Looking to get into a B6 S4

[billyblooshoes]

hey all. as the title states, i'm seriously thinking about making a B6 S4 my next car. i'm hoping to have picked one up by the end of the summer. i've been part of the B5 A4 family for around three years now, and have become fed up with my car. its one thing after the other and at this point the car is just nickle and diming me with maintenance etc. basically the car has turned into a money pit and im getting rid of it and i want to get something more reliable, newer, naturally aspirated, and still in the audi family= B6 S4.

anyways, ive been doing some research on these cars and searching the forums etc, but i cant help but feel worried about running into more inherent issues as i have with the B5. basically what im looking to find out is if there are any inherent issues with the B6 S4 as as there are with the B5 A/S4's. i've heard the B6's are pretty bullet proof as long as you properly maintain them. anything i should know about or be worried about before i pull the trigger and pick one of these up? anything i should look for/ask about when shopping for one?

thanks in advance guys/gals.

[speedydragon]

make sure you get one that's still under warranty or cpo.

[swoyekr.]

make sure you get one that's still under warranty or cpo.

well, actually I don't think it matters too much at this point, most are comming off warranty this year at some point, so the warranty is a good idea if you can get it but I'm warranty free and no worries. The b6's are pretty solid, as compared to the ttv6's which once they get modded they tend to give alot of problems, so i've read.

Check the built dates for transmission problems, be aware that alot of people need to get the valve cover gaskets changed as it's a known problem.

[fitzS4]

go for a later model b6 the early 04's known for electrical issues......

[billyblooshoes]

make sure you get one that's still under warranty or cpo.

yeah im trying to get my hands on one thats still under warraty/CPO. i might settle for one thats not if the price is right tho.



i also remember reading something about these cars having problems with cams. i believe the issue was with the adjusters or lifters or something. i cannot recall exactly. anyone care to shed any light on this?

[FastB7S4]

Nice. Good luck on your search. Maybe I'll see you at a meet...if DVAG ever haves any. LOL.

[billyblooshoes]

Nice. Good luck on your search. Maybe I'll see you at a meet...if DVAG ever haves any. LOL.

thanks man. well ill be at waterfest as will as bunch of the other guys. you going?

[billyblooshoes]

can anyone elaborate on why i should stay away from 2004's? or does it not really matter that much...?

[FastB7S4]

I'll be there. Not sure where I'm parking yet, though, but I'll definitely stop by the DVAG tent.

As for 04 S4's, it was the earlier models produced before a certain date that were having issues. I can't exactly remember what the problems were but according to the posts above they were electrical and tranny. You should be able to find out what the cut-off date is for the bad run of 04's if you do a search.

[darbyfam]

I have an 05 and the only issues I have had it with the brake light sending unit (goes bad and drains your battery). I have done mods (chip, downpipes, catback, suspension) and have had no problems associated with them.

I would highly recommend a warranty as repairs are expensive on the B6. I did the 100K mile transmission maintenance early and it was $800.00. The fluid in the car is $75.00 a pint and it takes 10 pints (just an example of the costs).

[akitamike]

Darbyfam, with the mods you did to exhaust, did you get an extra 30 whp/tq (which company)? What suspension did you go with, sway bars?, did it help with handling?

What were the known electrical problems on the early 2004's? I'm looking at one with 75K miles, so should these problems have worked themselves out already?

[kloover]

Some said that *early* 04's (with a build date of 03/04 or earlier I think) had engine or tranny problems IIRC. However, any problems will have surfaced by now.

Good luck!

[darbyfam]

Darbyfam, with the mods you did to exhaust, did you get an extra 30 whp/tq (which company)? What suspension did you go with, sway bars?, did it help with handling?

What were the known electrical problems on the early 2004's? I'm looking at one with 75K miles, so should these problems have worked themselves out already?

I have not dynoed the car so I cannot tell if the advertised numbers are correct. There was a definate butt-dyno change.

I did the ECU remap first (APR) and I can't say that I felt much from that at all. Next I did the AWE-tuning cat back exhaust. Most change there was in the exhaust note. Lastly I did the Milltek downpipes and high-flow cats. These woke the car up.

I have the Stasis/Ohlins Motorsport suspension with Hotckins sway bars front and rear. I am not sure you can get a better setup anywhere without going full custom. This combination is really smooth.

I wouldn't call what I had electrical problems. It was just a switch that went bad and was changed under warranty. The only real problem was it took them a while to find it.

I would never buy an Audi without an extended warranty!! The maintenance is such much more expensive than what you would see in a Honda or Toyota. If you do get the 75K mile car, look into puchasing additional coverage.

[Storm33]

I have an 05 and the only issues I have had it with the brake light sending unit (goes bad and drains your battery).

Can you tell me more about what happened with that? I had one incident with my '05 where the brake lights / tail lights stayed on after I shut the car off. I was getting out of the car and it was beeping like I had left my lights on. They were in auto mode, so I shut the door, turned the switch to the off position. When I opened the door again, it still beeped like my lights were on. I just got out and went into the store, and when I came out a few minutes later I noticed that the tails were on but not the headlights. I drove home and it hasn't happened again, so I haven't taken it to the dealer.

Is that what happened with yours? Thanks for any info.

/threadjack

Sorry . . . other than that issue my B6 S4 has been great. That said, I'm about to spend $$$$ to get an EasyCare extended warranty through my Audi dealer. I'm not about to chance it when the factory warranty runs out in a few months.

[darbyfam]

That's it exactly. I would come out in the morning and my brakes lights would be on. Should be a warranty item.

Can you tell me more about what happened with that? I had one incident with my '05 where the brake lights / tail lights stayed on after I shut the car off.

[billyblooshoes]

so is the concensus that there really arent many large issues with these cars that large amounts of owners are encountering? granted the owner is properly maintaining the car...

[FastB7S4]

No major issues, just some minor BS problems here and there like coil packs and such. Problem is it's expensive to get anything fixed and routine maintenance is not cheap either. That's why everyone recommends CPO or 3rd party extended warranty.

[billyblooshoes]

im hoping to avoid the high costs of fixing shit by doing things myself and/or with the assistance of others. im through with taking my cars in for service if theres even a chance i can take care of it myself (that is if the car is not under some kind of warranty). how are the 4.2's to work on/maintain?

[FastB7S4]

LOL, you're asking the wrong guy. I'm nowhere near mechanically inclined so I pretty much stuck having to pay to get the car serviced. Anyway, there's not much room under the hood since they stuffed the 4.2 in there. If you need to get at anything, the front end usually has to come off. I think oil changes are pretty easy. It does take 8 (or is it 10?) qts of full synthetic so it will be pricey even if you do it yourself.

[darbyfam]

The problem is labor and parts costs. The regular maintenance is easy (oil filter is on top, spark plugs are easy to get to, etc). If you had to do something major (serpentine belt, etc), you are looking at removing the whole front bumper assembly to get to it. Also availability of parts is limited. I have found that you have to go to the dealership or someone like ECS Tuning for your parts. It is sometimes nice to run to Autozone and get something done in a weekend - not happening with the 4.2 or the S4. I work on my own cars also but I wouldn't own this car without a warranty - too risky and too expensive if you have to do major repairs.

[iamproph]

I got my b6 about a month ago back in Denver, it has 50***k on it and is CPO'd for another 2 years. I just drove it across the country over 2000 miles and had 0 problems. A good thing to look for is a list of what was fixed/found when the major mileage maintenance was done (35k, 45k, 55k etc). I got the Audi One care which covers all the major inspections, oil changes, etc, for free with the car, just haggle with them they will give it to ya. Loving the car everyday, get it, and quick!

[covertS4driver]

Great and reliable car.
I think the B6 is known to be very stable, no major repairs that I have read or heard about. Just a freak one here or there.

Buy it!

[billyblooshoes]

can anyone elaborate on the difficulty of working on these cars/motors at all for me? i've been able to hold my own with repairs/maintenance on my 1.8T. worst case scenario that i cant get my hands on an S that has a warranty or is CPO...i mean from what i can tell those 4.2's seem like theyre really crammed in there. im guessing they're not too fun to work on.

[darbyfam]

Scheduled maintenance won't be an issue. Oil and plugs are very easy to change. It's the unkown maintenance on a "high miles" car that would concern me. My AC went out at about 60K miles and it was a $2600.00 job (paid for by extended warranty company. To do that job myself, the whole front end would have had to come off.

I also had several 1.8Ts and had no issues working on them myself (including installing a APR STG 3 setup). This car is much more cramped than the VW bay.

[tadhgbrosnan]

That's it exactly. I would come out in the morning and my brakes lights would be on. Should be a warranty item.

Darbyfarm and Storm33,

I had this exact problem on my '04. This is a faulty BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. It's a common issue w/ B6 & B7s. Take it to the dealer, let them know and it is a very simple warranty fix.

Good luck.

[evil_O]

My AC went out at about 60K miles and it was a $2600.00 job (paid for by extended warranty company.

I think this is a key statement. I did a lot of research (as most of us have) before making my purchase. I cannot tell you how many stories I have heard about CPO cars. Some to the tune of the car NEVER being inspected. The dealership simply pockets the kickback (so to speak) from Audi and just figures if it is something covered under CPO guidelines, they will fix it (paid for by Audi) if it comes in for that issue.

Bottom line, IMHO, it is best to get the car inspected, carfaxed, etc. and THEN buy a good extended warranty. Pay what you would for CPO with a warranty and IMO you will be waaay better off than you would be with just a CPO car.

With that said, do your homework with warranty companies. I did mine and in the end I went with a trusted friend at a local (well respected) import dealer. They sold me what they sell on their Porsches. I got a good deal on it... 6yr/100K for $2450. So, CPO or not, big ticket AND small ticket items are included. O... and NO deductible either.

[bloodstar57]

I think this is a key statement. I did a lot of research (as most of us have) before making my purchase. I cannot tell you how many stories I have heard about CPO cars. Some to the tune of the car NEVER being inspected. The dealership simply pockets the kickback (so to speak) from Audi and just figures if it is something covered under CPO guidelines, they will fix it (paid for by Audi) if it comes in for that issue.

Bottom line, IMHO, it is best to get the car inspected, carfaxed, etc. and THEN buy a good extended warranty. Pay what you would for CPO with a warranty and IMO you will be waaay better off than you would be with just a CPO car.

With that said, do your homework with warranty companies. I did mine and in the end I went with a trusted friend at a local (well respected) import dealer. They sold me what they sell on their Porsches. I got a good deal on it... 6yr/100K for $2450. So, CPO or not, big ticket AND small ticket items are included. O... and NO deductible either.

I didn't know you could do that.

[Storm33]

With that said, do your homework with warranty companies. I did mine and in the end I went with a trusted friend at a local (well respected) import dealer. They sold me what they sell on their Porsches. I got a good deal on it... 6yr/100K for $2450. So, CPO or not, big ticket AND small ticket items are included. O... and NO deductible either.

What is the name of that warranty company? I'm about to pull the trigger on an EasyCare warranty through the Audi dealer, and it costs more than that with a $250 deductible.

[evil_O]

What is the name of that warranty company? I'm about to pull the trigger on an EasyCare warranty through the Audi dealer, and it costs more than that with a $250 deductible.

Send me a PM.

[DGS4]

I am knocking on wood as we speak. I had one of the VERY early model 04 S4's (pre-ordered car before release) and have ZERO problems to this day. My warranty expired early this year and bought a warranty through the dealer that I had purchased the car from until 2012. It has a $0 deductible at the dealer purchased from and a $50 at other Audi dealers.

To this day, I love the car and had zero problems at all.

[GFRRS3]

Almost walked out of the dealer yesterday with an 05 s4 with a CPO warranty.....went home and got the no go from the tower......but I got the go ahead to buy one in the next couple of months. Checked out ins. stuff and I am definately going to get a cpo car....even if it is just peice of mind.

[FastB7S4]

Almost walked out of the dealer yesterday with an 05 s4 with a CPO warranty.....went home and got the no go from the tower.

Man, I hate it when the "tower" does that. Sometimes I just fly under the radar and the "tower" has no idea.

[AudiOso]

I'm on my second B6. I should have just held out for a 6MT car when first shopping, but ended up with an 04' Tip car. I unloaded it this spring and got an 05' 6MT car. Neither car has given me any trouble other than little things. I think these are great cars. It just comes down to how you take care of them. I don't pound my cars.

[billyblooshoes]

im starting to feel a little more at ease about picking up one of these beasts. i really appreciate everyones input/advice. i just cant help but be hesitant and worried after going through what i have with my B5 A4...

i've found a couple that i'm interested in. there's one i found thats black, six speed, black leather int., with like 46k miles on it. its going for like 24,700 i think. is that a pretty good price? i believe its CPO also.

[Storm33]

That sounds like a good price for CPO, Billy. I paid more than that for a non-CPO with 41k miles a couple of months ago.

Have you had a black car before? They look awesome when they're clean - but it's tougher keeping them that way than it is for other colors. Just food for thought...

[FastB7S4]

Price sounds good and CPO is even better. Just get it! You'll have it just in time for Waterfest. I'll probably be parking with DVAG so we park the S4's next to each other. Then you can go shopping for it.

[billyblooshoes]

That sounds like a good price for CPO, Billy. I paid more than that for a non-CPO with 41k miles a couple of months ago.

Have you had a black car before? They look awesome when they're clean - but it's tougher keeping them that way than it is for other colors. Just food for thought...

yeah i figured it was a pretty good price. never had a black car before. i've always wanted black tho. my first choice is black, and second is silver. this bmw dealership i work at has a 2005 S4 w/ like 23k miles on it and its silver, but they want 33.9K for it lol. eff that. i drove it tho and have fallen in love.

[billyblooshoes]

Price sounds good and CPO is even better. Just get it! You'll have it just in time for Waterfest. I'll probably be parking with DVAG so we park the S4's next to each other. Then you can go shopping for it.

i wish it was that easy man. i'd love to pick one up in time for waterfest, but long story short is that i need to either sell my A4 first or find someone that will give me decent money for it towards my down payment. i'm living on my own now in doylestown so i actualy have other bills to pay now and shit haha. i honestly cant afford to not sell my car first or at least get decent money for it as a trade in.

what day are you going to waterfest BTW. i'll only be there on saturday and id like to park with DVAG this year as well. have you talked to ryan or anyone else about that situation and the details that go along with that?

[Reese S4]

I have an 04 B6 S4 with 44k on it. NO problems. new rubber all around and new pads on the front.

I live and play in doylestown.

it could be for sale if the price is right. Its silver....

[FastB7S4]

Black is nice. I used to only get black cars. They look really good when you tint them too. Silver is ok. Avus silver is one of the most readily available colors for Audi's. You shouldn't have a problem finding one in silver.

I totally understand what you are saying about bills, though. Being on your own can be pretty hard. You'll get there.

I'm going on Sunday since I heard that was the bigger day. You had to register to park in exhibition with the group so I don't know if they are still taking registrations anymore. You should check the Waterfest website. As far as Ryan and those guys, Craig (BaconBait) is doing all the organizing. Here are the 2 threads with the details:

http://www.dvagonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2924
http://www.dvagonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2979