dbl001

I have a 2004 Audi S4 with a manual transmission with 170,000 miles. I started having problems at 160,000 miles.

Since, 2015, I've spent ~$10,000USD. I replaced:
+ alternator,
+ power steering pump,
+ air conditioning compressor,
+ starter,
+ windshield wiper motor,
+ upper/lower control arms, etc.
+ battery

In October 2106, the engine seized up. My mechanic couldn't figure out what was wrong after months of diagnostics. He ruled out timing chain tensioner (a common problem), cam-shaft actuator, bad gas, etc.

Audi in Palo Alto told me to get rid of the car in April 2016.

Questions:
+ Is 170,000 miles the most I should expect for my S4?
+ How do you know when it's time to give up the S4?
+ How much should I try to sell it (for after investing so much in parts and service)?

Thanks in advance.

KleineRotWagen

My '04 S4 (TipTronic) has 230,000 miles. While I've had some issues, nothing like what you are experiencing. I consider my car to be somewhat an "outlier" as I know there have been a few who have had issues from day 1. i suspect the 40 valve engine was a bit of an experiment as I don't think that architecture survived the B6. If the engine is truly dead, your best bet may be a part out, but certainly someone more knowledgeable than I should provide a second opinion.

FWIW, I have asked the same questions (when is it time to move on, what is the current value); to the first, it's "not yet" (though I've been tempted) - to the second, maybe $4 -5 grand for a functional car in decent shape. I suspect an engine rebuild will cost more than that.

dbl001

Another mechanic who works on S4's said he'd take a look for $350USD (two hours). I'm not sure he can figure out in two hours what my other mechanic couldn't figure out in 9 months. The car needs new shocks. There was also an intermittent problem with the brakes. The brakes were applied while I was driving without touch the brake pad. My mechanic thinks it's the switch (actuator?) in the brake peddle.