Looking- 2006 S4 Avant

[nyc joe]

Hey Guys,

New here,
Im in NYC and am actively looking to buy the S4 Avant.

found one in Cali. LA area.w
Silver 2006 (93,XXX miles)

and was debating on buying it.
Going to do a PPI, was told no compression test needed as it would be scanned for codes and if somethings off, I wouldn't get it.
anything else i should look for? ( im hoping PPI covers it)

How risky would it be to buy it just after the PPI, sight unseen?
Should i fly out after the PPi to look at it personally?

Also, how would i get it here? ( road trip is out of the question)
I know shipping, but any recommendations?

Any suggestions/ tips/ recommendations welcome.

-Joe

[Slow4]

Get a compression test, to not do one is just silly!

Also, what's the maintenance history like?

How many owners?

Stock?


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[Axel-]

Get a compression test, to not do one is just silly!

Also, what's the maintenance history like?

How many owners?

Stock?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely do a compression test, no question about it. Not all problems trigger fault codes. Also do a boroscope to confirm there are no scored cylinders (or at least, nothing drastic/deep). Finally, do a leakdown test.

You'll still run the risk of chain guides being potentially cracked but that's just part of the risk.

[nyc joe]

Maintenance history should be good with paperwork available. So about to look through it.

I would be the third owner.

Mostly stock. Has bigger wheels, 19" and a BBK. Hasn't been tracked. Mostly for looks.


Thanx
-Joe

[nyc joe]

Chain guides. I understand.

But what would I be looking for with a compression test?

If the car fails I'd walk away.

Is leak down needed?


Thanx
-Joe

[Slow4]

Chain guides. I understand.

But what would I be looking for with a compression test?

If the car fails I'd walk away.

Is leak down needed?


Thanx
-Joe

Compression and leak-down checks the health of the cylinders to see how well they're holding pressure pumped in; it tests for leaks.

Borescope will visually allow you see if you have scoring.

With high-mileage BHF 4.2s, it's worth the money to have it tested/checked.

[geebus]

Compression and leak-down checks the health of the cylinders to see how well they're holding pressure pumped in; it tests for leaks.

Borescope will visually allow you see if you have scoring.

With high-mileage BHF 4.2s, it's worth the money to have it tested/checked.

What John is saying here is absolutely a must. Trust me, it's one thing that I didn't listen to in my haste to have an S4 avant and I'm going to end up paying dearly for it. I also have an 06 btw. Picked mine up with 84k miles and didn't do a compression test. Did it a couple weeks ago and my guy said it's the worse he's ever seen in his life. I'm pretty much screwed and need a new small block

[nyc joe]

Follow up question.
How much should the PPI with compression test and leak down cost? I'm hearing some crazy quotes.


Thanx
-Joe

[Slow4]

Follow up question.
How much should the PPI with compression test and leak down cost? I'm hearing some crazy quotes.


Thanx
-Joe

PPI should range you anywhere from 115-150 depending on where you take it and shouldn't last longer than hour. IIRC, my compression ran an additional 135.

If you're paying $300, you're getting ripped off.

[Kevinskir]

why going for a 2006? If you can be patient you can find a 2007 or even 2008. It took me about 5 months but I found my 2008 and could not be happier. From what I have read the 2008s and some 2007s have had less issues or less prone to the usual issues. Also check Canadian auto trader. autotrader.ca for the cars up there. Curency difference helps with the price, and its about $7-800 in import fees to bring it into the USA. There are not many listed at the moment but being vigilant, and post to the avants section, classifieds, and S4/RS4 sections, saying you are looking to buy, will help at least get your want out there which is what I did to help keep it fresh on the minds of many what I was looking for, had many reach out who had not even posted their cars yet, and were just thinking about it but reached out. Hope it helps!

[sitting proper]

What's the price that they're asking for their car? Silver isn't the most desirable color for these cars either.

[nyc joe]

14.5k for asking.
but I feel I can get it lower.

Also 3 spoke steering wheel, Porsche BBK, carbon trim, and Blk w/ grey interior. Good condition interior.

Trying to find a PPI place around the car. Everyone seems to want $155 for the PPI. And then $$$ for the compression and leak down. Another 2-300$!


Thanx
-Joe

[nyc joe]

Was actually looking for something in the grey family. Dolphin grey is very nice. Silver was a close second lol. As long as it's silver or a dark color , I'm into it.


Thanx
-Joe

[Slow4]

14.5k for asking.
but I feel I can get it lower.

Also 3 spoke steering wheel, Porsche BBK, carbon trim, and Blk w/ grey interior. Good condition interior.

Trying to find a PPI place around the car. Everyone seems to want $155 for the PPI. And then $$$ for the compression and leak down. Another 2-300$!


Thanx
-Joe

2-300 is pretty fair. check the local regional section for legit 3rd party indie shops, i think theres a few near you in NYC

[nyc joe]

Well this car is near LA. So I'd have to find one there. Actively looking to get this done!


Thanx
-Joe

[Slow4]

Well this car is near LA. So I'd have to find one there. Actively looking to get this done!


Thanx
-Joe

ooooooo...hmm, hit up the regionals out that way, pretty sure the dudes out that way can help. i know a few dudes out that way but they're outside of LA and no longer own audi's.

[nyc joe]

Ok so I called around Cali.
PPI -$155
Compression test- about $200
Leakdown- another $200.
Total- $555?
This is on average....



Thanx
-Joe

[Axel-]

Compared to a new used engine and labor? :)

[Slow4]

You don't need to do both a compression and a leak-down; do compression first and if cylinders are healthy then proceed unless you're anal about things like I was

If cylinders are ok or on the mild side then opt for leak-down to determine how you should proceed

Quick reading:

http://www.lcengineering.com/LCTechPages/gentech47.html

GL

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[nyc joe]

Technicians findings:
Cold start up chain / tensioner rattle, noise.
Service due light is on. ECM DTC - warm up catalyst B2 efficiency below
threshold.
Left doors, front fender, front bumper all resprayed.
Control arm bushings torn
Incorrect pinch bolt upper control arm hardware
Uprights both shaved down-
Left outer CV boot torn ; right outer CV boot incorrect clamp
Original shocks with newer lowering springs
Sway bar endlinks tearing
Snub mount broken
Both rear tires cording/separating
Oil leaks: Valve covers, oil in the valley- filter housing or
breather-manifold off. Serpentine belt saturated with oil.
compression leak down scoring
1 135 75% light
2 140 40% light
3 140 20% light
4 150 10% light
5 70 12% light
6 155 7% medium
7 160 7% medium
8 130 17% medium

*** Car appears to have been spray painted plasti-dip black previously.


Thanx
-Joe

[nyc joe]

Thoughts? On the above?
Have some results!!

So it looks like new suspension.
And some engine work.


Thanx
-Joe

[rollerton]

Technicians findings:
Cold start up chain / tensioner rattle, noise.
Service due light is on. ECM DTC - warm up catalyst B2 efficiency below
threshold.
Left doors, front fender, front bumper all resprayed.
Control arm bushings torn
Incorrect pinch bolt upper control arm hardware
Uprights both shaved down-
Left outer CV boot torn ; right outer CV boot incorrect clamp
Original shocks with newer lowering springs
Sway bar endlinks tearing
Snub mount broken
Both rear tires cording/separating
Oil leaks: Valve covers, oil in the valley- filter housing or
breather-manifold off. Serpentine belt saturated with oil.
compression leak down scoring
1 135 75% light
2 140 40% light
3 140 20% light
4 150 10% light
5 70 12% light
6 155 7% medium
7 160 7% medium
8 130 17% medium

*** Car appears to have been spray painted plasti-dip black previously.


Thanx
-Joe

Wait. What?
Are you looking for a project car..? What's the deal with this particular car, is it REALLY cheap? It was someone's driver and they messed around with it. ALOT. Unless it was a PROfessional job I promise you that you will be disappointed when you see the remnants of the plastidip job. Maybe it's just me, as I see the purpose of the stuff, mostly for wheels and trim and little things that someone wants to touch up. But if the PPI says the whole car was plastidipped I'd take it as a sign someone was trying to cover something.

Beyond that you have what could be failing chain guides. No problem if you have $4k-$6k laying around to fix it. And then..is cylinder 5 a typo? 70? Is that 70lbs of compression? If so that cylinder is dead.
And besides those fairly serious things, you have someone who cut corners to lower the car, paint the car, worn out tires, body work done, and it needs a variety of suspension parts. And who knows what else.

Ummm...is it free?

[Slow4]

Thoughts? On the above?
Have some results!!

So it looks like new suspension.
And some engine work.


Thanx
-Joe

some?

walk away from this, please.

[nyc joe]

Damn. Looking like reality is setting in.

For the plasti dip. It was removed. But they found remnants of it from over spray on the undercarriage. It annoys me too.

Someone keyed the car. Hence the respray.

Was looking to do a full suspension revamp anyway.

Also had a contingency budget to do the timing chain if needed.

Engine work. Ugh.

The 70lbs of compression bothers me Bigtime.

Should I even bother making an offer or just straight up walk?
$10K?

Any one have an 06-08' avant for sale?


Thanx
-Joe

[eljay]

I'd walk away from this one.

[darrenho]

This one looks clean. But it is a '05 though.

http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/5545986664.html
(Not mine)

[Kevinskir]

Definately walk away from this. You know what is wrong with it, and it is going to bother you with some of the small things like you said, who knows what else is lurking under there waiting to break or give out that the inspection didnt catch. Just be glad you only spent a few hundred dollars and found all these issue. Keep looking for what you want, took me about 5 months but I found mine, 2008 with only 63k miles on it and in perfect condition.

Like I said above, post in the Avants classifieds section, as well as the S4/RS4 classifieds section and the regular classifieds section of the forums under Audi, with the post heading of "wanted" or "want to buy". You will get more exposure than just a regular thread in the Avants only, most will only check the classifieds to see what is going on and then move on. Get your information out there and people will reach out to you with what they are selling or have. Many have not posted or have been thinking of selling but are afraid of not finding a buyer. People are there, you just need to increase your exposure that you are really looking to buy. I will keep my eye out if I find any and post them here. Most clean S4 avants are ranging from $18-23k for what people want to get for them. Depending on mileage, mods, maintenance records, that number is flexible.

Bottom line, keep searching, your Avant is out there, and post up all over the forums saying what you are looking for. Don't just limit yourself to a 2006 (unless you really really want it) just say you are looking for a B7 S4 Avant

[rollerton]

The 70lbs of compression bothers me Bigtime.

Should I even bother making an offer or just straight up walk?
$10K?

Thanx
-Joe

70lbs of compression on ONE cylinder makes that a parts car unless there's some kind of mistake.

That's not the car for you. Truth is when dealing with this particular model you're WAY WAY better off paying a few $k extra for a solid clean car that has been maintained than saving a couple $k and taking a chance. You could even find a 'nice' looking S4 for around $5k-$7k that may need a little work which seems awesome at first.
But literally ANYthing other than normal maintenance on that engine is many thousands of dollars, putting you right where you would have been if you'd spent the money on a better car.

[nyc joe]

Walked away- thanks guys!!
You saved me some $$$$!

So......found another one!!

Paulo Alto CA.

DK grey avant.
Another 2006 but I'm open to other years.
Anyone know this car?
Trying to get a PPI done there.
Back to square one.
109K on the ODO.


Thanx
-Joe

[audiphila]

There's a black 2008 in New York State. Check cars.com

[nyc joe]

There's a black 2008 in New York State. Check cars.com

Just checked. Can't find any 2008's. Wierd.


Thanx
-Joe

[audiphila]

My bad. It is a 2007

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...1676/overview/

[4point2]

glad you walked away from that one... that would have been a disaster in the making.

[sitting proper]

Looks like the black one is lowered and has at least a catback on it. You're gonna want to do the same tests on this as well. I find it weird that the card holder is missing. They must've got upset and ripped it out, I'm not sure how else that part would be missing.

[nyc joe]

SO looking at these guys right now:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=144809430
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9450/overview/

and

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=10009&listin gType=used&listingTypes=used&showcaseListingId=426 750888&mmt=[AUDI[S4[]][]]&vehicleStyleCodes=WAGON&modelCode1=S4&startYear=2 006&makeCode1=AUDI&showcaseOwnerId=1362540&firstRe cord=0&searchRadius=0&listingId=430609250&Log=0

[nyc joe]

any thoughts or ideas?

the one that doesnt have pictures is nearest me.

Just want to say thank you guys for looking out!

The search Continues!!!!

[Kevinskir]

Member on here in Mass is selling his

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11670092

any thoughts or ideas?

the one that doesnt have pictures is nearest me.

Just want to say thank you guys for looking out!

The search Continues!!!!

As for the ones you posted, the top one is a bit high priced though it is TI it looks like and lower miles.... the automatic kills it for me lol. The other two are not bad, you would just need to know vehicle history and or if there is any chain rattle going on. Like before from the one you had inspected, get any of the ones you are really interested in inspected :) Hope this helps!

[Slow4]

ew, autotragic....

V8 AWD Wagon **HAS** to be driven with a 6MT otherwise give up your man card

[BCsniper]

That's such bullshit. There's nothing wrong with an auto trans

And this is coming from somebody who has drive 6-speed Avants for the past 6 years. Yea a third pedal is cool when you really want the feel of driving and pushing your car. The other 80% of the time an auto trans would be just fine

[nyc joe]

Lol. Oh boy.
Going to a dealer tomorrow nite. One in NJ happens to have one also.
What's the rule of buying from a dealer. Have PPI done somewhere else?


Thanx
-Joe