should I pull the trigger on a high mileage S4?

[magz]

OK, here's the deal: I've secretly been lusting for a B5 S4 for quite a while now and there is one locally for sale that seems to be a good deal (major maintenance up to date, some mods) with one caveat...it's getting up there on miles.

It is a 2001.5 sedan with 125K miles on it. I am in the process of finding out more about it, such as how long it was enthusiast-owned for, but assuming the car itself is up to snuff...is it a wise decision to purchase a high-mileage S4 if the price is right? It is priced a couple grand less than a similarly sorted car with less miles. I've done some digging and all of the major troublesome areas have been addressed already...turbos swapped with K04/997 hybrids (freshly rebuilt), timing belt done ~12K miles ago, new primary O2s and rear rotors, rear wheel bearings done ~25K ago along with valve cover gaskets and cam seals, and new front outer CV boots. Of course I would love to pick up a lower-mileage example around, say, 75K miles but that price point is a bit out of my league. And I know that it is a wise decision to keep a couple of grand cash around in case something does go wrong.

Basically, what else can I expect to go wrong with this car in the near future? I put about 10K miles a year on my car so can I expect a well-sorted S4 to stay...well...sorted for a while to come? I realize that when parts break, things get expensive quickly for this platform. It should be noted that while I am not afraid to get dirty working on a car, I do not have a garage at my current residence so working on the car would entail either working in the driveway at my parents' house or working on it in my buddy's garage about 25 minutes away. There is an independent VAG shop literally a mile from my parent's house that I fully trust in case something pops up that I cannot fix given the circumstances but that is more of a last resort.

Currently I drive a '98 Jetta with a VR6 Turbo that I have been running as my daily for the last few years that I have built up on my own, but it's gotten to the point that driving it in the winter is just more hassle than it is worth (especially running higher boost after some upgrades this summer). We got our first real snowfall of the season yesterday and on the way home from work I was spinning my Pirelli Snowsports in 4th gear. Traction would be nice as well as a car that is a bit more socially acceptable for someone in their upper 20s to drive.

Thanks for the input guys. I've always had a soft spot for the B5 S4 and am a big fan of the understated styling and good power they put down.

[highPSI-S4]

seems like it's not a bad buy what color? sport package?, Only advice just like others have said- If you can afford the maintence with your new bride then go for it.

When i didn't have a garage i did what i could, but all the hard stuff i took it to a shop to get worked on.

If you buy it, goodluck with her

[magz]

seems like it's not a bad buy what color? sport package?, Only advice just like others have said- If you can afford the maintence with your new bride then go for it.

When i didn't have a garage i did what i could, but all the hard stuff i took it to a shop to get worked on.

If you buy it, goodluck with her

Thanks. I'm glad that I am not the only sucker that chose to live somewhere without a garage.

It's black with black seats, from what I can tell in the pics, with the premium package and cold weather package.

Here is the mod list:
Blouch 997/K04 hybrids (fresh rebuild)
Piggie pipes, relocated rear O2s = no CEL with high flow cats
Southbend Stage 4 OFE clutch ~3k miles
Euro S4 rear bumper
Euro tail lights
RS4 front grill
Stock Avus with Nokian WR's
Undrilled front plate panel(i.e. no front plate)
034 motor mounts
RS4 tranny mounts
Avalon Poly rear diff mounts-side mounts not the front
Greddy front snub mount

[J-tec]

I've been wondering this myself about the high mileage, because i too am in love with S4's. Interested to see what people say.

If i ever found an s4 with low miles in my price range, my jetta would be gone. IMO tho, i probably would never buy a already stage 3'd car, only if i was good friends with the previous owner and really knew what the car had been through

[s4Xcelence13]

Id hop on it. I bought mine with 125k and it hasn't been too nice to me, but thats cause the previous owner was a daddy's boy and treated it like shit, and i bought it when the economy was good so yours is probably cheaper.

But you also have a nice list of mods already too that a lot of us go for in the end. Id say good buy unless hes like asking mid teen's for it.

Just make sure all the records he says got done are done, cause if not you might be paying for it later.

Good luck if you buy it!

Also check and see what chip he is running, cause i see upgraded turbo's but no ECU?

[highPSI-S4]

Thanks. I'm glad that I am not the only sucker that chose to live somewhere without a garage.

It's black with black seats, from what I can tell in the pics, with the premium package and cold weather package.

Here is the mod list:
Blouch 997/K04 hybrids (fresh rebuild)
Piggie pipes, relocated rear O2s = no CEL with high flow cats
Southbend Stage 4 OFE clutch ~3k miles
Euro S4 rear bumper
Euro tail lights
RS4 front grill
Stock Avus with Nokian WR's
Undrilled front plate panel(i.e. no front plate)
034 motor mounts
RS4 tranny mounts
Avalon Poly rear diff mounts-side mounts not the front
Greddy front snub mount

Yeah i'd jump on it. I'm going to run mine into the ground. and i recently moved and now have a nice garage, so some DIY's for the winter for me

[haus4]

As long as it was taken care of well and not abused, you should be fine. You have records and a good idea of what the car has done to it.

The good thing about this car is that all the major stuff has been done. Turbos and clutch. Since your mechanically inclined, i would say you should be alrite for service and maintenance.

But as with any car with high miles, things will go just because of wear and tear. The car sounds like its been taken care of, but i dont know the owner. For parts and stuff, its not bad, but when you bring the car in to a shop, then thats how things get expansive. Besides clutch and turbos, basically its similar prices for parts compared to any other Audi/VW.

As for price, i would pay the going price for a clean, lower mileage S4 that is stock or < stage 3. Personally, I wouldnt pay more than 11-12k for it.

[magz]

Great, thanks for the replies guys. I don't know the owner personally but he has been an active member on the local Audi board for a while and seems to be in good standing with everyone so I figured I'd give him a shot. I just sent him a PM to arrange a time to check out the car.

I also just got a quote back from my insurance agent. My rate would go up over $100 a month to insure both the Jetta and the S4. Ouch.

[Evilevo]

Great, thanks for the replies guys. I don't know the owner personally but he has been an active member on the local Audi board for a while and seems to be in good standing with everyone so I figured I'd give him a shot. I just sent him a PM to arrange a time to check out the car.

I also just got a quote back from my insurance agent. My rate would go up over $100 a month to insure both the Jetta and the S4. Ouch.

Make sure the gaskets are replaced also, like the Valve cover and cam seals. Not sure if you mentioned those.

I bought mine at 140K and have 156k now. Never had mine strand me anywhere, but there were def alot of things i had to replace. Just make sure you can afford the repairs. And mileage is just a number ;)

[AudiHolicS4]

DO IT!!! an old guy drove my car before me so i was happy to find that out cause im sure he wasnt doing to much street racing!! lol

but you never know i heard he might be in a couple scenes in the new fast and furious

[gointoscott]

Lusting always gets you in trouble, especially if its done secretely...

Well almost all the time

[RogueStatus]

how much is this car exactly? (maybe i missed it above)

[gotboost]

The car is 10K, if its the same one we are talking about on MNAudi.com. I think its an awsome deal, looks really taken care of.

[jaredsogn]

I would jump on it. It is a great deal. I have personally dealt with the owner of the car, purchased a fueling kit and some other things from him. Great guy. I would say he takes very good care of it. Also, I own an S4 with 155,000 miles, 997/K04 turbos and the works...runs great. I have had no major problems, just periodical maintainence stuff. You will be very happy with the car! I will be coming to Minneapolis in a few weeks. If you haven't purchased it yet and its for sale, I'll give you a ride in mine to convince you to get it, since mine has most of the same upgrades :)

[GetAudiHere]

Haha I was actually looking at this car but I have to sell my a4 first. Seems like a very good deal. He did part out some of the stage 3 things but still. Dont worry I wont steal it from you

[magz]

Thanks again for the input guys. It sounds like the owner is coming back from Chicago today so I'll be giving him a call after work tonight to set up a time to hopefully check out the car over the next couple of days.

And it is very reassuring that a couple of you guys have dealt with the owner before, as well as the people who are sitting on 150K+ miles on their car without any concern.

I will keep you guys updated after I meet up with the owner and post my findings.