Would it be a good idea to buy a salvaged S4?

[Cygnets]

I'm currently in a pickle. I have a 07 S4 with 3 cylinders running really low compression (as low was 55). The mechanic said he doesn't know for certain what it is, but IM pretty positive its scored cylinders.

Anyways, I need a new engine, like bad. And I need it now. I've been looking around, car-parts had a few I was looking at, but $5k for a engine is ridiculous when I only payed $11500 for the car.

So I was thinking, since Ill be doing the engine swap myself, would it be smart to just purchase a whole salvaged S4 that was in a accident or had water damage and just pull that engine out and put it in mine? I have more than enough room on my property, and more than enough garage room..its all about if its smart. I seen some go for $500-1500, hell of a lot cheaper.

I seen a few with water damage, and in the description it reads "Auction Verification: Run & Drive Verified".....so im not to sure and im skeptical.


In the meantime, ill be running this engine to the ground and putting 2 quarts of oil in her every 2 days..yay

[jettaowner718]

Sure why not part out the rest make some extra money


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[SprintBlueWorld]

Get a boroscope. I checked into them, they are surprisingly cheap to own and can attach to a smartphone among other things.

What setup are you running? Auto, Manual, hardtop, cabriolet, avant??? Get as close to the same setup you can to the most out of your parts.

[gautam]

PM'd

[Terry.Reese]

Well, ensure that it actually does run and drive, and when you have the other engine out, go ahead and do the timing/cam update on it, toss your other goodies on it and then salvage the other engine as well as with parting out the other vehicle, sound like a win/win.

Hit me up if you are going to sell the lower grille on it..

[Badger Audi]

I'd say go for it. Chances are, even in the salvage engine isn't great, you'll still spend less to maintain it than buying a mint engine outright..

[Cygnets]

Get a boroscope. I checked into them, they are surprisingly cheap to own and can attach to a smartphone among other things.

What setup are you running? Auto, Manual, hardtop, cabriolet, avant??? Get as close to the same setup you can to the most out of your parts.

I was actually looking to buy one before I buy the salvaged one. I can't get screwed over again with scored cylinders or whatever. Smart idea.

And I'm running manual s4, just regular sedan. I found a 08 S4 cabriolet, only 54k miles had water damage but says it runs and drives. So I'm hoping it's a win win for me..

[Cygnets]

Well, ensure that it actually does run and drive, and when you have the other engine out, go ahead and do the timing/cam update on it, toss your other goodies on it and then salvage the other engine as well as with parting out the other vehicle, sound like a win/win.

Hit me up if you are going to sell the lower grille on it..

Yea I want to check my guides and timing, because last owner had them replaced 20k miles ago, so I'm curious if they are good enough to just swap over or if I'll need to buy the new kit.

But I plan on swapping the seats over, the S4 I found has beautiful red Recaros that are mint as far as I can see. There's a few other things I'll switch over, but other than that I'll just part it out and try to get some money back.

But will do man!

[jakeoboy67]

I would ask if I can do a compression test and a borescope before buying the car