Stage 3 cost benefit analysis -- not as upside down as I thought I would be

[exorcet]

Well I sold my S4 - had to move forward focusing on a growing family and other important things. I hated to do it but I know it's just a car and I can buy another one later.

I thought I was going to lose my ass, but it worked out surprisingly well. When I add up all my receipts from modifications (just under $10,000) and add the cost of the car and subtract my selling price, it cost just under $330 month to own. I'll tell you what $330 a month to drive the most comfortable, driveable, fast as f*** Audi is worth every penny. My happiness/cost ratio with the B5S4 was 10 fold better than my B7A4 at a $440/mo lease payment!

For you guys with stock turbos - i think it's worth paying the premium to have K04's put in when the stock ones blow (whether you do fueling or not), because it will greatly help the resale value of your car, at this point. Stock K03'd S4's are cheap, the K04 and higher cars definitely command a selling premium commiserate with the increased cost. I mean, you're paying for labor anyways. Just some advice!

I picked up an immaculate 2000 A6 Avant in Brilliant black, and will enjoy the peaceful, slow driving. But I know once I have the space and time, I will pick up a B5S4 in the future as a weekend/track car.

See you later suckers. (actually i'll just be over on the A6 side, but it's quieter over there so I'm sure I'll come back to instigate shit here, quite often).

[KompMan420]

Nice man! Care to share the details on the sale? Just curious...

[Rated S]

I take it you won't be coming to Irvine, you traitor?

Just kidding, at least your still in an Audi, hope to see you around.

(2.7T A6? )

[Sleeeper X]

do you mind sharing how much you sold it for?

[therox182]

I'm going to guess you are/were and economics major?

[changs4]

For how long you have had the car ?

[exorcet]

I'm going to guess you are/were and economics major?

LOL - yes, I specialize in the investment of depreciating assets. I only "lost" $5k on this one. Hoping to drive a new Range Rover off the lot and see if I can lose $20k just next year alone..

For those that are curious:

Purchase price $12.8k
Mods/work total: $9.4k
Sold: $16.6k

Owned from 07/07 to 11/08.

[KompMan420]

That's really not that bad at all. What was your mileage at the time of sale?

[exorcet]

I take it you won't be coming to Irvine, you traitor?

Just kidding, at least your still in an Audi, hope to see you around.

(2.7T A6? )

No just a humble 2.8 liter. Don't feel like buying K04's soon or pressure testing every other weekend. I'll be around.. I'll just have trouble keeping up!

[wofman]

So - having lauded the 2.7t Audi, advantages of that motor including economic advantage of simply adding K04s, tell me again why in the world you forgot all you said and went for the 2.8???

[CONTROL ONE]

I don't get it.

Why not just drive the B5 S4 around more moderately? If it's not driven to redline and 21psi boost spikes every day, the B5 S4 would last just as long as the C5 A6.

That sounds like a very unwise descision to sell it, especially for less attractive, less fun version.

[NogaroWonda00]

For you guys with stock turbos - i think it's worth paying the premium to have K04's put in when the stock ones blow (whether you do fueling or not), because it will greatly help the resale value of your car, at this point. Stock K03'd S4's are cheap, the K04 and higher cars definitely command a selling premium commiserate with the increased cost. I mean, you're paying for labor anyways. Just some advice!

+1 K03 replacement will run you just about 7 grand, after its all said and done. At least thats what my total est was when I blew the stock turbos.

I paid just above 8500 for everything... Timing belt clutch intercoolers turbo swap fueling, oil lines. I have to say after the initial shit fit your car will throw (because you are upping the boost!) and all the faulty used hoses and what not are replaced, my stage 3 has been reliable, I have no complaints besides the cup holder being placed above the radio/climate controls.

besides what 400hp sleeper gets 20+mpg in the city?!?! and you can drive it up to the ski resorts on the weekends? that pretty much sums up an ideal car IMHO

[ThirdStrike]

if i had payments on my S it would be completely stock with blown k03's haha

[mrpeterparker]

hehehe.. agreed.. i'm just not at 400hp =P

[exorcet]

That's really not that bad at all. What was your mileage at the time of sale?

107k. I saw one on Ebay with more goodies end at $14.9k (reserve not met) with only 60k and more 'goodies' than mine, so yeah i think i did alright.

[exorcet]

So - having lauded the 2.7t Audi, advantages of that motor including economic advantage of simply adding K04s, tell me again why in the world you forgot all you said and went for the 2.8???

forgot all i said? dunno what you're talking about think you're confused about something. I was just telling those with blown K03's that weren't planning on going stg3 to just pay the extra few hundred bucks for K04's if they have to change their turbos.

The S4 wasn't going to be big enough, or practical with a 2nd kid on the way. Also sometimes when I visit customers I take product out to them and samples and the S4 trunk sometimes didn't cut it. My A6 Avant has a ton more room than the S4. I chose 2.8 because I don't really care about going fast anymore and it doesn't have turbos that could blow. If I was in a financial position to keep the S4 and get the A6, I would have. But right now it doesn't make any sense. Let's just say I got it while the gettin' was good.

[exorcet]

I don't get it.

Why not just drive the B5 S4 around more moderately? If it's not driven to redline and 21psi boost spikes every day, the B5 S4 would last just as long as the C5 A6.

That sounds like a very unwise descision to sell it, especially for less attractive, less fun version.

Well I did about every preventative maintenance possible (all new plastic hoses - spider, new EGT's even though no codes yet, etc) so there was no question about reliability or longevity. Just wasn't going to suit my needs anymore. Now someone else can enjoy her like I did. I'm sure I'll get another one in a few years -- probably be able to pick up a nice stage 3 a few years in the future for $10k (well.. $20k from coming hyperinflation, but $10k in today's dollars..LOL).

I'll be the last one to deny the B5S4 is about the best car from a comfort and power potential standpoint.