2004 S4 for $12000?

[jacobl95]

I posted earlier asking about an S4 or RS4 for a potential daily driver. I'm pretty set on an Audi and would rather have an RS4 but I will need a car very shortly and I stumbled across a 2004 S4 with 63000 miles. It seems like it's in good condition. I haven't gotten a chance to drive it yet. And haven't gotten a Carfax yet. I was wondering what you thought? I noticed he mentioned a chain rattle which could be the onset of the dreaded timing chain issue. It seemed high pricewise. I checked KBB and it says the private party value is $8000 tops. Do you think $12000 is too much? I don't want to buy a piece that I'll have to drop money into right offor the bat.

Jacob

[moyenecorniche]

This is the reading you should do before considering an S4. http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumd...B7-S4-RS4-Tech
But an RS4 and you are concerned with maintenance costs ?

The S4 is a better daily driver and you would keep the RS4 in the garage. ( best case scenario of course )

Now as far as " I noticed he mentioned a chain rattle which could be the onset of the dreaded timing chain issue. " 1st thing you need to understand is in the car you are looking at. 63,000 miles is a low mileage for an 11 year old car. On average 5,500 miles a year is nothing, that averages about 17 miles a day...
If the car is in as great a shape as the low mileage suggests, then $12,000 is very reasonable. It should be more around the $15,000 to $17,000 regardless of what the stupid KBB says.
KBB does not take into account how many of these cars are left with low mileage and excellent service history and documentation.

As for the so called chain rattle... That is normal for the one or two seconds on start up. But it can be remedied by (1) changing to a better high tech Synthetic. (2) under the valley pan there are 3 oil valves which close when the motor is turned off thus keeping oil in the upper region of the motor and not allowing the oil to return to the sump ( oil pan. ) often over time these 3 valves will remain open thus why there is a brief chain rattle on cold and warm start up.
63,000 miles is still well under when the average recommendation for checking the chain guide tensioners is recommended @ 80,000 miles.
But if its a late 2004 then chances are good that it has the revised tensioners. ( You'll have to do some research reading to know what we are all talking about )

Bottom line, if the documented service history reads consistently then $12,000 is an excellent ask price..

We need pics to see

As far as an RS4, you should ask that question in the RS4 section, but be aware that that car is not for the faint of wallet. Reliable Yes but you will need to account for twice the costs of an S4 in routine servicing and maintenance...
But if you have the disposable income then it's a moot point ...

BTW. Both S4 and RS4 demand that they be kept healthy or your costs easily double if not triple...

GLWB

[jacobl95]

This is the reading you should do before considering an S4. http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumd...B7-S4-RS4-Tech
But an RS4 and you are concerned with maintenance costs ?

The S4 is a better daily driver and you would keep the RS4 in the garage. ( best case scenario of course )

Now as far as " I noticed he mentioned a chain rattle which could be the onset of the dreaded timing chain issue. " 1st thing you need to understand is in the car you are looking at. 63,000 miles is a low mileage for an 11 year old car. On average 5,500 miles a year is nothing, that averages about 17 miles a day...
If the car is in as great a shape as the low mileage suggests, then $12,000 is very reasonable. It should be more around the $15,000 to $17,000 regardless of what the stupid KBB says.
KBB does not take into account how many of these cars are left with low mileage and excellent service history and documentation.

As for the so called chain rattle... That is normal for the one or two seconds on start up. But it can be remedied by (1) changing to a better high tech Synthetic. (2) under the valley pan there are 3 oil valves which close when the motor is turned off thus keeping oil in the upper region of the motor and not allowing the oil to return to the sump ( oil pan. ) often over time these 3 valves will remain open thus why there is a brief chain rattle on cold and warm start up.
63,000 miles is still well under when the average recommendation for checking the chain guide tensioners is recommended @ 80,000 miles.
But if its a late 2004 then chances are good that it has the revised tensioners. ( You'll have to do some research reading to know what we are all talking about )

Bottom line, if the documented service history reads consistently then $12,000 is an excellent ask price..

We need pics to see

As far as an RS4, you should ask that question in the RS4 section, but be aware that that car is not for the faint of wallet. Reliable Yes but you will need to account for twice the costs of an S4 in routine servicing and maintenance...
But if you have the disposable income then it's a moot point ...

BTW. Both S4 and RS4 demand that they be kept healthy or your costs easily double if not triple...

GLWB

I'd much rather have an RS4 but I will need a car in the next couple of weeks and would rather pay less for the S4 starting off because I have a big (out of state) move coming up and would rather have a smaller payment. And I like the S4s a lot too. And I am a little faint of wallet hahahaha!! I will reread through the sticky on the S4. I know they both need to be taken care of and I have no problem with that. My issue is I don't want to get stuck in a loan on a car that's going to blow up in 1000 miles.

Jacob

[jacobl95]

Here is the link to the car:http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/5306990338.html

[moyenecorniche]

OK,

1st ... Why would you not consider the entire package @ $13,800. The OEM avus wheels are dinged so those are your winter wheels, throw a set of performance winter tires like Michelin Alpin PA4 and problem solved for the next 2 to 3 winters. ( The S4 demands performance winter tires, anyone who drives these will tell you that. Due to the fact that winter tires are great but in this car when you are back on cleared of snow pavement you want performance winter tires )

We don't have ball joints in any of the suspension linkage, upper/lower control arms or inner/outer tie rods. it's a rubber bushing but the best is to replace with urethane ..Either way they are easy to replace as a single part or as a complete kit for less than $500 but you will need an alignment following install.

AC compressor I have never considered what that would entail but it's not a deal breaker for this car..

The car is in great shape but I think the owner believes some things that aren't quite reality as far as issues. Or I should say they're non existent.

He does know what he has so you might be able to talk him down to $13,300-500 but with a low mileage he can pick the buyer.
Question is are you really serious then.

[lathdogg]

How much are you looking to spend? Try to get a 2007/08 with the upgraded guide or only buy a car that has already had the full timing service already completed. It seems like you are only worried about finding a low mileage car regardless of what has been done or not done to it. If I were to buy another S4 today it would only be a car that has had the motor replaced or full timing job, along with ALL maintenance recent...rotors, tires, valve cover gaskets, etc. I'm guessing those valve cover gaskets are worped...there are just so many things man. Find an S4 that is well sorted and pay up for it or get an RS4, I have seen RS4's with less than 75000 miles in the 25-30k. Boroscope the cylinders=mandatory

[dsgray16]

Seems like a good price on a low millage car. I had my AC compressor replaced under warranty and it was almost a $2k invoice. I was thankful it was covered. I'm sure you can source a cheap one ($900?)and DIY, but just factor that in. The rpm thing is weird, but I bet it's solvable for less than $500. It's still a lot of car for $12k.

[jacobl95]

I just got the Carfax and it is clear also. He sent his ecu all to JHM to try to get the hanging RPM issue fixed. I will try to find time to go and test drive it. If everything seems up to snuff hopefully I'll be owner of an S4.

[moyenecorniche]

I just looked up the compressor adventure. Finally found credible thread by Jimmybones as to the actual replacement and all. It is like most things about this car and the fact that a V8 is stuffed into the space normally housing a 4 or V6...
That being said i ti a service position repair and it will take an afternoon or full day depending on what else you wish to play with when the front end is out of the way.

As for the leak from the valve covers, I would not necessarily blame a warped valve cover. I would first suspect the gasket and /or most likely the half moon seals. Notorious for leaking if not installed with sealant on the top of the seal. ( manuals say unnecessary but most who have pulled these off say it is necessary to seal the top of the HMS )

OP, how competent of a mechanic are You ? That in itself will dramatically lower your servicing / repair expenditures on this model ( S4 )

[Junaid]

I am 99% sure that is a forum member's car. You could always ask him for more info or find him and go through his posts to see any info you may be looking for. I feel like the price is decent but of course the lower the better.

I found the ad

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ue-63k-Chicago

[jacobl95]

I just looked up the compressor adventure. Finally found credible thread by Jimmybones as to the actual replacement and all. It is like most things about this car and the fact that a V8 is stuffed into the space normally housing a 4 or V6...
That being said i ti a service position repair and it will take an afternoon or full day depending on what else you wish to play with when the front end is out of the way.

As for the leak from the valve covers, I would not necessarily blame a warped valve cover. I would first suspect the gasket and /or most likely the half moon seals. Notorious for leaking if not installed with sealant on the top of the seal. ( manuals say unnecessary but most who have pulled these off say it is necessary to seal the top of the HMS )

OP, how competent of a mechanic are You ? That in itself will dramatically lower your servicing / repair expenditures on this model ( S4 )

He said he is going to be replacing valve cover gaskets while he's waiting for ECU to come back from JHM. I'll pass the sealant on tophone of gasket info onto him. I would say I'm a very competent mechanic. I've rebuilt a couple of gas motors, 2 cummins diesels, and 2 diesel truck transmissions. So I'm quite confident on my ability to work on things.