Looking at an s4 tomorrow

[markjrs3]

'00, 70k.

I've read and searched as much as possible, but any quick reminders on what to look for? It's easy to listen for siren-like turbos, but anything else important to note?

Other than that, wish me luck, so I can waste an immense portion of my day on here. Or wasting gas.

[s42k5b]

there is too much to list lol. I would have the car thrown on a lift and check both turbos for oil seep.Is the car stock? original k03's? timing belts done along with aux water pump? anyways good luck!

[JD797]

check health of turbos, find out how often he changed his oil, if they did, if they properly warmed up the car before pushing it, worth checking the suspension too

[Matt@JHM]

Step 1: Carfax

Just check EVERYTHING. Flip every switch and push every button.

Check if he changed the timing belt and the water pump, check the oil, check the transmission (grinding syncros)... etc.

Good luck.

[markjrs3]

outside of asking, is there a solid way to get info on the timing belt/water pump? it's a dealer, but not an audi dealer, so hell if they have any idea whats been done on the car in the past. recommend bringing to local audi dealer with those questions?

[mholme]

outside of asking, is there a solid way to get info on the timing belt/water pump? it's a dealer, but not an audi dealer, so hell if they have any idea whats been done on the car in the past. recommend bringing to local audi dealer with those questions?

You can carfax it and find out it's origins. I got lucky and mine had been dealer serviced and I was able to track down through records as well. They were kind enough to run the VIN when I told them I was potentially purchasing it. Not all dealers will do this..

[markjrs3]

most i've dealt with will run a carfax for me. i forget i'm shopping for an audi sometimes, and that people who buy cars this expensive generally get dealer maintenance.

as a sidenote i was just trying to find stock boost level to make sure that was in order. i've seen answers anywhere from 8-12 psi. any more definitive of an answer on this?

[96A4FwdJimmy]

I think you should look into if there have any weird sound for turbos because turbo problem would cost you big buck!

[rick_chicago]

If you really think it's the right car, spend the $$$ to have it checked by a knowledgeable Audi mechanic.

When I bought mine, I met the seller at a dealer and paid the $140 for the complete check.

[alias747]

I saw a buyer's guide to the B5 S4 on here once and I never saw it again. It had great info in it. I believe it was a PDF. Anyone got it?

[markjrs3]

If you really think it's the right car, spend the $$$ to have it checked by a knowledgeable Audi mechanic.

When I bought mine, I met the seller at a dealer and paid the $140 for the complete check.

i think this is the route i'll look into. 140 bucks is well worth avoiding years of headaches

[WingsnHorns]

i think this is the route i'll look into. 140 bucks is well worth avoiding years of headaches

Yup, this is your best bet. Think about it, what's $140 on a $10k + car purchase. Practically nothing.

[speedydragon]

control arms.

[rick_chicago]

i think this is the route i'll look into. 140 bucks is well worth avoiding years of headaches

And I paid Chicago labor rates. It might be a bit less elsewhere.

I would only consider an Audi dealer or a known high-volume tuner of S4's. You want someone who has seen so many of our cars come in and out over the years that they immediately know the issues to look for.

With the time on a lift, VAG-ing and a road test, the dealer had it for about 1 1/2 hours. Gave the seller and I a chance to talk about the car's history in detail (and look at the S5 and RS4 in the showroom). Most have the "Audi Cafe" as well.

And my turbos whistle when cold (I knew that going into all this, darn snails just won't die and let me upgrade).

Good luck.

[98a4]

Check the windshield wipers! I just bought mine and checked everything, yet when rain came, there was no wipers that worked haha. Details.

[markjrs3]

as an update -- i'm still looking. there couldn't have been more signs telling me not to buy this car. there were just a bunch of little things that were annoying, considering the sticker price was 15 grand. the s emblem on the steering wheel was gone, the cup holder front panel was missing, the hood latch was broken so you needed to grab it through the front grille with pliers and pull, the y pipe was all scratched up and i have no idea how that even happens, the drivers side ivory leather was pretty roughed up and dirty, the e brake handle slid off, the shifter was wobbly and seemed short, which means its probably a shoddy short throw, and probably more i can't think of.

bottom line was, i didn't even get a chance to look deeper into the mechanical things. this was place in saugus ma, and i knew of an audi dealer in danvers like 10 minutes up the road i was planning on getting it to. however the condition of the car, doubled with the attitude of the owner promptly made me do a 180, grab some boston market and make the trek back to maine. this owner was intolerable. the first thing he said to me was that my rear tires didn't have as much tread as i had stated over the phone (it's a tiburon, my front tires are under 5,000 miles and my rears have like 15 maybe). After my test drive with a salesperson, I went in to sit down with the owner to talk numbers. Given the condition of the car, as well as how slow the economy has been i figured i had some leverage in the negotiations. He made one offer on my trade, and wouldn't budge on the sticker price. when i tried to raise his 500 on the trade he told me no. This was the single worst exchange i've ever had with a car dealer: he turned toward his computer and started randomly clicking around and said "you have the number if you change your mind". I actually said "wait seriously? is that it?" and just got up and left.

/end rant

Anywho, if anyone makes a good find of a b5 in the northeast at a reputable dealer let me know. I need to deal with a dealer with enough of a volume that can work with me on my trade.

[Matt@JHM]

as an update -- i'm still looking. there couldn't have been more signs telling me not to buy this car. there were just a bunch of little things that were annoying, considering the sticker price was 15 grand. the s emblem on the steering wheel was gone, the cup holder front panel was missing, the hood latch was broken so you needed to grab it through the front grille with pliers and pull, the y pipe was all scratched up and i have no idea how that even happens, the drivers side ivory leather was pretty roughed up and dirty, the e brake handle slid off, the shifter was wobbly and seemed short, which means its probably a shoddy short throw, and probably more i can't think of.

bottom line was, i didn't even get a chance to look deeper into the mechanical things. this was place in saugus ma, and i knew of an audi dealer in danvers like 10 minutes up the road i was planning on getting it to. however the condition of the car, doubled with the attitude of the owner promptly made me do a 180, grab some boston market and make the trek back to maine. this owner was intolerable. the first thing he said to me was that my rear tires didn't have as much tread as i had stated over the phone (it's a tiburon, my front tires are under 5,000 miles and my rears have like 15 maybe). After my test drive with a salesperson, I went in to sit down with the owner to talk numbers. Given the condition of the car, as well as how slow the economy has been i figured i had some leverage in the negotiations. He made one offer on my trade, and wouldn't budge on the sticker price. when i tried to raise his 500 on the trade he told me no. This was the single worst exchange i've ever had with a car dealer: he turned toward his computer and started randomly clicking around and said "you have the number if you change your mind". I actually said "wait seriously? is that it?" and just got up and left.

/end rant

Anywho, if anyone makes a good find of a b5 in the northeast at a reputable dealer let me know. I need to deal with a dealer with enough of a volume that can work with me on my trade.

Wow. Good job on staying away from that.

I looked at a few S4's before buying mine, and they all seemed sub-par. You will know when you see the right one. Sometimes it's hard to have patience, but it's worth it in the end.

[gointoscott]

I never thought I'd say this but save your money and buy yourself a honda civic unless you can afford to spend 100 bucks a tank or more for gas because it is coming. :(

[markjrs3]

I've made the decision that I'm not going to let gas prices dictate what I drive. Sounds ignorant I know, but I enjoy driving and so I don't mind paying an arm and a leg doing it. I have a peppy fwd car now and its not enough. I can't wait to find the right s4. The one thing I did learn today is its an amazing ride. :)

Seriously though, someone find me a car, I can't wait to drive it full time.

[98a4]

I never thought I'd say this but save your money and buy yourself a honda civic unless you can afford to spend 100 bucks a tank or more for gas because it is coming. :(

Oh shut up.

Gas is like 40$/month a month then it was at this time last year. Why is everyone crying.


OP what is the car your trying to trade in?

[gointoscott]

Oh shut up.

Gas is like 40$/month a month then it was at this time last year. Why is everyone crying.


OP what is the car your trying to trade in?

No you shut up! JK

Yeah I dont want to buy a civic. I was just ranting earlier today. But to say that gas is 40 dollars more a month then last year is an understatement unless you dont drive very much. Our cars are better on gas then a lot of vehicles but these prices are getting out of hand.

You are correct to not complain about it just have to deal with it.

[FrimmelNoJerz]

OP youre familiar with danvers? Do you by any chance know of a courtney dunn? At the very least you should know supreme's beef.

[exorcet]

Gas is like 40$/month a month then it was at this time last year. Why is everyone crying.

That makes so much sense. Because we all drive the exact same amount and get the same gas mileage.

[rick_chicago]

Anywho, if anyone makes a good find of a b5 in the northeast at a reputable dealer let me know. I need to deal with a dealer with enough of a volume that can work with me on my trade.

No way you can sell it on your own? Or sell it to a CarMax?

I saw this near Beantown:

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/car/730767765.html

[markjrs3]

it's an 03 tiburon gt that i owe way too much on, thus the need for a higher volume dealer who can give me more for it so i don't have to eat so much. i'm not unrealistic, i know i'm not getting it paid off in trade unless i'm buying a far more expensive car, but i can't afford to eat TOO much.

i don't really know danvers, but i like to shop around boston for cars because its far easier to find what you want. i looked at a 25th anniversary gti once at the ira Porsche/Audi that i had planned on taking the s4 to get looked at.

[CruzS4]

wow, that car had so much bullshit annoying damage? be patient, I looked at a lot of S4s before finally settling on one in mechanicsburg, pa (about 90 miles from where i live). Sounds like the owner of that car was pretty careless about its upkeep. However, nothing will ever be perfect (my ashtray has never functioned correctly in fact it has been open about 3 times, and only when i take the shifter surround off). Salesman sounds like a total douchebag as well... coming from a tiburon, the S4 will be a night and day difference (my prior car was an integra). at any rate i'm being longwinded, but good luck in your search, and post pics once you take delivery

[FrimmelNoJerz]

it's an 03 tiburon gt that i owe way too much on, thus the need for a higher volume dealer who can give me more for it so i don't have to eat so much. i'm not unrealistic, i know i'm not getting it paid off in trade unless i'm buying a far more expensive car, but i can't afford to eat TOO much.

i don't really know danvers, but i like to shop around boston for cars because its far easier to find what you want. i looked at a 25th anniversary gti once at the ira Porsche/Audi that i had planned on taking the s4 to get looked at.

dude im telling you...supremes. next time youre around there find it. the town is as big as my wingspan and its on the main street. find it. eat it.

[markjrs3]

dude im telling you...supremes. next time youre around there find it. the town is as big as my wingspan and its on the main street. find it. eat it.

danvers has more than one street?

haha, i'll check it out