Possible 04 S4 Purchase

**Jvt** · 02-24-2014 12:13 PM

Looking at an 04 S4.
what do you guys think?
11,300 out the door
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/4317545321.html

The motor has no tick or timing noise, clutch has some noise when disengaged. Some maintenance history available, looks like a few coilpacks were replaced

**JKnight41** · 02-24-2014 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Jvt

Looking at an 04 S4.
what do you guys think?
11,300 out the door
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/4317545321.html

The motor has no tick or timing noise, clutch has some noise when disengaged. Some maintenance history available, looks like a few coilpacks were replaced

Doesn't look too bad. But that is a lot of miles... Just do your homework and thoroughly look over the car, try and get an inspection with compression test, and a borescope inspection. There are plenty of threads on what to beware of, obviously you kknow timing chain rattle is one of them, so try and dig up any records on maintenance in that area. Good Luck!

**0000 V8** · 02-24-2014 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by JKnight41

Doesn't look too bad. But that is a lot of miles...

Not for a 10 year old car. Thats only 13,000 miles a year. I drive more than double that.

**Jvt** · 02-24-2014 01:21 PM

I didnt hear any chan rattle from the motor at all, was quite surprised. More worried about the throwout bearing, I have done clutches on 6 speeds, now one thats Quattro I don't believe i'd be able to bench press that back into the car like I have the others. Either way hows the price?

**Jvt** · 02-24-2014 01:31 PM

Oh and the Valve covers are leaking, I can tackle that though

**JayTeeC** · 02-24-2014 01:54 PM

Sharp looking, appears well kept. Exhaust and wheels are worth some bucks. Price is great if timing gear has been serviced; price is fair if not. Timing service requires a motor pull = $$. Only way this would be a BAD deal IMO is if timing makes noise currently. One more thing- are you in FLA? No heated seats, which could be a deal breaker in my area! (mid atlantic)

**Jvt** · 02-24-2014 02:11 PM

Yeah I have no use for heated seats. I'm in Florida

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

**oildrpr** · 02-24-2014 02:36 PM

ad says 'woodgrain interior trim'.. hmmm... where? haha... not bad tho, mines for sale with a tick over 130k, in as good as if not better shape.. but I have a few more mods, and i'm arctic white and am asking a bit more.. but looks solid..

**JKnight41** · 02-24-2014 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by 0000 V8

Not for a 10 year old car. Thats only 13,000 miles a year. I drive more than double that.

Only reason I say that is because I bought my 2004 in the beginning of 2013 With only 100k. But good point. On another note, there are a couple of new-ish members who have gotten burned on account of their engines being bandaged to sell. So make sure it really is inspected.

**goosh** · 02-24-2014 02:56 PM

Buy mine!!!!!!!!!!! I have 96,xxx and lots of time left on my extended warranty. I also live close. Price is negotiable.
http://www.audizine.com/classifieds/...rranty-&cat=68

**Jvt** · 02-24-2014 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by goosh

Buy mine!!!!!!!!!!! I have 96,xxx and lots of time left on my extended warranty. I also live close. Price is negotiable.
http://www.audizine.com/classifieds/...rranty-&cat=68

It's out of my price range. Nice car though

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

**blaelock** · 02-24-2014 05:51 PM

Borescope the cylinder walls and go from there.

**lathdogg** · 02-24-2014 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jvt

It's out of my price range. Nice car though

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

If 2-3 grand more for a car with less miles and a 2yr/20k miles warranty is out of reach, then you should rethink buying a car that is expensive to maintain.

**SpoolBus** · 02-24-2014 07:16 PM

^agreed...

**tman52** · 02-24-2014 07:27 PM

Just buy mine

**rockstar** · 02-24-2014 08:05 PM

I've see that car driving around Tampa. Nice looking car. Sounds like the oil was just changed. These cars don't have a rattle after a fresh oil bath, unless the guides are just plain gone. Other wise, get a leak down test, bore scope test, a very thorough check of the car.

**Jvt** · 02-24-2014 08:15 PM

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/4346893302.html

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

**Jvt** · 02-24-2014 08:16 PM

What about this then?

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

**Concavitor** · 02-24-2014 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by JayTeeC

Sharp looking, appears well kept. Exhaust and wheels are worth some bucks. Price is great if timing gear has been serviced; price is fair if not. Timing service requires a motor pull = $$. Only way this would be a BAD deal IMO is if timing makes noise currently. One more thing- are you in FLA? No heated seats, which could be a deal breaker in my area! (mid atlantic)

I wouldn't say well-kept. Did you take a good look at the interior? The dash and door panels are worn and filthy. The center console/radio has worn buttons.

I would say it is average condition for those miles.

**FulhamFTW** · 02-24-2014 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jvt

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/4346893302.html

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

That is a different car altogether. Having come from a B6 A4(to a B7 S4), the difference is night and day. With the timing belt being done on that car, and the fact that it's a turbo Ultrasport under 100k for less than $10k, it's not a bad pick-up. I would try and talk them down a bit, but I will tell you this...it will never be near as fun as that V8. Especially if you have ever driven a V8 S4. You will be greatly disappointed with the 1.8t. I never realized how seriously under powered the B6 1.8t was until I drove the B7 S.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

**Quadfreak** · 02-24-2014 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by FulhamFTW

...it will never be near as fun as that V8. Especially if you have ever driven a V8 S4. You will be greatly disappointed with the 1.8t. I never realized how seriously under powered the B6 1.8t was until I drove the B7 S.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

Depends what his end goals are though..obviously the v8 is a torque monster, but the 1.8t is much more mod friendly. On my old (B5)1.8t, I was making around 280ish chp for less than $3k all said and done. Your power to dollar ratio is way lower with a 1.8t. Buuut the fit and finish is miiiiiiles ahead on the S, and theres nothin better than those recaro seats.

I will agree with what someone said above, if you cant afford the extra couple thousand for a car with a warrenty I would encourage you to look more towards the A4 route. If something goes wrong on the S4, it could quite possibly cost much much more than 2k, plus it's already a 10yo car with known timing and cylinder wall issues. You can almost rebuild an entire 1.8t motor for that

Just my .02

**Jvt** · 02-25-2014 07:23 AM

The situation is this I have an 08 FJ cruiser and its killing me in payment and gas. Just got an alimony order so I am trying to cut costs. I have had 6 VW's so I am familiar with VAG cars. I am older now so getting another GTi would be a little odd. I think Ill stay away from that S4 and lean towards an A4 and when all is straight I throw a big turbo at it maybe. I just want something fun and somewhat responsible

**SpoolBus** · 02-25-2014 08:20 AM

Solid decision

**sea_shackF1** · 02-25-2014 09:11 AM

aaaaand..... one less S4 buyer after coming on here....... Less buyers are good for our resale values.. right?

**Jvt** · 02-25-2014 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by sea_shackF1

aaaaand..... one less S4 buyer after coming on here....... Less buyers are good for our resale values.. right?

Lol.

**staubach333** · 02-25-2014 09:44 AM

Looks like it could've been hit in the front and repaired at some point, the hood to fender gap is larger than normal, down by the headlight (this does not mean that there was any frame damage though)...and if people paid out of pocket to repair, it wouldn't show up on the Carfax. A clean accident Carfax means nothing to me. Lowered suspension and exhaust with that mileage would scare me a bit, who knows how hard the car was driven. There's a fine line between an enthusiast who modifies his car and takes care of it / enthusiast who modifies his car romps on it (daddy paid for it), though a stock car you run the same risk as well. This is what I think about / look for when I buy used cars. Maintenance history is key. Though I bought an old lady dealer maintained car, and my timing still went. You just don't know. I'd beware of the date and time not being correct / reset on the dash, as stupid as that may seem...why you ask? Battery could've been recently disconnected for a band-aid motor repair, and not reset. Or, just a dead battery, lol. Just don't want you to get burned kid, good luck.

**Jvt** · 02-25-2014 01:19 PM

Solid advice fellas, and just cause I dont get an"S"4 doesnt mean I wont be a member anyway. Ill probably end up with an A4 for now and an S5 later

**MidwestB6** · 02-25-2014 01:27 PM

120k miles was almost enough to push me into a few years newer A4, I ended up getting to $9500 on the S, and shook his hand. Which btw, was the high end of the book value range. After all that, I'm so glad I took the S4 instead of the few years newer A4.

Originally Posted by Jvt

and an S5 later

V8 or GTFO.

**Menlo S4** · 02-26-2014 08:17 PM

Apparently that S4 thinks it's December 13, 2003

**Jvt** · 02-27-2014 05:34 AM

Good catch

**t28sentra** · 02-27-2014 06:42 AM

OP, You mentioned the FJ is killing you on the payment and fuel consumption. The S4 won't do any better in the fuel consumption department. I drove to Florida last week and averaged 26-27 mpg averaging 75-80 mph in my USP (Revo stage 3). I think you made the right choice by going with the USP, but they are very underpowered (stock) compared to the S. I'd suggest the S4 if you weren't looking for a daily.

A stage 3 A4 will hold its own and are very fun to drive and common maintenance parts won't hurt the wallet too bad.