Audi S4 buying guide
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Going to look at a '98 S4 tomorrow morning with around 96k miles on it - can anyone tell me what maintenance work should have been carried out at this mileage so I can check the history? Also are there any other problem areas with the S4, or particularly one of this age, that I need to keep an eye out for?
Thanks for your help
Going to look at a '98 S4 tomorrow morning with around 96k miles on it - can anyone tell me what maintenance work should have been carried out at this mileage so I can check the history? Also are there any other problem areas with the S4, or particularly one of this age, that I need to keep an eye out for?
Thanks for your help
Have a look on this website - www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=index - it's full of the info you require.
At 90k it should have had cambelt and water pump done as well as general minor and major servicing (check history).
Other things to check for are condition of the turbos, if it is still running original turbos then there may be a chance that they could be on their way out, you can usually tell this if you can hear a siren type noise on gentle / steady acceleration from low revs, drop the drivers window ad you should be able to hear it better.........however if you do hear this type of noise it doesn't mean that the turbos are going to pack up there and then! Quite a few S4s have been remapped / chipped, this can accelerate wear and tear on numerous components, such as drivetrain, turbos, suspension, brakes etc so ask the question as to whether it is standard or not, however you may not get an honest answer. Check the alloys to ensure they are original OEM, lots have been replaced for aftermarket alternatives that are slightly inferior, if they look good though and you are happy with them then fine.
Spec wise go for as many extras as possible, leather recaros are nice for example.
At 90k it should have had cambelt and water pump done as well as general minor and major servicing (check history).
Other things to check for are condition of the turbos, if it is still running original turbos then there may be a chance that they could be on their way out, you can usually tell this if you can hear a siren type noise on gentle / steady acceleration from low revs, drop the drivers window ad you should be able to hear it better.........however if you do hear this type of noise it doesn't mean that the turbos are going to pack up there and then! Quite a few S4s have been remapped / chipped, this can accelerate wear and tear on numerous components, such as drivetrain, turbos, suspension, brakes etc so ask the question as to whether it is standard or not, however you may not get an honest answer. Check the alloys to ensure they are original OEM, lots have been replaced for aftermarket alternatives that are slightly inferior, if they look good though and you are happy with them then fine.
Spec wise go for as many extras as possible, leather recaros are nice for example.
Edited by Cyclone1 on Friday 11th May 17:11
Cyclone1 said:
Have a look on this website - www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=index - it's full of the info you require.
At 90k it should have had cambelt and water pump done as well as general minor and major servicing (check history).
Other things to check for are condition of the turbos, if it is still running original turbos then there may be a chance that they could be on their way out, you can usually tell this if you can hear a siren type noise on gentle / steady acceleration from low revs, drop the drivers window ad you should be able to hear it better.........however if you do hear this type of noise it doesn't mean that the turbos are going to pack up there and then! Quite a few S4s have been remapped / chipped, this can accelerate wear and tear on numerous components, such as drivetrain, turbos, suspension, brakes etc so ask the question as to whether it is standard or not, however you may not get an honest answer. Check the alloys to ensure they are original OEM, lots have been replaced for aftermarket alternatives that are slightly inferior, if they look good though and you are happy with them then fine.
Spec wise go for as many extras as possible, leather recaros are nice for example.
At 90k it should have had cambelt and water pump done as well as general minor and major servicing (check history).
Other things to check for are condition of the turbos, if it is still running original turbos then there may be a chance that they could be on their way out, you can usually tell this if you can hear a siren type noise on gentle / steady acceleration from low revs, drop the drivers window ad you should be able to hear it better.........however if you do hear this type of noise it doesn't mean that the turbos are going to pack up there and then! Quite a few S4s have been remapped / chipped, this can accelerate wear and tear on numerous components, such as drivetrain, turbos, suspension, brakes etc so ask the question as to whether it is standard or not, however you may not get an honest answer. Check the alloys to ensure they are original OEM, lots have been replaced for aftermarket alternatives that are slightly inferior, if they look good though and you are happy with them then fine.
Spec wise go for as many extras as possible, leather recaros are nice for example.
Edited by Cyclone1 on Friday 11th May 17:11
Know how to spot knackered turbos from my days of 200sx ownership so should be all good on that front. The car itself is quite well-specced, with ivory leather, bose stereo, xenon lights etc etc etc - just the miles that are a bit high for my liking, which is why I want to make sure that all of the routine servicing and replacements that should have been done, have been!
Cyclone1 said:
Have a look on this website - www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=index - it's full of the info you require.
At 90k it should have had cambelt and water pump done as well as general minor and major servicing (check history).
Other things to check for are condition of the turbos, if it is still running original turbos then there may be a chance that they could be on their way out, you can usually tell this if you can hear a siren type noise on gentle / steady acceleration from low revs, drop the drivers window ad you should be able to hear it better.........however if you do hear this type of noise it doesn't mean that the turbos are going to pack up there and then! Quite a few S4s have been remapped / chipped, this can accelerate wear and tear on numerous components, such as drivetrain, turbos, suspension, brakes etc so ask the question as to whether it is standard or not, however you may not get an honest answer. Check the alloys to ensure they are original OEM, lots have been replaced for aftermarket alternatives that are slightly inferior, if they look good though and you are happy with them then fine.
Spec wise go for as many extras as possible, leather recaros are nice for example.
At 90k it should have had cambelt and water pump done as well as general minor and major servicing (check history).
Other things to check for are condition of the turbos, if it is still running original turbos then there may be a chance that they could be on their way out, you can usually tell this if you can hear a siren type noise on gentle / steady acceleration from low revs, drop the drivers window ad you should be able to hear it better.........however if you do hear this type of noise it doesn't mean that the turbos are going to pack up there and then! Quite a few S4s have been remapped / chipped, this can accelerate wear and tear on numerous components, such as drivetrain, turbos, suspension, brakes etc so ask the question as to whether it is standard or not, however you may not get an honest answer. Check the alloys to ensure they are original OEM, lots have been replaced for aftermarket alternatives that are slightly inferior, if they look good though and you are happy with them then fine.
Spec wise go for as many extras as possible, leather recaros are nice for example.
Edited by Cyclone1 on Friday 11th May 17:11
No joy with the S4 I saw at the weekend - drove nice enough but was a right mess inside and out - and the seller wasn't willing to budge from the asking price. Looking at another tomorrow evening, that looks like it might be a much better car... fingers crossed...
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