B5 S4 vs A4

[banger2392t1]

Hello
I just sold my 1998 a6 quattro and am looking to upgrade to either an 02/03 a4 or an 01/02 b5 s4. I got about 15 thousand to spend and was wondering whats the better buy? and what peoples comments are between the two cars?

[xxForgedxx]

The one thing you need to think long and hard about is how much money you have to spare for maintenance and repairs. The B5 S4 is a very maintenance/repair intensive car that is cheap to buy but NOT cheap to own. If I had $15,000 I would be looking into something else to be frank. Here is my list for what it's worth. But if you only care about the B5 S4 or the A4 I would say the A4 considering the S4 has been known to be a large headache. The 02-03 A4 isn't far off though.

$15,000 can get you:

Honda s2000
Nissan 350z
MKV GTI
BMW M3 (E36)
BMW 330i or CI (E46)...

If you want something with solid low miles, performance and practicality I would vote for the MKV GTI. My own choice would be the s2000 or the 350z but I am rather unpractical.

[tike0rz]

You could probably get a mediocre Stage 3 S4 for $15k. Those are pretty reliable.

[xxForgedxx]

You could probably get a mediocre Stage 3 S4 for $15k. Those are pretty reliable.

No they are not. No B5 S4 is reliable I don't know what crack is being smoked. Unless you consider reliable as in still running as long as it gets fixed when something breaks on an infinite repair/maintenance budget.

[HighDesertAudi]

No they are not. No B5 S4 is reliable I don't know what crack is being smoked. Unless you consider reliable as in still running as long as it gets fixed when something breaks on an infinite repair/maintenance budget.

Jesus, you're such a fucking tool. All I ever see from you is bullshit about how much you hate Audi's. Do everyone a favor and GTFO!




PS buy a B5 S4 or B6 A4. Contrary to xx********xx an S4 can be very reliable once you take car of the turbos and little issues.

[CSHO1.8t]

Jesus, you're such a fucking tool. All I ever see from you is bullshit about how much you hate Audi's. Do everyone a favor and GTFO!




PS buy a B5 S4 or B6 A4. Contrary to xx********xx an S4 can be very reliable once you take car of the turbos and little issues.

Truth.

And you, Will, know way too fucking much about S4's

[xxForgedxx]

Jesus, you're such a fucking tool. All I ever see from you is bullshit about how much you hate Audi's. Do everyone a favor and GTFO!




PS buy a B5 S4 or B6 A4. Contrary to xx********xx an S4 can be very reliable once you take car of the turbos and little issues.

No one said I hated audis dip shit. The bottom line is the S4 is not a reliable car. "can be very reliable once you take care of the turbos and little issues?" yeah, lets see my thread on how many S4 owners said they were expensive and a pain in the ass but they still loved em. He asked I answered. I'm sorry I'm not an AUDI ONLY FAN BOY. I like Audis but they are not the BEST and the only car on earth that is worth a damn.

[xxForgedxx]

Here you go smart asses. Straight from Audizine forum members. So how about you tell them to GTFO.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...s4+reliability

[Reaxion]

If you get an S4 that was maintained properly and the prev. owner didn't beat the S*** out of it, you shouldn't have many problems.

Just do your research and you should be ok .

I've had to do nothing outside of oil changes. Don't let a few bad instances ruin your perspective of the S. Not all of us are YouTube drag racing superstars .

[HighDesertAudi]

^Exactly

Most of the people who have problems purchase beat cars with 100K+ or don't know how to maintain a car. But what would I know, I've only owned two B5 S4's.

If you want a quick car go with the S4. For 15K you could get a low mileage stock car or a high mileage stage 3. Either would be pretty reliable.


Ohhhh wait, he never asked about reliability. He asked about opinions between two cars, neither of which you have owned or provided constructive information on.


Thaan you list off a bunch of cars that have nothing in common with the A4 or S4. I'm sure he'll have fun driving a FWD convertible in Ontario Canada or a "reliable" E46 ahah

[KiloByte]

^Exactly

Most of the people who have problems purchase beat cars with 100K+ or don't know how to maintain a car. But what would I know, I've only owned two B5 S4's.

If you want a quick car go with the S4. For 15K you could get a low mileage stock car or a high mileage stage 3. Either would be pretty reliable.


Ohhhh wait, he never asked about reliability. He asked about opinions between two cars, neither of which you have owned or provided constructive information on.


Thaan you list off a bunch of cars that have nothing in common with the A4 or S4. I'm sure he'll have fun driving a FWD convertible in Ontario Canada or a "reliable" E46 ahah

Owned, another Audi hater bites the dust.

[xxForgedxx]

^Exactly

Most of the people who have problems purchase beat cars with 100K+ or don't know how to maintain a car. But what would I know, I've only owned two B5 S4's.

If you want a quick car go with the S4. For 15K you could get a low mileage stock car or a high mileage stage 3. Either would be pretty reliable.


Ohhhh wait, he never asked about reliability. He asked about opinions between two cars, neither of which you have owned or provided constructive information on.


Thaan you list off a bunch of cars that have nothing in common with the A4 or S4. I'm sure he'll have fun driving a FWD convertible in Ontario Canada or a "reliable" E46 ahah

He asked for COMMENTS on both of the cars. And for anyone considering an S4 they should know what they are getting into. Common sense says the S4 and A4 have problems, the A4 much less than the S4. But yeah umm completely disregard the S4 reliability thread link I posted where most all of the members with S4's say things such as "reliability and S4 shouldn't even be in the same sentance" for example. Nah it doesn't mean anything, not like they own/owned an S4... oh wait they do/did.

[moses0324]

^^^i agree with xxForgedxx...I have had terrible luck with my audi. I recently had an 05 audi a4 which i couldnt keep out of the shop. I bought the car brand new and had nothing but problems. as stated above their are better vehicles that can be purchased for 15k...

although i have only owned one audi, several friends have had similar issues and experiences. we all had issues with fuel pumps, water pumps, coilpacks, window regulators, sunroof switches ...the list honestly goes on and on...as a car company if you cannot properly design an electric window by 2005 you should probably quit the game...

their is also no excuse for failed coilpacks...come on. people say its not a big deal but when it leaves you stranded your car becomes a 35k paperweight...audi has had an inexcusable track record. its sad because they look fantastic, but i gave up on looks a long time ago...

[juju4uofa]

The obvious answer here is to buy a 3.0 B6 for less than $10k. Spend the remaining amount on an 2.7T engine and ECU and bolt it up. Minor cutting will be required but far from a difficult swap from a hardware perspective. The wiring is somewhat of a pain but can be and has been done. Let me know when your finished :)

[tdn]

Never mind what I said in the thread you made in the b6 forum, I think the obvious solution is to buy a b5 a4. Use the extra 6-10k to rebuild the engine and go big turbo.

[banger2392t1]

I know audi is notorius for having problems from my 1998 a6 with 290 000km.lol It seems a little unrealistic in putting a s4 engine in a a4, i think i would just buy the s4 if i wanted the hp. But how much worse is the B5 S4 than the B6 A4 for problems?

[flyinb501]

B6 A4. Mine is about to hit 90k miles and it's been k04'd since 50k miles. Only problem I've had is a coolant leak. Still on the stock clutch also.

The only thing I don't like about this car is it is not that fast...

[Trv06kviper]

PES makes bolt on superchargers as well. To live with everyday, I'd go with the A4 but, if your looking for performance you can squeeze more cheaper out of the S4 because of the turbos. N/A engines are more reliable but more costly to tune. Depends on exactly what your plans for the car and how long you plan on keeping it. It sounds like your looking for something that'll be more on the reliable side with optional tuning future. If that's the case I would urge you to go for the A4. Good Luck

[bob12312357]

I agree with forged. +1 rep for you my good sir. S4 and reliable don't belong in the same sentence. Can't beat on a 100K car? My Mr2 had 170K miles and was doing road course track days and getting red lined through the first 3 gears every day going to work repeatedly. Sold the engine still making great compression with no leaks or oil burn. Whats the point of a fast car you can't drive fast? Beat on it and your pulling the engine just 2 replace turbos. Hands down A4, much easier 2 work on, more room in the engine bay, can be made 2 be quick as a chipped S4 and still relatively reliable, not Toyota reliable, but a heck of a lot more then the S4 if its taking a daily beating.

[Reaxion]

Do you have plans to modify the car? If so, how much?

Also, people will always complain when they have problems. Rarely will someone toot their horn for a problem free experience. I've owned 2 of the "most unreliable" Audi's and didn't have problems with either. It's all about maintenance and how you treat them. My S4 has been VERY reliable. There. I said it. S4 and reliable in the same sentence .

[banger2392t1]

I plan on tuning the car a bit probable a chip ad some minor mods but this car will be my daily driver (summer and canadian winter)

[Reaxion]

I would go with the S. All wheel drive and produces more power with a chip alone. If you use it as a daily driver as I do, you should be alright.

Drive both if you get a chance, that's really the only way to tell. If you plan on getting a stock S4, you should be able to find one well under 15K. Keep a look out for 2001.5 - 2002 model year S4's. They have ESP and upgraded parts that were weak points on the 2000 models.

[xxForgedxx]

I like the S4, to be frank its power potential and classic good looks along with all wheel drive makes it my perfect car. The deal breaker however is the maintenance and reliability woes of it. I will never by one but I will always drool over nicely done up ones because I'm not paying to keep it going.

[duglas]

No they are not. No B5 S4 is reliable I don't know what crack is being smoked. Unless you consider reliable as in still running as long as it gets fixed when something breaks on an infinite repair/maintenance budget.

Damn Civic owners..

I just sold my Stage 3 S4.. I put 30,000 miles on it after going Stage 3 and never even had a check engine light come on.. Most reliable car I have owned.. Daily driver for 2 years... Less problems then my brand new A3!!!!...

My vote is Stage 3 S4, I have seen them for $15K..
AWD
6 Speed Manual
400+ HP
22mpg+
11.XX in the 1/4 mile
4 door, leather climate control..
what more could you ask for

Leave the Lemmings cars (350Z and S2000) as dreams cars for above Civic owners..

[FLACO X3]

Damn Civic owners..

I just sold my Stage 3 S4.. I put 30,000 miles on it after going Stage 3 and never even had a check engine light come on.. Most reliable car I have owned.. Daily driver for 2 years... Less problems then my brand new A3!!!!...

My vote is Stage 3 S4, I have seen them for $15K..
AWD
6 Speed Manual
400+ HP
22mpg+
11.XX in the 1/4 mile
4 door, leather climate control..
what more could you ask for

Leave the Lemmings cars (350Z and S2000) as dreams cars for above Civic owners..

what he said

[Das General]

You could easily have a stage 3 s4 and have a reliable car.

[xxForgedxx]

Yeah any car is reliable when you have the money to dump into it. I love how Audi owners think there fucking cars are built by god and that anything but is junk. A fan boi is a fan boi though and you can't tell them any different. Kind of like an anorexic girl that thinks she looks good at 5'7 and 89lbs.

[Seerlah]

He could always get a B6 A4 and throw on a bigger turbo kit. That can all be had for less than $15. Which will include better gas mileage than the S4, and easier to work on when problems arise. The only real draw back I have come to learn about the S4, is the stock turbos blowing. Which in turn can cost ~$2,000 for repairs. One of the many reasons S4 owners go Stage 3 afterwards. Or even go Stage 3 before, to avoid such complications as the k04 or GT28r (or whatever turbos people use) are more reliable than the stock turbos. And it is not that the stock turbos are not reliable, it is just that people like to drive thier vehicles. Getting the ECU flashed and beating on thier tiny k03 turbos as if they are going to last.

Anyways, I would say a B6 A4 with maybe a GT2871r eliminator. That can have him in the 400chp range. Plus the A4 has lots of potential to whatever the mind can conjure up with a plump wallet for support.

Or if you want something reliable, get a Honda. Yeah, I said it

[ThirdStrike]

You could easily have a stage 3 s4 and have a reliable car.

QFTT
I believe theres a santorin awe stage 3 for sale on here for ~13k