FAQ: Are you looking to purchase a B6/B7 S4? Here is what you need to know.

[joeycuccaro]

No problem!


Also, my 04 does this:

-Fold-in Mirrors: 2005+ S4 models had the fold in mirror option, while the 2004 did not.



So do you mean it was standard on the 04, and an option on the 05+?

Really you have them in the 2004?

[Silver B6 S4]

Really you have them in the 2004?

Yup, here's a pic of my build date and a crappy video.










View My Video

[joeycuccaro]

Yup, here's a pic of my build date and a crappy video.










View My Video

Damn, alright i guess i have to take that out then. Fail on my part!

[Silver B6 S4]

Damn, alright i guess i have to take that out then. Fail on my part!

Your 04 didn't have this option???

[stix123123]

Also, the mirror caps. 04's were real aluminum, while 05-08 were plastic that is painted to look like aluminum.

This isn't true. I have a late 2004 and the mirrors are plastic.

[joeycuccaro]

Your 04 didn't have this option???

Nope

[Sharkfin]

Joey, when in your intro thread coming

[fujii13]

I have an '04 and have the folding mirror option as well. And my mirrors are not plastic, either.

[rjpeaks]

Thanks - very informative!

Mahalo

[krellio23]

Joey, excellent review of the b6 and b7 S4. I actually replaced my valve cover gaskets last week at 65,000 miles, they were leakin a bit too much for me to handle. Will there be any major differences between running 5w 30 instead of the recommended 5w 40 oil? Also, the factory says 10,000 miles between oil changes (due to synthetics) but are they flippin crazy? I can't leave oil in an engine much after 5,000 miles no matter what anyone says. Any ideas? Ever seen the auxillary radiators leak at all? Your post was a great help, nice work

[joeycuccaro]

Joey, excellent review of the b6 and b7 S4. I actually replaced my valve cover gaskets last week at 65,000 miles, they were leakin a bit too much for me to handle. Will there be any major differences between running 5w 30 instead of the recommended 5w 40 oil? Also, the factory says 10,000 miles between oil changes (due to synthetics) but are they flippin crazy? I can't leave oil in an engine much after 5,000 miles no matter what anyone says. Any ideas? Ever seen the auxillary radiators leak at all? Your post was a great help, nice work

I would suggest 5w40 instead of the 5W30.

Disregard the 10k oil changes. I also never let me oil go over 5,000 miles. I usually do it every 3k miles in my S4.

I have seen some coolant leaks from the radiators. It is usually the hoses that leak or the seals that connect the hose and the radiator together.

[EYE4SPEED]

Great info... now can you make one for the RS4? I'm looking to upgrade soon (or whenever I unload the cabbie which may not be so soon). Thanks.

[joeycuccaro]

Great info... now can you make one for the RS4? I'm looking to upgrade soon (or whenever I unload the cabbie which may not be so soon). Thanks.

I will look into it! Might be a bit harder since i dont own one!

[ALWAYS4UDI]

joey, i'm looking at getting an s4.

i just wanted to let you know. lol

[joeycuccaro]

joey, i'm looking at getting an s4.

i just wanted to let you know. lol

Good stuff! Read up

[Trevor Ely]

I also thought for appearance differences, that the trim around the windows were different. 04's, and some 05's had polished aluminum, and the later to 08 had chrome trim, maybe plated? Which led to damage from the sun, and different car wash products used on the car?

So, only the '04s had trim that wasn't as affected by the sun/harsh cleaners? I assume B7s also have this troubled plastic trim?

[krellio23]

Great write up Joey. One very small thing you may have looked over is that the early model B7 S4 (2005.5 and 2006) seem to have issues with the brake light switch failing. This causes your rear lights (brake lights) to light up when the car is off thus draining the car battery quickly. Its a good thing to replace before you end up stranded in frigid temps. Thanks for the great list

[Naudi04]

I randomly stumbled across this post and learned something new about my S4 (side mirrors fold in). That's pimp shit.

Thx Silver B6 S4 (we have the same build date, and car as it seems :)

[mpunklil]

Im really sorry, but im confused. Im not a complete newb to forums, as Im on quite a few...but Im just not seeing the list?? Am I supposed to click on something? sorry im lost lol

[Matt@EuropaParts]

Heh, no worries, I'm not seeing it either (on either account). I thought it was just a fluke with the VAG-COM DIY below this, but apparently I was mistaken.

Any specific questions we can help out with?

[Jer]

Great write up Joey. One very small thing you may have looked over is that the early model B7 S4 (2005.5 and 2006) seem to have issues with the brake light switch failing. This causes your rear lights (brake lights) to light up when the car is off thus draining the car battery quickly. Its a good thing to replace before you end up stranded in frigid temps. Thanks for the great list

Is it the switch itself that was a poor design and if so can it be swapped with the newer style from the newer cars for prolonged reliability or is it just the fact that those cars are older and the later years will experience it just as frequently as they age?