Looking to buy S4

Post by **tricky** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:12 pm

Hi, my searchs have been fruitless, perhaps you guys could help me here. I'm looking to go and see some S4s this weekend. Are there any web pages with buying checklists on them or is there any advice as to what to look out for? Thanks.

Post by **Morpheous** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:42 am

FASH, Heated Recaros,good body work, no smoke, no oil leaks or turbo noises, nice smooth power delivery, quiet gearbox, good tyres (all same manufacturer) inc spare. If 18 inch rims fitted, make sure spare matches.No loss of driver info pixels, all electrical bits work,no knocking from front suspension, drives in straight line on even smooth surface i.e not fighting wheel, insist on starting from cold. initial rattle will be from valve timing mech which will req replacing due to sticking. Check driver info system, reset mpg and after roadtest if it shows more than 26mpg after fast driving get the air mass meter checked.
I can get 29mpg on motorway gentle granny driving, but the wife manages to keep it around 21 or 22 max mpg average.
Make sure no rattles from exhaust manifold area, modified on later cars.
Clutch not slipping or very stiff.
FASH FASH FASH!! Make sure service book is not duplicate as data sticker on inside sleeve cannot be replaced, only ever two made. One in boot and one in service book.
look at wheels for dummies curbing it, easy to fix but £45 plus vat each for refurb and then geometry check.
Look for coolant leaking in V under manifold. G12 will leave chalky substance. Indicates new turbo afterun pump required.
Check cambelt has been replaced on starship milers.
Best keep to unmodded one. Makes it more fun to upgrade it yourself.
Check under carpets for water ingress.
Make sure fuel gauge and distance remaining works.
Better to have all keys, should be two remote fob and one service or valet key.
Check radio code is in book.
Exhaust not hanging off.
List is endless. Get it HPI and inspected if you find the one you want.
GOOD LUCK lots of puppies about.

Post by **SimonS4MTM** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:09 am

There is a nice one in the for sale section, here

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=47730

Post by **tricky** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:44 am

Yeah seen that, would go and see it but got a problem with my insurance as it only covers up to 25% over standard power level and thats 26.5%, petty I know but otherwise its gonna cost be ALOT!

Tried alot of companies, but really having problem with modded cars generally. I'm 29, 5yrs NCB, no points, live in the sticks,any suggestions, best quote for cars up to 25% increased power is £1100. Standard cars is find I get a quote for £670

Post by **tricky** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:04 am

Morpheus, thanks for that very comprehensive list.

A few questions on them,
1)with the mpg, are you implying that it should be low (21mpg) or high (29mpg). if the Air mass meter is buggered, does it make you car more efficient (though less powerful)
2)I've seen these data stickers before, where in the boot is the second sticker?
3) I understand the importance of matching tyres models on either side, but is it really that critical front to rear, if so does it matter if they are worn differently front to rear?
4)'Look for coolant leaking in V under manifold. G12 will leave chalky substance. Indicates new turbo afterun pump required', sorry to sound completely ingnorant

, though I know I'll need to look in the engine bay somewhere, could you explain exactly where
5)What is the first cambelt replacement due?
6)Where are all the VIN numbers on the car?

I spoke to someone about their car last night (private seller) and was asking about tyres, he was saying yeah no problem I'll get tyres changed for you at the dealership if you need. How many people are in a position to just go off to the dealership to get tyres changed like that or would bother? Surely you'd just say 'yeah they are worn hence I'll knock £400 off the price...? Car sounds good, W plate sensible miles, nice colour spec etc, he just didn't sound quite right on the phone...plus its a long way for me to go and look if it turns out to be not right

thanks again, fingers are crossed

Post by **gavsteryoung** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:18 am

Tricky Welcome and good hunting

I can answer a few of your points

1) You want your car to be averaging 21mpg, if the other, the car could be running lean and getting Hot as a result. MAF's are flaky on all VAG cars. I just replaced mine! But mine has never seen 29mpg!
2) Data sticker in mine is located in the spare wheel well. Easy to see when you lift up the carpet in the boot.
3) others will be more qualified to answer this, but I think 4 matching tyres will be indicative or someone that looks after there car regardless of cost. That does not mean they dont thrash it or drive hard, but if something has gone wrong it has probably been fixed properly. Despite the 4 wheel drive these cars wear the fronts out a lot quicker.
4) I had this happen on mine, you cant see the pump easily. But basically, locate the Y-pipe on the top of the engine, then lean over (make sure the engine is off) and look down under all the intake system, with torch you should see the back of the pump which looks round. The water generally will run down the back of the engine and onto the gearbox housing....
5) S4 Cambelt change is at the 80k service, but many change before to be safe! And when the belt is changed its advisable to change the water pump at the same time!
6) VIN - im not 100% but mine has one at the bottom of the wind screen (viewable from outside the car) and on the front bulk head, also the boot sticker!

Post by **Julesm** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:54 am

Hi Tricky,

The write up from Morpheous is spot on, plus there is also an excellent Buyers Guide on this site. If you look to the left of this page, click on Downloads, then click on S4 Docs, you can then download the buyers guide, I found it extremely helpful when I was looking for a good S4.

Post by **SimonS4MTM** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:17 pm

i can get 29mpg in mine, motorway only thoug, cruising at 80 to 90mph.

Have you tried elephant for the insuarance. i am 31 (30 when i took out the policy) and i am paying £850 and the car is modded

Post by **tricky** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:03 pm

Ah yeah, I knew I'd seen a buyers guide somewhere. Thanks.

1) You want your car to be averaging 21mpg, if the other, the car could be running lean and getting Hot as a result. MAF's are flaky on all VAG cars. I just replaced mine! But mine has never seen 29mpg!

I knew they drank fuel, I was test driving A8s recently (4.2) (OK It was a brief whim

) and they'll do mid 20's easily whilst cruising, though town work takes it under 20.

One thing, in the buyers guide it mentions checking the strength of the anti freeze, I am going to be driving out to the Alps at some point this winter and obviously don't want anything to freeze up, is there any easy way of checking the strength?

Post by **Morpheous** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:01 am

If you are going to alps, get coolant replaced by centre.I can check strength for you if you are in South East.
You got your chains sorted?? Good place to get 9 and 12mm link chains http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/klack_and_go.htm
Where are you off to?
Yea 29 mpg only on very light throttle on motorway.

Post by **tricky** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 9:54 am

Going to Val D'Isere. Was going to pick up chains in the Alps, cheap as chips apparantly, but clearance might be an issue, at least on dropped cars or ones with larger wheels.

If I can't find a car I'll fly out for the next couple of weeks until Christmas when I am coming back and I'll look again. Mind you I'll be checking all the relevant sites from the internet cafe out there!

Hopefully going back out again in Jan for at least another month. Proper work begins again in Feb so can't bum around there forever

Post by **SimonS4MTM** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 3:43 pm

Deffinately get your cahins in France, they sell them at the services on the Autoroute

Post by **Morpheous** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 12:05 am

No experiance of the chains in France, I like to be prepaired making sure things will fit and how to fit them when its nice and warm outside the house. 12mm links should be ok for top arm clearance with 17 inch rims.
9mm now avail, you can also hire these chains, you get some money back if you return them unused.
Better to get good quality stuff if your out there alot.

Post by **SimonS4MTM** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:29 am

To hire them is about £50 from the UK. On my skiing holiday last year i bought some at the services in France for £70.

A few years back i bought some for my Corrado in Austria for £15.

Post by **Julesm** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:19 am

Needs to buy an S4 first......

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