silvar

I've really enjoyed trolling around here for the last couple months and have decided to trade my trusted BMW 535ia and 6 speed convertible Porsche 968, possibly for a Tip S4 or A6 2.7T. The reasons are many, BMW really getting old, 968 top down too much wind and sunburn and noise - top up huge blind spots, too many expensive repairs lately in the Porsche, traffic lights and stop signs every 30 feet, wife can't drive a stick (so no beers while out in the convertible) and a shortage of parking spaces, etc...

So my questions for you guys are:

Will a Tip with a chipped S4 give me the oomph I'm used to with the stick 968?

Is shifting on the wheel fun/easy to get used to?

I'm a little worried about turbo/transmission problems - Is a warranty a must to you guys? Should I do a warranty only with a dealer? What should I watch out for if buying from a dealer?

I am a cheap bastard, and am tempted by some of the 2000 models with around 30k. Is that too much mileage. Who out there has a high mileage 2000 w/no problems?

Anything else to look for when looking at used S4's?

Is an A6 2.7T really as problamatic repair wise as I hear? Would it be a lame choice is comparision to an S4?

Is a Tiptronic Turbo charged car going to last for 100K?

I am excited about owning another German car and I've never owned an Audi. I love the way they look and am test driving this weekend (alas non chipped). Any tips, hints, stories are welcomed and thanks to all of you who post regularly on this board. It is THE source for the real skinny on these cars

I hope to be debadging soon!

dave in atlanta

S4MadMan

1) A chipped, tiptronic S4 will edge out stock, 6-Speed 968 to the 1/4. So, yes, it will give you the "oomph"; and a little more so. However, if you have a 968 Turbo/Turbo S, forget it! The 968 Turbo/Turbo S has a lot of ***** and even a Stage III Tiptronic would have a hard time keeping up with a Turbo S. I think the Turbo S is one of the great sleeper cars Porsche has ever built.

2) I always say better safe than sorry. So I would go with a dealer warranty. Depending where you live, there are some great deals on S4s. I just went online for my purpose. No hassles and great pricing.

3) With respect purchasing a used S4, I have no clue, sorry.

4) Yes, there's a link (somewhere, can't find it right now) with a small list of things that the Audi Dealer should have updated/replaced. Ask Frank, he'll know for sure.

5) A6 and S4 are different cars. It all depends on what you are looking for, are you more performance oriented or more luxury/comfort oriented?

6) I say yes, you can get 100,000 miles if you take care of it properly. I've talked to experts and done quite a bit of research and I think the key to longevity is never to run hard before the car warms up and proper cool down after "spirited" driving.

7) There is NO comparison between a chipped and non-chipped S4. After driving a chipped S4 and then getting into my then stock S4, I was scratching my head wondering why my S4 was so slow. A chip alone will knock off at least 0.3 seconds off your 1/4 time (assuming everything else is equal), maybe even 0.5!

Good luck Dave!

zbunny

Let me know the specifics on your 968 when you decide to sell. I traded my 535 in on the S4, I love my S4. When our 968 was stolen we replaced it with a TTRoadster as we couldn't find a good 968.

The S4 is sportier than the A6, kind of like comparing the M3 and M5 in the BMW series.

Make sure that you purchase the extended warranty as audi repairs are just as expensive as Porsche or BMW. If you purchase a new S4, everything is covered for 4 years or 50K miles.

NASA racer

1. Chipped tip S4 has as has much more torque so the "oomph" factor is almost there. I see mixed claims for 968s but I ran 13.8 with the tip. I've seen 13.0 claims for 968s but not sure if that's true.

2. Sifting on the wheel ROCKS except that the S4 tip doesn't let you manually downshift to 1st...no fix or workaround. That's the only downside, otherwise thumb shifting is awesome.

3. The warranty comes with the car so you get it no matter what. I believe there ARE some aftermarket warranties which claim to cover modified cars...can't answer that one.

will a chipped tip S4 last 100,000 miles? Dunno...highly depends on the car. I know a hard-driven 6-speed which has had many an adventure which just turned 50,000 miles and has only had small annoying things (water pump).

S4MadMan

No way a stock 968 will do 13.0 flat. Not even close. A Turbo S will though. =)

NASA racer

I have the same problem with GT3's and GT2's...I'm Porsche dyslexic.

I drive a Porsche 996336511

S4MadMan

Regardless, a Porsche IS a Porsche. =)

NASA racer

the fact that the name and/or crest is in no fewer than FIFTEEN places on my car!!!

UberVier

If you're concerned about longevity and warranty, I'd opt for an 01, as our free service period I think is longer (someone correct me if I'm wrong). 01's can be found for around 37, and there MAY be some good deals if you search long and hard enough. A low mileage 00 wouldn't scare me at all.

NASA racer

aaaannndd if you buy from a dealer, you can get the Audi Assured used car 5/75 warranty and THAT might be the best bet.

Also, as long as a car is covered by the new car warranty, the lemon law STILL APPLIES to it as though it was a new car.