I'd like to buy my son/ myself an extra car for comuting, play, errands Etc. Anyone here have info on the last generation Audi S4. I understand they can be chipped up to 400 HP or something like that for weekends at MSRanch. Gas mileage or reliability issues ?
The S4 with the 2.7T does have a lot of potential to make big power numbers. Keep in mind, though that it is a heavy car, and you'll find yourself replacing tires very frequently. Also, it's not cheap to get the big hp numbers. Check out www.audiworld.com and www.goapr.com for some reference materials. I had a A6 with the same motor, and found a lot of helpful info from those sites. Having said that, I traded my A6 in on a Subaru Legacy GT just recently, and feel that it has better bang for the buck. It's faster than my A6, and with a few reasonable modifications, is faster than a stock S4. Check out the WRX, new or pre-owned, as an alternative to the S4. Lighter car, cheaper to fix and upgrade, and you'll be getting a newer model year than you would with the S4 (depending on how much you want to spend). For Subaru info, go to www.nasioc.com.
Chip and mild mods get you to 350hp or so. It takes K04 turbos to bust 400hp. The entire RS4 package: K04s, intercoolers and pipes, downpipes, intake, fueling is good for 450hp but costs $6000-10000 depending on components and install. I have a 2001 Audi A6 2.7T Quattro 6 speed. Great cars, complex, buy a warranty. I'm not sure I agree with the Subaru advice. E
at ~$47k..... thats a heck of a commuter car. Add some options and you can get into the mid 50's in a hurry. personally...ya could do alot better for alot less. The S4 is for the hardcore Audi-phile. is a little tight for a grocery getter, sporty-ish suspension, a heavier than the average clutch... Its not a bad car, I really enjoyed kicking around in one for a while, but I dont know that I'd want to live with one day to day. a good target market for the S4 is someone who wants a sports sedan and NEEDs the all wheel drive.
Considering the last production run of the B5 S4s are 2002, which means that most of them are already either out or close to out of warranty, I would imagine that this is not that big of an issue with him. Plus, if he is planning on mods, no dealership or manufactor will ever warranty anything non-authorized aftermarket mods anyway.
There are a few mod friendly dealers, so ive heard... Also, im pretty sure he is talking about the V8 and not the TT. I got a fast ride in an 05 V8 a few weeks ago, the car is definintely quick and more than enough for any teenager. The newest model is supposed to be even better, power is split 40(front)50(rear) now, so it will handle somewhat like a rearwheel drive car. And im not sure what your budget is, but the RS4 is about to come out, that car will be one hell of a sedan. Itll probably be around 10-15 grand more than a stock S4, but it has 400ish hp from the factory. Which ever you pick, youll have fun. Best of luck with your decision, Ry
As suggest on the post above, go to Audiworld for more informations on the B5 S4s. I would recommend getting a 2001.5 or newer model as they are updates that were made. With a simple ECU mod (stage 1 = ~$500+ or lower if you buy them used), you will be looking at around 310hp/360torque with some other minor upgrades that should be done at the same time as well (710 BPV's, re-enforced TBB = $150). Further upgrades can be done as in better exhaust system (DPs or Cat-backs) and ultimately, the RS4 (K04) turbos that will easily put you up to a reliable 380+hp/400 torque. You can go barebone minimal stage 3 (K04 turbos) for about 5-7K with tons of upgrades included (RS4 pressureplate, RS4 motor and transmission mount) at an independent shop (I would not go to the stealerships for these, most of them will refuse anyway). As for me, I have a stage 1 S4, I am getting over 20mpg and it is my daily driver. It spend the first 3 years with me over in the harsh NE (NYC) and then came home with me to the Pac. NW. Audis are no more expensive to own than any other European makes, and the maintenance required are pretty typical European cars as well. It is a great car and has a great modification potential, best thing about it is that it is a Quattro, with proper all-season performace tyres on, it is a car for all seasons. The key to it is just like buying any other used cars, take your time and find a good one. Just like any other used car, they can only be as good as how well they are cared for by the previous owner or owners.
He mentioned last generation S4s, thus I am assuming that he is refering to the V6 Biturbos instead of the current B6/B7 V8 series. With the V8 cars, considering they are NA engines, it would be hard to gain (stock is 340) 60hps from an ECU mod.
Yes I'm considering the twin turbo not the V-8. S4 Audis seem to depreciate to the 20s so I wont be taking the big new car hit. As far as mods, I'd only consider simple stuff like chips Etc. Not looking for lap records just a little more scoot if " cheaply " available. I was looking at WRX STIs but dont like the immage, and the cars are not built like the Audi IMO. The Audi has the "speak softly but carry a big stick" appeal. Thanks for all the insights.
I had a 2000 S4. At 44K miles (out of warranty-- first year cars only had 3 yr 36K), the water pump bearing seized, the cma belt jumped, and the repair cost $18,000, including a new block (!) and one head. Audi finally agreed to pay all but $4K, but that's still one expensive water pump. It put me off Audis, so I replaced it with an STi. The STi has a great motor, but is too small, too rough, and too weird (blue seats), so six months later I replaced it with a Legacy GT. Which was nice, but............. no Audi. So six months later, I was driving by the Audi dealer, and they had a 2004 S4 V8 in white with 14K miles. Which I bought. Obviously, the moral of the story is that I am mentally ill.
LOL Thanks for the laugh! We're right there with you so don't sweat it. I do like the upcoming Evo X with DSG unless your son needs a car now. If not...wait for the new EVo X Photos: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103252
I have a 2001.5 S4 myself. I like it a lot. It has been extremely reliable for me so far </touches wood>. It is an easy car to drive with a light clutch, smooth take-up and lots of torque. I find myself skipping gears most of the time in normal driving conditions. I think the Evo and STi are much better handling cars but they are a bit boy-racerish to me. Also the turbo motors in those two are more on-offish and need something like 3500 rpms+ before they kick in. The S4 turbos kick in at 1850 rpm so it is much better for cut and thrust driving. Also the interior of the Audis are really classy and upmarket with cool red instrumentation - looks like a jet cockpit when illuminated at night. I have driven it in Lake Tahoe in winter with summer tires and didnt face a single problem. The S4 is a modders dream. There are tons of things you can do to make it better and more extreme. So it could be a good car to buy stock and then upgrade it as when needed. Turbo failures are not unknown but the probability is generally lower on 2001.5 or 2002 cars. As far as gas mileage goes, I have been averaging about 20 mpg in city and 25mpg on the highway. From a driver's standpoint I think I would have appreciated more weight in the steering and a better damping in the suspension. It doesn't like bumps much. PM me if you want any more info. I will hold on to my car for a year or so till the E39 M5 prices fall into my budget. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Brakes man, brakes! The S4 is a great car, a good friend of mine has a 2000 model (Nagaro/Smurf Blue with the Alcantera Inserts) with 117k on it that has seen track duty several times. No chips, stock exhaust, stock everything except after a couple fade experiences at the track he dropped about $1700 for the massive Stoptech brake upgrade. The car is transformed. I've put well over a thousand miles on it myself (we car pool ) and the difference in braking has been amazing. The brake upgrade has close to 50k on it and is wearing well, and the stock turbos and such are still intact. The car drives like it has half the mileage. Hell, the paint is in great shape and it sits outside! Original clutch too, despite the tracking and whatnot. When something breaks it's expensive to fix, but so is every other car nowadays and this one has been very reliable. So yeah, if you find a good low mileage S4 for sale test drive it and I think you'll like it. -=Goggles=-
I second the above comment on brakes - the car at least needs a pad upgrade along with steel braided lines if a trip to the track is on the agenda. Stoptech brakes would be a nice add-on as well
I'm an audi guy. My girlfriend owns an audi 80 and its a great car including in winter weather, it has 200k on it and no probs and has been cheap to own/maintain. I'm looking to buy an audi of my own (a4 or S4) recently spotted an s4 with the alcantera recaro seats my god it was a beatiful car! Had 70k on it and was selling for $22k which according to bluebook is about right. Now to go get it hehe. I believe Lately audi's have become quite reliable/excellent yet again they did slump a bit for awhile.
i just got a sprint blue 06 s4 for use with my son. car is outstanding with equal performance to my 348 and equal luxury to range rover. i highly recommend it but might want to wait and check out mitsu evo X which seems out of this world.
I've been through an 80 Quattro and a Coupe Quattro, and my aforementioned S4 friend has been through 3 80 Quattros (still has two of them), two Coupes, and a 20V sedan. The five cylinder Audis were just great cars... Unstoppable and unbreakable. -=Goggles=-
A friend of mine has a 2000 S4 with a chip upgrade, and it was surprisingly agile. It seemed a bit quicker than the A6 with the 2.7TT. In all it was a fun car to drive, with a great interior, and it did get respectable fuel economy.
Great cars. Im actually selling mine if your intrested. 64k, audi CPO warranty untill 100,000miles, or 2 years.. Its Red, Chipped, intake, exhaust, and boost gauge. Laser Red TipTronic. Awesome car. PM me if your intrested. I dont know the driving ability of your child, but these things are small monsters, and in the wrong un-experianced hands, can be VERY dangerous. but, with that being said. They are awesome cars.
Definetly. She wants to sell it but I'm trying to stop her! I'd rather keep it till it could no longer run!
