Need S4 Avant advice

[Turbo224]

Need advice on this 2004 S4 avant I'm looking at. It's the 6-speed manual and has 118xxx miles on it. Early this year the 2nd owner started experiencing the dreaded timing chain rattle and didn't want to front the bill to fix it. He sold it to the shop that diagnosed the rattle. They ended up pulling the motor and replace the timing chains and guides and did the clutch and flywheel at the same time. They also did the alternator and battery. They have the receipts and pictures to prove the work was done.

The car is immaculate. Interior is extremely clean, the only issue is some wear on the driver side suede seat cushion. Exterior Is also extremely nice other than typical small rock chips on the front bumper. Original wheels are missing. My plan is to take it to a different mechanic in town here who specializes in German cars and have them do a pre purchase inspection to make sure everything checks out.

I am not a professional mechanic, but I do have extensive experience doing major work on all sorts of cars. I've driven this car a few different times and everything sounds, feels, and drives exactly as I think it should. I've crawled all over this thing and evrything looks great. I have a clear car fax in hand for the car as well. I do not have any other service records for the car other than the work the shop just did which makes me a little uncomfortable. The car fax shows a number of service records at alocal Audi dealer performed on the car, but it's not exactly a comprehensive list of everything that has ever been done to the car. The asking price for this car is EXTREMELY reasonable. If the pre purchase inspection all checks out am I crazy to consider this car, or should I be thrilled the two largest issues for a high mileage S4 has already been addressed?

I should clarify that I intend to use the car as a daily driver, it will not be modified in any way. I have actually been looking at used B7 A4s and BMW E90s and then this thing popped up and now I can't decide. Thanks

[S4bro]

Seems like the major issue is covered by the shop. If everything else checks out, I'd pull the trigger.

I purchased my B7 S4 with 147k miles. Had service records since day 1 and chain and tensioners were done. I have put 8000 miles on it so far, and so far so good.

Being high mileage I do have to address some issues, but I bought it knowingly. Puts a smile on my face every time :)

P.S It is my daily driver.

[BCsniper]

I put about 20k miles a year on my avant and really have to do very little maintenance to it each year. Maybe wind up having to replace 1 thing a year other than your normal oil, brake, and tire changes. This year it needed a new radiator, but that was easy.


Your main concern, especially if you plan on driving it daily would be oil consumption. If you have to add any more than 1 qt of oil to it between oil changes then, personally, I'd probably look for a different car.