Well first I must start by saying after driving all night to pick up these used set of turbos, that are supposed to have 6,000 miles on them, I came back empty handed and full of questions. I don't want to mention who is selling these because he appears to be a respectfull person on AW and AZ.

Having said that he told me that these turbos are fine, and maybe they are, also the shop he is getting work done at said these turbos are perfectly fine as well. I don't know enough about these things to make that call and $1500 is not something worth risking.

The first concern to me was the play in the shaft, seemed like a lot but i'm not saying i've felt a ton of these things. I know the one off my mazda didn't have nearly this much. It was not enough for the compressor fins to touch the housing walls so maybe that is normal. Is that a good rule of thumb? That was his answer that they don't move enough to touch the sides of the housing.

The other concern that the shop agreed with him on is the visual damage to the compressor fins. They both said the turbos worked fine and didn't whine and that they are fine just how they are. But, if i wanted to a turbo shop could clean up the compressor fins for next to nothing. Is this true?

It appears to me that something deff went through these turbos which may have lead to his blown motor. He said it was nothing to do with it and maybe that is the case. I'm not calling him a liar as I don't know much about these. One of the fins actually has a "wave" to it almost as if is has a bend to it. Please take a look and let me know what you think? Is the damage on the fins that critical? TIA

<img src="https://forums.audiworld.com/picture.php?albumid=101281&pictureid=222003">

<img src="https://forums.audiworld.com/picture.php?albumid=101281&pictureid=222002">

 

Your pictures arn't working. I dealt with a shady guy on AZ, mind PMing me the details and I can let you know if it was the guy I was talking with.

 

For that kind of money I would just get..
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4-...rbo/ES1884482/

Same price and a 1 year warranty

 

Yes i saw these came up in december on there website but there was a bunch of other stuff he was throwing in with the k04s for the $1500, still looking for thoughts on the turbos themselves though...

 

Yeah, don't buy them they are in **** shape. If you want used ones, I can ask a few people if they have anything worth while.

 

2nd - once the blades are damaged or warped the rate of mechanical failure increases rapidly. Those turbos are only good for a rebuild at this point.

 

The seller is also the guy who scammed me. lulz.

 

You might even take a look at ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...item27aeb3f91f

They look a lot better.

 

given the effort that goes into a turbo swap I think buying knock offs is just bad mojo (not saying those are knock offs, just in general). I would get a pair of fresh from the factory K04s from a trustworthy vendor and pay the market value for them.

 

Did you even click the link? Those are BR in the ebay link. Knock offs have odd colored castings and no blue serial plate.