Buying Advice Audi S4 Cabriolet 4.2

[Med1c]

Hi

Im looking into purchasing an S4 Cabriolet and wondered what to look out for when checking over the vehicle.

Also can anyone recommend a custom back box set for the car to give it a deeper sound ?

I'm looking at this vehicle initially

https://www.silverwoodcars.co.uk/used-audi-cars-in...

I have yet to drive the car and also wondered what the general opinion of owning one of these cars is ? Running costs etc ?

I understand the Engines are excellent.

Thanks for any replies.

[anonymous-user]

When you go and have a test drive make sure you listen for an engine rattle on startup. This will be the cam chain tensioners, if the noise is present for more than a second walk away. The repair is very labour intensive i.e. Expensive.

The glove box can break as the damper is stiff and the hinge can break. Cam covers can leak, side radiators can and do corrode.

Also check the clutch, the clutch can be knackered at this mileage.

Just remember this was a £40-50k car when new and it has repair bills to match despite being a lot cheaper to buy.

[caiss4]

gottans said:

When you go and have a test drive make sure you listen for an engine rattle on startup. This will be the cam chain tensioners, if the noise is present for more than a second walk away. The repair is very labour intensive i.e. Expensive.

The glove box can break as the damper is stiff and the hinge can break. Cam covers can leak, side radiators can and do corrode.

Also check the clutch, the clutch can be knackered at this mileage.

Just remember this was a £40-50k car when new and it has repair bills to match despite being a lot cheaper to buy.

^^^^All this. To be sure about the 'death rattle' you need to hear the car started from stone cold. Once the car is warm it may be less obvious.

If its got a full service history check to see if the aux rads have been replaced; my B6 saloon got through 3 in 13 years. Also check for a clutch replacement. As gottans has said this can be a quite consummable item on these; once again I had a new clutch and DMF at 35k miles at a cost of £1700. To be fair I did 'exercise' the car so if this one has been treated like Miss Daisy then it's quite possible it'll be ok.

To be fair, aside from the points above I regard these cars as pretty bullet-proof and if the service history is as per the description and the previous owner has kept on top of oil changes then it's unlikely to have an issue with the cam chain tensioners. I sold mine at 60k miles with no rattle at all and I'm sure that was down to maintaining oil changes and levels throughout its life.

As for running costs try and budget for super unleaded and expect a lifetime mpg around 22mpg! Tyres used to be about £130 per corner, fronts would last 12k max and rears around 15k. BTW, I only had the brake pads changed twice (front) and when I sold the car it was on original front discs but I reckon they were coming up for replacement.

Looks like a good example from the pictures and just enjoy that V8.

Edited by caiss4 on Tuesday 6th August 21:51

[Dr G]

22 is better than I ever averaged

The relatively complex, multi-link suspension setup can start to feel old and baggy on these as well; vagueness, bump steer etc. The bushes won't fail an MOT but can really let the car's drive down.

[anonymous-user]

Dr G said:

The relatively complex, multi-link suspension setup can start to feel old and baggy on these as well; vagueness, bump steer etc. The bushes won't fail an MOT but can really let the car's drive down.

My B7 Avant is on 131k miles, original clutch and not treated like Miss Daisy but it really does need a suspension refresh..

Driving a v8 is a pleasure, cheaper road tax on cars registered before March 2016 I think.

Lastly, try and get one that hasn't been on the long life service schedule, better to have annual oil changes.

[anonymous-user]

On non cabriolet cars check the roof channels for corrosion, this is known problem and mine had some more around the 3rd brake light. Audi did contribute 70% of the repair cost but it still cost me a bit.

[caiss4]

Dr G said:

22 is better than I ever averaged

All my figures are probably optimistic . TBH, I used the car mainly for longer journeys where it 'could ' be amazingly frugal

[anonymous-user]

caiss4 said:

All my figures are probably optimistic . TBH, I used the car mainly for longer journeys where it 'could ' be amazingly frugal

The term 'amazingly frugal' just means there isn't a hole in the tank it just feels like it.

[Med1c]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply - Really appreciate it.