100k mile+ b8.4 s4 reliability maintenence and wear items to be concerned with

[wrxkyle]

i have a line on a $15k s4 2013 but it has 106k miles. what reliability concerns should i be looking at seeing as these go for 10k more with half as many miles. is the steep drop more psychological with buyers sellers or are there legit concerns with dsg failures, electronics module failures wire harness issues german car shenanigans in genera etc?

[Envy187]

Personally, I'd pay a little more for one with less mileage, as that type of mileage on a 6MT wouldn't concern me as much...but as it's a DSG, I'd do my best to try and find a lightly used one in comparison to the one you're looking at.

You may be saving money initially on the purchase of the car...but who's to say it's in great shape/will be good to you in the future? You could very well be paying the mechanics down the line with all the money you saved on the purchase of the car. [o_o]

[Envy187]

I forgot to ask, OP - but are your intentions with this car for the long-term...or keep for a few years, then go a different route? If you don't plan on holding onto it for at least half a decade...I'd say so you don't have a lot to lose, as depreciation has its perks. [>_<]

[Iwantyourcar]

For a 2013 I think the price is pretty decent, especially if you have history. Look for upkeep, has all of the Audi recommended service been done? In 9k miles it is recommended you do service, look to shell out another 1K or so for that unless you will be doing it all yourself. I wouldn't skimp on it, as DSG service is on the list. My car had gone through 3 thermostats before I purchased it at 104k miles, along with several other replacements as the previous owner apparently was very anal about upkeep-good for me!

So don't let the miles scare you if you have history....if you don't then its a crap shoot, but the good news is you will have to service it if not right away VERY soon.

[wrxkyle]

i do all my own service, the dsg was a concern and i got the window sticker from audi chat and while it has b&o it does not have sport diff. i'd do my standard post purchase service myself as i do every time i buy a car, oil fluids trans oil and full checkup. i guess the question is how expensive replacement dsg's are for these cars. if it fails and i can put in a 2.0 cheap enough (i suspect it's a 1.5 in there as it's build date is january 2013) then it may be something to just not worry about.

i'd have to go stage two to justify it almost immediately coming form a 400whp sti but i think it could still be fun. just don't know the quirks on these, i know the v8's had some $6,000 timing chain issue or something? anything like that on the supercharged 6's?

and spot on on the depreciation note, that's what i'm trying to avoid. this would be a 3-4 year car until i can justify financially stepping up to a used rs3 or gtr.

i leave big things like motors, transmissions, differentials (unless bolting in a whole housing), timing chains etc... to the pros. the more minor stuff, tie rods bolt in wheel bearings brakes exhaust etc i am fine doing.

[seandon_792]

Timing chains aren’t an issue here, can be a problem but more a fluke incident than widespread like the b7. Your major concern here at such high mileage or any mileage for that matter would be clogged cats.

Not only is clogging an issue but placement is also. It’s quite invasive to remove and replace. Other than that the car is pretty solid outside of what you already mentioned plus the occasional wheel bearing.


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[wrxkyle]

Timing chains aren’t an issue here, can be a problem but more a fluke incident than widespread like the b7. Your major concern here at such high mileage or any mileage for that matter would be clogged cats.

Not only is clogging an issue but placement is also. It’s quite invasive to remove and replace. Other than that the car is pretty solid outside of what you already mentioned plus the occasional wheel bearing.


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thanks for the input. would probably do a full exhaust and stage2/stage2+

no one other than apr tunes for the ultracharger do they? i wish flexfuel was an option on these as that corn power has been awesome on the STI. literally like adding an extra cylinder or two

[Nughuffer]

thanks for the input. would probably do a full exhaust and stage2/stage2+

no one other than apr tunes for the ultracharger do they? i wish flexfuel was an option on these as that corn power has been awesome on the STI. literally like adding an extra cylinder or two

Ultracharger is APR. There are other options though. And corn is definitely an option on these cars. The stock fuel system is capable of E30-E40 ish depending on tune and/or system condition. E85 is easy with an upgraded hpfp.

[onlyturbo]

Go for it if you can find some decent maintenance history on the car, you would love the car. I too came from a stage 2 STI I had for 7 years since new. I am coming close to the end of the 2016 S4 lease, and will most likely buy the car, as there aren't many platforms like these, reliable and supper fast/strong for the money!

[sangaroo]

i do all my own service, the dsg was a concern and i got the window sticker from audi chat and while it has b&o it does not have sport diff. i'd do my standard post purchase service myself as i do every time i buy a car, oil fluids trans oil and full checkup. i guess the question is how expensive replacement dsg's are for these cars. if it fails and i can put in a 2.0 cheap enough (i suspect it's a 1.5 in there as it's build date is january 2013) then it may be something to just not worry about.

i'd have to go stage two to justify it almost immediately coming form a 400whp sti but i think it could still be fun. just don't know the quirks on these, i know the v8's had some $6,000 timing chain issue or something? anything like that on the supercharged 6's?

and spot on on the depreciation note, that's what i'm trying to avoid. this would be a 3-4 year car until i can justify financially stepping up to a used rs3 or gtr.

i leave big things like motors, transmissions, differentials (unless bolting in a whole housing), timing chains etc... to the pros. the more minor stuff, tie rods bolt in wheel bearings brakes exhaust etc i am fine doing.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/846699-2013-b8-5-S4-DSG-Failure-72k

DSG thread you may want to read.

-Replacement with a new gearbox costs around 10-12k.
-Used gearbox costs around 3000-3800 shipped depending on mileage according to multiple vendors associated with car-parts.com as of 3/15/19. + Labor
-Overhaul for gear selector sensor code costs around 5k in Fairfield County, CT. I've heard lower number elsewhere.
-Just slapping on the mechatronic repair kit costs around 1k.

[grovlet]

And - just to note - An Exhaust on these cars does not typically include cats..... The Cats are above the downpipes:
https://jhmotorsports.com/products/pictures/exhaust/B8-S5/JHM-B8-S5-Full-Exhaust-Diagram.jpg

Edit: Also check the DSG Version - 2013 was a changeover year - so early 2013 had the Gen 1.5s.... If you can find a V2 that obviously the best option.[drool]
DSG Version Codes (https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/846699-2013-b8-5-S4-DSG-Failure-72k?p=13553677&viewfull=1#post13553677)

[luciano136]

I just picked up a 2013 myself. Read the transmission code, some 2013s with a 2012 build date are gen 2. My build date was 7/12 and it has a gen 2 (Audi reman though so not sure if it was gen 2 orginally??).

I think if you budget $5k worst case for a transmission replacement, there shouldn't be anything else too expensive (if it was properly maintained). And most DSG issues (if any on the gen 2) are mostly mechatronics; my shop drops in a new one for $2k; not bad.

At 100k+, I would probably refresh the cooling system as well, especially if you're going with stage 2.

I've owned pretty much every German car brand now and it seems like you go through some fixes around 70-80k (mostly sensor stuff) and then they keep running without issues. Just sold my MKV GTI DSG with 120k mi; still drove like new and the tranny was flawless.

The S4 feels like a really nice quality car; impressed so far.

[S4'ed]

All the bushings of the front suspension control arms are usually toast by 100K miles...about $700 worth of parts.

[Iwantyourcar]

All the bushings of the front suspension control arms are usually toast by 100K miles...about $700 worth of parts.

Yessir. Mine are toast. Along with a front strut leaking.


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[wrxkyle]

how hard are bearings to replace on these cars? must press them out and in/burn them out and press new ones in or is it pretty straight forward?

[Ford Prefect]

Is this car missing option? Price actually seems low to me.