Things to look for when buying a used S4

[Delta00]

Well, after about little over a month of searching and waiting I think I have found the perfect S4 for me (if only they come down on the price a little bit). My only very small gripe is that its a 2000, but I plan on looking into getting a CPO whatever warranty from Audi. Basically, I was wondering if there was some certain things to look/listen/feel for when test driving and looking at the car.

[jones3000]

Just run a carfax. If it's at an Audi dealer, they've already checked it out. If not, spend a few bucks and have a certified Audi Mechanic look at it. You can drive it, smell it, look under the hood....whatever. Unless it's leaking oil all over the place, anything wrong with it will not be obvious. My 2 cents.

[D0WNxSH1FT]

In november im gonna have my dealership start looking for a Certified '02 S4 (maybe '01), id also like to know if theres anything to look for, or if there are any TSB's that should of been performed, etc.

[Delta00]

Originally posted by jones3000
Just run a carfax. If it's at an Audi dealer, they've already checked it out. If not, spend a few bucks and have a certified Audi Mechanic look at it. You can drive it, smell it, look under the hood....whatever. Unless it's leaking oil all over the place, anything wrong with it will not be obvious. My 2 cents.


thats the problem, most of the time is a private party or a used car lot. Audi dealers often mark up too much, I'll see a 2001 A4 on an Audi lot that is for what I would pay for 2001 S4. I've been told some things about what to look for in the past and they have completely slipped my mind. I know one is looking for drops in power t hrough the rpm range, and there is something else for a TBB. The TBB isn't much of a concern as it is so cheap to replace, but is there something that is a tell-tale sign that the turbos are on their last leg?

[jones3000]

for starters, check out this website

S4 guide (http://www.s4biturbo.com/)

You'll learn everything you need to on here. But when you get the car, still have a certified Audi/ VW Mechanic look at it.

[4DR Assassin]

Another thing to look at when looking at any used car, not just an S4, is the vehicle service history. Get an Audi dealer to give you a service history to see what warranty work the car has had performed on it. Also, get them to hook up the VAG and see if the car has in DTCs.

[wilson94t]

I have the 2000 S4. Make sure that the stupid F hose has been changed recently - and look for wear on the TBB (throttle body boot). both of these are right up front.

If they are going to be changed when you get the car - then replace them with something better (samco for example).

If you are fortunate, it will be one of the 2000 models which shipped with aluminum uprights!

[eshaun]

What are these aluminum uprights you're referring too? What are the benefits.

reason being:
I was just informed of a certified car at a local dealer. Also any input on a fair OTD price for a 2000 6speed with 25k miles and black & silver alcantara interior. The car will be certified as its from a local audi dealer.

[4DR Assassin]

Originally posted by eshaun
What are these aluminum uprights you're referring too? What are the benefits.


Lighter weight basically and having a rare part. ;) Easiest way to see is to look behind the front wheels just above the brake rotor. If the upright is black, then you do not have the aluminium uprights....if it's silver, then you do. Now if one side has silver and the other has black, then something happened to that car and it had some stuff replaced.


Good luck!

[eshaun]

haha...cool thx

Perhaps as an added value to the thread starter and rather than starting another one myself could anyone post a couple pics of their engine bay of the TBB and f hose. Whether they are in good or bad shape it would be nice to have a visual to look at for an 00 as ive only seen the engine bay on my buddies 01 with everything in good condition. I'd rather find an 01 that fits what im looking for but perhaps this 2000 that i'm going to have a look at on saturday may be in excellent shape.

[quicksilver_S]

There is really no way to tell if the f-hose or the TBB is going bad unless you remove it and inspect it that way. because most of the crack or broket part are where the clamps are. The f-hose i hard to inspect(also PTIA to replace), its located near the passenger DV.

[eshaun]

So I just went and looked a 2 local cars today. The top of my list is a 2000 S4 6sp, black/ black w/silver alcantara, 25k mi. This car is at an audi dealer and will be audi certified for 2yr/100k.

I'm going to look at one more car still this weekend, but if I decide to go into negotions with the dealer for the aforementioned car I know I can get close to kbb which is around $27k. Depending on how badly they want to move the car i should be able to go even lower to what I feel is fair for a 4yr old car, nevermind that it has only 25k on it and 2 prev owners who took care of the car according to my research. (my mechanic hasnt looked at the car yet, but will b4 I lay out the money)

I know they rec'd the car on a trade in for a new allroad (so they paid ~20k or so for it). I do have some thinking to do, but let me get some opinions if you guys would still walk out at $26-27k. Remember its a dealer certified car which is worth at least $1500 more IMO compared to a private party, and I understand they're in the business of making money but i'm not about to let them take me for ~7k of profit on this car.

BTW, I'm not going to say which dealer yet, but I did have a most pleasant experience with them today.

[dramaticstatic]

Hmm Audi certified, 25k miles, 2000 S4 with sport package for $27k.
I'd say go for it, that's a great deal.
You can't just completely ignore the fact that the car has way way under the average milage for a 4 year old car. Frankly that kind of milage is pretty incredible and you're going to pay a premium for it.
I'd say go for it if you can get down to $27k.

[thgem72]

Check out both leasetrader.com and swapalease.com:

Your car...black on black with 29k miles 6 spd. 02'. Assume lease at approx. $560/mo. (including sales tax for CT...rate would be adjusted to reflect whever the hell you are) through Mar. 05 when you can then excercise the purchase option at $22,639.50!!!!!!
There is a fee for and credit app. required (for obvious reasons) for any lease assumption...typically in the $300-$500 range + the cost of transporting the damn thing (maybe $500-$600).

I WOULD DO THIS IF I COULD AFFORD TO. Which I could is someone would assume my lease (03' 5 spd 330i listed on the same sites)!!!!!

[randyc818]

my car is a bargain~

look for my ad on the forum~

it's a blue 2001.5 S4~~ for 23,000

if you need pix u can email me~

randyc818@hotmail.com

[sumpsfast]

Are the only alcantara options in the nogaro and the silver?

Hey Randy you're sellin for $23k now?

[TwinTurbo]

yeah I intend to get a 2001 S4, and i wanna know what to get them to check or ask or w/e

[Delta00]

All I can get is, boost loss due to a ripped TBB or sometihng, or a "siren" like noise signifying the turbos are about to go.

[TwinTurbo]

I'm in the same boat as eshaun...

I have found a 2001 6spd S4 with 63k miles for $21.5k

i talked via email with the dealer some more....and without even asking for a price reduction, he offered it for 19k.

.... a little fishy..... any suggestions?

[Delta00]

Originally posted by TwinTurbo
I'm in the same boat as eshaun...

I have found a 2001 6spd S4 with 63k miles for $21.5k

i talked via email with the dealer some more....and without even asking for a price reduction, he offered it for 19k.

.... a little fishy..... any suggestions?

shit id go check it out for sure, i am kinda in the same boat as you guys, i wish i could find a silver/or black 2001.5+ s4 for that price around here in So Cal...

[D0WNxSH1FT]

id only get a certified S4 if i was gonna go used. Used is just too risky, especially w/ an audi, and w/ a performance turbo engine.

a certified '02 is about $30,000. it costs the same per month to buy a certified '02 as it would to lease an '05 S4 for 42months. And you dont have to deal w/ was it broken in properly, is everything working, was the car beat on. etc.

[quicksilver_S]

Originally posted by Delta00
shit id go check it out for sure, i am kinda in the same boat as you guys, i wish i could find a silver/or black 2001.5+ s4 for that price around here in So Cal...

Hey man, I got a stage II silver on black if you want it. Its in very good condition. Its a 2000 though w/ 50k. I can extend the warranty through AWB and transfer the warranty onto you if you like.

Let me know.

[TwinTurbo]

Originally posted by jones3000
for starters, check out this website

S4 guide (http://www.s4biturbo.com/)

You'll learn everything you need to on here. But when you get the car, still have a certified Audi/ VW Mechanic look at it.


(sorry for all of the thread hijacking) but here ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

is your best bet- the S4 Guide has done dreams for me.

also, www.audiworld.com 's forums has a section called "Common problems with the B5 S4" and i emailed that to the dealer i intend to buy from and he responded with his knowledge on every topic pertaining to the vehicle.

GOOD LUCK PAL!