PPI Results and Interpretation

[krs.br79]

My wife has been looking at getting back into a sports sedan for several months now, and settled on looking for a B7 S4. We test drove a few so she could see if that's really what she wanted, and it is.

Anyways, she's pretty picky on the color, interior, and wants the 6MT. Finding something that fits that as been a drawn out process, and one finally popped up at a local indy dealer. It has 93k miles, and the interior was mint (at least I thought, as was shown in the PPI) But the seats look like they've never been sat in, dash is great, buttons show no wear and tear.

Anyways, the PPI results show this as a negative:

-Chain rattle on cold start <1sec
-Battery tests bad (we've driven the car three times, two different days, never showed poor charging issues)
-Air filter dirty
-Spark plugs worn, with slight oil buildup
-P/S Fluid dirty
-Brake fluid brownish
-Rear inner brake pads about 1/32"
-Chassis components have rust, looks like East Coast car. (From OH, then PA until 2008 then Utah from 2008 to current , I live in Utah, it will be driven in the snow and salt).
-Oil drain crush washer seeping oil
-Hood insulation bunched up
-Windshield wipers need replaced
-Misfire fault codes stored, no CEL
-Glove box hinge broken, damper might be too stiff (I did not notice this when looking through the car initially)

I requested compression test and cylinder inspection, but my PPI paper was cutoff at the bottom of the fax, so I don't have the numbers. I'm waiting on those for tomorrow. But they said numbers and walls were fine. PPI was done by a shop recommended through here, and the M3 forum I'm on, and they did my PPI on my M3.

There are 21 service records listed in carfax, clean title, no accidents or damage reported. There are a handful of service records with all the owners manual, most all from the Audi dealer in SLC. Car comes with a extra set of wheels with new snow tires.

Here's the carfax. http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...GL78E66A061495

Asking price is $16,500

Questions.

-I'm aware of the potential issues, when they happen I guess it happens, if not then we luck out. I would do the work myself if/when the timing becomes an issue. But does anything give a indication that could be sooner than later? Crystal ball wishes, I know. My reason, is why would there appear to be oil residue on the plugs, if they should have been changed at 75k miles, or at least at the latest when the coils were replaced? PCV bad? Valve guides?
-Other items are wear and tear items which are manageable. From what I gathered by some quick web prices, I would be looking at about $800 in parts from ECS, plus my time to install. I would rather them not fix them, as I can't be certain they would use quality or OEM parts.
-Is the price decent, or could I be wasting time with pushing for the NADA or KBB pricing? I know with M3's there's KBB prices, then there's prices you can get based off the enthusiast market. I'm unsure on the S4's. Seems I've seen prices close and some way highe for similarr.

-Extended service contracts worth it? Ha, just kidding, I'm saving that cash for later.

[Lucca M]

Without timing job they are asking way too much especially with all the things you listed that need to be changed plus misfires codes.

[lucidmatt]

Startup rattle might mean the check valves aren't holding pressure in the hydraulic tensioners, thats why the first second they rattle before the oil pressure builds inside the tensioners. get a second opinion, but at that price, it better include timing chain replacement before pickup!

[krs.br79]

Okay, this is good.

I'll sit down with them and low ball them this afternoon. I doubt they paid more than $9k on the trade in, plus the car has been sitting there for over two months. Maybe the general consumer doesn't want to touch the car...Maybe I'm missing something....

Regardless, it looks like the Kelley Blue Book Value might be closer to accurately estimating the value appropriately for once? They have it valued at $11,165 for a clean retail price from a dealer. NADA is always higher, but they have it at a clean retail price of $15,375.

Thanks

[krs.br79]

They came down to $14,900.

[arrogntbastrd06]

They came down to $14,900.

don't pay more than 12,000. Even then that is kind of high. I'm thinking more like 10k

[krs.br79]

Ha, yeah I haven't seen a price like that anywhere, even with private sellers. I spent about 4 hrs this morning looking through pretty much any auto classifieds I could find to compare. I even checked each state on craigslist. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

Something I'm weighing, is the cost of bringing a car out this way even if I find one back east. Still looking at another $1500 on top of a purchase price.

Now with a auto trans, that's a different story....

[Crispy Waffle]

I paid 14500 for mine with 75k on the clock. It needed some work but the timing chain was done, brand new brakes, and no codes showing or stored. If they can't show paperwork for the timing chain, I would offer 10k or walk.


Clarifying the 'needed some work' portion. Needed motor mounts, fog lights needed rewired, belt tensioner, sway bar, and front end suspension bits that were worn out completely.

[VinnysS4]

Yeah that seems a little high. i just picked up an 2005.5 s4. 93,000 miles with the automatic/paddle shifters, cold weather package, carbon fiber, etc..original sticker price was $56k and i got it for $12,750. It will eventually need the timing done but that's not something i'm scared to tackle. my car is in absolutely immaculate shape minus a couple of things(upper control arm bushings need done, some buttons on the dash show a little paint fade, etc) and it had the normal valley pan gasket leak that i fixed for cheap. Call a shop and ask how much they charge for the timing chain service and then put that into perspective. so IMO opinion, that is a little much. i paid a little much for the one i got, but i got it anyways. Good luck and dont settle on it on emotion!! there are more out there!!

[badbeny13]

See if they'll throw in an aftermarket warranty that'll cover about 5k. I did this and was the best decision I made on purchasing my S4. I also live in utah and timing chain jobs are between 4k-7k from the quotes I got.

[VinnysS4]

i had originally bought an aftermarket warranty on my S4. I'm sure they aren't all the same, but here is how they tried to screw me: They cover the timing chains but not the guides/tentioners. If the car needs the timing done due to a failed guide/tentioner(almost always the reason for the repair to be needed) they wont cover ANY of the repair bill because the failure was due to an uncovered item. I promptly asked for a refund after finding this out. They also are super sticklers on having all of the service records and having everything done exactly when the manufacture specifies, or it is considered neglect and wont be covered either. If i could find a company that covers everything and will stand by it, i'd probably throw the money down again. $1500 to $2000 for a warranty that will cover the $5,000 job????? im game!

[badbeny13]

i had originally bought an aftermarket warranty on my S4. I'm sure they aren't all the same, but here is how they tried to screw me: They cover the timing chains but not the guides/tentioners. If the car needs the timing done due to a failed guide/tentioner(almost always the reason for the repair to be needed) they wont cover ANY of the repair bill because the failure was due to an uncovered item. I promptly asked for a refund after finding this out. They also are super sticklers on having all of the service records and having everything done exactly when the manufacture specifies, or it is considered neglect and wont be covered either. If i could find a company that covers everything and will stand by it, i'd probably throw the money down again. $1500 to $2000 for a warranty that will cover the $5,000 job????? im game!

I was able to get mine through the company I financed through, for $1400 and $5000 per occurrence. This company is route 66 and they cover guides and chains and other timing components. I used this warranty within 3 months of me purchasing my S4.

[VinnysS4]

I was able to get mine through the company I financed through, for $1400 and $5000 per occurrence. This company is route 66 and they cover guides and chains and other timing components. I used this warranty within 3 months of me purchasing my S4.

That's the company i had the warranty through on my car and they wouldn't cover the guides or tenioners. Maybe it was because i had 92,000 miles on my car when i got it and i only qualified for the lowest one? how many miles did you have on your car when you purchased it?

[badbeny13]

Car had 112k and used the warranty at 123k. I only had a little paperwork since I owned the car and all they had me do was a compression test.


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[VinnysS4]

thats screwed up. lol. i canceled and am just going to buy the parts and do it myself

[DennisCastro]

i would sell you my mint 05 s4, with full warranty to 93,000 miles, currently at 64,500, 6 speed manual

[DennisCastro]

looking at the PPI results, price (even after discount), condition, i would pass. this really isnt a good deal, and i think you can do a lot better