S4 Buying guide

[bad-vw-boy]

hi all

Looking for a buying guide, i am off to look at a 1999 s reg s4 avant with 90k on the clock he wants 5500 for it...thoughts....

[Blue_Thunder]

Depends on the condition, mods, history, etc.

You'll have to give us a bit more of a clue.

[bad-vw-boy]

Its a 1999 s Reg Priced at 5850, 89000 miles 2 owners, FSH black leather with blue alcantara recaro seats, original no mods so completly std. metalic black good condition paint work, a/c bose stereo 17" refurbed alloys...does that help

[Blue_Thunder]

I could be wrong, but I didn't think the Recaros were an option on pre-facelift cars. The leather/alcantara Recaros are even rarer. Infact trying to think if i've ever seen that combo in an S4. Think Virdee might have them in his RS4, but I digress...

Cambelt is due every 40,000 miles or 4 years I think, so check when that was last done. Also check what was replaced when it was done. It's not a cheap job.

Do you have a link to it?

[bad-vw-boy]

heres the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

[frazered]

they are not recaros

pre facelift cars are worth less overall

it does look in general good nick, however always hard to tell from photos though

best to get an known specialist to look at the car, if it has been serviced anywhere else bank on DVs, MAF and some hosing for the turbo system being shot i.e. possible boost leaks

[Blue_Thunder]

Paint looks in a pretty sad state. Very flat. Could no doubt be brought back to life though.

Personally think they are aiming too high at that price. Look what you could get for the same money - http://audisrs.com/about11311.html

[bad-vw-boy]

Well i went to have a look at the car and she was mint the photos did not do any justice, i have however found a couple of things not right the passed ger headlight the xennon bit just seemed to click but not actiualy come on. the information display in the drivers cockpit which tells you when you need fuel and displays temp etc has lines across it and is barley readable, the a/c display is not very readable and the load cover seems to have lost its return spring so has gone all saggy...are these things easy to fix/replace . i had a chat with the guy and he is willing to accept £5400 it was originally on for £5850....thoughts???oh and it does have FASH

[Blue_Thunder]

The DIS (LCD thing in the dash clocks) is a very common fault. I think most B5's have suffered with this. It can be repaired, but due to the cost (£200+) and variable results most people just live with it.

You could pick up a 2nd hand xenon ballast fairly easily or get a decent aftermarket system for around £100. You may find that you want to fit facelift lights (one piece) anyway to make the front end look a little more modern. It's a subtle mod, but it does make a big difference.

Not sure about the load cover, but reckon you could get one cheap enough from a breakers if you couldn't repair the existing one.

Price still seems fairly high i'd say, but there are less cars with sub 100k around these days. If you're happy with it, i'd say go for it. The faults you've mentioned could all be sorted out for under £500.

[bad-vw-boy]

thanks for your advice, i personally love it but trying not to let my head rule my heart...or is it the other way round...lol

[bad-vw-boy]

Well i took the plunge and bought my first Audi....an 1999 s Reg S4 1 owner from new and 90k on the clock,...scared myself a little driving her back when i put my foot down...god these things are quick...love it. Probably paid a bit more than i should but has ful Audi service history . a few little things that need to be fixed. which brings me to my next point.....the radi if you turn te volume control it seems to go dead and some time goes mega loud, its an Audi Concert head unit, are these easy to replace???? also i seem to missing a button on the drivers door controls between the window switches, i take it this is for locking the doors or windows, are these easy to come by. and lastly the load cover is a bit knackered and wont retract when can i get a replacement....

[Blue_Thunder]

The volume fault is quite common with the Concert stereo. It can be repaired, but think that costs more than a new stereo! You can pick up Concert stereos fairly cheaply 2nd hand.

The missing button will probably be the one to lock the rear window controls out. Try a scrappy for a replacement button.

[travs]

The radio volume is where the chip that saves the values for the volume steps can't hold the data dn the only 2 values that are hardcoded into the set are "zero" and "max". Therefore when you turn it to a value that the radio has lost, it just defaults.

As a tip on the radio thing - I find that if you're constantly turning the volume up and down its more likely to lose the values its got, if you set it at one volume, its more likely to retain the volume and when you do, on occasion, turn it up or down (or annoyingly, when the front passenger just decides to change the volume) it doesn't jump to a default. Therefore if the radio's too loud for chat, I tend to turn it off.
It also seems to be worse in the cold too.

Just my 2p