Opinions on buying 2010 S4

[yannisa]

Hello I currently own a 2008 A4, I'm looking at a 2010 S4 with 73,000 miles on it.
The 75,000 mile maintenance has been completed already.
I have a few questions if anyone could answer.
Would you guys stay away from the 2010 model year? As I have read that there were some issues.
What should I look for in the service records?

Thanks

[TMurt]

Look for all routine maintenance. Have the brakes been done yet? Normally rotors will need to be swapped by 80k. Is this the DSG gearbox you're looking at or 6MT? DSG has had problems especially on earlier years. 6MT is problem free for the most part but you may want to consider that you'll need a new clutch soon if it hasn't been replaced. Odds are the thermostat and water pump failed and were replaced years ago at this point. Given what you've said, i'd assume its priced between 22-25k depending on dealer vs. private.

[AudiAdi]

I have a 2010 w/ DSG (Build date April 2010). I'm now at 67k and I haven't had any problems except for a bad coolant temp sensor at about 50k. Engine and transmission still as smooth as ever!

[ihkskim]

things to look out for but not limited to 2010's. i would get CPO because most of these are covered by CPO and the premium your paying for CPO is well worth it

leaking motor mounts
mechatronics range sensor (or mechatronics in general)
water pump upgrade to all metal version (replaced at 80k)
temp sensor (replaced both at 80k)
harmonic balancer aka drive pulley (replaced at 85k)
thermostat (replaced mine twice). first at 45k and again at 95k
suspension bushings (replaced arms) but realized i coudlve' used aftermarket ones for much less since they are OE supplier
spark plugs

[yannisa]

Thanks for the responses, it is a DSG and it is priced at 25,000 and is a CPO vehicle. I've owned either VW's or Audis for the past 15 years and i personally find them very reliable. I was just reading some stuff online, and the fact that 2010 was the first year for the B8 I didn't know if I would be headed for any unusual repairs.

[ihkskim]

Thanks for the responses, it is a DSG and it is priced at 25,000 and is a CPO vehicle. I've owned either VW's or Audis for the past 15 years and i personally find them very reliable. I was just reading some stuff online, and the fact that 2010 was the first year for the B8 I didn't know if I would be headed for any unusual repairs.

i came from lexus and i found every single of one these repairs unusual lol

[kdfwagen]

things to look out for but not limited to 2010's. i would get CPO because most of these are covered by CPO and the premium your paying for CPO is well worth it

leaking motor mounts
mechatronics range sensor (or mechatronics in general)
water pump upgrade to all metal version (replaced at 80k)
temp sensor (replaced both at 80k)
harmonic balancer aka drive pulley (replaced at 85k)
thermostat (replaced mine twice). first at 45k and again at 95k
suspension bushings (replaced arms) but realized i coudlve' used aftermarket ones for much less since they are OE supplier
spark plugs

Where is the mechatronics range sensor located? Also, where are the temp sensors located? my car is a 2010 currently at 77k miles.

[DannyDeez]

Thanks for the responses, it is a DSG and it is priced at 25,000 and is a CPO vehicle. I've owned either VW's or Audis for the past 15 years and i personally find them very reliable. I was just reading some stuff online, and the fact that 2010 was the first year for the B8 I didn't know if I would be headed for any unusual repairs.

When does the CPO end? I would assume very shortly. Are you buying from a dealer or private party? Theres rules on transferring the CPO warranty.

[yannisa]

When does the CPO end? I would assume very shortly. Are you buying from a dealer or private party? Theres rules on transferring the CPO warranty.

I honestly don't know, I haven't even taken the car for a test drive, I'm just doing my research on it right now. It's a dealer, the car was leased from same dealership, then sold as cpo vehicle and now it's back at the same dealership. How long does the cpo warranty normally last?

[yannisa]

Where is the mechatronics range sensor located? Also, where are the temp sensors located? my car is a 2010 currently at 77k miles.

Could you tell me your experience with your car?

[DannyDeez]

I honestly don't know, I haven't even taken the car for a test drive, I'm just doing my research on it right now. It's a dealer, the car was leased from same dealership, then sold as cpo vehicle and now it's back at the same dealership. How long does the cpo warranty normally last?

CPO warranty gives you 6 years and 100,000 miles of coverage from the original "in service" date. Call audi of america and they'll be able to tell you if its certified and when the in service date was. The dealer might even be able to pull the in service date as well.

If it was bought CPO, and then traded into a dealer, then it expired when it got traded to that dealer. That dealer will have to pay Audi to re certify it. Being that its a 2010, even if it had the warranty it would be expired or just about to expire anyway.

[kdfwagen]

Could you tell me your experience with your car?

PM SENT.

[ihkskim]

Where is the mechatronics range sensor located? Also, where are the temp sensors located? my car is a 2010 currently at 77k miles.

temp sensors i dunno. but requires front bumper removal. mechatronics range sensor is located inside the mechatronics itself.

CPO general rules are

Private party to private party = transferrable
Audi to customer = transferrable
Previous CPO car to dealer to customer = NON-transferrable unless yes its recertified. however in order for it to be recertified, it must be under 65 or 70k miles i forgot.

[mrmomo313]

t stat, mech unit, crank case breather, crank pulley, and motor mounts.. These are the parts that are prone to failure by 65k miles or so

2010's aren't bad as long as you have 5k to comfortably spend in the event some of those big ticket items need to be addressed (if they haven't already been).

I've had to do t stat, mech unit, crank case breather and motor mounts (~6000 with labor) since buying my car in March of 2010... I swapped my crank pulley as preventative maintenance too. Car is solid though at 68k miles now, no creaks or rattles etc. Electronics have not given me a single issue.

General maintenance guide is available online just make sure it's all been done and on time.

[yannisa]

Thanks for the clarification on the cpo, the dealership needs to make that more clear on the listing.
My A4 has has 140,000 miles on it, over the past few years I spend about $1,000 each year on repairs and preventative maintenance. Which I have no problem doing seeing as that it's an older car, and any used car I would be prepared to have to spend money on.
I also go to an independent Audi/VW shop that saves me about 20% than going to the dealership.
So yea I would be prepared to have to spend money on it here and there, I just don't want it to be a constant problem that I'm always worried about.

[yannisa]

t stat, mech unit, crank case breather, crank pulley, and motor mounts.. These are the parts that are prone to failure by 65k miles or so

2010's aren't bad as long as you have 5k to comfortably spend in the event some of those big ticket items need to be addressed (if they haven't already been).

I've had to do t stat, mech unit, crank case breather and motor mounts (~6000 with labor) since buying my car in March of 2010... I swapped my crank pulley as preventative maintenance too. Car is solid though at 68k miles now, no creaks or rattles etc. Electronics have not given me a single issue.

General maintenance guide is available online just make sure it's all been done and on time.

Just out of curiosity how much was the motor mount repair? I just recently had that done on the A4

[mrmomo313]

Just out of curiosity how much was the motor mount repair? I just recently had that done on the A4

I had my motor and trans dropped when my test pipes went in so I didn't get charged for the mount install. The mounts themselves were 200 from 034 motorsports, great product. Not sure what the typical book time for that install is though

[DannyDeez]

temp sensors i dunno. but requires front bumper removal. mechatronics range sensor is located inside the mechatronics itself.

CPO general rules are

Private party to private party = transferrable
Audi to customer = transferrable
Previous CPO car to dealer to customer = NON-transferrable unless yes its recertified. however in order for it to be recertified, it must be under 65 or 70k miles i forgot.

This is correct but just to clarify, its only transferrable once and requires a $150 transfer fee and a signed and notarized document.

For example, I just purchased a CPO vehicle from a private party a few weeks ago. I paid Audi $150 to transfer it to my name. I CAN NOT transfer the CPO to anyone else now. If I sold the car tomorrow it would have NO warranty for the new owner.

Heres the official form that we had to have notarized and sent to Audi: https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/...ation-2014.pdf

[Boris]

things to look out for but not limited to 2010's. i would get CPO because most of these are covered by CPO and the premium your paying for CPO is well worth it

leaking motor mounts
mechatronics range sensor (or mechatronics in general)
water pump upgrade to all metal version (replaced at 80k)
temp sensor (replaced both at 80k)
harmonic balancer aka drive pulley (replaced at 85k)
thermostat (replaced mine twice). first at 45k and again at 95k
suspension bushings (replaced arms) but realized i coudlve' used aftermarket ones for much less since they are OE supplier
spark plugs

Was there anything noticeable about when the harmonic balancer needed to be replaced?

OP, I'm at 120k miles , 2011, 6mt, no issues at all besides thermostat...and I'm on original clutch! Still holding on stg2. These cars are reliable.

[ihkskim]

Was there anything noticeable about when the harmonic balancer needed to be replaced?

OP, I'm at 120k miles , 2011, 6mt, no issues at all besides thermostat...and I'm on original clutch! Still holding on stg2. These cars are reliable.

yes. it was difficult to steer the car. when i opened the hood, the belt was shredded lol. pretty much the drive pulley is made up of 2 pcs and it split.

[RudyH]

Why not spend a tad more and grab a 2011 or 2012 (ideally)?

I have had the thermostat, mech unit go. Emissions -> carbon cleaning has extended warranty regardless which I recently had to do. Otherwise solid 2010 here /w a lot of power thrown against the engine and transmission to make it break

Other then that I had a wheel bearing go, everything else is maintenance.

[mjames]

I have a 2010 with 72k miles and it has been very reliable, aside from the t-stat. Had all four brakes replaced, but that's normal wear and tear. I think this is more about finding the one with the right maintenance; a meticulously maintained 2010 might be better buy than a poorly maintained 2012.

[b6onboost]

This.

2010's aren't bad as long as you have 5k to comfortably spend in the event some of those big ticket items need to be addressed (if they haven't already been).

[dizzlesizzle]

I am selling mine...2010 6MT has a brand new transmission which was replaced under warranty and i had a new clutch and flywheel put in since the trans was already out and didn't cost me any labor. car is in mint condition, selling for SUV...here is the link: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...T-Premium-Plus

[JonS4]

Thanks for the responses.....and the fact that 2010 was the first year for the B8 I didn't know if I would be headed for any unusual repairs.

Not quite, B8 S4s rolled off assembly lines starting November 2008, sold in Europe as 2009s.

[s14roller]

No issues here. I think it's worth keeping in mind that issues you read on the forums are 1) a relatively small sample size of the overall production and 2) people only post about issues, and generally not when things are going fine. I'd guess the majority have a pretty smooth run.