B5 S4: What every owner should know

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Dippy
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B5 S4: What every owner should know

Post by Dippy » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:07 pm

This thread is an index to other threads containing important information about the S4, and in particular the "known" issues. These are either design defects or weak point in the car which need to be fixed, worked-around, monitored and/or expected to fail at some time. Potential purchasers and new owners should spend some time reading these threads.

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Last edited by Dippy on Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.
2001 Silver S4 Avant
AmD remap, APR R1 DVs, APR bipipe, Full Miltek exhaust
H&R coilovers, AWE DTS, Porsche front brakes, Short-shifter, 18" RS4 replicas
Defi-HUD boost gauge / turbo-timer (with afterrun pump modification), Phatbox

Dippy
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RE: New S4 owners - things you should know

Post by Dippy » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:10 pm

BUYERS GUIDES
The following links are to threads which have advised potential new buyers about what to look for when looking at S4s to buy.

The differences between pre-facelift and facelift
http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... t=facelift
Last edited by Dippy on Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
2001 Silver S4 Avant
AmD remap, APR R1 DVs, APR bipipe, Full Miltek exhaust
H&R coilovers, AWE DTS, Porsche front brakes, Short-shifter, 18" RS4 replicas
Defi-HUD boost gauge / turbo-timer (with afterrun pump modification), Phatbox

Dippy
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RE: New S4 owners - things you should know

Post by Dippy » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:49 pm

WINDSCREEN WASHER BOTTLE
There are known failures here which affect the whole B5 range (yes, even Dippy's "last-off-the-production-line" S4 suffered a failed pump). Failures can include the bottle cracking and pipes coming loose, but the main problem is that the pump itself develops a catastrophic crack in the body or seals. For more information see the following links:

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... mp;t=58150
2001 Silver S4 Avant
AmD remap, APR R1 DVs, APR bipipe, Full Miltek exhaust
H&R coilovers, AWE DTS, Porsche front brakes, Short-shifter, 18" RS4 replicas
Defi-HUD boost gauge / turbo-timer (with afterrun pump modification), Phatbox

QuantumJohn
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Post by QuantumJohn » Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:09 pm

Water Ingress
In certain instances water can find it's way into the cabin and soak the carpets. If it's not the heater matrix(which is rare to fail) - the water will taste sweet becuase of the antifreeze in it, it is probably this problem:

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... r+footwell

John

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Dr-Al
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EXHAUST MANIFOLD RATTLE

Post by Dr-Al » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:37 pm

EXHAUST MANIFOLD RATTLE

Early B5 S4s (pre-facelift) had a poorly designed exhaust manifold. These have a heat liner on the inside that can become detatched from the outer casing causing an annoying rattle.

The design of the manifolds has evolved over several stages to eliminate the problem. It would seem that cars produced after the second half of 1999 are unlikely to be affected.

Unfortunately the only way to replace them is to take the engine out. Budget on £1,500 to £2,000 to get these fixed if you are unfortunate to have the problem. When replacing them, make sure you have both sides done (even if only one side is rattling) and specify that the replacements should be of the new design with improved welds. Sorry, I don't have part numbers (anyone else?).

I have written up my experiences here (with pictures)
Wrecked on 9 Oct 2007: 1998 Cactus Green S4, 710N DVs, Boost gauge (in custom A-pillar/dash mounting pod), cruise control retro-fit, Parrot 3200 Colour Hands Free, RS246.com sticker

Golich
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RE: EXHAUST MANIFOLD RATTLE

Post by Golich » Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:33 pm

Also refer to the RS4 (B5) Buyers guide in the B5 RS4 forum 'sticky'. The S4 and RS4 suffer most of the same issues.

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=47136

Dippy
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RE: EXHAUST MANIFOLD RATTLE

Post by Dippy » Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:46 pm

2001 Silver S4 Avant
AmD remap, APR R1 DVs, APR bipipe, Full Miltek exhaust
H&R coilovers, AWE DTS, Porsche front brakes, Short-shifter, 18" RS4 replicas
Defi-HUD boost gauge / turbo-timer (with afterrun pump modification), Phatbox

MCB
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Location: Manchester

RE: EXHAUST MANIFOLD RATTLE

Post by MCB » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:36 pm

OIL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

All you need to know:

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=67488
S4B5 Avant

bistduverrukte
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Re: RE: New S4 owners - things you should know

Post by bistduverrukte » Tue Jun 06, 2017 11:25 pm

Dippy wrote:BUYERS GUIDES
The following links are to threads which have advised potential new buyers about what to look for when looking at S4s to buy.

The differences between pre-facelift and facelift
http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... t=facelift
This link no longer works

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Surrey Sam
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Re: B5 S4: What every owner should know

Post by Surrey Sam » Tue Jun 06, 2017 11:41 pm

You're 9 years too late.

FON .
Sepang Blue B8 RS4, MY14, All option packs, B&O, Adv Key, Adapt Cruise, Pan Roof, Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust, + more.
Previous - Sprint Blue B7 RS4 Avant, Ceramics, Sunroof, SS+, Buckets, FBSW, Bluetooth, 2010+ RNSe
Previous - Phantom Black B7 RS4 Avant, Black Optics, Titan pack, SS+, Buckets, FBSW

bistduverrukte
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Re: B5 S4: What every owner should know

Post by bistduverrukte » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:14 am

Noooo!!

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Surrey Sam
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Re: B5 S4: What every owner should know

Post by Surrey Sam » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:56 am

bistduverrukte wrote:
Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:14 am
Noooo!!
Because I'm nice and know how to use the search function, here is what you're looking for:

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=62407&hilit=facelift
Sepang Blue B8 RS4, MY14, All option packs, B&O, Adv Key, Adapt Cruise, Pan Roof, Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust, + more.
Previous - Sprint Blue B7 RS4 Avant, Ceramics, Sunroof, SS+, Buckets, FBSW, Bluetooth, 2010+ RNSe
Previous - Phantom Black B7 RS4 Avant, Black Optics, Titan pack, SS+, Buckets, FBSW

lbray8425
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Re: B5 S4: What every owner should know

Post by lbray8425 » Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:23 pm

WINDSCREEN WASHER BOTTLE

There are known failures here which affect the whole B5 range

(yes, even Dippy's "last-off-the-production-line" S4 suffered a failed pump)

Failures can include the bottle cracking and pipes coming loose,

but the main problem is that the pump itself develops a catastrophic crack in the body or seals.

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