S4 (2.7) Buying guide - Advice needed Please :-)
Discussion
Hi Guys
The Trouble & Strife & I are looking for a decent S4 and are after some 'what to look out for' sort of advice...any, and everything appreciated!
Also, it will be a daily driver, so not looking for mad power, but some 'tasteful' mild tuning wouldn't go amiss, so anyone that can point me in the right direction for that would be on my Xmas card list for this year!
Many thanks,
Jason.
The Trouble & Strife & I are looking for a decent S4 and are after some 'what to look out for' sort of advice...any, and everything appreciated!
Also, it will be a daily driver, so not looking for mad power, but some 'tasteful' mild tuning wouldn't go amiss, so anyone that can point me in the right direction for that would be on my Xmas card list for this year!
Many thanks,
Jason.
Great cars, a friend of mine has one - a nice sensible estate car, fairly quick in standard trim but you can get more; www.amdtechnik.com/products.variant.cfm?variantid=28
Have a look at www.rs246.com - lots of good info there including a buying guide.
I wouldn't recommend an Avant though. Mind you, that's only because I intend to buy one before the year is out and don't want you buying one from under my nose.
I wouldn't recommend an Avant though. Mind you, that's only because I intend to buy one before the year is out and don't want you buying one from under my nose.
Jason,
I've got a 2000 S4 Avant and its the best car I've ever had - and I have had a lot!
It is our "sensible family estate" so the wife drives it all week and I drive it at the weekend if we're not taking the cerb.
Things to look out for are primarily service history. Make sure its been serviced every 10k although some dealers say 20k. Some lease companies have even been known to skimp on service costs by using non-synth oil etc... but a good independant is the best bet. Cam Belt due at 80k but best done at 60k if you want to be safe. RS4's are 40k so it seems sensible.
QST in Haywards Heath get my vote - certainly not the local stealer who I bought it off 3 years ago!
Other extras to look for include:
- Recaro seats
- Sat Nav, tv etc..
- Short-shifter gearchange (the standard one is, apparently, a bit of a long throw
- Upgraded suspension (std a bit soft)
- Brake upgrade (I've got Porsche 993 turbo front brakes, so it seems!)
Other than that, try one but good ones are hard to find. You won't be disappointed by the car, its an absolute stormer, and I can let the wife out in it without worrying.
If you're down my way (Near gatwick), you're welcome to have a ride in mine.
Drop me a line direct if I can help.
Cheers
Rob
I've got a 2000 S4 Avant and its the best car I've ever had - and I have had a lot!
It is our "sensible family estate" so the wife drives it all week and I drive it at the weekend if we're not taking the cerb.
Things to look out for are primarily service history. Make sure its been serviced every 10k although some dealers say 20k. Some lease companies have even been known to skimp on service costs by using non-synth oil etc... but a good independant is the best bet. Cam Belt due at 80k but best done at 60k if you want to be safe. RS4's are 40k so it seems sensible.
QST in Haywards Heath get my vote - certainly not the local stealer who I bought it off 3 years ago!
Other extras to look for include:
- Recaro seats
- Sat Nav, tv etc..
- Short-shifter gearchange (the standard one is, apparently, a bit of a long throw
- Upgraded suspension (std a bit soft)
- Brake upgrade (I've got Porsche 993 turbo front brakes, so it seems!)
Other than that, try one but good ones are hard to find. You won't be disappointed by the car, its an absolute stormer, and I can let the wife out in it without worrying.
If you're down my way (Near gatwick), you're welcome to have a ride in mine.
Drop me a line direct if I can help.
Cheers
Rob
The V6 bi-turbo is known for a couple of fatal flaws. Earlier cars feature a weak water pump that can cause the engine to sieze (if you see the temperature rising, switch off the engine immediately!). This is frequentlt replaced at the same time as the cambelt, so better to get one where the belts and the pump have been done.
The turbos are also known to point their breasts skywards, and if that happens, it's another big bill. The main culprit is oil, with some brands being worse than others, regardless of the spec.
There's plenty on rs246.com though. Do your research, and you can pick up a nice car for well under £10K
The turbos are also known to point their breasts skywards, and if that happens, it's another big bill. The main culprit is oil, with some brands being worse than others, regardless of the spec.
There's plenty on rs246.com though. Do your research, and you can pick up a nice car for well under £10K
as above really - have a 98 S4 as my daily drive.
Common things that need to be sorted:
make sure cambelt has been done + water pump
replace the diverter valves (£25 ea)
replace the MAF sensor
other than that pretty solid even with 100K on the clock - standard brakes are poor and dont inspire confidence, understeers on the limit but good traction otherwise, interior wears well (90K on mine and looks like new)
www.mrctuning.com recommended for a mild custom remap - undectable to dealers...300-310bhp with std exhaust - nice n quiet, £500 ...great mid range for a daily drive
Common things that need to be sorted:
make sure cambelt has been done + water pump
replace the diverter valves (£25 ea)
replace the MAF sensor
other than that pretty solid even with 100K on the clock - standard brakes are poor and dont inspire confidence, understeers on the limit but good traction otherwise, interior wears well (90K on mine and looks like new)
www.mrctuning.com recommended for a mild custom remap - undectable to dealers...300-310bhp with std exhaust - nice n quiet, £500 ...great mid range for a daily drive
bogie said:
other than that pretty solid even with 100K on the clock - standard brakes are poor and dont inspire confidence, understeers on the limit but good traction otherwise, interior wears well (90K on mine and looks like new)
my amd'd s4 has 137k on the clock and feels like new. porsche turbo brakes easy upgrade and decent suspension and setup kills the understeer and lets you drive as sideways as you like.
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