eisman.s4

I currently have about 140K on my A4 and am thinking about selling it and moving up to an S4. This car will be a daily driver, I won't be doing many mods to it. I've read that 2001.5 is the best MY to shoot for, how true is this if I am concidering a higher mileage car?

Speaking of higher mileage, how dumb would it be to buy a 2000 with ~100K on it? Would the turbos have been replaced by then? I certainly would take it to my mechanic to go over it, but I've never been in an S4 engine bay. Can you get to the turbos to check for shaft play easily?

The reason I am asking is that there is a large price difference around me between 2000s with ~100K and a 2001.5s with ~70K, about $5000-$7000 difference. I have seen it quite a bit over the last few month of searching. $6000 would pay for turbo replacement, but what else is going to need work on an 00 with 100K? (Beside control arms, breaks, timing belt, TRE, etc...)

Captain Matt, I be

how much do you want for the 1.8?

bcr84urq

I just made this move myself - going from a '98.5 1.8Tq w/ MTM chip and Supersprint exhaust, sport everything - susp, seats etc. The A4 has been an incredible car - fun to drive and very reliable. I got an '01.5 S4 w/ 48k miles about 3 weeks ago and, like you I plan to do minimal mods - chip and exhaust. I really like power of the 2.7TT and the smoothness. I also like the seats. But it definitely feels heavier. In some ways the car feels more solid, but in others it seems to rattle more...weird. Sorry can't answer your turbo questions from experience but if you can find a car with new/recent turbos - that would be the big thing already taken care of. I recently test drove a 120k mi car it felt solid. good luck.

Brandon
'01.5 S4
'84 urquattro 20Vt

AdamS4

if you can afford it, CPO can be a great way to go. There are bad experiences out there, however, mine has been great...but I got my S4 back in '03.. (Although it sounds like you're looking for a 100K miles, CPO doesn't cover. )

If I knew then what i knew now and was looking to buy NOW, i'd prob look for a K0'4ed one for sure


Good luck in your choice, I've found owning a B5 S4 is like having a high maintence girlfriend -- can be very fun, but upkeep can be costly.


peace

311

You will have a hard time getting to the turbos to check them for shaft play (read impossible). Your best bet if you are purchasing one w/100K miles is to make sure that you can get the service records, and try to find one that hasnt been modded/ragged.

My MY 00 has 102K miles on it and runs like a top, but I have taken very good care of it. I think its luck of the draw often, and I just got lucky.

krazylegz

Not enough for you to collect parts, you have to collect cars now too?

eisman.s4

but, since I do a bit over 25K miles/year I'd eat that up fast. I am able to handle the normal maint stuff myself, but doubt I'd chance replacing turbos. I don't know yet. I'll have to see if I get as comfortable under an S4 hood.

My ultimate would be a K04'd 2001.5 I think. It is just so tempting to get a '00 and save the cash up front. I guess it's a roll of the dice to bet that $8000 worth dosen't go wrong and it dosen't go wrong during the work week.

eisman.s4

It was dealer maintained before I got it and I've taken care of it. I'd hate to give up this car and move into a daily fixer.

Turbos are the big thing on B5 S4s right? Anything else I should watch for?

bcr84urq

not sure if that reply was for me or eisman but mine is not for sale....

Brandon

eisman.s4

I guess I need to get out and drive a few of these cars and compare too.