Slurm

Looking at trading my 2004 Volvo S40 in for either a 2000 S4 or a 2001 A4 1.8t

Is there any major differences in reliability between the two? The only reason I even care to ask is that my wife is concerned about the diff in maintenance cost betweeen the Volvo and the Audi. I told her there probably wont be much of a diff, but i wanted to ask some people who have owned the cars for a while to see if my point is valid.

Thanks a bunch!

TwinTurboTerror

Reliability = awful on both. But as you point out, Volvo reliability isn't that hot either.

nadrealista

friend of mine has S40 but driving my S4 is so much more fun so extra expense is worth it IMO.

zeus1

i would say the parts and labor are on par and reliability is about the same. its seems like with both you could and can count on spending on average at least 300-400 bucks a month on something other than general maintenance

StoneMan

Heh. Slurm

Slurm

300-400 bucks a month on what parts?

Im just out of warranty now on the Volvo and I havnt had any major problems yet, but its only got 35k on the odo.

Guess time will tell, but what kind of repairs are costing you that much?

StoneMan

CV boots
Tie rod ends
Control arms
Diverter valves
O2 sensors
EGT sensors
Bizarre and sometimes untraceable coolant leaks
MAF
Timing Belt service

I could go on, but you get the point.

All this is for an S4, In my experience of course.

YMMV

S4Pazz

Make sure it has been replaced (along with water pump and thermost). This is a sure $1000-$1300 job and up to 3-5K if the belt breaks. That being said, my 00 6sp S4 has never failed to turn over, atart and drive in the 4 years I've had it. There have been issues that come along regularly (control arms, wheel bearings, mostly mechanical, not electric in my experience) so expect to spend some $$ here and there, but very satisfied and entertained with this car. Also, like it or not, you will get some degree of the "modding bug"--also a financial issue--have fun...

RyGriff

all the stupid stuff that has been replaced (luckily I still have a CPO warranty) would have cost me a couple grand by now. Airbag control module, oil level sensor, seatbelt tensioner, 2 defective bose speakers, interior door handle spring breakage, new instrument cluster for the infamous lcd lines, drivers window regulator... In addition to the ~$900 timing belt job which is unfortunately not covered by the warranty. I think there are a couple other things I might be forgetting. The car is extremely reliable besides all this BS. It has never left me stranded, ever.

I dont know if there are still any B5 S4 out there that you can get a CPO warranty for, as they are getting a little aged at this point. Good luck

zeus1

well have a 2000 volvo v70 xc 120k..allwheel drive went. that was 2k (bevel gear was 1000k alone, ignition went 300 bucks. rear trunk latch failed 400 or so..this is all within 6 months so ahead of the game..the audi as stated below o2 sensors, wheel bearings (went as low as 50K on the car)mass airflow sensor...it just seemed to be one thing after another.. Now if you do your own work have access to a lift it may not be so bad.. dont get me wrong if you have the funds and the patiense the s4 is one of the best all around cars in my opinion