B8.5 S4 Search Woes...

[fallingreason]

I've been a long time 4 cylinder turbo driver (B6, B7, B8), both heavily modified and stock vehicles. Currently in a 2.0T 2013 Q5 but thinking of making a change to a B8.5 S4, ideally 2014 or 2015. Unfortunately, my search has been frustrating as every car I've looked at has had mechanical issues and/or many stored fault codes. The most common I've come across is PCV issues, which admittedly I just went through fixing on the 2.0T Q5.

It seems the PCV is a given maintenance item every 50-70k, similar to the 2.0T. BUT, wow is it a pain the ass to replace the PCV assembly on the 3.0T! Maybe I'm just used to wrenching on the 1.8/2.0T engines, but is the 3.0T as much of a pain to maintain as it looks? A PCV repair on the 2.0T takes roughly 30min and sits on top of the engine. Are there many other time intensive repairs for the 3.0T that would be much simpler on the 2.0T?

The best S4 I have found so far that comes close to meeting my standards was a fully optioned premium plus 2015 S4 with 73k. Glacier White Metallic, sports diff, Nappa leather, B&O, Tech, Alu-optic. One owner, complete service records, no missed oil/DSG services. Has had thermostat, water pump, PCV assembly replaced though it still was getting a stored fault for the PCV. Buying a car that needs it's second DSG service, suspension refresh in the next year or so, as well as investigating PCV parts under the supercharger doesn't seem so enticing...

Two other vehicles I would have considered also had PCV faults, some with more obvious symptoms. The PCV issues and difficulty of access is putting me off of the B8 3.0T and making me either consider the B9 instead, or just stick with the 2.0T engines. My current Q5 has had no major issues at 140k, and is an incredibly easy engine to take care of from a home-mechanic standpoint.

Should I continue searching for a "better" B8, or is removing the supercharger and servicing bits under there not as bad as it seems?

[Silence]

If you like wrenching on cars, it isn't as bad as you make it our, but definitely not simple. It's a "while you're in there" job where a lot of other components are easily replaceable.

[Waffles_s4]

I think that "while you're in there" causes a lot of pain, and most of the time, money wasted. It can easily go from a $500 fix to a $5000 fix :)

[LowKeyLoki]

If you are really thinking about a B9 instead, look into the rocker arm issue. Early B9 models had pins falling out rocker arm bearings and finding their way into the cylinders [eek] make sure it’s the updated version with new style rocker arms. Also B9 is virtually impossible to do a carbon clean of the intake valves without pulling the motor - another consideration.
As for the B8 they have their issues and aren’t for the weak when it comes to wrenching, but are reliable when properly maintained. Pcv job isn’t that hard once you’ve done it once.

[A4Qwattro]

The S-tronic gearbox is a liability. If you are buying one of these cars out of warranty, I'd rather have the manual or just get a B9 if you want an auto trans. It's really just a matter of when, not if the dsg will give you problems.

[wmsS4]

Just knocked out the DSG service this weekend. Not bad at all. Longest part was waiting for transmission temp to come up to 40 deg C. Started at 7.

[doughboy17]

Although I am assuming you have a tune for your current Q5, if not, tune it and keep it.

[fallingreason]

Although I am assuming you have a tune for your current Q5, if not, tune it and keep it.

The Q5 is stock, and actually the first Audi I've owned and never tuned. It also is turning out to be the most reliable so I am inclined to keep it stock, especially with 140k on the motor at this point.

[Nillious]

There are many DSGs out there working just fine. I wouldn't be scared of a b8.5 dsg. I have a 158k on mine and it works flawlessly. You have to keep up on maintenance or yes they will give you issues as anything will. B8 I would avoid as they had obvious mechatronics issues.

I would say a manual trans will be more of a headache than the dsg. Manual clutch and flywheel are equal in replacement cost or more than a dsg clutch pack.

Pretty much as soon as you tune a manual car your on borrowed time with the clutch if you drive the car to it's potential. A dsg is Capable of handling anything you can throw at it with proper tuning.

Pcv is a pain but it's not a reason to avoid the car. You might do it once or twice the whole time you own the car.

[simrag]

I've been a long time 4 cylinder turbo driver (B6, B7, B8), both heavily modified and stock vehicles. Currently in a 2.0T 2013 Q5 but thinking of making a change to a B8.5 S4, ideally 2014 or 2015. Unfortunately, my search has been frustrating as every car I've looked at has had mechanical issues and/or many stored fault codes. The most common I've come across is PCV issues, which admittedly I just went through fixing on the 2.0T Q5.

It seems the PCV is a given maintenance item every 50-70k, similar to the 2.0T. BUT, wow is it a pain the ass to replace the PCV assembly on the 3.0T! Maybe I'm just used to wrenching on the 1.8/2.0T engines, but is the 3.0T as much of a pain to maintain as it looks? A PCV repair on the 2.0T takes roughly 30min and sits on top of the engine. Are there many other time intensive repairs for the 3.0T that would be much simpler on the 2.0T?

The best S4 I have found so far that comes close to meeting my standards was a fully optioned premium plus 2015 S4 with 73k. Glacier White Metallic, sports diff, Nappa leather, B&O, Tech, Alu-optic. One owner, complete service records, no missed oil/DSG services. Has had thermostat, water pump, PCV assembly replaced though it still was getting a stored fault for the PCV. Buying a car that needs it's second DSG service, suspension refresh in the next year or so, as well as investigating PCV parts under the supercharger doesn't seem so enticing...

Two other vehicles I would have considered also had PCV faults, some with more obvious symptoms. The PCV issues and difficulty of access is putting me off of the B8 3.0T and making me either consider the B9 instead, or just stick with the 2.0T engines. My current Q5 has had no major issues at 140k, and is an incredibly easy engine to take care of from a home-mechanic standpoint.

Should I continue searching for a "better" B8, or is removing the supercharger and servicing bits under there not as bad as it seems?

Your search sounds similar to mine. I had a B7 A4 and started looking for a B8/B8.5 last summer originally trying to find a manual, and after a couple of months of not finding anything I wanted to buy that was remotely local, ran into a 2014 with the same options/color/similar mileage as the one you saw at a good price. I didn't really want another white car and wanted a manual, but the price was good and it was in excellent condition. However, as my son said, the previous owner went to the 034 website and said "yes." I'd normally be wary of buying a car with that many modifications, but it was very clean, had lots of service trips to ZTF (034's garage) and owner spent money on both power mods (intake, tune and upper pulley), and suspension mods (all control arms, bushing inserts, rear sway bar and chassis brace) and nothing on appearance mods, which gave me a good feeling.


I haven't any problems with it 6 months later. Judging by the nuts, my supercharger has been off at some point, but I assume I'll have to pull it at some point in the next few years to replace something and will do everything under there as a preventative measure. It doesn't look like a fun job, but I didn't think the 2.0 was a joy to work on either. The driving experience is a different world. Rather than having a 2.0 turbo that runs out of breath quickly, the 3.0 pulls hard all the way to the redline (elevated to 7200 with the tune) and it feels like a much more premium experience. I'm a little mixed on the supercharger whine with the intake, but my son loves it. I do miss the manual, but I have another manual car in the garage to drive if I get the urge and the DSG works amazingly well. Given that these cars are almost 10 years old at a minimum, it sounds like you found a good example.

[STXA7]

Check out this car for sale by an audizine member Selling my Stage 3 B8 S4
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=997655


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[egebhardt]

That car had a lot of mods and sold for $7,300 on Cars n Bids.
I'm a big fan of the Audi B8 chassis, so far.
Furthermore, there will be support for the B8 chassis because it was made for so long. 2009 to 2016 is 8 years. That's almost twice as long as previous generations. Besides, the 3.0 Supercharged V6 was put in a lot of other Audi's too. The engine will be supported for a while.
Any updates?

[raceshop147]

That car had a lot of mods and sold for $7,300 on Cars n Bids.
I'm a big fan of the Audi B8 chassis, so far.
Furthermore, there will be support for the B8 chassis because it was made for so long. 2009 to 2016 is 8 years. That's almost twice as long as previous generations. Besides, the 3.0 Supercharged V6 was put in a lot of other Audi's too. The engine will be supported for a while.
Any updates?

If you're near boston, a nice specimen on craigslist ....

https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/d/concord-2014-audi-s4-manual-sport-diff/7814312901.html


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[BucDan]

Just gotta keep looking far and wide. Depends on how bad you want it.

I've contemplated selling my car for a while, it has had some bumps and bruises from other people not knowing how to drive around me, but felt I might regret letting it go because I know a dealership will low ball aggressively into the low 5k due to its history. Keep looking, you'll find one that's just right.

The car isn't too bad in maintenance. Just a bit annoying that the blower pretty much has to come off for 50% if the jobs that need to be done.

[carguy19]

I've been a long time 4 cylinder turbo driver (B6, B7, B8), both heavily modified and stock vehicles. Currently in a 2.0T 2013 Q5 but thinking of making a change to a B8.5 S4, ideally 2014 or 2015. Unfortunately, my search has been frustrating as every car I've looked at has had mechanical issues and/or many stored fault codes. The most common I've come across is PCV issues, which admittedly I just went through fixing on the 2.0T Q5.

It seems the PCV is a given maintenance item every 50-70k, similar to the 2.0T. BUT, wow is it a pain the ass to replace the PCV assembly on the 3.0T! Maybe I'm just used to wrenching on the 1.8/2.0T engines, but is the 3.0T as much of a pain to maintain as it looks? A PCV repair on the 2.0T takes roughly 30min and sits on top of the engine. Are there many other time intensive repairs for the 3.0T that would be much simpler on the 2.0T?

The best S4 I have found so far that comes close to meeting my standards was a fully optioned premium plus 2015 S4 with 73k. Glacier White Metallic, sports diff, Nappa leather, B&O, Tech, Alu-optic. One owner, complete service records, no missed oil/DSG services. Has had thermostat, water pump, PCV assembly replaced though it still was getting a stored fault for the PCV. Buying a car that needs it's second DSG service, suspension refresh in the next year or so, as well as investigating PCV parts under the supercharger doesn't seem so enticing...

Two other vehicles I would have considered also had PCV faults, some with more obvious symptoms. The PCV issues and difficulty of access is putting me off of the B8 3.0T and making me either consider the B9 instead, or just stick with the 2.0T engines. My current Q5 has had no major issues at 140k, and is an incredibly easy engine to take care of from a home-mechanic standpoint.

Should I continue searching for a "better" B8, or is removing the supercharger and servicing bits under there not as bad as it seems?

No 10 year old car is going to be in new car condition and not need normal maintenance. People sell their cars instead of spending the money to do the services. Especially with BMW, Audi, Mercedes.

These car require more than normal cars in the way of maintenance, but its the price you pay for a reliable car that can make 400+hp when tuned and taken care of. Trying to find a car that needs nothing is near impossible.