S4 purchase...need some help from AZ friends

[drexplode]

Ok, I found the S4 that I want and the seller and I have an agreed on price. Mileage is low, price is right, and interior/exterior quality is 9.5/10. 10 out of 10 would be directly off the delivery truck.

Anyway, I find out the first 1500 miles out of ~10k miles were NOT put on by the owner. The dealership put these miles on... So the current owner has only put on about 8500. However, we all know the first 1200-1500 miles are crucial for engine break-in, and most of us choose to change the oil. (i know i did on my A4)

Factory warranty remains for ~2 more yrs.

I really cringe to know that i am spending >35k on a used vehicle, and the first break-in miles were probably abused by the dealer and/or test drivers. Of course i cant say for sure, but come on...who test drives a S4 for 1500+ miles and granny shifts it? Am i being paranoid, or should I just DO IT!!

What is your opinion? I greatly appreciate your time, and responses. Thank you.

-Greg

[a4937]

Knowing several salesmen I would definitely be a little nervous about the first 10k being put on by the dealership.

[drexplode]

Knowing several salesmen I would definitely be a little nervous about the first 10k being put on by the dealership.

Only the first 1500 miles were put on by the dealership. The remaining 8500 were put on by the seller/current owner.

[91gl]

Yea but with any used s4, you really don't know if it was really broken in properly. Your best bet would be to buy from an audi enthusiast. But if I'm getting a good deal on the car and it has a warranty, I'd pull the trigger

[ieatfishburitos]

Just go for it... I'm sure everything will be fine.

[Stormin]

You getting a 26Q, or "just a regular S4"?

(LOL. I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself)

I'd have it checked out by a reliable mechanic and if he says that everything is in order, I would go for it. I don't know many people who could hold back in their S4 for the first 1500.

[iamproph]

Still under warranty I would definately do it. Try to have a dealer do an inspection , I know they do in my hometown if you are buying their car from a private seller you can pay for an inspection and you can probably get the seller to pay for it. Is nothing going to go wrong? No, thats why you got a warranty. When I got my car I thought it was perfect and in the first month my lights fogged up, so I got both housings replaced under warranty, Id say do it!

[RAudi Driver]

Here are two stories one is really recent.

My buddy sold his A4 Avant to a buyer in another state. The buyer sent the car to Keyes to get a full dealer inspection and the car checked out perfect. He purchased the car and had it shipped and when he got it he found out that the car has more problems than ever imagined. I mean this car needed over $6,000 in repairs The buyer called my buddy to try and get his money back but my buddy already used the money to pay off the loan. The dealer's inspection probably consisted of kicking one tire and rolling it back out as a great car. Don't trust a delaer to inspect a car that you are interested in.

Second story, I went for a test ride in a BMW 540i a few years back and the salesman wanting to impress me did 6k rpm launches, one after another. He did this with the traction control on so all you could smell was brake pad material. He thrashed that car. I laughed when after the ride, he still tried to sell it to me. Don't buy the impress the perspective buyer test mule.

Dr. keep looking for a car. It could be a good car, but you don't want to wake up every morning thinking if you did the right thing. Don't put yourself in a position to suffer from buyers remorse. Take your time and do it right. There are plenty of these car out there. In fact, I am sure that there are several members who are thinking of making the swithch to an RS at which time you could pounce on their S4.

[MOFSTEEL]

I bought my car with 4500 miles from someone out of state.
Not one problem and i'm now just over 20k. ::knocks on wood::
I say DO IT!!!

[CanuckRS]

1500miles by a dealer?...skip it IMO. however...
if everything else about the car is mint and the price is right, perhaps consider getting
a 3rd party engine compression test to help you sleep better. and DO NOT go to the dealer.
a friend of mine took over a lease on a VW Jetta and insisted on a dealer inspection. no problems, car was excellent they said. upon receiving the car, found out the rotors were warped and needed replacing. moral of the story: never trust a dealer! do your own due diligence and be sensible about it.

[drexplode]

Thank you very much guys, I appreciate everyone's time for posting. I've been thinking about this all afternoon, because it really is the car I want at the end of the day.

2006 S4 25yr annivesary w/ 10k miles and as stated above the int/ext quality is 9.5/10 after seeing all the detailed photos. However, not knowing the entire history may make me cringe when i try to sell it again in the future. But of course, at the end of the day...there is a factory warranty.

For instance, here is the ad for my 2.0T: http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4003315 (no im not trying to advertise) but as the sole owner I know every single detail of the car. How many times i applied anti-seize, how many times i waxed it, type of gas i used ...etc I guess when buying a S4 especially a 25yr anniversary one which is limited edition I guess I would want the entire story.

I was discussing it with my girlfriend this evening and I told her the dealer may have put on the original 1500 miles and she said "whaaaaat" That is a lot of driving!! It is one thing to light into it once or twice, but every 5-10 mile test drive or commute home for the sales guys...eeeeek.

More about me: i am definitely an enthusiast (as you can tell by my A4 ad...ok that was a plug) and i wear my enthusiasm on my sleeve. I just dont want this to stick in the back of my mind and wonder what if... maybe i'm being paranoid?

Oh yeah, unfortunately the car is in another state...so it would be difficult to have it looked at. If only i could bring my local mechanic with me!! haha

[drexplode]

ok guys, trigger is officially pulled.

I spoke with the seller and received the story which he will also confirm in writing for the future.

The story passed my sniff test, and I dont see any gigantic holes. The car has been treated like a queen since day one...and will continue to receive excellent treatment in my hands. If anyone is interested in pics and/or more of the story, feel free to PM me and will happily share


Wow, I am officially super excited and I can not wait!!!!!

[FastB7S4]

It might not have been a test drive car but a demo used by the owner or manager, etc.

Congrats on the potential buy. Sounds like you got a great car.

[Cargo8]

everyone is interested in pics. always.

[Silver streak]

Ya we want to see pics, we all don"t want to pm you. You should want to show your new ride off, right.?

[Stormin]

Welcome to the club...

You'll love it, I am sure.

NOW WHERE ARE THE PICS ALREADY?!?!?!?!!?

[Tiny2000]

I'd like to think these V8 engines are pretty hardy. They only seem to get stronger in the first 5 or 10,000 miles. Hopefully they changed the oil after the break in period and you're golden. You can check that in the vehicle history right?

[drexplode]

Alright fine!! Keep in mind, I dont have the car YET!! I will probably have to wait until the end of Sept since i leave for a business trip next week until the 17th. I still need to call my local audi dealership to inquire about the service records. The seller seems quite honest, and the only things he mention: 2 oil changes, key fob battery replacement, and Audi ring sticker replaced.

Unfortunately break-in oil change not completed :-(

Pics to love on (they are uber huge):

[Silver streak]

Thats a nice ride, I hope all works out and you get it. Love the wheels.

[AudiOso]

Nice car... good luck.

[Stormin]

SWEEEEEEEET...

What number is it?

[drexplode]

#94

[Stormin]

Damn you. I have #98.

[mystro]

The S4 is a tough car. It can handle alot. I wouldnt be worred at all. It is a performance car so a little "thump & pump" that the dealer may have given it should not hurt it at all.

[charliemike]

It's possible too this was a dealer demo where the sales manager drove it for 1500 miles and not 1500 miles of donkey 1/4 mile runs on test drives.

[cellg8]

wow..congrats! Finally!!!

That's a beautiful car 'BUT' I thought you always wanted a Sprint Blue since you always say 'Sprint Blue FTW'!!!

[drexplode]

Well guys, i have some bad news :-( I have decided to pass on this vehicle. I was a 100% go until i had an opportunity to test drive the 135i coupe at the BMW drive for a cure. I still have my A4, so i still consider myself a part of the family... but hopefully i dont get flammed on too bad. I have not called the seller yet to give him the bad news (im sure he is going to rip me a new one as I asked a brazillion questions) Anyway, I talked him down quite a bit and he is ready to move this thing.

I gave GJC (AZ sn) an opportunity first to call him, but if anyone else is interested in the sellers information I can provide it w/ the price we agreed, and all the vehicle information that i learned. Just drop me a PM.

OR give me a call: 248 910 1039
-Greg

FYI - sprint blue is the fastest color, and SB FTW!

[ARCH NME]

Here are two stories one is really recent.

My buddy sold his A4 Avant to a buyer in another state. The buyer sent the car to Keyes to get a full dealer inspection and the car checked out perfect. He purchased the car and had it shipped and when he got it he found out that the car has more problems than ever imagined. I mean this car needed over $6,000 in repairs The buyer called my buddy to try and get his money back but my buddy already used the money to pay off the loan. The dealer's inspection probably consisted of kicking one tire and rolling it back out as a great car. Don't trust a delaer to inspect a car that you are interested in.

Second story, I went for a test ride in a BMW 540i a few years back and the salesman wanting to impress me did 6k rpm launches, one after another. He did this with the traction control on so all you could smell was brake pad material. He thrashed that car. I laughed when after the ride, he still tried to sell it to me. Don't buy the impress the perspective buyer test mule.

Dr. keep looking for a car. It could be a good car, but you don't want to wake up every morning thinking if you did the right thing. Don't put yourself in a position to suffer from buyers remorse. Take your time and do it right. There are plenty of these car out there. In fact, I am sure that there are several members who are thinking of making the swithch to an RS at which time you could pounce on their S4.

i must agrree with u i cudnt say it any better...u need top pounce on those guys (like me) who are trying to get an RS

[mitchholmstrom]

Uh where do I sign up to trade my s4 for an rs4?

[cotmfk]

Disclaimer: I have broken in all my cars per the manufacturer's specs.

I am not 100% sure if you need to break in your engine soft and smooth for max reliability. I was searching google for the article I had read some time ago, but statistically, there didn't seem to be much of a difference between an engine that was broken in "properly," versus one that was romped on from the get go. Some that were broken in properly made more power, some less than cars that were ragged on at the onset.

So, basically what I am trying to say is that if you are buying a used car, the break in could be a concern, but it shouldn't be the be all and end all. After all, the car IS used. They did drive it. No one will concretely be able to prove the car was NEVER abused. If you drive the car, and it feels right, get it inspected by a relaible mechanic (not dealer), if that checks out, then move ahead and purchase the car. If it has a warranty, then you have some time to drive the car and learn if it will be reliable or not.