about to buy an used 2005 S4. Need advise

**audidd777** · 12-22-2015 11:40 PM

Hello guys. Im very new to audi and I absolutely love the look of it.

I'm recently going to shop for my first sports car and am deciding between a used 05 audi s4 and used 06 subaru wrx.

I prefer the s4 than the wrx. but im afraid that the s4 is going to break down on me or have issue some day after i bought it since ive been hearing how people complaining

about that used audi s4 doesn't have good reliability and have a lot of small issues. I heard people say not to buy an used05 with over 100,000 miles on it but it is almost

impossible to find one under 100,000 miles. so guys please help me out and give some tips and advise here. I really want the s4 but im so scared that im going to regret it

some where down the road.

**LINDW4LL** · 12-22-2015 11:49 PM

Hello and welcome. These S4s are quite reliable for the most part.

However, the one big weak point is the timing chain guides which will almost certainly fail at some point. Often times around 100k. The timing service is about $1,500 minimum in parts and the same or more in labor, so if you cannot do the repair yourself it will be a big bill.

You may want to look for a car that has already had this service done. Otherwise, just be prepared for the possibility of the car needing the service down the road.

**FulhamFTW** · 12-23-2015 08:24 AM

Stop listening to all of the horror stories you've read on the internet. Buy the car, enjoy it, and fix it if it breaks. Just make sure you set aside some funds for potential repairs and you'll be all good. You will not find another car on the road like the V8 S4.

**VinnysS4** · 12-23-2015 08:36 AM

The wrx is an awesome car. The s4 is just better. To extract the hp from the wrx they used a turbocharger. Over time, this may not be reliable depending on how the previous owner treated the car. Yeah the s4 had its issues, but so do all cars. Like FulhamFTW said. Buy it. Enjoy it. And when it breaks down, have a car fund set aside. You will be driving a luxury sports sedan and that demands a certain amount of upkeep to retain that status. If you can find one with the timing service done...in my opinion, that adds a few thousand to the cars value

**wednesday** · 12-23-2015 08:42 AM

Buy a jar and start putting penny in for each time it has to be garaged.. more like a dollar actually. You are about to become a religious man - please don't die, please start in front of my beamer friends at least, what am I going to tell the wife this morning, .. ugh.

**Juncura1** · 12-23-2015 11:36 AM

Sounds like you've got some thinking to do :)

I've owned both... An 05' STi and a 05' S4. It's really a toss up. I built my STi for racing and that got expensive real fast. The S4 is for fun and that got expensive as well. Granted, I do all of my own work but I still consider what my time is worth. If you're looking for a fun daily driver I'd pick the S4 everytime. It's not even close to as "cheap" feeling as the Subaru and the driving experience... Well, there is an experience and that is HUGE for me. The Subaru's feel very very numb to me. The Audi is more of a drivers car. Overall, yes, the Subaru will be cheaper as far as parts/maintenance goes but you're not getting the experience of a luxury sports car. I bought my 05' with low miles and it still looks and feels like a $50k car. My sister-in-law brought a 2012 Leagacy to me for a PPI and my S4 was about a zillion times more refined. Plus, when you start playing with the Subaru the $$$ starts flowing (power steering pumps, radiator, rings, etc.)

Sorry for the long rant.... Get the S4. You're going to spend money on both cars. Might as well get the most out of it.
And now that I think about it... If you're debating over a basic WRX (non-STi) that's a super no-brainer. S4, S4, S4

**BluntAaronR** · 12-23-2015 02:46 PM

I have a lot of experience with both and as much as I love the Subaru brand, the S4 is the obvious choice.

2 WRX
1 STi
2 B7 S4

Sold the 2005.5 S4 in fear of the timing chain (72k), and bought a 2012 STi off the showroom. The STi left the family in leiu of a more family friendly car (C6 A6), and just a few months ago I was fortunate enough to add a 40k mile S4 to the stable. The STi was probably quicker than either of the S4s around a road course, but as far as enjoyment the S4 wins hands down. It is so much more pleasing to drive, and just fun. Even compared to the miles I've put on a B8 S4, the B7 is just fun.

**The Guvna** · 12-23-2015 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by FulhamFTW

Stop listening to all of the horror stories you've read on the internet. Buy the car, enjoy it, and fix it if it breaks. Just make sure you set aside some funds for potential repairs and you'll be all good. You will not find another car on the road like the V8 S4.

This is what I did and I am having a blast! I have a couple thousand saved however, just in case.

**Juncura1** · 12-23-2015 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by BluntAaronR

I have a lot of experience with both and as much as I love the Subaru brand, the S4 is the obvious choice.

2 WRX
1 STi
2 B7 S4

Sold the 2005.5 S4 in fear of the timing chain (72k), and bought a 2012 STi off the showroom. The STi left the family in leiu of a more family friendly car (C6 A6), and just a few months ago I was fortunate enough to add a 40k mile S4 to the stable. The STi was probably quicker than either of the S4s around a road course, but as far as enjoyment the S4 wins hands down. It is so much more pleasing to drive, and just fun. Even compared to the miles I've put on a B8 S4, the B7 is just fun.

Exactly! My STi would make quick work of the S4, but that was racetrack fun. S4 wins the real life enjoyment argument hands down. Nicer interior, comfortable seats (the STi stock seats are the WORST stock seats I've ever experienced), performance and creature comforts.

**LINDW4LL** · 12-23-2015 05:08 PM

I could never buy a WRX/STi, especially an older one. They are total junk.

**S4NIK8** · 12-24-2015 12:30 PM

Briefly owned an sti, it was like driving around in a tin can

**VinnysS4** · 12-24-2015 02:06 PM

i would take an EVO over a STI anyday. they just have cheezy interiors compared to Audi

**importraceram** · 12-24-2015 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by FulhamFTW

Stop listening to all of the horror stories you've read on the internet. Buy the car, enjoy it, and fix it if it breaks. Just make sure you set aside some funds for potential repairs and you'll be all good. You will not find another car on the road like the V8 S4.

Excellent advise. Bought mine as a one owner with 114k, currently hav 167k. Heavy research on my part (one owner;well taken. Care of), has been a dream. Will likely do a b8 next even though they sound like RC cars...

**demonmk2** · 12-24-2015 06:44 PM

If you get one keep $6-7k on tap just in case......

**audidd777** · 12-24-2015 08:35 PM

Hey guys thx for the reply and the advise. Ive decided to go with the S4 and my wife is really excited that im going to get s4 too. She thinks the wrx looks like typical poor douche bag car lol

Now Im looking at some 2005 model with about 100,000miles on it and I also found this 2006 model with almost 200,000 miles on it. i like the 2006 model a lot but 200,000 miles on it.....will that be a problem?

**LINDW4LL** · 12-24-2015 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by audidd777

Hey guys thx for the reply and the advise. Ive decided to go with the S4 and my wife is really excited that im going to get s4 too. She thinks the wrx looks like typical poor douche bag car lol

Now Im looking at some 2005 model with about 100,000miles on it and I also found this 2006 model with almost 200,000 miles on it. i like the 2006 model a lot but 200,000 miles on it.....will that be a problem?

Assuming the prices are similar- the B7 (05.5-08) is not worth it with double the miles.

You should be able to find a B7 that's reasonably priced with similar mileage to the B6.

**demonmk2** · 12-25-2015 05:40 AM

What's your budget? Up the game and get a RS4...

**audidd777** · 12-25-2015 03:27 PM

My budget is about $10k-$12k

**demonmk2** · 12-25-2015 03:35 PM

Man.....but a b7 rs4 would be the shit...

**FulhamFTW** · 12-25-2015 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by audidd777

My budget is about $10k-$12k

You can very easily get a B7 with way leas than 200k miles with a budget of $12k. Or, there's a Goodwood Green B6 is the classifieds right now with the timing service done for $11k. I would check that out.

**MyB7S4BlowedUp** · 12-26-2015 04:14 PM

Take a look at mine!!!!!!!!!

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-With-upgrades

**demonmk2** · 12-26-2015 04:41 PM

Oh wow!^^ that looks good

**audidd777** · 12-26-2015 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by FulhamFTW

You can very easily get a B7 with way leas than 200k miles with a budget of $12k. Or, there's a Goodwood Green B6 is the classifieds right now with the timing service done for $11k. I would check that out.

Ya now I'm looking at this 2005 with about 110,000miless and this 2005.5 with 72,000miles on it. Not sure which one to get. Any advice?

**audidd777** · 12-26-2015 04:57 PM

Nice car bro I'll look into it

**audidd777** · 12-26-2015 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by MyB7S4BlowedUp

Take a look at mine!!!!!!!!!

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-With-upgrades

Nice car bro I'll look into it

**FulhamFTW** · 12-26-2015 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by audidd777

Ya now I'm looking at this 2005 with about 110,000miless and this 2005.5 with 72,000miles on it. Not sure which one to get. Any advice?

I prefer the B7 over the B6, but the main things I would inquire about is whether or mot the timing service has been done and have the cylinders checked for scoring. Definitely ask about the oil consumption history. I would pay a little more for a B7 with 30k+ less miles on it, so if the prices are similar, go with the 2005.5.