4 cab for a weekend car and perhaps the odd day commute here and there. I noticed this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1637343.htm in the classified yesterday and wanted to gauge opinion, as I have never purchased an Audi or a car this old. Ths spec from the dealers site is

Exterior Features
Aerial integrated in rear bodywork
Colour keyed bumpers
Colour keyed door mirrors/handles
Electric front/rear windows
Electrically adjustable door mirrors
Front/rear fog lights
Fully automatic soft top
Fully zinc galvanised body
Headlight wash system
Heat insulating tinted glass
Heated door mirrors/heated windscreen washers
Heated windscreen washers
Polished aluminium door mirrors
Soft touch boot release
Xenon headlights includes auto range adjust
Solid paint
18" Avus III alloy wheels
Full size spare wheel



Interior Feaures
12V power point in luggage area
2 rear head restraints
3 spoke sports leather steering wheel with S badge
Can holder in centre console
Driver + passenger vanity mirrors
Dust/pollen filters
Electric lumbar support
Electronic climate control (ECC)
Front head restraints
Front sports seats+4 way electrical adjust
Front underseat storage trays
Height/reach adjustable steering column
Seat back storage nets
Soft top storage box
Tailored front carpet mats
Tailored rear carpet mats
Alcantara/Pearl Nappa Leather
9 speakers
Concert II RDS radio
Single CD player
Carbon fibre door and fascia inserts
Digital clock with date indicator
Driver's information system
Outside temperature gauge
Service interval indicator
Servotronic PAS

Any help or advice would be appreciated in terms of price, things to look out for etc etc

[Cupramax]

Few things dont read quite right on that info. It says its got Avus wheels which were the standard ones but its got RS6 replicas in the photos. Also says its got a Concert stereo but its got a Pioneer aftermarket Nav unit.

It'll be cheap because an S4 without factory Nav, full leather (its got Alcantara/Leather) also no BOSE by the looks of it. Basically go by condition and history, the S4's have a few bugbears, the auxiliary radiators are renowned for failing. If its got a full dealer service history and looks tidy and the price is OK then go for it, if not RUN AWAY. Beware of the MPG though, scarey stuff when hoofing it but being 2005 it will only be £215 to tax. Oh and make sure the roof works properly, open and close it a couple of times as they can become tired with age and spot halfway through the movement.

[Seez]

Personally I wouldn't touch one without full leather and BOSE, but I believe that NAV makes a significant difference too...

[Colin_147]

Thanks for the replies so far chaps. The lack of full leather was a slight concern. I wasnt aware it was an aftermarket NAV either

Also clutch condition (assuming it hasnt been replaced) may be a concern given the milage?

[mel]

Personally I don't think BOSE makes much difference on an S4 (ok mine is an Avant so the cab may be different) I agree it made a big difference on my old S3 but I listened to both and wasn't impressed. I would however agree that you must have MMI, phone prep, sat nav, flappy padels, & full leather. That advert reads like they've just listed a standard spec' to me with virtually no options. Also how can it have coloured keyed & aluminium mirrors?

Oh yes and I re taxed mine a couple of days ago and it was £245? agree it said £215 on the form but was there a sneeky increase in the budget I didn't notice?

Edited by mel on Tuesday 20th April 11:00

[TonyHetherington]

I agree with Mel (except about the flappy paddles ). But it does look like he's just nicked the spec from a standard one somewhere.

They are not the Avus wheels either - they are RS6 replicas. They look very nice, but it just shows the dealer didn't bother with the spec.

I agree too that it's an aftermarket sat nav.

For the money, there will be plenty more "natural" ones, with leather and factory sat nav.

[Cupramax]

mel said:

Personally I don't think BOSE makes much difference on an S4 (ok mine is an Avant so the cab may be different) [/footnote]

BOSE makes a huge difference on the cabs, with the hood down the standard system just gets lost with the outside noise. The BOSE has different sound maps for roof up and down and it has a good bit more grunt which you need top down.