First post and its a help me thread, sorry

[idlevalve]

hi all,

long time reader but never had anything constructive to say before now. Am in the great possition that i can finaly get my first s4 whooo. However here come the dilema i have found a great looking and driving car but its private and im scared s**tless about parting with 9k on such a techy car with no come back.

this is the car

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/63735.htm

any and all comments would be very well received.

I have driven it and from reading all the posts on here it appears to have none of the major problems normaly found, however its done 78k miles with no cambelt change seemed strange? It has been sat idle for 7 weeks and the owner now has a m3 csl (nice if u got the cash) with the fact that it has been sat for so long would this give reason for a milky effect on the underside of the oil cap (before test drive)?
the turbos seem to be fine (again no change) there is no noise coming from them even in hard driving ( u can here them but no major wizzing or rattles)

the drivers seat also does not clip into place when move (if ur on it) but if u get off its goes in fine?? minor im sure but none the less...

thank in advance, and i promise my next post will be some cool or contriversal interesting one

[jfeb]

I am no expert at all but would it be possible to get a pre-purchase inspection done on it by one of the (few) recognised specialists? It might give you some peace of mind. It seems the car is in Andover so it might be a long run to MRC or QSTuning. If the seller can be persuaded it would be worthwhile though. At worst you could get the nearest dealer to give it the once over.

[arS4]

Milky effect on oil cap USUALLY means a dodgy head gasket.......

I would insist on an independant check......

FWIW, I was in the same boat a few weeks ago, and looked at a few S4 Avants before ending up with the one I've got. Even that isn't perfect (few niggles that need addressing by warrantee) and a replacement DIS that is fading (but I couldn't see it over the test drive time) You're in a position to be choosy. If anything doesn't quite add up, walk away.

Hope this helps

Dan

[arS4]

Lack of cambelt service should also knock a fair few hundred quid off as well.......

Dan

[Paulm]

Mikly effect can also be caused by lots of short runs, condesation mixing with the oil. You need to look for bubbles in the expansion tank to diagnose a knackered head gasket, or nip down to your local MOT station and get them to stick their exhaust probe in the tank it will detect any hydrocarbons from leaking head gasket.

I buy all my cars private and I agree it can be very daunting. you really need someone you trust that knows what they are looking for to go with you.

HPI is a must and take your time. look round and round the car 4 or 5 times as every time you do you will notice something. dont let the guy blast you with conversation as you can't concentrate on looking at the car.

Deffo knock 500 notes off for no cambelt change @ that miles

good luck

[tartan_rob]

Cambelt at Audi will set you back considerably more than £500, I was £900 with a new radiator as well and that has to come out anyway. MRC or somewhere may be cheaper and much better service and quality of workmanship as well but I'd be pushing for a min of £500 for cambelt.

[idlevalve]

cheers guys this is all great stuff and does confirm everything i though (and more) Iv tried AA and RAC and they both charge £350+ for a inspection is this as cheap as it gets or are they doing the normal and robbing me blind? In terms of the milky oil could it not just be built up condensation due to the time stood still...or is this unlikely?

[mikeyquattro]

Ask Keith at Dialynx to see if he could have a look?
He's just outside Swindon, which isn't too far away.
Cambelt at Dialynx is around £350 inc. water pump

[COT51E]

Mikly effect can also be caused by lots of short runs, condesation mixing with the oil.

friend of mine is a master tech at dane audi chester and he said the milky residue on my cap was due to short runs.(6 miles to work) if it was thick gunge then be concerned. i thought my gasket had gone but he reasured me it's fine. more common in cold weather, hot engine cooling down with cold outside temp hence "condensation" sleep easy now!

[ronaldmacdonald]

Yeah, id not be happy without a cambelt change, I would factor around £900 for the work at a stealer (get the waterpump done at the same time). You look like you will need an 80k service soon as well so yeah, deffo £900/£1k at stealer prices.

[jeffw]

Cambelt interval is 80K so it's normal at 78K for it not to be done......80K service is going to be £800-£1000

[Randy]

Milky deposit on the oil cap normally indicates HGF but *can* potentially mean a few other things, perhaps a cracked turbo housing although not sure if the S4 turbos are water cooled. Either way I personally would walk away especially when you consider the lack of maintenance (cam belt).

[tartan_rob]

I am not knocking the AA or RAC inspection but when I had a Golf VR6 done a looooooong time ago, they missed some obvious things (that eventually led to me selling the car)...these were:
1) a cracked r/n/s alloy (MoT failure)
2) a siezed r/o/s brake caliper
3) a frayed handbrake cable
4) both front pads at limit
5) front headlight wiring loom hacked and some earth's burnt out
6) two failed lambda probs
7) they never found out why the car was hunting at idle and said it was supposed to be like that

I can't remeber what else but when I contacted them after buying the car and it failing an MoT they said they did not guarantee to find all the faults but checked main components only. Some bollocks get out clause.....IMO if you can't get an expert in their field (ie. MRC or Dialynx etc) then see if someone from this site will go. But if it were me and due to my experiences, I would not waste time and money on a report from AA or RAC.

[maxxximus]

A full inspection by the RAC for a 4x4 will set you back a tidy sum (roughly £300) but my experience of it was positive. It gives you a very good idea of what potential problems could arise and the inspector will give you his opinion whether to hit or skip. Problem is if you do skip its 300 notes down the drain - they dont warranty the inspection either so its swings and roundabouts. My S4 was inspected prior to purchase and generally came up excellent so i went ahead. Have just sailed through an MOT 8 months later with very little spent so in my case money well spent.

But if your unsure about it and not willing to shell out then move on.

[CliveH]

I am not knocking the AA or RAC inspection.... but, I would not waste time and money on a report from AA or RAC.

I used to be indecisive...but now I'm not so sure...

Sorry Rob - couldnt resist it!