looking to buy a S4 - what to look out for

[climbachia]

Hi

looking to buy a S4 <£20k. Any reccomendations on the year to buy and also what things to look out for that are prone to fail/ high costs.

thank you.

Chet.

[b206]

The S-tronic gearbox is the main one - listen for any clunking, make sure reverse engages etc. Make sure the s-tronic oil has been changed at 37-40k. If it hasn't - give it a wide birth!
I personally would buy the B8.5 rather than a B8, but unsure if you can buy one for sub £20k at the moment unless it's a high miler!

The above put me off the S4 - went for an A6 with 3.0 BiTDI. Super quick!

[climbachia]

thanks mate.

any engine issue's to look out for.

The 3.0 tdi bi-turbo sounds like a best.

any pics?

[b206]

The V6 is a solid lump - I haven't heard of anything major. Just make sure it has been serviced to schedule.

It is - never thought I'd buy a diesel. The sound and torque is something else - plus they have just as much potential as the S4 when it comes to tuning! Cheaper tax and less trips to the petrol station also sounded pretty nice to me!

34010

34011

34012

[climbachia]

what a beast!

[rhencullen1989]

Hi, I am also in a similar dilemma, originally after the 2.0 T but too many reports on oil burning etc, also want a Quattro version as that's what I have now and love it. The S4 3.0 supercharged seems to tick most of the boxes, just as economical as my 2004 slide Quattro 1.8T, just not too sure on running costs like brake pads etc.

can anyone shed some light onto why some manual models are £305 to tax, and some are £500. Some are 225g/km, others are over this? I would only want a manual gearbox as too many horror stories with autos.

[Scott K]

I think the tax has to do with when it is registered. If it is before March 2006 it is cheaper.

[rhencullen1989]

Yes, I know, as my 1.8T should be in group L as it's over 225g/km, but as it's a 2004 it's put back a group to k. These S4's are all registered after 2006 but have slightly different emissions, I know an extra £200 a year on tax is not the end of the world, but if you kept that vehicle for 5 or 8 years it would add up to a fair amount.

[Alan02]

I have A6 with 3lt V6 s/charger/ s-tronic. Have now got St1 map and added 105bhp. Not same torque as a Turbo diesel but seriously quick. And, mpg has increased. Can get over 400 miles per tank on an average 80mph+ long run/ mixed driving easy. Dont do big miles so not interested in how many miles I can squeeze out of a tank.