RS4/S4... Decisions.. Decisions..

[Fast Eddie]

Hows it going everyone? After many months of browsing this forum this somehow manages to be my first and probably most important post.

I believe its about that time that I finally pull the trigger on an Audi. After finally taking my buddies 2010 S4 for a spin I'm afraid that I am addicted. The ride was such a thrill and change from my current tank, as shown here..

I plan on selling my Jeep and using that money + a little saved up to finally make the switch. I have definitely been looking at some newer S4's and even an 08/07 RS4 but my budget cannot exceed 36,000.Obviously for this price there needs to be a bit of mileage on the vehicle but if its in good condition, I hear they are fairly reliable vehicles. So heres a little background for you guys so maybe you can provide me with some insight and help me make the right choice:

I'm 19 years old and I currently live in Boston, M.A. I go to school in the city and would drive the car maybe 3 or 4 times a week max. I do hear about these carbon buildup issues and would love to know how if so this can be prevented. I just learned how to drive manual so will this vehicle be a challenge for an amateur such as myself? How many miles should I be expecting on a 07/08 RS4 or a 2010 S4? Finally, will I be constantly worried about costly repairs every week?

I know I have a lot of questions but I definitely would like to make the right choice here and there are plenty seasoned vets here that can hopefully share some knowledge!!

[vdubjetta02]

I couldn't justify spending $32k-$35k on a b7 S4 when the B6 is virtually the same car (different body) So I spent $21k on a b6 S4 with 45,000 miles and now I have money left over.... Enough money to dump $5,000 in modifications into it right after I bought it.

Seeing as you are 19 and worried about maintnence, I recommend this route.

[Mautino09]

I would also post this in the B8 S4 section as that is what the 2010's is under. Being 19 and just learning manual, I'd do just like vdub said and keep money for maintenance and mods.

[M|R]

I couldn't justify spending $32k-$35k on a b7 S4 when the B6 is virtually the same car (different body) So I spent $21k on a b6 S4 with 45,000 miles and now I have money left over.... Enough money to dump $5,000 in modifications into it right after I bought it.

Seeing as you are 19 and worried about maintnence, I recommend this route.

This. Dont go spending all that money on a super low mileage, full optioned B7 S4...

Get a clean B6 for much less than that or a clean B7 for a little more and be happy. You're a student, so I suggest you take that route, mod it if you so choose (exhaust and dps or whatever) and save the extra money - trust me.

The cars arent maintenance nightmares so dont let that scare you away. Take care of it, don't romp on it when cold, do the maintenance and the car will be fine. When you go to buy one - get the maintenance records and if I were you, I would get a compression and leakdown test done just to make sure the engine is stout.

[villajoe]

at 19 with $36k budget, I'd get a new mustang 5.0 and not worry about maintenance!

[Fast Eddie]

vdubjetta02- My only issue is that I don't like the body of the B6's and the price I set aside simply for the car does not include a few thousand I managed into the cost of repairs. Sorry I forgot to put that into the original post. I am just being cautious because I have no idea what routine repairs would cost me.

Mautino09- Ill go ahead and post this there as well.

M|R- Super low mileage, do you mean under 30k? The main issue I am having here is that I'm not a huge fan of the body of the B6 S4's. Im gonna add those to my checklist as well.

[Mr.Wrong]

36k budget hmm I'd get high mileage B7 RS4 and put the rest of the money into maintenance and mods.

[Black3.2]

i got a B7 S4 in December with 60k for $22,000, you can get a B7 S4 and still have plenty left over. If you the the RS4 route you will spend much more.

[SCuattro NYC]

I don't like the body of the B6's

Blasphemy!!!

[Fast Eddie]

villajoe- I wouldn't be caught dead in any year Mustang!

Mr.Wrong- How high we talking? 50k? 60k? Id leave the money for maintenance solely.. I saw 2 stock RS4s today and I fell in love again.

Black3.2- I would definitely look for around 40k miles and in the low 30 range perhaps? This seems like the most well rounded option so far.

[nadatia]

Blasphemy!!!

^THIS

[Apat]

The magical mileage for getting into a less expensive B7 S4 is 50k-80k. At this mileage cars will range in price from $16-$28k and will have plenty of life left in them. This will give you enough money left over for some mods. Which you will do even though you say you wont need any right after you buy the car. Its a large price range but the deals are out there. Spend extra doe for maintenance records and a seller that you feel comfortable with. Get the car inspected. Its worth the $100. A compression test is a good way to find out the health of the engine. You're looking for compression numbers 140+ across all cylinders. Be patient and you'll find the right one.

[Fast Eddie]

SCuattro NYC/nadatia- Eyyy to each his own.. I knew it was a matter of time before I got some feedback on that one

Apat- Your very right about that one. I said the same thing about my Jeep when I first bought it and look how that thing ended up. Ya I'm certainly in no rush, in the mean time I will just drive my sisters A4 and tease myself with the thought of finally owning one.

[SpinOSU]

. Be patient and you'll find the right one.

I've been looking for the right one for about 6 months now, just waiting to pull the trigger. Oh the woes of having to wait for that magical car to appear on the market!!!

[Mr.Wrong]

Mr.Wrong- How high we talking? 50k? 60k? Id leave the money for maintenance solely.. I saw 2 stock RS4s today and I fell in love again.

There's a 2008 for sale right now with ~90kmi on it for 28500

I'll see if i can dig up link

[DevilS4]

With 36k I'd be looking for an RS4. I've even seen them with higher miles drop into the high 20's. Much nicer body lines, brakes, 100 more hp, etc.

[Apat]

I've been looking for the right one for about 6 months now, just waiting to pull the trigger. Oh the woes of having to wait for that magical car to appear on the market!!!

Haha. It took me 6 months and I was looking at B6s until I fell for my B7. You could call it love at first shift.....lol

[M|R]

M|R- Super low mileage, do you mean under 30k? The main issue I am having here is that I'm not a huge fan of the body of the B6 S4's. Im gonna add those to my checklist as well.

By super low I mean 8k. Ive seen b7s with mileage in the teens and singles go for $32+.

I got my 06 with 37k at the time for 27. Car was mint (and still is). It may take some time to find one but believe me it is well worth it when you find the right car.

I wasnt too fond of the b6 styling either (flame suit on haha). Its all a matter of personal preference.

Haha. It took me 6 months and I was looking at B6s until I fell for my B7. You could call it love at first shift.....lol

Hahaha. Thats mint!!

[Fast Eddie]

DevilS4- Thats what I can't stop thinking about...I put myself to sleep last night just thinking about that car

M|R- Thats much lower than I thought, wow.. Glad someone agrees with me about the B6 style

[Mr.Wrong]

Just for reference here's current auction pricing on RS4s:
2007:
03/07/12 PALM BCH Regular $39,400 43,630 Avg GRAY 8G 6 Yes
02/15/12 PHOENIX Regular $39,000 50,518 Avg BLACK 8G Yes
03/29/12 PA Lease $35,000 56,409 Avg BLACK 8G 6 Yes
03/28/12 ATLANTA Regular $36,400 57,120 Avg BLACK 8G 6 Yes
02/23/12 NEWENGLD Regular $33,500 65,843 Avg BLACK 8CY 6 Yes
02/10/12 PA Regular $28,000 85,464 Below BLACK 8G 6 Yes
2008:
02/24/12 PA Regular $48,750 27,364 Above RED 8G 6 Yes
02/24/12 PA Regular $44,000 37,739 Avg BLACK 8G 6 Yes
03/29/12 PA Regular $42,250 47,977 Avg BLUE 8G 6 Yes
03/28/12 CALIFORN Regular $37,750 50,053 Below GRAY 8G M Yes
03/14/12 CALIFORN Lease $29,250 67,396 Below GRAY 8G 6 No
12/20/11 ORLANDO Regular $26,900 95,806 Below BLUE 8G M No

[Mr.Wrong]

Fast Eddie just PMed you about that RS4.

[vdubjetta02]

I'd buy a 335XI and go juicebox 4..... no RS4 will be able to touch you

I would also second the 2012 mustang GT option..... 414 hp, decent interior, beats an M3 around a track.... value for money


I only keep my cars for around 18 months on average..... So I am never too concerned with longevity or maitnence. So those posts ^^^ are not taking maintnence or longevity into account. I know a 335 JB4 will probably have some expensive repair bills down the road.

[-yz-]

19yrs old, school, worried about maintenance... purchase a Honda and get an Audi when you graduate & have a steady job. At least that's my opinion, no way in hell I could afford my S4 in college. If something goes, anything like brakes, routine 55k maint stuff, etc then be prepared to hit up pops for a G note.

[Fast Eddie]

vdubjetta02- Everyone and their mothers seems to own a beemer, but going the JB route sounds fun..What year are you thinking?

-yz- You honestly couldn't pay me enough to buy a Honda.. How could I downgrade from my Jeep to something like that? I already have routine maintenance costs for my Jeep due to my extensive modifications so I know how it feels to be dishing out $$$ for repairs.

[SurferD]

19yrs old, school, worried about maintenance... purchase a Honda and get an Audi when you graduate & have a steady job. At least that's my opinion, no way in hell I could afford my S4 in college. If something goes, anything like brakes, routine 55k maint stuff, etc then be prepared to hit up pops for a G note.

^^^Sage advice but maybe not the dreaded H word. Get a cheap VeeDub.
How the hell does a 19yo student have 36k to spend?
I drove a POS Mk2 Golf in college.
Insurance costs at your age should be considered too, you'll get hammered.

[SlideWays]

Kid has 36k to spend, likely with parental backing. Don't think he's going to be concerned about insurance premiums. Just saying.

That said, I just got my S at 26 and am glad I waited. I had an e46 before that in college, and jeeps in HS/college. The maintenance difference is huge. You're going to be driving 3-4x a week? Unless its longer trips, you wont even get the car up to operating temps. I'm guessing you'll be tempted to thrash on it before its fully warm, exacerbating the maintenance issues. Not because you're young/irresponsible, but because driving 3-4x a week ALL of us would want to make the most out of it.

This car is NOT a fire it up and go kind of beast. It needs to be woken and babied for 15+ mins first. Just something to think about.

[vdubjetta02]

fast eddie.... in 2009 the hoods got a little more agressive on the 335 and I believe the fog surrounds changed as well.

with nothing but a Juicebox 4 tune.... they do around a 3.8 second 0-60.... I drove a 335xi across the USA this fall and I have never had more fun in a car before.

[BWT]

You can easily get a low mileage B7 S4 with that budget. An RS4 would be nice but prices seem to be rising a lot on those lately, so 36k probably would get you a very high mileage car. Not sure I would want a high mileage RS4 personally.

Also, definitely stick with the Audi. You'll love the awd when Boston gets dumped on next winter. Where are you going to park the car if you live in the city? That would be a big concern of mine. I hate parking mine on city streets for even a few hours, let alone 7 days a week. Your bumpers are going to get torn up if you don't pay for an offstreet spot.

[Mr. Corey]

Since your not a fan of the B6 body styling you could get into a B7 with 40k-60k on it and stay under your budget, save some dough for mods and paying for school.

[M|R]

Just give the kid the information he wants. He sure as hell didnt come in here to listen to a bunch of people question how he got the money, nor for a lesson about how he shouldnt be having this kind of car at this age and yatta yatta.

335xi would be a viable option. They are really fun with JB4 maps but the thing that scared me away was the HPFP issues.

[oef_vet]

I picked up an mint 08 S4 DTM with 55k on the clock for 28k in October. I dumped most of my deployment money into buying it and saved some cash for some minor mods (JHM tune, piggies, and FI Catback).

[noznab]

Anyone else realize there's now two "fast eddies" posting on the forum?? Confusing as hell.

[Hyde]

^Nah, it's super easy ... One has a space between the names, LOL.

[M|R]

Anyone else realize there's now two "fast eddies" posting on the forum?? Confusing as hell.

Lol I had to look into that just a little while ago. There was a thread or something with FastEddie talking about his recaros ripping and I was like wtf??

[charlie123]

Pm sent!

I am debating moving from my B7 to B8 S4.

[S4mser]

Who's the babe??

But on the real, I'm 21 and in the area and have an Audi dealership in the family; I'd be more than willing to help you locate a car for yourself

[S4mser]

Oh, and my brother owns a 2007 335xi with a JB4 tune...has 54k on the clock now and just had to get both turbos replaced because the spindles were about to spin completely off they were so lose. His transmission now has a significant leak too. Just sayin.

[Fast Eddie]

SurferD- From my current vehicle and earnings from work of course ;)

SlideWays- Who ya calling kid grandpa? Good point and the 3-4x a week that I would be driving it wouldn't be around town it would be a little further out. Not necessarily long hauls but on my days off this summer... if I can find a car by then. I would almost never drive it in the city, just doesn't make sense economically.

vdubjetta02- I love how the 335s drive but I've probably seen 30 today, they've become so common place. Im sure because they are excellent vehicles but I don't want to be in a car that I see around every corner.

BWT- B7 S4 seems to be my only hope here which is something I am totally ok with after seeing how some S4's on this forum... WOW. Shit we had about a week in total of snow days this winter, I couldn't believe it. I heard crazy stories about last winter and the total amount of snow days was ridiculous. With a new place that I am moving into we get 1 deeded space off-street parking so thats a huuuge plus. Its not a garage but I'm paying a quarter of the price and I don't have to worry about dings and dents.

M|R- AMEN Hahaha, too much modding scares me away! Ive had to deal with several issues on my Jeep after doing a complete overhaul so the fewer the better. Do you have pics up here of your S4?

oef_vet- That almost sounds like a steal, I need to find a deal like that... Over in Germany or the States? Minor mods is a must if I pick up an S4, also do you have any photos on the forum?

[M|R]

Oh, and my brother owns a 2007 335xi with a JB4 tune...has 54k on the clock now and just had to get both turbos replaced because the spindles were about to spin completely off they were so lose. His transmission now has a significant leak too. Just sayin.

Thats what I hear as well...when I was looking at them, nearly every ad said something about having the turbos replaced, at about the same mileage as your brothers, even ones that were bone stock.

Not to mention when I was at the AZ dyno day, 2 out of the 3 or 4 335s were losing significant power uptop among other things, one owner I think said its his 2nd hpfp since he bought the car used.

[SlideWays]

SlideWays- Who ya calling kid grandpa? Good point and the 3-4x a week that I would be driving it wouldn't be around town it would be a little further out. Not necessarily long hauls but on my days off this summer... if I can find a car by then. I would almost never drive it in the city, just doesn't make sense economically.

vdubjetta02- I love how the 335s drive but I've probably seen 30 today, they've become so common place. Im sure because they are excellent vehicles but I don't want to be in a car that I see around every corner.

Exactly what got me OUT of my E46 and into my B6.

But yes, I'm not much older than you and don't have the same budget. My comment was not meant to be derogatory and I'm glad that you didnt take it as such. Though it seems others did... alas.

I try hard to avoid short trips in my car. By the time I pull into the lot at the office it has JUST warmed up. SO frustrating. I take the long way home so I can play a little. In school I was always running around town, out to get someone or something, and back again. Those short trips are fine for most vehicles, but its hell on the BHF. I'm all for the BMW -> Audi move, but just consider what you're getting the car for.

If I had to do it over again, not sure I would go with the B6. Im literally afraid to drive my car after reading the horror stories on here. Much less afraid to drive it like it was designed. It's no way to live, and no way to enjoy your vehicle. Unless you have that cash cushion for repairs/maint, I'd strongly recommend looking at other options.

My $.02