Oh No... A what's it worth thread...

[xs2man]

Okay guys, I have had my S4 up for sale for a while now, and there seems to be little interest in a cash sale. Having offers of swaps for Evo's (6's), M5's and the likes, but ideally I'm wanting a A4 avant tdi, so they aint really suitable.

Anyway, so I recently knocked the price down to £8k, thinking that was bound to get her sold, but yet again, no luck.

I am loathed to reduce it anymore if I'm honest, because I will need about £8k to get the right TDI, and it seems wierd to me that I would expect to get less for my S4 than it will cost to replace with a similar aged tdi. I could be wrong though.

Anyway, any advice on pricing it would be a great help. Like I said, I think its fair, but what do you guys think?

A link to my ad on edition is here:
Board Message

But I think you will have to be a member to view it. If so, it can also be found here (probably the reason for the Evo 6 offers, although I would swap for a 7 or 8, lol):
2003 Audi S4 - Mitsubishi Lancer Register Forum

Can you guys advise on what the price SHOULD be for this car?

Mods. If this sort of thread isn't allowed, sorry. But can you tell me where it would be allowed?

 

[CHRIS555]

Your price is not wrong - i've been looking at these for a while, I wanted a red one and they don't seem to be shifting full stop. Some that are offered through traders have moved but I'd put that down to there being "finance" options availble to buyers.

 

[dsmclark40v]

There is an 04 S4 avant at southampton audi for £15,000 (altho does look mint) I'd say hold out they probably aren't shifting at the moment as people are scared of the running costs. also yours is at the age when timing chains can start to get problems

 

[simon.m]

do you think its the price of petrol thats keeping ppl from buying right now as they are a bit firsty

 

[C17LJR]

mmmm. more temptation for me. i'd really miss the avant though ;(

 

[xs2man]

To be fair, its not really much more thirsty than my old V6 4motion golf (25 mpg), or, I would imagine, an S3 (compared to my stage 2 AGU 1.8T = 27 mpg average). I have averaged about 23 mpg since I got her, so while that aint great, its only a few mpg worse than these motors, but with a lot more power. However, I'm still sure that is the reason.

Carl, you know I love your car mate. And would swap in a second. And, to be honest, yours is actually the ONLY 2.5 TDI I would want to swap with, just because you have had all them problems fixed. That would worry me about that engine in any other motor.

 

[xs2man]

Well, bite the bullet time, and take a massive hit I guess. If anyone is looking for a saloon S4, mine is sub £100k (93k), and I will let it go for £7k so I can get the deposit for my next motor. But only at this price for a couple weeks really, as I will no doubt change my mind again. It is advertised for £7500, so the £7000 represents the lowest I'll take, so this forum will get first (almost) refusal.

Pistonheads link in my sig.

 

[xs2man]

Well, bite the bullet time, and take a massive hit I guess. If anyone is looking for a saloon S4, mine is sub £100k (93k), and I will let it go for £7k so I can get the deposit for my next motor. But only at this price for a couple weeks really, as I will no doubt change my mind again. It is advertised for £7500, so the £7000 represents the lowest I'll take, so this forum will get first (almost) refusal.

Having said that, I would px for a cheap avant tdi or 1.8T, so long as I get £4k cash (px price would have to be the original £8k though), as I have about £4k in my other motor to px with.

Pistonheads link in my sig.

 

[Jama665]

Well I would really like one but as has been mentioned the cost of running is a major factor with these cars.

Fuel, Insurance, Parts.

I had a merc that was a rare top range model, it was about 6 months before i eventually sold it (Had plenty of silly offers mind you). If your patient it will sell or you'l be taking the hit i guess to shift her quickly.

Good luck

 

[xs2man]

Well, the deal on the new motor is only until June, so if I want to go for it, I have to take the hit I guess.

Fuel I don't find MUCH worse than my V6 4motion, or stage 2 1.8T, Insurance for me has been the same on all cars also (circa £500), and its nowhere near as expensive on parts as an RS4 for example (circa £150 for front discs as an example).

Hopefully this new pricing will see her shift very soon.

 

[cobraBLACK]

I think people hear "4.2 V8" and think it'll be ridiculous and it's not; my insurance is remarkably cheaper than my old MY99 Impreza WRX and, as long as you're not using it to queue around city centres all the time, the fuel consumption is pretty good for a car of this type.

I haven't had to buy an parts yet so I can't comment.

Out of interest, how much are similar S4s going for at the moment? I bought mine just over a year ago for £10k and I'm expecting it to be not worth much less when the economy picks up.

 

[xs2man]

Yeah, know what you mean. "4.2 V8" scares too many people. Fuel wise it will be marginally worse than the 1.8T, but with around 200 BHP difference, its worth every penny. And as said, insurance wise there is not much in it, so long as your over 25 or so. I only pay £100 more for this than my wife does for her 2.0TDI A3. And she is a year older with no points. So I just wish people would stop being so ignorant, lol. If its something you would fancy, but think you cant afford, do a bit of research first before saying the insurance would kill you, or the fuel consumption is a killer.

Well, price wise, there are 3 on pistonheads under £8k, and they are 115k plus on the mileage.
And 4 on Autotrader, again, all 100k+ mileage except for one, which is at the full £8k.

To be fair, there is only one out there at the moment for £7k, and its on 123k (its on both pistonheads and Autotrader) so that narrows it down even more.

I think at this price, you'll struggle to get an S4 with such low miles, and good (-ish) condition. If it weren't for my wifes need for a new car, it would be staying.

 

[Jama665]

Ha ha well Im convinced, If i had 7k handy i'd be interested for sure. But you dont want to hear that.
Just something completely off topic, I have a 1.8t and I look at my engine bay and think how the hell did audi fit a 4.2 v8 in there!!!!
I would guess on the motorway fuels fairly good as its just purring them speeds.

 

[cobraBLACK]

...I look at my engine bay and think how the hell did audi fit a 4.2 v8 in there!!!!

Stand in front of an S4's engine bay and you'll still have the same question - it looks like it must be some kind of elaborate engine cover and underneath is something more sensible!

I know when they built the engine it was quite revolutionary, being all aluminium, it was the world's lightest V8 and I think it was also the size of a conventional V6 engine.

 

[Tooks]

I've been tempted by an S4 for a long while, and I've looked at a lot of adverts, including yours.

£7.5k doesn't seem like a lot of money, in comparison with the others out there, but in my head I'm thinking yours is really a £8.3k car once you factor in the body work to the front end and car park ding. The burn you mention to the interior will also set alarm bells ringing for some, as it suggests a smokers car (I have no idea if that's true, or just a one off!).

Unfortunately, all big engined petrol cars are slow to sell at the moment what with people worrying about fuel prices, not to mention the ongoing worries about job security and the economy.

You're also way up there in Scotland, which by default is going to shrink the number of people in the market for such a car able to easily view it.

It's a definite enthusiast car, and as such will need an enthusiast buyer. They're a bit thinner on the ground, but I'm sure the right buyer will pitch up if you're patient.

Have you considered fixing the bodywork yourself and then advertising it again? At the moment, although it's slightly lesser mileage than some other S4's, it's competing with ones that don't need some bodywork. You really need to get some more pictures up to to reassure people it's not that bad, and to show some other details of the car?

I'm not trying to knock your sale, please don't take it that way, it's meant to give you some insight as to how I felt when I viewed the Ad and hopefully it will help?

 

[Tooks]

I've been tempted by an S4 for a long while, and I've looked at a lot of adverts, including yours.

£7.5k doesn't seem like a lot of money, in comparison with the others out there, but in my head I'm thinking yours is really a £8.3k car once you factor in the body work to the front end and car park ding. The burn you mention to the interior will also set alarm bells ringing for some, as it suggests a smokers car (I have no idea if that's true, or just a one off!).

Unfortunately, all big engined petrol cars are slow to sell at the moment what with people worrying about fuel prices, not to mention the ongoing worries about job security and the economy.

You're also way up there in Scotland, which by default is going to shrink the number of people in the market for such a car able to easily view it.

It's a definite enthusiast car, and as such will need an enthusiast buyer. They're a bit thinner on the ground, but I'm sure the right buyer will pitch up if you're patient.

Have you considered fixing the bodywork yourself and then advertising it again? At the moment, although it's slightly lesser mileage than some other S4's, it's competing with ones that don't need some bodywork. You really need to get some more pictures up to to reassure people it's not that bad, and to show some other details of the car?

I'm not trying to knock your sale, please don't take it that way, it's meant to give you some insight as to how I felt when I viewed the Ad and hopefully it will help?

 

[xs2man]

I see what your saying.

I've had quotes of about £500 + VAT to fix. Which I have stated before I am willing to get done (but will obviously have to add that onto the price, as it is rock bottom as it is because of this), but, in all honesty, it requires little more than any car this age would as a result of stone-chips (bumper, bonnet, wings due to the arches, all 8 year old cars of any mileage will show these). If anyone is interested, I will let the car go for £7600 painted. And yeah, the burn does suggest a previous owner was a smoker, nothing I can do about that.

As for more pictures, well, in all ads I have put up, I have linked to Photobucket, where there are over 160 photos (S4 pictures by s2man_photos - Photobucket), so its not like I haven't given the opportunity to get a proper look.

As for location, I travelled to London for the car. Not that I would necessarily expect anyone else to travel so far, but its not as if it should be a deal breaker.

Anyway, thanks for your input.

 

[quattrojames]

I don't think the location is a 'massive' issue these days, if you were looking for a Focus it might be, but to find a fairly sorted S4, especially one at £7k, I think most people would appreciate the need for a bit of a road trip.

Shame it's not an Avant!

 

[xs2man]

Yep. It would be very unlikely I would even be considering selling if it were an avant in all honesty. Although the split / fold rear seats, with the ski-bag is quite a rare option in the saloon, and does make it a bit more practical.

 

[Tooks]

I see what your saying.

I've had quotes of about £500 + VAT to fix. Which I have stated before I am willing to get done (but will obviously have to add that onto the price, as it is rock bottom as it is because of this), but, in all honesty, it requires little more than any car this age would as a result of stone-chips (bumper, bonnet, wings due to the arches, all 8 year old cars of any mileage will show these). If anyone is interested, I will let the car go for £7600 painted. And yeah, the burn does suggest a previous owner was a smoker, nothing I can do about that.

As for more pictures, well, in all ads I have put up, I have linked to Photobucket, where there are over 160 photos (S4 pictures by s2man_photos - Photobucket), so its not like I haven't given the opportunity to get a proper look.

As for location, I travelled to London for the car. Not that I would necessarily expect anyone else to travel so far, but its not as if it should be a deal breaker.

Anyway, thanks for your input.

Oops! How did I miss your photo bucket link?! That answers the photo part then!

I think in all honesty, it's just a sign of the times, a quick search on eBay completed listings shows dozens of S4's and very few of them seem to have sold. I think prices on all big engined petrol cars are softening sadly...

I agree the travel thing isn't a big issue for the right buyer, but it certainly doesn't help, that's all I was saying. I purchased a used TT locally (when they hadn't been out that long) as I could easily view really, and then fell in love with the damn thing!

Yours does look a nice car though, good luck with the sale.