About to buy S4

[Richspec]

Hi everyone, been lurking on here over the past few weeks, doing my research thought i'd register and say hi

Went to look at an S4 Avant today at a local garage. Its an S reg 1998, leather and alcantara trim, done 94,000 miles with half of that serviced at audi dealers and the rest at place I'm getting it (non audi, but well respected independant dealer) and priced at 7950.
Seemed to be okay to me, going back tomorrow for test drive.
Things that i noticed were one sidelight bulb not working, couldn't get the headlight washers to pop up and the radio wasn't working at all. The garage said all faults would be sorted before sale.
Did i read here somewhere that non working radio was a big problem?
And whats the options for transplanting my alpine tv head unit into there? Its obviously not a straight swap.

Part exing my Sti2 Scoob for it.

Rich

[30mgs]

You can right off the tunes if its the volume control that has gone on the head unit - the only reasonable fix is to replace. Most non-Audi head units will require a fitting kit which consists of 2 side fillers to take up the space (about a tenners worth). If you're gifted it should be an easy in and out, if you're like me you'll get a pro to do it for 30 quid and save any crowbar marks on your dash and/or electrocution

Headlamp washers not working is another common one. Mine don't work and I can't say it keeps me up at night. Check the fuse, or apparently a wee spray with WD-40 can do the trick otherwise it may be a bumper off job - IMHO more hassle than it's worth.

Cheers
Mike

[Richspec]

Thanks Mike, nothing that I can't manage there, fitting the head unit and its processor into the Scoob took me two days (full interior out job). Mind you if the audi head is fubared then i could negoiciate some money off cos i bet its not a cheap replacement...

Rich

[saf]

Make sure certain things are sorted on the car.

Such as if there is a lack of pwer (compared to another S4 you have driven) Get them to change the MAF sensor. (This doesnt show up under diagnostic check) and often you can tell by lack of power and bad mpg. Get car fault coded by someone you know or independant engineer. Also would be nice if the garage offered you some sort of warranty even 3 months.

Then you can get yourself down to MRC forr a healt check (WWW.MRCTUNING.COM) This will tell you what is right or wrong with your car.

Also check forbad exhaust gas temp sensor, Get auxilary water pump checked, brakes discs and pads checked, and throttle body boot and hoses)

Saying all that, its best to get a later model S4. Such as a 1999.5 model which means after Julyish 1999. Those cars come with better ECU and is facelift model, Nicer lights amongst a few other improvements.

You can fit your system into it bu t i think you might need a specialbracket for it. If you want I can give you a number of a place in LEYTON called German city that does a lot of spares for Audi A4 cars.

The Mileage isnt that bad on the S plate but I think they could drop off a it more on price.

I picked up my first S4 in December and paid 10,000. It was a V reg facelift model, and had recaros,, sat nav,bose 6 speaker system, tv, metallic paint, one owner, motorway miles, even though it was a bit more mileage than yours (110,000).

I think £7,500 is reasonable for an S reg your spec. Prices have been coming down on S4's Ive noticed recently. Try do a search on Autotrader.

Ive seen an S reg for £5,600 on autotrader (saloon) and theres an avant for £7500.

If you wait around and check autotrader on thursdays, youll find just what youre looking for. be patient and your car will find you.

I also think headlight washers only pop up when used when driving over certain mph. Not sure though. Mine dont work either at standstill.

non working radio? What do you mean by not working. No radio code? or just plain mangled radio? Audi will sort it out for free if you have a code problem.

[shineydave]

headlight washers pop up by the force of the water as you operate them, they only operate when the headlights are on, not sidelights. they work whether stationary or moving. sounds like a reasonable purchase as long as the dealer puts these niggles right. as saf says, try to get a warranty then get it to someone who knows these engines for a health check

[Richspec]

Again many thanks for replies, the radio just doesn't work, totally dead, could be something as simple as a fuse, if there is a radio specific fuse? Looking on ebay a replacement is approx 50 quid but i will fit my Alpine setup anyway.We read in the handbook that the washers should pop up, they just didn't, but as i said it may get sorted by the garage anyway. It has had new discs all round recently. I'm going to ask about some sort of warranty, couldn't face no comeback if it blew the turbo's five miles down the road.
I would have liked a facelift model but put simply, i cannot afford one
I have been 'looking' for some time but this car is the first I've seen that i can stretch too. If i had ten grand to spend then my options would be doubled. but i don't..
Price has been reduced in past weeks from £8950 don't think it go much more though. but i can try!
Trip down to MRC is top of my 'to do' list if i do go ahead.

Rich

[saf]

Sound like a good ida. I doubt turbos would go on the car. Make sure it has Full Services history from either Audi, or a good specialist like MRC or QS tuning.

Also just a note to let you know, always drive the car gently until oil temp reaches over 60 dergrees ( That is when the needle has mooved off 60). YOu dont need to let the car warm up at idle, thats just going to burn petrol. Just warm the car up by driving it gently. Also when you going to finish driving , dont drive the car hard, let it cool down by driving it slowly and let car idle for a little then switch off. You should know anyway if you got a Scoob.

What registration is your scoob by the way?

Well 8950 seems very high price to pay for an S4. It is an avant and they hold there value a little more. I think you should wait and find something a bit newer. Prices will go down more towards Summer, but maybe you in a rush to get rid of your scoob.

Having a 98 model is not a bad thing at all. Just better if you got a facelift. Just make sure History is clean and its had few owners. Would be good if it came with reciepts etc. Also fin out if its been modded in anyway, alloys, chips, exhaust etc.

Theres a nice avant on autotrader with full S4 options and recaro leather. not sure where youre from but its 346 miles from london. They have a site www.avuss.com . full service history too. Compare it witht he one you been offere and then you can tell your local garage to knock off price, as you seen one with recaros fully loaded for same price.

Let me know how you get on.

[Richspec]

Saf,
Yes I would like to get rid of the scoob, its costing me a fortune in fuel, and its just not practical for me anymore. Its a 96 Sti 2 on an N plate, few mods, rebuilt engine running 300+ bhp, few cosmetic marks, ie front and back bumpers could do with a respray.
I've seen the S4 you mention on autotrader,sounds very nice although no pictures available yet, its a lot nearer for me as I'm in cumbria.
I'll check the number of owners but looking at the service history i'm guessing two...we'll see later. Its totally standard, previous owner was middle aged family man from the same village as the dealer.
Update later on today

Rich

[rolskii]

Hi Rich... welcome to a better world ... ricers out -

Pop-up washers, timed operation, headlights on and activate the washers for over 5 secs they should pop up, its an MOT req. if you have xenons...!
Radio could be the encoder gone, its about 60quid, place in swindon, TartanRob has used them - said there good, also on the factory radio, you can view how your immobiliser is coded etc...
Im not sure on full range of items you can view on config. of functions from fact.. radio display, but you would lose that putting a aftermarket set in.
If they dont budge on price, get a warranty, get timingbelt & waterpump changed, get a health check ....
If all is good .... cars yours, you will wonder why it took you so long to make the move.....

[Richspec]

Well I'm back from the test. First the good stuff!
Car went well!! I was surprised how quick it was, it didn't 'feel' fast like the subaru, its...different...more of a lazy power delivery. It rode the bumps well with no bangs, rattles or squeaks, stopped in a straight line with the abs working when asked to.
One thing that did surprise me was the clutch, a proper mans clutch, really heavy (compared to the scoob) and not at all like the P reg A4 tdi we have at work. All the electrics seemed to work as they should apart from those previously mentioned.
Now the bad stuff...
Bodywork, today the snow wasn't as bad!!! and when we got back from the test it had dried off a lot revealing quite a lot of scratches in the paint, at obvious areas like the handles etc but also on the wings, bonnet, rear quarter, everywhere really Its entirely possible that these would 't-cut' or scratch remove etc but there's just as good a chance they won't..
Every alloy showed signs of the laquer coming off, some had on the centre sections, one alloy had a big kerbing mark on one spoke.
I would be given a warranty on major mechanicals, but it had no tax or mot, so that would have to be sorted.
I asked about a price with no trade in and he came down to 7500. (whoopee )
Overall i would say good mechanicals let down by poor cosmetics. It's not (in my (limited) opinion) an 8 grand car.

Rich

[30mgs]

If you're not convinced then don't buy it - save some pennies and try for a facelifter. They're not thin on the ground - don't let your heart rule your head is my best advice.

[Richspec]

Good advice

Gonna keep looking and saving those pennies!

[mikeyquattro]

Watch for heavy clutches. Can be a sign that it is on the way out. Just had my clutch changed (dragging, not slipping) and the pedal is much lighter and it's an RS4 clutch.

I think the radio repair place is in Calne or melksham. Hopefully Rob will enlighten us!

Check for suspension bushes too. Ive got a 98 with 95k on it and within the last 12 months all lower arm bushes have shown signs of wear.

Keep looking, 1 will come up in time

[saf]

Yes mate, keep looking. sounds like MAF faulty if you dont find it as fast as scoob. Theres really not much difference in kick to your STi 2. My mate had one and we both agree the S4 is just as fast especially after 60.His one was modified with big intercooler, induction kit and one of those pro brand exhausts.

When you (and you have to one day) do the Stage 2 upgrade, youll find it much better and much much faster than your scooby (only for 1500 maximum). Your S4 will be transformed into a scooby eater. And will also be lot better on fuel?

What you getting on your scooby at moment? 25 miles to a tenner? Youll get minimum 40 miles to a tenner when you push your audi.

Well keep looking mate. If I see anything around Ill PM you.

[Richspec]

Not saying it was slow, I didn't boot it the same way i do the scoob, it was fast but in a more solid, relentless type way, the gearing is VERY different to the short gearing on the Impreza.
Fuel on the scoob is 27mpg at best on the motorway (once in a blue moon!) and during the run to work i'd say 20 if i was being optimistic.
Thats not the main reason for the audi, there's the quality build, bootspace (or roofspace) for the mountain bikes, the better interior, the overall image, ie not a boy racer, and ultimately the towing power for when my track day mini is finished. That fact its got a twin turbo V6 is just a bonus

Rich