looking to buy a b6 s4

[kpsingh]

hi guys i am currently driving A volvo s40 t5 and want to buy something faster. i was considering a m3 but alot of people turned me of it because the maintenance. it supposed. to be like double the normal 3 and has alot of small problems. so i started to look at a s4 which i have always liked. But i was wondering if the s4 is like the m3 when it comes to maintenance. I am used to paying for repairs on euro cars. Its usually been like $500 for every visit to the shop. but my question, is that i am willing to pay for repairs but i owned a 2000 vw passat that had check engine light every moth and abs problems. Electrical nightmare. So is the audi as demanding on repairs and maintenance. i looking at like 2004 with 30k to 60k miles.

also i really think the s4 need a front bumper lip whats my options.

[s4raf88]

hey welcome

a quick search showed me this I hope it helps and someone will chime in to answer any of the questions that you may still have

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ight=maintance

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ghlight=S4+BMW

[FastB7S4]

there's a ton of "S4 vs. M3" threads here and "what to expect when buying an B6/B7 S4" threads. a quick search will provide you your answers.

[colonelburke]

I did not find the S4 to be problenmatic. Mine just needed the regular maintenance. The fuel pump went out but was covered by extended warranty. Other than that, was problme free until I traded her in this past week. Good luck.

[RudeBwoi]

well since u have a turbo'd s40, have you thought of upgrading the software on that thing?! Going through IPD for volvo performance will prob net you about an extra 50hp and 50ft/lb of tq or more i'd guess. It can honestly bring you into stock s4 territories....

But S4 is awd, has a mean V8, and just plain sexy

[ngng]

I might be interested in selling mine...it's..unique and I can say there is no S4 like it :P

[c4racer]

I have a 2005 with 62K miles, and it has been for the most part trouble-free. Interesting that a fuel pump went out - I think mine was starting to go - it was whining a bit there for awhile. Then it just stopped the noise and has been fine ever since. I kept expecting for it to die, so I was happy when it didn't. But really just a couple minor issues that were covered under original warrantee. Oh - when the car is sitting in the hot sun for awhile, the stereo starts acting up sometimes. Volume fades up and down a bit like reception is cutting out, but does it no matter what signal - AM, FM, Sat, CD. Luckily my car is garaged at home and at work, so it doesn't sit out in the sun much. So it might need a new amp at some point.

I think reliability is about on par with the E46 M3. Of course, both cars - or any German car for that matter - can be expensive to fix when things go wrong.

Doing some things on your own can certainly help defray the costs. Maint is relatively straightforward on the S4.

Like I always say - if picking between a benz, audi or BMW - pick based on the car you like most, not based on which one might or might not be reliable. All are complex cars and can cost $$ if stuff goes wrong. Crap shoot whether it will or not. If you want reliable - get a Japanese car. Personally, I'll stick with a quality drivers car and deal with the repair risk. Life is too short to drive an inferior car just because it might end up costing less to own. then again, it might not. Drive what you like.

[CHECKERED]

I did not find the S4 to be problenmatic. Mine just needed the regular maintenance. The fuel pump went out but was covered by extended warranty. Other than that, was problme free until I traded her in this past week. Good luck.

extended warranty is a must on these cars, it will pay for itself with one major thing going wrong, nothing huge but major…like AC compressor/fuel pump/oil pump/water pump goes out…

[ClayFighter]

...Oh - when the car is sitting in the hot sun for awhile, the stereo starts acting up sometimes. Volume fades up and down a bit like reception is cutting out, but does it no matter what signal - AM, FM, Sat, CD. Luckily my car is garaged at home and at work, so it doesn't sit out in the sun much. So it might need a new amp at some point.

OMG my volume does the same thing and it drives me CRAZY
I Never noticed it correlating with outside/inside temperatures...

Back on topic, CPO's are awesome and highly recommended

[AudiOso]

The whining coming from the rear of B6 cars is typically the fuel filter. My Avant was very loud and annoying when it was cold outside until I had the filter changed. I thought my pump was going bad, but my service advisor informed me otherwise.

[V8S4Fun]

I have heard that you need to stay away from the early B6 build dates on theses cars. I would suggest trying to look for a 2005. I also am just over 60k miles, with no real issues.

[CasaS4]

I did not find the S4 to be problenmatic. Mine just needed the regular maintenance. The fuel pump went out but was covered by extended warranty. Other than that, was problme free until I traded her in this past week. Good luck.

Did you trade it in with the FI Exhaust?
Im sure the dealer would have an easier time selling it with a stock exhaust and I'd be willing to drive down there (from ATL) to "help 'em out". ;)

[c4racer]

The whining coming from the rear of B6 cars is typically the fuel filter. My Avant was very loud and annoying when it was cold outside until I had the filter changed. I thought my pump was going bad, but my service advisor informed me otherwise.

hmm - interesting - it did change when the temps started warming up. I will replace that then - probably a good idea anyway. I need to do a drivetrain fluids change anyway - I will add that to the list for when I am under there.

[akitamike]

You probably saw this TopGear S4 vs. M3 youtube, but if not here it is. I think you said you were considering both. I just picked up my 05 S4 6MT and love it, but the gas tank is sort of small - 15 gallons maybe, and maybe 265 miles to the tank. Anyone put in a larger gas tank on these B6 S4's?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGBSvyuUwg

[Stormin]

hahaha...

I love that video and watch the entire thing every time.

[ngng]

You probably saw this TopGear S4 vs. M3 youtube, but if not here it is. I think you said you were considering both. I just picked up my 05 S4 6MT and love it, but the gas tank is sort of small - 15 gallons maybe, and maybe 265 miles to the tank. Anyone put in a larger gas tank on these B6 S4's?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGBSvyuUwg

265??? damn i get 190-200 and i love every min of it

[NYCS4Avant]

I came from an S40 T5 (Sweedespeeder?). Its a night and day difference. I picked up my 04 B6 S4 Avant (Nogaro/Nagaro) with 23xxx for $30k. I got $12k for my S40 with 56,000 and then sold my rims for drinking money (I wish I had saved it for gas) and spent another $1100 on Audi's top extended warranty JMA) To date, the car out of factory warranty since 08/7/08, I've paid for the following:
• Oil Change: $80
• Wiper Blades $37
• Spare key programming- $22

(AC was replaced first week because it wasn't staying consistent but covered under warranty)
^Make sure you get an extended warranty, or better yet a CPO. I think most users will agree that just one visit can pay for itself.


However, this coming saturday my car is going in for the a couple things:
• 2x rear wheel bearings
• Front brake job-$540 (still looking at having rotor/pad/line setup shipped from ECS)


B6's can be had for good money these days given the economic market, although all futures for October dropped for the first time in 5 months to sub $100/barrel prices.

The key to owning any euro car (VOLVO SUCKS) is finding a amazing dealer(Storms Audi LI) to work with. Check your regional.