Thinking of buying B7 S4

sportquattro

sportquattro

Registered User
Joined
Sep 9, 2009
Messages
842
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Ivybridge, United Kingdom
Thinking of replacing my 1999 S3 with a 2006 B7 S4 and little concerned re the engine reliability and in particular the cam chain death rattle. How common a problem is this and what are forum members experiences, hints and tips for a B7 S4 buyer. car will probably be 70-100k example

Thanks in advance

Nige
 
I recently bought an S4-2005 Avant. The key to a rattle free cam chain is regular oil changes using the correct grade of oil, Usual service times for the oil changes, you don't have to go mad and change the oil every couple of months.
When starting from cold you will hear a little rattle and a woosh of oil pressurising the cam chain tensioner which will last one or two seconds and that is normal. Any rattling after that then there is a problem. Don't mistake injectors clicking a little louder than normal cars for a cam chain rattle, the injectors do seem a little louder with the bonnet up, again normal.
Some owners including myself have noticed when driving off slowly with full lock on the steering, there is a rumbling noising from the front driveshafts/CV joints. I've asked about this on Audizine and Audi SRS forums and the consensus is, this is normal as well.
Jerky gear changes on auto and manual are not necessarily failing clutches/autoboxes, more likely to be the front snub nose engine mounting, easily changed.
Oil leaks from the cam covers and D seals are also common, easyish diy fix there. The long term dribbling of oil from the cam covers consequently rots the alternator/serpentine belt over time, again easily changed with the know how. Hope your good at removing Audi front bumpers as most of these jobs involve taking the bumper off.
The common faults mentioned above and the way to fix them are easily found on Youtube and the previous mentioned forums.
MPG should be around 24/25 with mixed driving, I was expecting 15/16 so pleasantly surprised.
Check the rest of the car as any other.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 45bvtc and Mark-f
Soot1 that's very helpful thank you. One of my concerns is the cars may have been on Audi's stupid long life servicing regime and 15-20k mile oil changes cant be good. My S3 gets an oil change every 5000 miles and has not got 173,000 on the clock and is still as good as it was when I bought it with 62,000 miles 5 years ago. S as I read things the problem is not as widespread/horrific as some internet forums make out. That's being so a S4 could be back on the hot list. Have to confess the stories of cam chain tensioner issues being widespread had kinda put me off. I know a 48 Audi is never going to be a cheap to run car, but having to remove engine to fix a problem isn't really on.

Nige
 
I agree about he Long Life servicing, too long for a privately run car on 8 to 10k. miles a year. It was really intended for derv business users on big mileage. Buying big engine cars does however, means they are much less stressed and should cope with a long life. At the price they go for it is a calculated gamble. If you're going to use it as a second car (as I do) then it's not too bad, depreciation is very low with sub £10k. cars of this quality.
 
mines been a good buy, i'd recommend one to practically anyone.

ive done 8300 miles since May, averaged 24.3 mpg which isnt too bad either. around town it drops, to 19-22, motorway at 70-80 i can easily see 31 (distance though) i drive 243 miles friday and sunday. had an oil change when i got it, and its having one this weekend. the drivers window regulator has given up so that is getting done this week too.

when i looked i was thinking the same, read horror stories and was told stories by a mechanic on a forum, and i also know a few audi techs that are long serving and between the 5 of them they havent fixed or know of anyone that has fixed a cam chain fault, so on that basis, i bought one. and i love it

have you driven one?
 
B7 S4 after 8 Months ownership - Got Mine in January

Ive done 8500 Miles since January and so far only had to replace the tyres and Aux Belt. touch wood have not had any horrible issues with her although perhaps some slightly excessive oil consumption on spirited riving but this isn't to be unexpected I guess.

Those chains ... terrify me haha. Usual 1-2 second rattling on startup most of the time which is apparently normal but I still dread hearing it. Those chain snapping horror stories do that to you! And the injectors are fairly noisy. As above I have not heard from my garage of anyone having gone in with cam chain issues. although I think Audis claim at 300k being average chain and guide wear and tear is bull! If they go they go that's all that can be said unless you are in the fortunate place to just get them replaced which is not cheap at all even at an indi...if they dare take the job on, a lot refuse!

Best MPG I have hit is 29 and lowest is 6. Average around town 17.

Regular oil changes with Fuchs 5W40 (I use) every 9k and Shell V power Nitro always.
One thing to watch out for is tyre pressures on the front causing uneven excessive tyre wear due to the engine weight.
Coming from a remapped 2.0T special edition personally didn't find it excessively powerful in comparison but obviously it is more powerful overall. When test driving make sure you open it up properly and hit the full rev range as Ive found above 5.5k rpm she does go for it.
At 5k + a second actuator kicks in and this is definitely something to check under the bonnet when buying as this is visible infron of the engine bay and if it doesn't kick in then you will be way down on power.

Overall I love the car, the sound still makes me smile even though still stock and fuel usage I am used to now so doesn't really bother me.
and Quattro is amazing it takes off like a rocket in anything, does what it says on the tin. Don't regret the purchase one bit. And the 155 limiter works perfectly :p

Im sure theres more info I can give you if you want anything specific just ask :)
 
Hello mate, for what its worth I bought a 2005 S4 this week. I heard no chain rattle at startup at all. However it had been oil changed every 5k miles. The previous owner was very methodical about it. I did have the same thoughts as you to be honest but then I had those thoughts when I bought my SMG M3!! 1 word for you if you're worried: Warranty

A couple of things I would check when buying one (which I didn't do). There not major things but are just annoying more than anything:

Check all doors open from the inside and outside, I currently have a rear passenger door that wont open from the outside
Check the auto windows work properly

Neither cost alot of money to fix but its just time consuming.

With regards to MPG, its all about how you drive, I used mine around town on Thursday, best I got was 10MPG, the Mrs used it, got 21MPG!!

You will want to hear that V8 roar so don't kid yourself about MPG! But then why would you buy a V8 and worry about MPG??

Anyway, you'll love owning one, there a dying car unfortunately. Plus you won't do your brains in on deprecation.
 
10 Ollie! you must be really enjoying that. You'll get a more accurate mpg reading the more miles you do.
I get 16 when towing the Westy on a trailer and that's 1200kilos extra weight to lug around.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mark-f
240 miles stockport - norwich, average speed 53, time 4h15, cruise set at 70, mpg ave 32.2. that isnt too bad.

but yes, around town or driving in a spirited manner on that journey i still regularly see 25-28 mpg. just had an oil change, 9 and half litres, needs a window regulator and still awaiting a headlamp fitting.

i have been tempted by an M3, but it isnt a V8. oh, and its being hunter aligned this weekend
 
That's so weird, this is my journey to see my dad in Stockport.

I can't see me getting your mpg though especially on the A14 and M6 especially the toll road!!

Oh and FYI don't buy a E46 M3 the S4 is so so so much better trust me I've had 2 M3's over the last 2 years.
 
ollie2013uk said:
That's so weird, this is my journey to see my dad in Stockport.

I can't see me getting your mpg though especially on the A14 and M6 especially the toll road!!

Oh and FYI don't buy a E46 M3 the S4 is so so so much better trust me I've had 2 M3's over the last 2 years.
Click to expand...

I take the A11, A14, M11, A1, M18 M1 then woodhead. Much better drive. Most of the time I'm above the legal limit by 10% or so, but that was my mpg on Sunday.

The only downside (for me) is the seat position and pedal box. The pedals are too close to the centre of the steering wheel, if that makes sense. I can't get comfortable and my knee rubs against the door card.

But I'd advise getting out in one, you'd love it
 
That's a journey, I'll have to give it a go.

I got an S4 last week so am due a triple up!!
 
It's better than sitting all mundane on the M6, and you get to use the go pedal a lot more.

OP, get one bought, you know you want to
 
Picking up my S4 on Wednesday morning. Bought a 2005 80,000 example good history and the spec I wanted (tiptronic and sat-nav) so fingers crossed that it turns out to be everything I hope it will be. it will be getting 5000 oil changes going forwards mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sainte986
Great, low miles there. You have test driven it I hope, not just round the block. Give all the electric items a thorough test as well.
 
This was a really great thread to read. I'm looking to buy a b7 s4 as well but so many post about the chain really scared me. I appreciate the members willingness to go over the issues on this site. Many others almost bully the new guys when the question comes up. Thanks again everyone!
 
bought an 05 avant with 116k a couple of weeks ago and loving it. had to replace both front HID bulbs as they were flickering (£55 pair from TPS). I also replaced a couple of interior pieces as they were scuffed - mainly because the rest of the interior is in such good condition.

chains are a worry but EVERY performance car has its scare stories and the S4 is no exception.

PS - 31mpg on a family run, not so much on a solo run. prob averaging 21 ish through the week.
 
pablo said:
bought an 05 avant with 116k a couple of weeks ago and loving it. had to replace both front HID bulbs as they were flickering (£55 pair from TPS). I also replaced a couple of interior pieces as they were scuffed - mainly because the rest of the interior is in such good condition.

chains are a worry but EVERY performance car has its scare stories and the S4 is no exception.

PS - 31mpg on a family run, not so much on a solo run. prob averaging 21 ish through the week.
Click to expand...

So we'll put, I had 2 M3 smg before the s4 and the smg was always a worry. Strange people don't worry about other stuff like smoking or binge drinking!!

How much did you snap your avant up for?
 
audi upgrades
£6750. got a bargain I think. missing a few spec items Id like but Ill manage :)
 
pablo said:
£6750. got a bargain I think. missing a few spec items Id like but Ill manage :)
Click to expand...

That's a good price to be fair. I'm gonna sell mine soon die to lack of use unfortunately! Really do love it however it's a waste sitting on the driveway doing 25 miles a week!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: pablo
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
THINKING OF BUYING b7 CONVERVERTIBLE
Replies
7
Views
840
sublime
S
V
maybe thinking of buying a b7
Replies
3
Views
903
vorsprung dork
V
daveB5
Thinking of buying this B7 A4 but...
Replies
10
Views
1K
ukphillad
ukphillad
AdamsDad
Thinking of buying S4 Cab - S44 GJS
Replies
16
Views
1K
rhinoman
R
I
Thinking of buying a B7 Quattro - Few questions...
Replies
6
Views
805
SemiT
S
Top
Back