Looking at joining the part! S4 questions/concerns

[Azdramos]

Hello guys! I am looking at getting an audi, be it an A3 v6, or the S4 bi turbo.
I did notice a huge price difference between the two.... But thats not important.
What would you all think of these audis i am currently considering? all S4's
the price seems kinda high, and from what ive read on here, the turbos are a bust, so the K04's are a must if i plan on driving this car like i drive.
I also am planning on making it a build car, and not daily, unless the car just baffles me to change my mind.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sf...597460633.html there is this super clean S4, i feel like the asking price is rather high... I wouldnt mind dropping it down to maybe 4700? But that is why im asking you guys!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...550811378.html this is my other consideration, this one is most definitely over priced, but by how much would you guys say?

I am new to the Audi scene, so I do not know much, and have been reading about these cars all day, some say they are reliable, some say stay away, but like ive said, this would be my 2nd car, so if it brakes, itll just sit for a while. I am a part time college student and full time work, so i have a decent income that would allow me to have the car, but not enough to drop 4k into it at once, so it'll sit if it has some problems.
Advice? comments?
Thanks in advance!

[2000s4_m]

I have no experience with the A3 but i can tell you that an S4 is nice to have because i like to work on it, i spent a lot of time and money in maintenance and thats why my car has been reliable for a while, if you do not like to work on your car I suggest you stay away from an S4 because they require a lot of quality time spent on them.


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[Azdramos]

I enjoy working on my own car =) its fun! and it teaches you a hellova a lot about everything! So working on the car is no issue, ive got time and energy for it

[y3ti]

I don't think those are overpriced at all. Both look pretty clean...

Honestly, you need to do some more research. A bare minimum K04 build is easily around $5k, and that's if you do your own work.

Where you're at in life, these cars might not be for you.

[vavJETTAw36]

These bastards are money pits to keep in tip top. So if you got the cash join the club. If you don't wrench on your own stuff steer clear


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[Azdramos]

I don't think those are overpriced at all. Both look pretty clean...

Honestly, you need to do some more research. A bare minimum K04 build is easily around $5k, and that's if you do your own work.

Where you're at in life, these cars might not be for you.

Would you recommend a different car? Going for a WRX seems very typical, which isnt something im trying to go for per-say.
I would do all the work along with my co-worker and his friend, both have S4's with 500+ whp and an adequate garage for the engine pull.
It'll just take me longer to save up that 5k to drop in it, which i dont really mind, maybe 4 months tops

[gahigalaba]

Why not venture out of LA and see what others are out there. I've had my eye on this for a few weeks but I'm up in WA and picked up a silver S4 in oregon. But this one is already turn key stage with a lot of great supporting mods already. The only thing I'd be concerned about is how old the 605s are and miles on them. But even if they do need rebuilt you're still looking at a new turbo stage 3 for under 9k. Now this CL ad has been up for a bit so that may raise questions as why, but it's a great price for what you're getting.

https://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/5568021541.html

[Azdramos]

Why not venture out of LA and see what others are out there. I've had my eye on this for a few weeks but I'm up in WA and picked up a silver S4 in oregon. But this one is already turn key stage with a lot of great supporting mods already. The only thing I'd be concerned about is how old the 605s are and miles on them. But even if they do need rebuilt you're still looking at a new turbo stage 3 for under 9k. Now this CL ad has been up for a bit so that may raise questions as why, but it's a great price for what you're getting.

https://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/5568021541.html

wow, that thing looks amazing! Is there a good time frame for the 605s? if so, is it a normal maintenance to replace them ever so many thousands of miles?

[Azdramos]

just found this gem too
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/5588268017.html

[y3ti]

I recommend finishing up with school before going crazy on a build.

It's just a ton of money... You would need to make sure the car is healthy before you start adding power. There's another $1-2k... That's $7k in parts on a car with a KBB value of $5k. Not a smart investment for a college student.

[Azdramos]

I recommend finishing up with school before going crazy on a build.

It's just a ton of money... You would need to make sure the car is healthy before you start adding power. There's another $1-2k... That's $7k in parts on a car with a KBB value of $5k. Not a smart investment for a college student.

actually the KBB value is like 3500 for perfect condition haha

[gahigalaba]

Will need some more knowledge of people that have done multiple stage 3 cars but if you research tial 605 kits people have put some good miles on them. Just depends on driving habits and how much you're boosting them. I believe the 605.2 kit was a big improvement over the .1 version. Would be good to know what that s4 has. Research will tell you exactly. But the 605 kit is great for stock block with big power over k04. With that though comes a later powerband. Here's another nice candidate to build. I believe that's pearl white and looks to be all stock. Should be better to drive around until you aquire you're expensive list of stage 3 parts than a car with <200k miles on chipped ko3s.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5582866985.html

It would be in your best interest to research what route you want to go cause it sounds like you want to steer away from k03 which is undrstandable. But there's a few different routes you can take and it will just depend on what you want from a s4. Frankenturbo, ko4, rs6, tial, big turbo.. options.

[Yuppie]

If you can increase your budget there are few nice stage 3 s4s in the classifieds.

[gahigalaba]

I recommend finishing up with school before going crazy on a build.

It's just a ton of money... You would need to make sure the car is healthy before you start adding power. There's another $1-2k... That's $7k in parts on a car with a KBB value of $5k. Not a smart investment for a college student.

This. Granted it's your 2nd car which is smart. But it's no joke when you start pricing out a stage 3 setup. Let alone adding up the little things you'll find while doing your build. Hoses, sensors, mounts. It's very pricey.

[gahigalaba]

If you can increase your budget there are few nice stage 3 s4s in the classifieds.

To include yours. Very nice car btw.

[Azdramos]

Will need some more knowledge of people that have done multiple stage 3 cars but if you research tial 605 kits people have put some good miles on them. Just depends on driving habits and how much you're boosting them. I believe the 605.2 kit was a big improvement over the .1 version. Would be good to know what that s4 has. Research will tell you exactly. But the 605 kit is great for stock block with big power over k04. With that though comes a later powerband. Here's another nice candidate to build. I believe that's pearl white and looks to be all stock. Should be better to drive around until you aquire you're expensive list of stage 3 parts than a car with <200k miles on chipped ko3s.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5582866985.html

It would be in your best interest to research what route you want to go cause it sounds like you want to steer away from k03 which is undrstandable. But there's a few different routes you can take and it will just depend on what you want from a s4. Frankenturbo, ko4, rs6, tial, big turbo.. options.

I saw that one as well, but not sure if id go for that one.
I dont want a crazy mosnter for drag, something more... unique. 500hp is probably the max id want to go to. id probably even settle for 450awhp. I live in cali mountains, so a good canyon car/track day car, OR i could go for more of a rally build. I wont even begin thinking about that until i have a car parked in my driveway as to which way id want to go with it. The important part for me at this moment, is finding that perfect car

[Bordom]

I don't think those are overpriced at all. Both look pretty clean...

Honestly, you need to do some more research. A bare minimum K04 build is easily around $5k, and that's if you do your own work.

Where you're at in life, these cars might not be for you.

These bastards are money pits to keep in tip top. So if you got the cash join the club. If you don't wrench on your own stuff steer clear


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X2 on what these guys are saying. Go buy something reliable and less maintenance intensive.

If you're still thinking about it, take a gander at my build thread. In hindsight, I should have kept my A4 and went with a charged V8 swap. I'd have so much more car for the same money compared to the S4.

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[Azdramos]

X2 on what these guys are saying. Go buy something reliable and less maintenance intensive.

If you're still thinking about it, take a gander at my build thread. In hindsight, I should have kept my A4 and went with a charged V8 swap. I'd have so much more car for the same money compared to the S4.

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Is there something you would recommend? I am 22 and a male... haha, thats why i want to go for the S4, cus if i go for the WRX the ins on that would probably be 2x as much

[Bordom]

Is there something you would recommend? I am 22 and a male... haha, thats why i want to go for the S4, cus if i go for the WRX the ins on that would probably be 2x as much

Lol I'm 21, got the S4 when I was 20, and sunk $9k into it so far. I'm not rich by any means, but I work a lot (used to) and it helped.

If I would do it again, A4 all the way, with a V8 swap. Hell, there's even one with a D3 4.2 running around now. That paired with a supercharger would be a really fun car.

As for what car, idno. I'm thinking donestic muscle would be crazy as those things are cheap, fast, reliable, and more fun. Some of the Volvo cars make good power as well

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[Azdramos]

Lol I'm 21, got the S4 when I was 20, and sunk $9k into it so far. I'm not rich by any means, but I work a lot (used to) and it helped.

If I would do it again, A4 all the way, with a V8 swap. Hell, there's even one with a D3 4.2 running around now. That paired with a supercharger would be a really fun car.

As for what car, idno. I'm thinking donestic muscle would be crazy as those things are cheap, fast, reliable, and more fun. Some of the Volvo cars make good power as well

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Im only in the market for AWD due to snow, and being on a mountain haha, so american cars go out the door.... theres also the mazdaspeed 6..
hows your insurance been on the S4? just curious.

[Bordom]

Im only in the market for AWD due to snow, and being on a mountain haha, so american cars go out the door.... theres also the mazdaspeed 6..
hows your insurance been on the S4? just curious.

Because I'm Canadian, 4-5x what you would pay. $2.8k full coverage all year.

The Volva AWD cars like the V70R and S60R are fairly reliable and sporty. I'd rock one of those as a daily. Maybe find a B5.5 4motion Passat? That would also be much more reliable then the S4

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[Wagonholic]

The first one you posted...the Laser Red one in LA:

It is my friend's car. He is one of my neighbors and he is a tech at the Auto Gallery (great guy, but that dealership is the worst lol). The car is super clean and well maintained, you can not go wrong with that one. If you are seriously interested in that one, I can definitely let him know. That car is worth every penny.

[Azdramos]

The first one you posted...the Laser Red one in LA:

It is my friend's car. He is one of my neighbors and he is a tech at the Auto Gallery. The car is super clean and well maintained, you can not go wrong with that one. If you are seriously interested in that one, I can definitely let him know. That car is worth every penny.

I am very interested in that car! it looks clean as hell. IDK if you would know, but IF i dont modify it, keep it stock, would it last me a while? or would the maintenance still be there? Cus if thats the case, then i wont get rid of my daily.

[Wagonholic]

I am very interested in that car! it looks clean as hell. IDK if you would know, but IF i dont modify it, keep it stock, would it last me a while? or would the maintenance still be there? Cus if thats the case, then i wont get rid of my daily.

You will always need to keep up with the maintenance on these cars. If you stay on top of everything, the maintenance is just like any car, but just because you keep it stock does not mean there is no longer a need to maintain it.

Like many people on this forum, I drive a K04'd B5 S4. Everyday. I stay up on my maintenance, never had a major issue. After I do my build in a couple of weeks, the car will still remain my (stupidly fast) daily driver.

The car in question is well maintained, so as long as you keep that maintenance cycle going, it will be a very reliable car, whether or not you decide to mod it any further.

[Azdramos]

You will always need to keep up with the maintenance on these cars. If you stay on top of everything, the maintenance is just like any car, but just because you keep it stock does not mean there is no longer a need to maintain it.

Like many people on this forum, I drive a K04'd B5 S4. Everyday. I stay up on my maintenance, never had a major issue. After I do my build in a couple of weeks, the car will still remain my (stupidly fast) daily driver.

The car in question is well maintained, so as long as you keep that maintenance cycle going, it will be a very reliable car, whether or not you decide to mod it any further.

well yes of course, simple maintenance wasnt what i was referring to, like oil changes.
more so, like the turbos going out...
I live in the So Cal mountains, so you can bet that car will be driven hard coming up the mountain, and driving around the mountain. Thats my main concern, since the car is at 201k

[Wagonholic]

well yes of course, simple maintenance wasnt what i was referring to, like oil changes.
more so, like the turbos going out...
I live in the So Cal mountains, so you can bet that car will be driven hard coming up the mountain, and driving around the mountain. Thats my main concern, since the car is at 201k

I live near the Malibu Canyons, I drive the living crap out of my car every single day. Sees full boost and redlline at least once every drive (up to temp of course). Proper warm up, proper cool down, and you'll be fine. Especially with the car in the OP. You hear stories of K03s going out at 50k, but also hear stories of them lasting over 300k.

Just remember, if you want a car that can be driven hard every day without concern, get something with a warranty. If not, get a B5 S4 and have fun. There are many K04 (or above) S4s that are well running with over 300k miles. I'm at only 136k, and my car still goes strong.

[Azdramos]

I live near the Malibu Canyons, I drive the living crap out of my car every single day. Sees full boost and redlline at least once every drive (up to temp of course). Proper warm up, proper cool down, and you'll be fine. Especially with the car in the OP. You hear stories of K03s going out at 50k, but also hear stories of them lasting over 300k.

Just remember, if you want a car that can be driven hard every day without concern, get something with a warranty. If not, get a B5 S4 and have fun. There are many K04 (or above) S4s that are well running with over 300k miles. I'm at only 136k, and my car still goes strong.

thats what i have now haha, its a 2013 kia rio... not much in the power department, but its like a go-kart, so its fun on the really twisty turns where bigger cars usually over steer...
But i want some thing with more power to take on angel crest and still be a good daily. Oh man, mailbu canyons... last time i drove through those was when there was that HUGE PW meet at his crash site, more so a memorial than a meet... But yea, that was some fun road... but angel crest is still best =)

[vavJETTAw36]

thats what i have now haha, its a 2013 kia rio... not much in the power department, but its like a go-kart, so its fun on the really twisty turns where bigger cars usually over steer...
But i want some thing with more power to take on angel crest and still be a good daily. Oh man, mailbu canyons... last time i drove through those was when there was that HUGE PW meet at his crash site, more so a memorial than a meet... But yea, that was some fun road... but angel crest is still best =)

1800 pounds of anything will handle like a go cart! Does the rio even weigh that?? If the s4 weighed that... Oh man you couldn't keep the tires down.