So how do you like your S? Question from a B5er...

[JayyyyyC]

Hello all. I've been on Audizine for a little bit, and have been in the VAG scene ever since my first car. I'm a third year student at a university and have decided to let go of the B5 S4. I believe that right now, reliability and a lower insurance rate comes first over performance.

So what do you suggest? I know the V8 can't be too friendly on gas, but at the same time, I'm not getting that great of a mileage on my car either. I average 21-22mpg.

How's the reliability of the car? I'm coming from a twin turboed V6 so as far as reliability is concerned, I'm putting my money on the fact that the B6 S4s will be MUCH more reliable than mine, but I'd like to know the common problems on these cars.

Power... I know there can't be much done to the 4.2 yet, but just how far can you guys really go with a chip and full exhaust combo? I'm not looking for all out power so please tell me what the usual bolt-ons are.

I greatly look forward to joining this section of Audizine!

[B6JoeS4]

well first off i have a b6 a4 3.0 so im no s4 expert but heres what i know,
the b6 s4 cranks out 340hp/torque stock. the b6 will be a lot more reliable than the b5 because its naturally asperated. the common problems are the same as on every b6 a4. the chip alone will only get you about 10-20 hp but other things such as deleting the cats and resonators and doing some magnaflow 14581's will make the car sound just amazing. tom(textruk) has that setup i belive and his car sounds amazing. intake setups are also common.

[B6JoeS4]

Tom's car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq324...eature=channel

Strait pipes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maygdvKBV9s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgUK...eature=related

[Meradin]

Early B6s had some issues that were resolved pretty early in production and would avoid the early '04s but for the most part the b6 and b7 are pretty reliable. Mileage varies between cars and drivers and ranges from 12-13 to 20-21. Chip and full exhaust nets about 40 whp as shown by many members before and after dyno runs. That puts you at about ~400 crank / ~300 wheel hp.

[JayyyyyC]

In my current situation and setting, 400hp is pretty damn adequate for university roads. My real concern is how reliable are these cars?

Also, if you guys don't mind, just how much insurance are you paying on your S? Switching from my MKIV 2.0 slow to the B5 S4 resulted with my insurance doubling. I don't want to put that strain on my parents any longer. (They pay for insurance, but that's it)

[whartung]

I somewhat disagree with the above comments but heres my input.

In terms of gas consumption, if you're averaging 22mpg combined, you're going to get hammered switching to the S4. In Los Angeles I was averaging only about 16. In upstate new york i get closer to 19 combined. So it depends on the driving.

The car is very reliable. I havent owned mine long, but I haven't had any problems. Also, I havent read much saying otherwise. There are a few common problems, like the clutch going out at 50k mile mark. But its heads and toes above the 2.7tt in terms of reliability.

Chip is frankly one of the last things you need for the car. There is a lot of debate about which one is the best for our cars, but everyone does agree that they dont accomplish much. Couple HPs at best. The biggest difference they make is simply throttle response, and some people even argue about whether it does even that.

The exhaust helps, but again I think most people are putting them on for the sound of the V8 as opposed to much else. There are a few options for things like downpipes that help. But not by much. Frankly you're never going to get very far from the 340hp mark without the VF supercharger.

Intakes reduce the HP on our cars, so the above statement saying they're common is actually wrong. The stock airbox is solid, so most people just do K&N and leave it at that.

The most common bolt-ons tend to be suspension, sway bars, exhaust + downpipe, K&N, Short shifters, snubs, and possibly top that with a chip. Add to the list if I forgot anything.

Dont let my negativity discourage you. The V8 is fun every time I drive it. I would love to have a B5 S4, but if I also had my B7, the V8 would definitely be my daily driver.

[iconoclast]

I greatly look forward to joining this section of Audizine!

coming from a stgIII b5 s4, it doesnt have the same kind of pull... however that is quickly made up with no turbo lag, and in the interior. mods are far and few, and the only worthwhile one being super charger once theyre available tot he public (outside of the betas). sway bar is a must for this car, itll neutralize the slop in the stock suspension, and then exhaust will really wake the car up (in terms of sound), imo the stock exhaust is extremely quiet. gas mileage was horrible, in city driving i rarely ever got over 200 miles from F to E, on highway roadtrips if i got a lil over 200 id be surprised. the achilles heel on this car are the coil packs. outside of that theres not much more input i can offer, i only kept the car for about six months.

[whartung]

coming from a stgIII b5 s4, it doesnt have the same kind of pull... however that is quickly made up with no turbo lag, and in the interior. mods are far and few, and the only worthwhile one being super charger once theyre available tot he public (outside of the betas). sway bar is a must for this car, itll neutralize the slop in the stock suspension, and then exhaust will really wake the car up (in terms of sound), imo the stock exhaust is extremely quiet. gas mileage was horrible, in city driving i rarely ever got over 200 miles from F to E, on highway roadtrips if i got a lil over 200 id be surprised. the achilles heel on this car are the coil packs. outside of that theres not much more input i can offer, i only kept the car for about six months.

whoa dude. Driving from cali to NY in mine I was getting 330 miles per tank, bleeding it dry...

[iconoclast]

thats pretty damn good, considering i did about 4k miles driving upstate and down, (avg 200 per full tank) it was crap. especially when gas was at its peak. i changed plugs and air filter the weekend after i got my car, so i know it was up to date on the tune-ups, and the dealer changed a coil pack. for the record it was a 6spd avant.

[drew]

thats pretty damn good, considering i did about 4k miles driving upstate and down, (avg 200 per full tank) it was crap. especially when gas was at its peak. i changed plugs and air filter the weekend after i got my car, so i know it was up to date on the tune-ups, and the dealer changed a coil pack. for the record it was a 6spd avant.

what's the next ride?

[iconoclast]

mk5 (2008) r32 for the time being.

[whartung]

thats pretty damn good, considering i did about 4k miles driving upstate and down, (avg 200 per full tank) it was crap. especially when gas was at its peak. i changed plugs and air filter the weekend after i got my car, so i know it was up to date on the tune-ups, and the dealer changed a coil pack. for the record it was a 6spd avant.

I was hoping it was just a typo, but your 200 really was a 200. Thats amazing. I dont have any trouble breaking the 200 mile per tank mark. just cruising from LA to NY i managed to average about 23.5 mpg for the entire 2800 miles

[drew]

mk5 (2008) r32 for the time being.

cool...i really like the 2004 r32.

[iconoclast]

I was hoping it was just a typo, but your 200 really was a 200. Thats amazing. I dont have any trouble breaking the 200 mile per tank mark. just cruising from LA to NY i managed to average about 23.5 mpg for the entire 2800 miles

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4b6/msgs/449153.phtml

[whartung]

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4b6/msgs/449153.phtml

sucky.

we've taken over this thread.

JAYYYYyyaaayyyy... Get the B6/7. you wont regret it. although i'm skeptical your insurance will drop much. I'm a junior in college with a clean car record and my insurance is sky highhhh

[iconoclast]

yeah, noones buying this car because theyre concerned about gas... enjoy it for what it is, and youll have a lot of fun... good luck with the car.

[nimski62]

Its nikeling and diming me to death.. ps pump, cam shaft sensors, fuel pump...

[JayyyyyC]

B5 is getting sold this weekend. In the meantime, B6 S4 prices at auctions are looking extremely good.

[PSYC0TIC ONE]

good luck Jay...

[$4c@b]

good luck JayyyyyC

I went from a B5 S4 to a B6 S4 and never once regretted it.

[tadhgbrosnan]

Made the switch a little over a year ago. No regrets. Love both cars and surprisingly, both cars have been remarkably trouble free. Literally, no mechanical problems with my B5 in 2.5 years of ownership. GIAC Stage 2 for a few months, too. Couple of light bulbs and a brake light switch on the B6 has been the extent of the damage in 15 months. Overall, my Audi expereince has been superb.

If I had to say, though, I like the B6 better. Love the V8, the looks and the interior with the two tone Recaros.

[JayyyyyC]

Thanks Cliff, and thanks to the others as well for the kind wishes. I really hope I can join you guys in the coming weeks. I have no problem sitting patiently waiting for the perfect one. I'm hoping I can stick with Nogaro although I know it's going to be tough finding one.

[Audi0s]

The major things Ive seen is auxiallary radiators leaking, around 600 each replaced. The alternator belt tensioner whistles, I was quoted for another 550 at the dealer. Ive also heard about a few window regulators going. This is far better than the B5, my friend has put 6600 into his in around 6 months... Only downside is MPG, My avg for the life of the car(6500 mi) is 15.0. Best ever was 20.4 to Atlantic City. As stated chips only really change throttle response to get hp gains. Exhaust is a good move, but 1200-1500 isnt exactly cheap. Its a definate step up. Also, I live in NJ, I pay 200 a month for insurance. 25 yrs old, single.

[chaos2984]

Actually I was in the same boat as u. I decided to trade up to a B7 S4 from my B5. I traded up for relibility and No one can sell cars so prices would be down. And I want to et into something i can have for 5 years because im about to buy a house.

I sold my B5 2000 S4 with 92k on it for 12K it was a stage 2+

I picked up a 2006 S4 with 50k miles on it for 21k out the door. Its fully loaded with everything

I absoulty love the car i love the seats. And everything