B6 S4 Dilemma

[CMS4]

Hello all,

I am posting to get some opinions on a few things. I'll start by saying that I purchased my 04 S4 two years ago and it is a fantastic machine. The car had 54k miles when I purchased it and now sits at 71k. I have always kept up on maintenance and taken very good care of the car. However this winter it developed a small coolant leak (it appears to be from the thermostat/water pump assembly. The car also began having a difficult time starting this winter. Swapped the battery but was still having troubles. I assumed the starter was bad and needed replaced. I then took it to a local shop who is highly recommended and quite knowledgable and had them do a full inspection on the car to determine if anything else needed to be fixed along with the starter and coolant leak. They came back and let me know that all fluids should be changed (trans, diff, brake, p.s.) along with the coolant leak. About a week after I took the car to have the inspection done I had the infamous chain rattle appear. Before this I had a 1 or 2 second chain rattle on cold start but this was it. I have not driven it since the chain rattle first took place as I fear the worst could happen. I also have to say that I began a new job about a year ago and I have to have a truck for this job. I have been looking at trucks but am having a hard time parting with the S4. Keeping the S4 and buying a truck is not an option however because of space constraints (I am currently rebuilding a BMW and do not have space for a fourth vehicle, I would get rid of the explorer but the lady needs something to drive :) So I have decided to get some opinions and also some more information.

My three options as I see it are as follows,

Option 1: Perform the needed maintenance myself for approximately $2k to $5k depending on engine components that need/are replaced along with the clutch/flywheel (this is one of those "I'm in there so might as well" things)

Option 2: Bring the car to an independent shop to have the work performed for approximately $6k-$9k. Once again depending on the parts replaced and which shop I have do it. Just for labor I have been quoted $2700-$3500 from 4 different shops in my area specifically for the timing chain service.

Option 3: Sell the car so that the next owner can either choose to do this themselves or to pay someone else and also so that they may choose what parts do and do not get replaced because I may not have the car for very long anyway.

Anyone who has done this maintenance themselves and is willing to share their experience on difficulty/problems they may have encountered as well as approximate cost I would appreciate it. Input from those of you who have paid someone else to do this and have any insight to share, as well as approximate cost would be appreciated. Lastly if anyone has an idea of value for the car (details about the car are included below) I would greatly appreciate that input as well. Finding the value for an S4 with bad chains but otherwise in great shape is not easy to come by. KBB isn't the greatest resource...

Thanks to anyone who may have something to say, again this is a tough decision to make.

Car details:
Black on Black
Lowered on H&R coilovers
Stock wheels with Pirelli P-Zero all seasons
Aftermarket wheels (Ace 19x8.5) with summer tires (80% tread left) and hub centric rings included
Stock springs and struts would be included in sale and have about 52k miles on them.
Car currently sits at just over 71k miles.

[Concavitor]

Option 3 - get out now. It is going downhill fast. Must have had a hard life before you got it.

[Mr. Corey]

Its tough choice given the resale value has gone down so badly. If you have a shop do the overhaul add a few while your their items / mods and your into the 10-15k territory. If you decide to keep be sure to redo your valve stems and guides as well.... I had mine fail at 68k in my 04 and decided to replace, timing while the engine was out along with everything and anything...... guess i could of bought two more B6's for what ended up going into her but i'm happy and the cars nice and fast with all the added goodies!

[Kambesama]

Costed me 4 months of my time (on and off work) and about $2.8K in parts. Just make sure you buy that timing tool for the camshafts and the rest is pretty much R&R. Once you tackle something of this magnitude you'll feel confident working on anything else haha.

[Slow4]

Fix it.
Maintain it.
Keep it.

End of story

There's not many cars like the B6 S4 out there, TRUST ME I've been looking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mr. Corey]

Fix it.
Maintain it.
Keep it.

End of story




There's not many cars like the B6 S4 out there, TRUST ME I've been looking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guess your going to have to upgrade to a B7 avant and call it a day!!!

[Slow4]

Guess your going to have to upgrade to a B7 avant and call it a day!!!

Nope...only B7 I will get is an RS4 otherwise I have no interest in duplicating my Avant

[Juncura1]

I'd say that if you have a place to do the work then do it yourself. Pulling the engine isn't too bad and one it's out then all of the items you listed are pretty straight forward. I was fortunate to have a 2nd car while I did the clutch and it was nice to be able to take my time.... Since I don't have a lift anymore, and a 2 year old to take care of, I definitely needed it. Also, doing the job yourself means that you are able to use whatever parts you'd like. JHM's kit is what I'm going with when the time comes. The reason I mention that is because some shops won't use customer supplied parts.

[INDY-S5]

The real question is why put $5K in a car that at best is worth $10K to $15K, not a good $ investment unless you just can not live without this car. It will always require a level of maintenance and the car itself is not any better than any other car. I do have a B6 S4 and it is a low mileage and nice car but nowhere near worth what some people put into them. Then factor in if you wreck the car or someone hits you and totals it you are just out the money spent just to keep it running like it should be.

To each there own and whatever makes you happy and you can afford is really all that matters. These are decent cars but not world beaters like some like to believe. It is nice in the winter being awd but power and performance wise their are many better choices for less and more reliable if you don't need awd. Personally, I have only had a few minor issues to date with my S4 (hope she did not know I just typed that) but it is no where near the level or fun factor for me as my Shelby GT500 that cost about the same (both new that is) and I have not had to put a penny into her other than want items and still she sits at over 650 hp.

Not all of them have the timing failure, when it does if you have to source it out and can't pull and repair yourself you really need to think about how badly you like the car and be in the position to not care about losing your investment $ if the unthinkable happens. Not to mention that even updating the timing components does not promise you will still not have come chain rattle. Many people have upgraded the guides etc and still have the rattle. That would really pi$$ me off.

Again, it is a nice car but it also requires more $ for maintenance than any car I have owned and I have owned a lot of different high end sports car and older muscle cars over the years and enjoyed them all for different reasons. In the end it is all a personally love or hate relationship with any vehicle.

Personally, I should have kept my S5.

[CMS4]

The real question is why put $5K in a car that at best is worth $10K to $15K, not a good $ investment unless you just can not live without this car. It will always require a level of maintenance and the car itself is not any better than any other car. I do have a B6 S4 and it is a low mileage and nice car but nowhere near worth what some people put into them. Then factor in if you wreck the car or someone hits you and totals it you are just out the money spent just to keep it running like it should be.

To each there own and whatever makes you happy and you can afford is really all that matters. These are decent cars but not world beaters like some like to believe. It is nice in the winter being awd but power and performance wise their are many better choices for less and more reliable if you don't need awd. Personally, I have only had a few minor issues to date with my S4 (hope she did not know I just typed that) but it is no where near the level or fun factor for me as my Shelby GT500 that cost about the same (both new that is) and I have not had to put a penny into her other than want items and still she sits at over 650 hp.

Not all of them have the timing failure, when it does if you have to source it out and can't pull and repair yourself you really need to think about how badly you like the car and be in the position to not care about losing your investment $ if the unthinkable happens. Not to mention that even updating the timing components does not promise you will still not have come chain rattle. Many people have upgraded the guides etc and still have the rattle. That would really pi$$ me off.

Again, it is a nice car but it also requires more $ for maintenance than any car I have owned and I have owned a lot of different high end sports car and older muscle cars over the years and enjoyed them all for different reasons. In the end it is all a personally love or hate relationship with any vehicle.

Personally, I should have kept my S5.

This is my biggest con. Realistically this car would be worth $15k if it were in perfect condition...putting that much into it so that I may drive it another 100k miles is not the smartest decision financially. It is also not my dream car, just a fantastic daily driver. I Believe I have decided to part ways with it. The only issue now is finding someone who would like to purchase it...