S4Jason

Hi all! I've been reading this board for close to a year now but I don't own an S4- but I've been saving! Finally, I'm ready to start shopping but I have a couple of questions:

1)I'm interested in a '01 or '00 with about 20k miles (or less), with premium pkg and possibly cold weather. What would be a good price on the east coast/Balt DC area?
2) How much servicing should I expect above and beyond oil changes? I love the S4, but friends have told me that it'll always be in the shop and that the turbos will require additional maintenance. Is this true? What are the S4 service records like?

The S4 is my first choice, but I'll probably consider the BMW 330i and the benz C320. Any input/advice you have would be great! Thanks!

System_S4k

your friends are full of ****.

ScottGo

As for price, I would say a '00 with that mileage would run about $31,000 or so. Expect to pay about $33,000 for an '01. Of course, there are many variables on buying used -- private vs. dealer, the "must sell" factor, condition of car (despite reading on odometer, etc.)

I have only owned my car for about 3 weeks ('02) so I would be speculating at best on service and reliability issues. For what it's worth, I considered the S4 for about 1 1/2 years before finally giving in and am totally comfortable with the purchase (especially given the 4 year warranty/service). As for the warranty, though, consider an '01 over an '00 for two reasons. First, the '01 has a 4 year warranty (as opposed to a 3 year for the '00). Second (and obviously), the '01 is newer and will give you longer warranty coverage due to later delivery. As I am sure you know, the only "substantive change" between '00 and '01 is that the "electronic stability program" (ESP) is standard on the '01. That really is a moot point as it seems most of us turn the thing off anyway. . . .

As for the bimmer, I considered the 330i too. There is something to be said for the NA straight six in the bimmer. However, performance mods are generally not available and people that drive Audis are generally cooler than people that drive bimmers. OK, I have no data to back that comment up, but it is my sense that people drive Audis to DRIVE and people drive bimmers to BE SEEN. In other words, the S4 (which, BTW, out-performs the 330i in EVERY performance category but *maybe* braking) is less of a "status car" and more of an "enthusiast's car."

I can't really comment on the C320 because I never seriously considered a benz. Anything outside an AMG is simply too soft for my taste, and an AMG is simply too expensive for my budget. Besides, if I were doing one of those puzzles that we all did in elementary school where you cross out the item that doesn't fit in the sequence, I would x-out the C320 on your list. While I agree that the 330i and S4 should probably go head-to-head in just about any comparo, the C320 is a totally different car for a totally different buyer.

Anyways, those are my thoughts. Let me leave with a firm nudge towards the S4; you won't be disappointed.

ScottGo

bmwslayer

yes your right Audi's are for Drivers..bimmers want to be seen being valet'd

PhoenixGTS

last 100,000 miles. The one really good thing about the S4 is that you rarely hear about tranny failures, even on modded cars (unlike my last car an AWD Eclipse which are notorious for eating trannies). AWD is harseh on trannies, so we must have a good one.

S4Jason

Thanks for your thoughts! I really appreciate the info.

Nupeskee

I've got one for sale. Give me your email and I will give you the specifics..

S4 in Margaritaville

One of the best things of buying a used S4 is tha service warranty. You should have to pay $0 for anything that goes wrong, and nothing for oil, wiper blades, air filter etc.

I believe Audi offers similar warranty on used vehicles purchased through the dealer. I'd do a vin check on it first.

As for the turbos, they do represent another possible thing that could go wrong, especially given their mechanical use, but, Audi has a long history in that area, and past Audi T's have been quite sought after.

S4Jason

hinesj@mail.etas.com