Trade my 2008 A4 Quattro for 2005 S4???

[exsterminator]

Unsure whether to do this or not and assume for sake of argument it is a wash in terms of cost . . .

I have a 2008 CPO 2.0T Quattro automatic with S-Line package, no NAV or other frills. Approx 37,000 miles, warrantied until 2014 and have installed APR chip. Considering exchange for 2005 (NOT 2005.5) S4 6MT, 4.2L V8, stock, 55,000 miles and obviously no Audi warranty. This would be my daily driver.

My car was a kind of impulse purchase and I did not realize at the time how much I would miss the manual transmission (this is my first automatic car) or the lack of real punch. Will I get satisfaction by making the trade?

My real concerns are that I have a fairly good understanding of the problems the 08 A4 can have and have peace of mind to a degree with the CPO warranty. What maintenance and repair issues could I be letting myself in for? What do I need to check/have checked before proceeding?

Really interested in opinions from people who have owned both or have understanding of both. I have been browsing the S4 model line forum and will continue to do so, just really interested in opinions from the A4 crowd.

[Philthy]

Is this your daily driver? If so then don't do it. The 2.7t is a maintenance whore and will suck you dry.

I thought long and hard about this exact trade, and through countless conversations with people FAR more versed than me. I just didn't have the funds and expertise to keep the car running.

[exsterminator]

Is this your daily driver? If so then don't do it. The 2.7t is a maintenance whore and will suck you dry.

I thought long and hard about this exact trade, and through countless conversations with people FAR more versed than me. I just didn't have the funds and expertise to keep the car running.

Yes, it would be daily driver. However, I don't know where 2.7T comes in as this is 4.2L V8 . . . Amended OP to reflect this in case of other confusions

[rvca3112]

The v8 in the s4 are good motors. Carbon build up is a issue. If you're concerned get a third party warranty where you pay a deductible. But ask your Audi dealership if they have any suggestions about that. My Audi dealer cpo'd my car and said after the warranty was done, if I still had the car, that they can give me the third party warranty company they use. So it will all be covered. S4 are nice but VERY front end heavy. Drive the car and see if you like it.

This one guy on here, his name is staticxcuo ((I think I spelled that wrong)) his s4 sounds fucking beautiful. Beautiful s4 too.

Good luck.

[Jay-Bee]

The v8 in the s4 are good motors. Carbon build up is a issue.

2.7TT was the B5 S4, B6 is the 4.2, however I have not heard of any carbon build up issues, it's not FSI... only the RS4.

Timing chains and guides, for the love of god pray that nothing ever happens to them lol.

[snopyro]

I came from a 2005 B6 S4 avant into at 2007 A4 2.0T. I do miss the instant power and Recaro seats. I purchased extended warranty when I purchased the car brand new and before the end of that extended warranty, I had a valve cover gasket, coilpacks, some belts, driver's side butt warmer, and both front window regulators replaced under warranty. (The early 2004's had issues, but since you are looking at a 2005, you shouldn't have any issues.) Out of pocket, that would have cost a pretty penny, but if you have money for an S4, you should have money to cover gas, maintenance, and the 10 qt. synthetic oil change every 5000 miles. With a full fill up, the B6 S4 can get ~240 miles mixed city and highway driving. (You tend to drive the car harder and faster because you can, so I was averaging about 220 miles between fill ups with primarily city driving. You can squeeze out 290-300 miles for all highway driving if you aren't speeding and I've noticed the avg. gas mileage increase when you drive ~75-80mph. Car insurance costs should go up a little bit too.

Now, going to the 2.0T A4, you will notice the delay (turbo lag) and when you step on the gas- that's pretty much all you are going to get. It is spunky enough to merge onto the freeway and hold its highway speeds, but you won't have the instant acceleration of the V8. I do like the increased gas mileage (~300 mile range mixed city and highway driving) as well as the cheaper maintenance costs (only need half as much synthetic oil now). There are a lot of bolt on goodies for the car if I choose to go that route, but the APR tune is a good start. Seats aren't as supportive and in my case, I got the red display. Since gas prices were increasing, I decided to go with the less fuel consuming model and am happy with my choice for a daily driver. There's a faster G35 at home, so if I have the need for speed, I can always jump into that car.

[Inked]

For 2k you can get a Pinnacle Warranty, it wont cover the small stuff that goes wrong but if you motor,trans, or anything major goes wrong it covers it. It's for 30k miles or 2 years... That's what I got when I bought my car used. Worst case senerio nothing goes wrong and you wasted your money but have a solid car. But it's worth having when buying a used car out of warranty since you don't know what you are getting.

Edit: also not sure what state you are in(iPhone) but it might be called different names in different states, but in FL it's Pinnacle.

[Jay-Bee]

For 2k you can get a Pinnacle Warranty, it wont cover the small stuff that goes wrong but if you motor,trans, or anything major goes wrong it covers it. It's for 30k miles or 2 years... That's what I got when I bought my car used. Worst case senerio nothing goes wrong and you wasted your money but have a solid car. But it's worth having when buying a used car out of warranty since you don't know what you are getting.

Edit: also not sure what state you are in(iPhone) but it might be called different names in different states, but in FL it's Pinnacle.

I got a similar deal, 2K I haggled down from 2500$ for 4 year 60,000km power train warranty. I got my car from a Hyundai dealer (great sales staff) and they pretty much wouldn't let me leave without it, oh and it dropped my already crazy interest rate by a full point since it was an approved warranty company from the people who did my financing.

[Philthy]

Yes, it would be daily driver. However, I don't know where 2.7T comes in as this is 4.2L V8 . . . Amended OP to reflect this in case of other confusions

Thats my bad. I misread 2005 as B5. Sorry.

I would make that trade for my daily if gas mileage wouldn't be an issue for you. The only concern, and someone stated it already, would be the timing chain situation. Lots of labor to replace and subsequently more $$$. Other than that though if you are looking for an increase in fun to drive factor you would find it.

Apologies for the confusion.

[stevegasm]

Personally I'd keep the '08 since it's warrantied until 2014 and you'd end up spending extra just to get a warranty on the S4, which wouldn't be as comprehensive as the CPO warranty you have now. With that money you'd spend on a warranty you could throw an RNS-E in your car (or an aftermarket unit like a Dynavin or something) and go with a stage-2 APR, assuming you have a stage-1 now. There are plenty of bolt-ons for the 2.0T that would potentially make your car quicker than a V8 S4 anyway. You already have the S-line package, so you have all of the appearance of an S4. The only thing you'd be missing is the V8 growl, which is quite nice though.

[SEXICÄN]

why do you come on here and ask every what they would do when it's going to be your decision? I realize you are looking to see if some will mention something you didn't think of, but still its your car you would be trading to get yourself into a car YOU are going to own. Do you want out the box power and the manual with no warranty or keep the Auto with warranty and be slower.

That should be your only question!

[tdn]

why do you come on here and ask every what they would do when it's going to be your decision? I realize you are looking to see if some will mention something you didn't think of, but still its your car you would be trading to get yourself into a car YOU are going to own. Do you want out the box power and the manual with no warranty or keep the Auto with warranty and be slower.

That should be your only question!

"looking to see if some will mention something you didn't think of"

Sounds like a perfectly good reason to me.

[exsterminator]

why do you come on here and ask every what they would do when it's going to be your decision? I realize you are looking to see if some will mention something you didn't think of, but still its your car you would be trading to get yourself into a car YOU are going to own. Do you want out the box power and the manual with no warranty or keep the Auto with warranty and be slower.

That should be your only question!

I apologize profusely if the intent of my post - to see if someone with more knowledge on a particular topic can help me make a more informed decision - riles you a bit. Yes, ultimately, it will be entirely my decision and aside from the obvious differences between the 2 vehicles that I stated in my OP and you merely repeated, other kind members have actually added some points for me to consider that I had not thought of or had no knowledge of. I kind of thought that was one of the purposes of a forum . . .

When I get to be as smart as you, I hope I can contribute something more to a debate than you have done here.