OK - think I've found an S4 :)

[flossymeister]

the "ultimate car page" picture looks like a B6 (i.e. 4.2 V8 ) interior, rather than a B5.

[ajsl]

These are for the A4 (so no mention of the revised manafolds etc on the S4) but are interesting anyway

B5 facelift changes

[arS4]

That's a big help guys

Sorry about the interiors - only thought about that afterwards. Has anybody got any piccies of the entier dash for both pre & post facelift ?

Would it be fair to say that the improvements on the facelift are moreso cosmetic rather than fundamental? Correct me if I (or when!) I'm wrong, but the pre-facelfit is a good buy at circa £9K......

Sorry about all the questions - you've got off lightly! (The poor guys @ Scoobynet got a real hammering prior to my buying the Scoob!!! )

Cheers,

Dano

[maxxximus]

Mine on a pre-facelift (March 1999) - facelift occurred AFAIK in May 99.

Easiest way to spot a facelift is look at bonnet - no visible washers then its post May 99

[arS4]

Thanks Maxxximus - that's just what I was after
Anybody got a facelift interior? I *think* the second link I posted is a facelift, but not sure......

And getting down to "brass tacks", is there any "day-to-day" between the pre/post facelift?

I would love some comments

Dano

[ajsl]

The main mechanical difference (in terms of ownership) has to be the manifold changes (improved on the facelift cars), do a search here for war stories. They can be an expensive repair..

Also I seem to recall that some (but not all?) of the facelift cars had larger oil lines for the turbo?

[QuantumJohn]

I understood that not only where the manifolds revised but also the turbo oil feed pipes. I thought that were made larger to stop the problem of them getting gunked up inside and starving the turbo's of oil.

However, this shouldn't happen on a well serviced and looked after car anyway. It's only where oil changes have been missed/done late and where owners have given them a good hamering and then turned the engine off straight away that this problem will occur.

Also with the facelift cars you could specify Recaro seats front and back as an option.

John

[NeilMc]

Here are a couple of pictures of mine. Interior shows facelift style, but you'll have to ignore boost gauge, pedals, turbo timer etc... It's just the digital clock and the buttons that are different really. Exterior shows a few more things like the longer side repeaters and one piece headlamps.
I wasn't really bothered about getting a facelift model, but now I have, I'm really glad I did. You start to notice the little differences that make it look a bit nicer after a while... plus, mechanically it's a little more reliable.

[arS4]

That's great guys!! Thanks.
So, the MAIN reason for holding out for a facelift model is moreso the potential damage to the turbos (oil starvation) and the exhaust manifolds issue.

In the meantime, the black model has gone (kinda liked this one) and tbh, the silver one looks a bit tired. Plan B then - hold out for a facelift model (the phrase "Hen's teeth" springs to mind )

Nice one though

Dano

[Nige_RS4]

Late 1999 - MY 2000

Clive - your information is flawed - the facelift occured around may 1999 - cars after this date will have all the facelift updates, but will still have the analogue clock. I think this was introduced for MY2000 cars. Later updates (post MY2000) included the revised aircon panel to accomodate the symphony (double-DIN) stereo.

[bogie]

Im selling my 98 S4 early in March - looking for about £8500 - silver, black leather 92K miles - full Audi history etc, all common stuff replaced like diverter valves and MAF, 6 months transferable warranty - drop me a line if you are still looking at the time...new property purchase pending and we have 2 other cars so this ones got to go

[kevinw]

Dano

I paid £10k one year ago for a pre-facelift Avant. S Reg with 76k on the clock. If i were to purchase the same spec now I would be looking to pay around £8.5k - £9k. However, I wouldnt purchase the same spec again, as I would definitely go for a facelift version. From what I've learnt they are alot more reliable than the pre f/l.
Having said that mine has never given me an issue, but the car was thoroughly checked before purchase, with a FSH, and I still took the time to change things like the DV's (710n), TBB, after run pump mod etc.

Looks like Bogies would be a reasonable buy at that price - with an MRC remap aswell - nice!!

[mikeyquattro]

dont forget the rear brakes. Early ones are the same as the A4 quattro.
Ive got a pre-facelift and if you want to drive it 'briskly' then the discs will warp within no time at all.....

[Edgy]

Dano

First looks like it's from a B6 variant of the S4 - second one looks like a facelift one.

Edgy

[arS4]

Agreed, Bogie's car looks like a good buy, but I'm after an Avant Best of luck though when the time comes!!!

Thanks for the piccies guys - that clears up alot. So to clear it up - the B5 facelift was mid 99 - mid 2000.
As I'm going to be keeping the car for about 3yrs, kinda makes sense to go for something that could be percieved as more reliable.

Mind you, I had an email back from the one dealer stating that he'd been trying to actively put people OFF buying the S4, due to the potential for horrendous running/repair costs. I didn't have the heart to tell him, it can't be any more expensive than running a Scooby!!

He also said that "10K was a realistic price for a car of this age"....... I think wah the meant to say was that "10K should give me a reasonable profit margin!!!" Fair play - I'd probably do the same

So, finally, the rear brakes on the facelift are drilled, yes? My understanding was that by driving "briskly", the least of your problems will be brakes warping - moreso body roll (hence almost everybody upgrading the suspension)......

<off to trawl the Autotrader again!!!>

Dano