B5 S4 vs A4

[banger2392t1]

Hello
I currently own an 1998 a6 quattro and have sold it to buy a new car since my a6 has 287 000km and it is time to get rid of it. I'm planning on buying either an 01/02 b5 s4 or an 02 03 a4 for around 15 thousand. I'm simply wondering what peoples takes are on between an b5 s4 and a4? Im planning on chipping the car not matter which one along with other mods, so whats the better buy?

[CONTROL ONE]

Hello
I currently own an 1998 a6 quattro and have sold it to buy a new car since my a6 has 287 000km and it is time to get rid of it. I'm planning on buying either an 01/02 b5 s4 or an 02 03 a4 for around 15 thousand. I'm simply wondering what peoples takes are on between an b5 s4 and a4? Im planning on chipping the car not matter which one along with other mods, so whats the better buy?

I'll make this pretty quick.

I drive an S4, my receptionist drives an A4.

[B6JoeS4]

if you want reliability, go with the 02-03 A4

[banger2392t1]

I love the speed of the s4 and it is really what i want, but i'm concerned with the reliablity. How rough is the s4 for maintenance?

[RitchS4 914]

yeah if you want reliable go with the a4.. if you want power,fun and willing to deal with some headaches go with the s4

[CONTROL ONE]

I love the speed of the s4 and it is really what i want, but i'm concerned with the reliablity. How rough is the s4 for maintenance?

The exact same as any other well taken care of performance vehicle.

It's all about maintenance and fixing the problems before they start creating a larger one. With a Vag-Com and a pressure tester, you can fix a lot of common issues by yourself.

If you are planning on modding it anyways, I say hands down the S4 - why start yourself off at a disadvantage?

[S4 in_lowplaces]

the a4 aint that much more reaaliable than the s4 guys. its still turbosed and has a lot of issues.

[crosenhahn]

My headaches always clear up after a little wot!!!!

S4 is the way to go... unless you are gonna swap out the turbo on the A4 for a bigger one and then do suspension and brakes.

But go with the S4!

[Killerteve]

Of course you know what kind of response you will get posting in the B5 S4 forum, but if I was in your position I would go for the S4 as well. Just know that replacing the turbos on an S4 requires pulling the engine and is not a cheap job. That being said making sure the previous owner took good care of the car can prevent a lot of the maintenance headaches.

[ThirdStrike]

I'll make this pretty quick.

I drive an S4, my receptionist drives an A4.

rofl quote of the day


op; a4's are way easier to work on, s4's are unreliable for owners that dont know how to maintain a german built bi-turbo v6. otherwise they are great cars

[CruzS4]

for 15,000, you can get a pretty damn low mileage B5 S4. I've seen some stage 3 cars advertised for that price. maintenance can and will be a headache, but if you treat the car well and keep up with the service, the relationship with the car should be reciprocal

[haus4]

Basically it comes down to finding the right S. If you can find one that has been taken care of and maintenance done and not beat on like crazy, you will be happy with it. Yes they are more expansive in fixing if you cant wrench yourself. A4s win in that department, but just yesterday i was in a b6 a4 for 7 hours and was comparing what I like about my car better. Its a matter of what you want and how much your willing to put into it.

I think you'll make the right choice, seeing which forum you are on

[WMi_S4]

A4>S4 for speed, reliability and mod-ability hands down!!!





























God I can't even keep a straight face after typing that!

[banger2392t1]

I didn't realize that i had put the question in the s4 section.... little biast lol. I'm going to post the question in the general section, so feel free to argue it out on the other forum.

[IamEzraM]

S4

[Slave IV]

Like someone else mentioned, the reliability of an A4 over an S4 may be a little bit but either way, both cars will be expensive to fix, maintain, and replace parts for. So do you want to spend all that extra money on an A4 or S4...should be a simple decision, especially if you want to mod for performance.

[imola_Jon]

There are a few A4s around that are absolute BEASTS, but realistically that's the exception to the rule. A basic OTS Stage III or even a Stage II S4 will take care of most people's need for speed. And they come stock with much better fit & finish vs the A4. Sure, maintenance will run you a little more, but you're getting more car. And as others mentioned it's not like you can call an A4 cheap to maintain either.

[djwimbo]

I'll make this pretty quick.

I drive an S4, my receptionist drives an A4.

I'll translate the subliminal message here.

Receptionist: I drive and A4 b/c it's reliable, comfortable and safe.
CONTROL ONE: I drive an S4 b/c I think I need to.

Short and sweet: Don't bother buying a B5 S4 unless you plan to stash away $5000 for when something goes wrong.
If you're the lucky one that has to put turbos and a clutch/Flywheel in a B5 S4 and pay somebody to do it, get ready to grab your ankles. That is at least if you're not financially prepared for such a thing.

Don't get me wrong B5 S4's are nice, they're comfortable, quick, etc. I'd rather drive a clean, reliable and classy B6 A4 though.

[banger2392t1]

I dont mind spending more on an audi because I just cant bring myself to part with audi, i loved my a6 other than lack of power.

[sixfiveoh]

I'll make this pretty quick.

I drive an S4, my receptionist drives an A4.

You must feel like quite the hot shot in your 9 year old Audi

[Videlov]

B5 S4 hands down... Yeah the B6 A4 is nice, but it's an A4... and since you are looking to mod, the S already has an advantage in that department and looks way better IMO. Find one that has been taken care of, it will cause you less headaches in the long run if you continue to take care of it. Don't forget to do all supporting mods either when modding the car

[banger2392t1]

HOT SHOT sure why not. My a6 is gutless but thats why im upgrading but why shit talk a 9 year old a6 when you only have a 7 yr old a4. LOL buddy a 2001 1.8t is almost as slow, so dont get to excited!!

[djwimbo]

LOL buddy a 2001 1.8t is almost as slow, so dont get to excited!!

I'll run any A6 non-2.7T just for fun.

I'd run a 2.7T car, but what's the point? if I won I would be "cheating", if I lost it's b/c "the 2.7T > God". That's why he smites your baby turbos.

[CONTROL ONE]

and here come the A4ers...

[jblinga]

both cars will be expensive to fix, maintain, and replace parts for. So do you want to spend all that extra money on an A4 or S4...should be a simple decision, especially if you want to mod for performance.

+1 S4 ftw!!

[banger2392t1]

thanks foreveryones replies....another qestion be what problems should i look for in either car before buying it?

[CruzS4]

thanks foreveryones replies....another qestion be what problems should i look for in either car before buying it?

...how much time do you have? boost leaks of a myriad of sorts, turbo failure, control arms, wheel bearings, the accepted yet annoying pixel death in the center display, crappy bose speakers tearing, the list goes on and on

[WMi_S4]

I'll run any A6 non-2.7T just for fun.

I'd run a 2.7T car, but what's the point? if I won I would be "cheating", if I lost it's b/c "the 2.7T > God". That's why he smites your baby turbos.

"cheating"??

[sean1.8t]

HOT SHOT sure why not. My a6 is gutless but thats why im upgrading but why shit talk a 9 year old a6 when you only have a 7 yr old a4. LOL buddy a 2001 1.8t is almost as slow, so dont get to excited!!

hey... noob. he wasn't talking to you.

in a forum, when you quote someone, you are talking to the person that you quoted. NOT the original poster(in this case, you).

chill the fuck out and search. this topic has been discussed 100 times this month.

and it all boils down to a couple things. go drive both and figure out which one you like more. and then think about how much money you have. A4 is far more reliable than the S4. but of coarse there are exceptions to the rule

[RudyH]

I ll sell you my S4 /w closing in on 200,000 km /w K04's / RS4 clutch and brand new Eibach Pro-Street coil overs - full control arms front and rear along with tie rod ends completed when coil overs went in - for $15k :D

The only problem is it needs fueling, exhaust and down pipes, and its more teasing me more then anything

[Boris]

I'll translate the subliminal message here.

Receptionist: I drive and A4 b/c it's reliable, comfortable and safe.
CONTROL ONE: I drive an S4 b/c I think I need to.

Short and sweet: Don't bother buying a B5 S4 unless you plan to stash away $5000 for when something goes wrong.
If you're the lucky one that has to put turbos and a clutch/Flywheel in a B5 S4 and pay somebody to do it, get ready to grab your ankles. That is at least if you're not financially prepared for such a thing.

Don't get me wrong B5 S4's are nice, they're comfortable, quick, etc. I'd rather drive a clean, reliable and classy B6 A4 though.

This is all bullshit. His receptionists drives the A4 because its a normal car. And it costs less. He drives the S4 because he likes driving, and has a passion for cars.

You would prefer an A4 to an S4? Thats a shame. You cannot sacrafice driving passion for security, or reliability. WE have short lives! Drive something exhilerating.

Once you get an S4 you need to maintain a few things, all the sensors? Leaks, etc. Need to be dealt with, after you sort that out, you've got a pretty reliable car. Yes it can be expensive, but pouring money into a big turbo A4? Whats the point!? Still lose to stg3's and will never keep up with larger turbo S4's.

OP for 15,000 you can buy a fully sorted stage 3. Get one.

[Boris]

OP the bottom line is this.... The S4 was created to be better than an A4. They take an A4 base and modify it to become the S4. Different engine, different interior, different touches everywhere.

End result, better car. So theres no debate on that end if you ask me. THe a4 guys are touting that the a4 has better reliability? Thats really debatable

consider this: Who talks on online car forums? People who like or love cars...These type of people are more apt to modify their cars, tweak them, etc. So you have these problems you see alot online..but would you not expect that!? The B5 S4 is a somewhat complex car..and so modifying it of course is going to create issues.
Many many people are fine with their cars, and have never had problems and they never post.

There is no collated data about how many problems are actually being experienced in the last few years in contrast to the total number of S4's rolling around, and in contrast to the A4...its all just perception, flawed or on point who knows. But the S4 is plenty reliable if you don't mess with it, and If you do,..I learned the hard way, you just have to go all the way, you cant half ass it. Replace everything that even remotely might need to be...do that. and bam, youve got a DD thats powerful, fun, and really understated.

All the flack from the A4 guys is laughable, these b5 S4's are not lookers. I don't see how any B5 s4 owner cant think they have some real hot shit car, the thing looks like a shoebox. BUt its never been about IM better than you , or this is better than that...its just about the 2.7 Twin turbo!! It is one of the only All wheel drive, twin turbo charged german luxury sdeans that is modern and can be modified!Its really one of the bst packages ever. Thats what its about, its about the S4, not whether we think the S4 is so superior..its just why bother with an A4, it was never built for the same purpose. The S4 is, and it has building blocks, a foundation that you can really do something awesome with.

Come to any real car city, LA, MIAMI, etc. and nobody is going to think the S4 is a awesome looking car, its dated a bit, and really really understated..which is what is so great about it. No show..all about the performance!

I wouldn't bat an eye, get an S4, get your checkbook ready if your going to modify the car.

[VOoDooGTX]

This is all bullshit. His receptionists drives the A4 because its a normal car. And it costs less. He drives the S4 because he likes driving, and has a passion for cars.

You would prefer an A4 to an S4? Thats a shame. You cannot sacrafice driving passion for security, or reliability. WE have short lives! Drive something exhilerating.

Once you get an S4 you need to maintain a few things, all the sensors? Leaks, etc. Need to be dealt with, after you sort that out, you've got a pretty reliable car. Yes it can be expensive, but pouring money into a big turbo A4? Whats the point!? Still lose to stg3's and will never keep up with larger turbo S4's.

OP for 15,000 you can buy a fully sorted stage 3. Get one.

security? aren't S4s the ones that get stolen every day? the ones that can be stolen in about 20 seconds? especially with this guy hes definitely not going to take the steps to make it hard to steal.

oh and having a A4 does not mean you don't like to drive. just that you dont like to drive a car for 15k that's in decent condition that still gets its ass whooped by cars at the same price range. Might i remind everyone that for 20k you can get a nice carrera 966. The S4s are nice but there way overpriced sorry guys. and dont bash me for saying it its true but sell your cars for what you think here worth deffinetly some sucker is gonna drop his bank and buy it, its a S4 man.

[Boris]

security? aren't S4s the ones that get stolen every day? the ones that can be stolen in about 20 seconds? especially with this guy hes definitely not going to take the steps to make it hard to steal.

oh and having a A4 does not mean you don't like to drive. just that you dont like to drive a car for 15k that's in decent condition that still gets its ass whooped by cars at the same price range. Might i remind everyone that for 20k you can get a nice carrera 966. The S4s are nice but there way overpriced sorry guys. and dont bash me for saying it its true but sell your cars for what you think here worth deffinetly some sucker is gonna drop his bank and buy it, its a S4 man.

Man can you read at all? Seriously?! How old are people on this forum? I was referencing the guy who said he didn't want a S4 because it wasn't reliable etc. So he bought an A4... that is called security. Man Im losing faith in this place and wonder if its even worth posting on audizine anymore. Did I ever say A4 owners don't like to drive? Its not reflexive mate, I said one guy enjoyed driving thats why he got the S4.

And the rest of your points... Do some research mate....You are referencing year old prices...These cars don't go for 15k stock anymore. You can get a FULLY MODDED STG 3 everything done, less than 100k miles on it FOR 15k$ Ive seen multiple STAGE 3 S4's sell for that in the last 4 months alone.

Lol. stock S4's in fine condition are being had for 10k - 12 k easy. Remember, it doesn't matter what people are asking, see what they are sellng for. I have seen multiple S4's sell at 15K that were stage 3...LOOK AT DAVENEW's CAR!
Fucking perfect, hybrids, everything, sold for ~ $16k. ( I think less iirc)

So tell me, what cars that costs 15k hands a stage 3 its ass? Really? thats a pretty strong statement.

Man it can't get that much cheaper? How cheap can a car get? Under 10 k? Under 7k ? DO you know how much a used 2000 civic costs?

On a seperate note, notice, why are all the A4 guys always trolling in the S4 forums? That alone answers the original question.

[CONTROL ONE]

This is all bullshit. His receptionists drives the A4 because its a normal car. And it costs less. He drives the S4 because he likes driving, and has a passion for cars.

Exactly, thank you.

[WMi_S4]

SIGH.......lock this before another pissing match ensues

[Videlov]

Boris just ended the thread, it couldn't be said better than that.

/end

[banger2392t1]

thanks for everyone replys i think i got the answer i was looking for

[sean1.8t]

On a seperate note, notice, why are all the A4 guys always trolling in the S4 forums? That alone answers the original question.

just to bring up this point real quick....

i troll all forums.

this one because, the bitching and moaning you guys do can be interesting/the only thing happening around here at times.. and 98% of the S4 owners here don't know shit about S4's. so i like to help out when i can.

happy piss matching

[Iosilver]