An S4 is on my short list of potential new daily drivers. I'd be buying used. 2001 or so if turbo or 2004 or so if 4.2L V8.

Pros & cons to each? Not sure if I'd be better off w/the V8 ot turbo version. Extent of mods would be a couple minor bolt-ons & maybe a tune regardless.

 

I've heard of the turbo's going out on these things, I'd go with the V8.

I've driven both, both are fun. I had a chipped 01 S4 which was a blast but there's something about the rumble in the V8 that is just insane. The V8's have amazing torque, I fell in love with that ride.

 

My friend has an 01 B5 S4 and it's a complete money pit. They're fast and fun when modded but I would never consider one, especially as a daily driver. Get the V8.

 

By your criteria I'm guessing the price range you're trying to stay in and with all due respect, either one of those is going to kick your ass and empty your wallet.

The B5 S4s are great cars but prone to problems. I'd go at least with a 2005 S4 but again the maintenance is the issue on the S4 V8.

Then there's the replacement of parts. AC compressors run $2500 and fail often enough that's a potential issue. The auxiliary radiators rust out and are at least $500 each. Brakes are not cheap. You'll likely need new control arms (upper and lower) on any B6 you buy plus a new four wheel alignment.

On and on and on. The Audi S4 is a sports car. Don't be misled by the four doors.

 

If you were looking at newer models (06+) I'd say you'd be fine with a turbo, but those 2001's are money pits.

I'd say out of those two, go V8. Either way, set aside a bunch of money for gas... especially when prices go back up.

 

^+1 on gas. I averaged 12.3 on the 04 S4 with V8 the week I had it.

 

There is no replacement for displacement.

 

The one thing to keep in mind is that the B6 S4 has a timing chain rather than a belt. For the V8 A6 I was looking at the timing belt was going to be $2000 to replace, so that cuts down on needed maintenance a bit. Even the A6 seemed like a very quick car with the V8, so I imagine the B6 S4 would seem quite a bit quicker. The B5 S4 is much, much more mod friendly however, there are people who are pushing 400+ horsepower with exhaust/intake/and K04 turbos or bigger.

 

Totally OT, but its pretty interesting that OP came to Acurazine for the first time to ask a question about S4s....

 

I am looking for a sports/sporty car.
I wouldn't buy 1 without having them include a warranty anyway.

 

Well we do have a pretty big Audi fanbase here.

Plus the Audizine forums aren't exactly very active.

 

There are dealers offering warranties on 2001 models? I've never heard of them offering coverage on 9+ year old cars.

If you can get coverage, even better!

 

Neither, the E46 M3 is a better car.

 

Don't tell me you traded AGAIN

 

What is maintenance like on those? Any major issue's by year?

 

v8

 

I know they have some issues with VANOS, rear subframe cracks have happened (and due to settlement are covered by BMW if the car doesn't have any aftermarket suspension), SMG clutch failures seem pretty common, your typical seals/water pump/coolant system type stuff as well.

 

^


They pretty reliable, just have to get valve adjustments for that costs between $700-1200. Sucks.

Still bet my left small nut that its more reliable that the B6 S4 and even more so than the B5 S4. Now if you find a B5 S4 with K04s then i say buy that one up!

 

It's called buying an extended warranty.

 

Took the M3 off my list due to the oil consumption issue M cars have. Don't have the pateince to deal w/something that should not be an issue.

If I go S4, it'll be B6, but after reading all I have & seeing the MPG they get, I don't think I'm going to bother.

 

Sure hope you have a lot of lube when they give you the price on a warranty for a 10-yr old car.

 

 

Gotta give a little if you want a 6-9 year old performance german car.

Buy a 350z or G35 if you want low maintenance but great performance.

 

Last extended warranty I bought was from the dealer and actually went through some third party group. It wound up not really covering anything and turned out to be a huge waste of my money.

To be fair, I was still fairly young and didn't understand what I was getting into. Blame is partially on me.

 

That's kind of where I was going.

And it's a 10 year old German car with FI to boot

 

Wait, $2500 for an AC compressor! I'm hoping that was a typo and a 0 was accidentally added onto the end there. That's literally almost 10x more expensive than I thought it would be.

good luck with whatever you choose.

 

That's the quote I've seen. Two thousand five hundred dollars. Again, they don't fail "willy-nilly" but the do go and when they do, it's all over but the cryin'.

 

Those companies only exist to make money, not help automobile owners. I gotta imagine the exclusions are pretty lengthy. They probably just put what's covered on a post-it note and hand it to you.

 

I love Audis, but they scare me...

I get annoyed when a $15 serpentine belt starts squealing.... but then its mostly because of my laziness.

 

There is something to be said for the "relative" simplicity of your car though.

And then there's the $125/hr labor rates

 

Yeah, it's one of the many things I like about it. But I can't deny that there are several annoyances I have with it. Every car has its pros and cons. "You get what you pay for" and "gotta pay to play" works both ways

If I had more testicular fortitude and/or I was more car tech diagnostics savvy, I might be in a German make right now. That going rate doesn't sound too bad, for a dealership. Sounds like what is to be expected.

 

125/hr is what my local acura dealership charges. I think that is on the high side.

 

Or a Mustang, Camaro, Challenger. Although those aren't everyone's cup of tea.

 

No need. I negotiate that into the price of the car OTD. This won't be my 1st rodeo. I simply walk away when I don't like a deal.

 

No thank you. "Great performance" don't come to mind when I think of those 2 cars.

Maybe I'm spoiled b/c my last toy ran 10s.

The other cars on my list are:
335i
135i
C6 Vette
Genesis Coupe
2011 Mustang GT
C5 Vette
LS2 GTO
Charger SRT-8
300 SRT-8
G8 GT
2010 Camaro SS

If I go S4, it'd be a B6, but after looking at the MPG & issues I will, most likely, pass. I am going to me driving 100 min a day to & from work starting Monday till I move closer.

 

That's the most confusing list of cars ... A 2004 B6 S4 with anything approaching average miles isn't more than $16-18k at most and you're looking at cars twice that much?

Have you read the recent S4 v 335 v TL-S v G37 review in Road and Track?

 

Yeah, that threw me off too. If you're gonna spend $3x,xxx +, why not look at much newer Audi's that come CPO till 100k with full maintenance, etc.?

 

You are all over the place with your list. How is that a short list?

Also, the G35 is pretty similar to the Genesis - what is your reason for the distinction?

 

B/c I want a performance car & I cannot get a new S4/RS4 for $30k

I have a wide variety of interests. Sue me.

 

I dislike the interior of the G35.