TedStriker

I'm currently looking to purchase a B5 S4 Avant, and just my luck I found a very affordable (if high mileage) one in my own back yard.

The seller has posted photos on the auction of the engine bay, and the absence of the plastic engine cover would suggest that some tuning work has been done, but my main concerns are the "turbo killer" parts: the throttle body boot and hose.

I can tell that the bypass valves aren't stock; can anyone determine from the auction photos if the other parts have been replaced?
Auction link: http://bit.ly/ey28sz

internecine

Front engine cover is probably missing because it would not fit with the aftermarket diverter valves. If it has aftermarket DVs, then its more likely that the car is or has been chipped in the past. Dont know why you would want to know of the TBB has been replaced, if its torn, replace it, it happens. Its not really a sign of anything and if you need to do it yourself it is pretty cheap and easy to do. Cant tell anything else from those pics, well i guess you can tell the T fitting for the coolant tank has been replaced with a brass one, but that just happens to everyone.

TedStriker

Any way of telling from those pics it has K04's as well? Looks like the inlets are black, as referenced elsewhere.

jamesdmanley

cant tell from above those are not the black pipes that people refer to. besides its an auto. for that mileage, 8k is too much imho. best advice is go drive it.

TedStriker

Yeah, planning on getting some wheel time with it this afternoon. I'm hoping that I can talk them into <$8k, with a warranty that would cover the turbos.

Anything in particular I should listen/look for on a test drive? Turbo whine?

jamesdmanley

youtube some videos of failing b5 turbos. you should get a good idea of what they sound like. other than that, check for all the regular stuff you look at on all used cars

TedStriker

Welp, the dealer had sold it already by the time that I got down there to drive it. Not that he told me that. He said it was out for an oil change. I guess it's one of those oil changes where you take down the ebay listing.

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'm still searching for an automatic S4 Avant, and $8k isn't the most I'd be willing to spend. This one was just particularly appealing because it wasn't 1300 miles away. If anything good pops up, you'll probably see me in the marketplace. Cheers!

joeyvaz

where are you located? I have a vehicle you may be interested in. 2001 alroad 2.7t with ALL maintenance up to date: timing belt, arnott bilstein conversion, full tune up, etc.....
PM me here or email me at joeywrx2@hotmail.com

TedStriker

Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to hold out for an S4 Avant.