Living with a B5 S4

[captainash]

Hi, I'm new!

I'm currently looking for an S4 Avant, hopefully with less than 70k on the clock (and less than £10k). I've read through a lot of this forum, and they seem to be solid reliable cars, but I'd appreciate some stories of what they're like to live with on a day-to-day basis ... runnings costs, mpg, do they burn oil, servicing intervals (and costs ) etc. The buyer's guide was very impressive, but doesn't mention anything to really look out for. Which may be a good thing!!

Oh, and I'm looking for a standard car

 

[Blue_Thunder]

Running costs are high. There, I said it!
They don't get through a lot of oil, certainly not as much as some other cars out there.
There are a few bits and pieces you should get replaced when you buy, regardless of how trustworthy the previous seller is, but that should only set you back a few pounds (these things are mentioned in the buyers guide).

A cambelt change works out over £500. Cambelt changes are recommended every 40k or every so many years I think, so one thing to check when you're looking is that the cambelt has been done (along with tenisoners and water pump).

The MPG obviously depends on your driving style and what sort of driving you will be doing. Mine is my daily commuter in stop/start traffic, and it used to work out around 23mpg. Motorway miles will creep up closer to 30mpg if you're light on the throttle.

They are fine on a day to day basis, and even my girlfriend who is terrified of the power (albeit from the passenger seat!), she finds it easy to drive at a much more sedate pace. She's even managed to park it a few times with minimal kerbing.


But, as the seller said to me, and as cheesey as it was, it has rung true... you get a lot of smiles per gallon

 

[captainash]

I guess you mean the intercooler hoses and the tie-rod ends? Cambelt change every 40k is worth remembering, thanks for that.

I'm always reassured by the amount of S4's that have well over 100k on the clock. Gotta be a good sign

 

[Isoproturon]

The turbos are prone to going, and are extortionate from what I have heard.

 

[captainash]

Really? I've not heard that before ... anyone agree / disagree?

 

[Blue_Thunder]

The K03 turbos aren't the most reliable in the world. There have been a lot of cases of failures, but most people opt to upgrade to the RS4 turbos (K04) when they go pop. A turbo swap involves an engine pull, which on an S4 will set you back upwards of £1200 for the labour and fluids alone.

Some owners have over 200k miles on the original turbos though, so it's just a case of finding a well maintained one, ie: regular oil changes (not Audi Longlife services), evidence of healthchecks, etc.

The 'bits and pieces' I was talking about include the DV's, MAF, F-hose and TBB. You're looking at a couple of hundred to replace all those, but they can all be done by yourself to avoid labour charges.


Also beware... temptation to upgrade S4's is a highly contagious disease.
I think it could prove fatal in my case (if the girlfriend goes through all the receipts)!

 

[robbie5]

The K03 turbos aren't the most reliable in the world. There have been a lot of cases of failures, but most people opt to upgrade to the RS4 turbos (K04) when they go pop. A turbo swap involves an engine pull, which on an S4 will set you back upwards of £1200 for the labour and fluids alone.

Some owners have over 200k miles on the original turbos though, so it's just a case of finding a well maintained one, ie: regular oil changes (not Audi Longlife services), evidence of healthchecks, etc.

The 'bits and pieces' I was talking about include the DV's, MAF, F-hose and TBB. You're looking at a couple of hundred to replace all those, but they can all be done by yourself to avoid labour charges.


Also beware... temptation to upgrade S4's is a highly contagious disease.
I think it could prove fatal in my case (if the girlfriend goes through all the receipts)!

Tell me about it, my mods are nearly totaling 51/2k and climbing!!

 

[Blue_Thunder]

Tell me about it, my mods are nearly totaling 51/2k and climbing!!

I win... I've spent over £25k (inc. car) since October 06.

Just wait until Satanschild comes along and blows us both away with well over twice what i've spent!!!

 

[Dan Gliballs]

Yeah, I bought my pre-facelift 1999 S4 18 months ago with 75K on the clock, and other than a couple of initial boost leaks and the auxiliary belt failing in October (wear and tear), I haven't had any problems worth noting,..................and it now has almost 91K on the clock. Despite being mapped etc, it's an incredibly reliable work-horse that carries the four of us on journeys and camping trips (with roofbox etc), carries wood from the timber yards, carries drums to rehearsals and gigs, and generally gets used day to day for whatever we need.

Rachel drives it as much as I do, and for a 300+bhp car it's incredibly docile on part throttle.

Consumption can be hairy, but then depreciation is low, and parts seem to last for yonks and yonks on Audis.

It just gives the feel of a solid sturdy bullet-proof car that can be relied upon.

 

[captainash]

That's what I like to hear. Just out of interest ... what insurance group are they? How much do people pay? I'm 32, full no-claims.

 

[Blue_Thunder]

They are unsurprisingly Insurance Group 20.

There's really no point in asking what other people are paying as there are too many variables, ie: postcode, NCD, annual mileage, convictions, etc.

Throw your details into one of the search engines for a rough idea, a lot of the high street insurers can offer good prices on standard cars.

Once you've got a ballpark figure, try calling Noel Dazely, Adrian Flux and Greenlight. They are all mod friendly (there's no way you won't want to remap!) and specialise in these cars.

 

[robbie5]

That's what I like to hear. Just out of interest ... what insurance group are they? How much do people pay? I'm 32, full no-claims.

You're probably looking around 700 quid with protected no claims.

 

[robbie5]

I win... I've spent over £25k (inc. car) since October 06.

Just wait until Satanschild comes along and blows us both away with well over twice what i've spent!!!

I've just added another £1400 to that - just purchased some 19's and am having them re-painted + have had my existing gear knob and gaiter fitted with Bentley smooth leather!!!

BUT 25k is crazy lol!!! I thought I was insane!

 

[captainash]

Thanks Robbie, got a quote of just under £600

 

[Dan Gliballs]

I'm 33.

Full protected NCB.

An SP30.

Horsham postcode.

Fully comp with the missus on as named.

Virtually unlimited mods covered (short-shift/remap/18's/RS4 brakes/RS4 spoiler etc declared so far).

£300 XS.

10K annual miles.

On the drive.

Adrian Flux (NIG underwriter).............................£650.

 

[captainash]

I just read that as £300 premium

One more question ... how flat does the passenger seat fold? Nothing seedy, but I'm gonna need to get windsurfing kit into the car.

 

[Blue_Thunder]

If you get one with a Recaro interior, not very.

One of the problems with the B5's is the rear legroom, it's a joke. It means that even with the front seat all the way forward, the upright will touch the rear seat long before the seat is flat.


You can get OEM roof rails which look good though.

 

[captainash]

If you get one with a Recaro interior, not very.

One of the problems with the B5's is the rear legroom, it's a joke. It means that even with the front seat all the way forward, the upright will touch the rear seat long before the seat is flat.


You can get OEM roof rails which look good though.

That's cool, as long as they will go back far enough, I can always whip the rear seats out to make room. I had a Pug 306 a while back, and the passenger seat reclines about 40 degrees

I'm surprised about the legroom though. Typical innit. I've got an A3 at the moment, the rear legroom's almost non-existant.

 

[Blue_Thunder]

The boot on the B5's is huge, so you have to lose out somewhere. Unfortunately when Audi were designing their repmobile, they thought the back seats would only be used for laying out suits, etc.
Ever wondered why you never see Audi A4(B5) taxis?

Hadn't actually thought about removing the back seat. It's really easy in these cars, the base just pulls up if you yank it.

 

[EssVier]

I use mine as a daily driver, and it laps up M-Ways, A/B roads, commmutes, getting me boys to fights across the UK etc etc. If you can handle the low MPG go for it but just remember 'Caveat emptor' and you'll be fine!

 

[andybnwc]

I love mine ive had it for over 5 years ,although always have something wrong with it ......usually to do with boost problems . £30 a day to work is a problem and its hard not to go fast if you know what i mean!

 

[captainash]

I use mine as a daily driver, and it laps up M-Ways, A/B roads, commmutes, getting me boys to fights across the UK etc etc. If you can handle the low MPG go for it but just remember 'Caveat emptor' and you'll be fine!

Meaning what ... that there's some shitters out there?

What kind of "low" mpg do you get?

 

[EssVier]

20mpg is an average. There are alot of dogs yeah, high milage, not cared for examples, be sure to see a few and take someone who knows their VAG's. if you find one post on here, sure someone local would come see it with ya, for a beer haha!

 

[SonicDeathmonkey]

Mine is just on 160K. 1999 pre-facelift. Owned the car 5 years and 90,000 miles.

Servicing is a cost, especially the 40K cam belt job at over 500. Had it done this weekend.

Original turbos. replaced lambda sensors. EGTs are now shagged.

New stainless exhaust with cats was 800.

New MAF was 80.

Currently puttng 100 a week in fuel, avg 22 MPG, mostly M4 between Llanelli and Bristol.

Chews tyres, put a new pair of michelins on for 100 each today. Rears alway seem to go on the inside, I guess due to the camber?

DIS is now shagged, as is the radio, with the common volume problem.

Replaced heater fan 50 quid.

Slight oil leak at bac of engine, but only a small one.

Rear diff leaks oil ever so slightly, common fault.

Inurance with elephant, 350 a year.

I think that's it!

 

[Siena]

I've spent a lot on my B5.

And, it's not an S4..........

 

[SonicDeathmonkey]

Oh, I forgot the 2 complete sets of discs and numerous pads.

and the diverter valves have been replaced.

and two number plates and various bulbs.