Drambui

I am about to take the plunge on an S4. Final test drives today comparing BMW 330 and S4. IMHO, the S4 handling and feeling of control were MUCH better than the 330. I am in total heat for the S4 at this point. My only remaining concern: how defect/problem-ridden is the S4? I see lots of posts here that make me worried. Of course, I know that people with problems are much more likely to post, but I wonder if the "silent majority" out there have had trouble-free cars. For all you S4ers who have had the car for at least 6 months or so, what has been your experience? Trouble-free or problems?????

frank

I picked up my 10/99 production date S4
on Feb 25th. 10973 miles later,

I have the "self tuning" radio problem. (minor)

A gas guage the always reads 2 gallons low.(minor)

and just recently a VERY TINY hole in my TBB
that was replaced under warranty last week


Now when you compare this to the 28 separate warranty claims/visits on my 1997 M3 4dr in the 2.5 years that I owned it. before it went back under lemon law.

then the S4 is almost Honda-like in it's reliablity

hwj

5000 trouble-free miles.

Ron O

Once for oil change at 6,000miles and once for new windshield wiper blades n/c at 12,000.
As trouble free as my Lexus.
Best car in a long time based on FUN, safety and reliability.

Plus you have the people on this forum as friends and advisors. (That's mostly good!)<p><img src="http://members3.clubphoto.com/ron257065/Rons/photo1.jpg">

TEDS4

5787 miles and no problems

Ned Cejaj

I chipped it when it had 500 miles on it, I took it to the drag strip with 1100 miles on it, and i now have 9700 miles.

I didnt tear my TBB, but i did tear the F hose recently.

My car is absolutely trouble free, and so are the majority out there. On the forum, you will hear about problems more often, thats why the forum exists, so we can communicate our ownership experiences, and usually we worry and post about the bad. Are there problems with the S4? Yes, but not as widespread as it may seem. Yes we have had TBB failures, and there were quite a few turbo failures. And there were some transmission problems. I think these are manufacturing defects and if you do not experience any of these symptoms during the first 10,000 miles you are pretty much safe.

The transmission has been around since 1992 (Ur-S4), and yes, there is a possibility for a bad 2nd gear synchro. Yes the TBB blows but its only $12 and at least thats the first thing to go. However, be aware of it. Driving with a blown TBB can cause damage to the turbo's, and I think thats where most of the turbo failures come from.

Ned

Esse Quattro

...and that, as near as I can tell is the dealer's doing. HORENDOUS swirl marks appeared in my paint after the dealer wax wore off.

Other than that, the only real "problem" is my auto-dimming rearview mirror didn't work on delivery. Three mirrors later, it works great.

Everything else on the car is perfect. Reading this forum can sometimes scare you; I think most S4 owners are happier than hell.

NASA racer

<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/carssmall4.jpg">
00 S4 tip
Silver/Onyx
GIAC ECU/tip “race” chip (14.4 in 100 degrees)
V1

rezn8

It's only been to service twice, the second time was my fault.

First was for a heat sheild rattle when the engine was cold. It was next to the turbo, so the tech moved it a little by hand in five minutes. It will be replaced on the car's first service in a few weeks.

The second was all me and my MTM springs. I hit a driveway hard and 'bounced' the exhaust into the heat shield just below the driveshaft. Horrible noise when the engine was decelerating. Service fixed it in one minute and didn't charge me for it. I will need to get stiffer shocks to go with these springs. The car bounces too much.

Other than the above, no problems and I'm still driving around like a grinning maniac!

PS only mods are MTM springs and a UUC short shifter.

RENN 951

Early on I had a rattle from the sunroof, the dealer had to remove the headliner to fix it but no problems since from that. Only recent problem is my "check engine" light comes on occasionally for no good reason - I'll have them work that when she goes in for the annual service in a couple weeks.<p>John G
00 S4 Silver/Silver
Michelin Pilot Sports
UUC Short Shifter (20%)

99 A6 Avant Brilliant Black/Vanilla-Onyx