I have stfa and spent a good amount of time on this forum. I have also made a few posts....
10-27-2006, 06:12 PM
#1
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I have stfa and spent a good amount of time on this forum. I have also made a few posts....
I have owned a few A4's and have always thought of upgrading to a S4. When I sold my latest A4 I ended up replacing it with a 225 TT coupe instead. Now my wifes car is for sale ('98 A4 2.8LQM Avant) and we are thinking of getting an '01 or '02 S4 Avant for her. I always hear about the "S4 gremlins" or that the S4 has a lot of problems. We plan on getting an S4 with about 50-55,000 miles and plan to sell it when it has about 70-80,000 miles or 2 years.
Here is my question...
What common problems do the S4's have that the A4's do not have in the above mentioned mileage period? (yes I know that somethings happen at 30,000 miles and usually dont happen until 90,000, I'm talking about the normalities of this car..."common")
TRE's, control arms, wheel barings, clusters, DV's... what else?
In the back of my mind I associate buying an S4 whith having a lot of problems. Now that I'm more serious about getting an S4 I dont think its any more problematic then owning a 1.8T A4.... I see S4's all the time on the road. People dirve these cars everyday...why do I think it's going to be a total PITA to own one!!!
BTW- We're thinking of getting an automatic.... would we be better off with a manual (thinking ahead when we sale the car)
Here is my question...
What common problems do the S4's have that the A4's do not have in the above mentioned mileage period? (yes I know that somethings happen at 30,000 miles and usually dont happen until 90,000, I'm talking about the normalities of this car..."common")
TRE's, control arms, wheel barings, clusters, DV's... what else?
In the back of my mind I associate buying an S4 whith having a lot of problems. Now that I'm more serious about getting an S4 I dont think its any more problematic then owning a 1.8T A4.... I see S4's all the time on the road. People dirve these cars everyday...why do I think it's going to be a total PITA to own one!!!
BTW- We're thinking of getting an automatic.... would we be better off with a manual (thinking ahead when we sale the car)
10-27-2006, 06:32 PM
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You have most of the list - Add the following: Turbos, aux coolant pump, cam-tensioner seals,
also see eddy jun's faq pages
owning an S4 is alot like an A4 but with the risk/reward factor increased a little if you enjoy driving.
Undoubtedly one or two of the common problems will happen - not too many if you're lucky a lot if you're not........
ohhh add secondary air injection pump if you get a tip.
I have/had 2 vw's (gti & eurovan) with the same aux waterpump as the S4 and they have gone out - repeatedly - only a matter of time on the S4.....
Same with the secondary air injection pump
Having said what you have about A4's you should be fine owning one. Only thing is that the repair prices can go up considerably - parts and or labor.
Be patient and hold out for the right car......
owning an S4 is alot like an A4 but with the risk/reward factor increased a little if you enjoy driving.
Undoubtedly one or two of the common problems will happen - not too many if you're lucky a lot if you're not........
ohhh add secondary air injection pump if you get a tip.
I have/had 2 vw's (gti & eurovan) with the same aux waterpump as the S4 and they have gone out - repeatedly - only a matter of time on the S4.....
Same with the secondary air injection pump
Having said what you have about A4's you should be fine owning one. Only thing is that the repair prices can go up considerably - parts and or labor.
Be patient and hold out for the right car......
10-27-2006, 07:42 PM
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The first troubling part is that you are already planning to sell it?
I bought mine 5.5 years ago (96K + miles so far) and have had very few probems.
I was only going to keep this car for a few years when I orginally bought it and I still have it!
Of course I have spent a "few" dollars on mods and such.
Bruce
I was only going to keep this car for a few years when I orginally bought it and I still have it!
Of course I have spent a "few" dollars on mods and such.
Bruce
10-27-2006, 07:52 PM
#6
With that mileage range & age, plan on doing the timing belt, water pump, & thermostat.
About an $1100 job at the dealership. Also watch out for a failing instrument cluster.
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10-27-2006, 09:02 PM
#10
:-) I knew it was you. Srsly though..... the S4 is an awesome car but not cheap to maintain
and if you get bit by the mod bug, say goodbye to your wallet.
I wish my S4 was as reliable as the BMW. :-/
I wish my S4 was as reliable as the BMW. :-/
