New S4 Avant Owner in the pipeline..

[ak47mh]

Hi

I am looking to buy an S4 Avant in the next few weeks, probably looking at an 04 car with 40-50k miles.

Are there any potential issues I should be looking for at this age of car?

Also how does S4 Servicing work? I heard 20K servicing schedules, but do you still give it an annual service? Has anyone got a service schedule they can post as I can't seem to find one on the site? Does anyone know the cost of these roughly, just trying to be prepared and haggle the price if one needs doing.

Thanks in advance.

Ant

[Vorsprung_Durch_Technik]

They are fantastic cars but like with any car make sure you get a comprehensive warranty. Niggles a re few and far between, but some fairly common issues are the timing chain tensioner rattle on start-up. Check for this, and listen for a whine from cold at 1200 revs also. the whine is the auxilliary belt tensioner.

Apart from that, they are faultless. BUY IT!!!!!

In terms of servicing, the variable servicing (with a max period of 20K miles or 2 years) is an option, but most people (esp those on here) opt for the fixed annual service intervals, with oil changes more frequently for some. But this is not essential. Cost-wise I am unsure as I work for a Franchised dealer (not audi) and a backhander to one of the technicians usually sees mine serviced relatively cheaply!!

For what you are looking for though expect to pay around the 19K mark, for a well looked after clean example with around 40K miles on the clock. A little more perhaps from a franchised audi dealer. The tiptronic models seem to sell for more I have found.

[kaisersolsay]

The S4 is not a cheap car to run, please be extremely clear on this point.

On average you will acheive 20-22mpg......25-26mpg on long runs. This basically means you will only get around 270-280 miles to a tank or £60.00. The front tyres will only last you circa 10k and the rears another 5k after that....at £160 per corner. The front pads will last only around 12-15k, costing £110 + labour (£90/hr Audi) to fit. Depending on your driving style, the S4 needs servicing every 10k....costing anything from £280 - £310 from an Audi main dealer.


They are fantastic cars, I have had mine now for 6 months.

[MattS5]

listen for a whine from cold at 1200 revs also. the whine is the auxilliary belt tensioner.

Is this a neccesary to replace if it does whine? If so, is it much of a job do you know ?
I know the cam chain rattle is one that people seem to live with, just wanted to know about the tensioner.

Cheers
Matt

[BlingBling]

The S4 is not a cheap car to run, please be extremely clear on this point.

On average you will acheive 20-22mpg......25-26mpg on long runs. This basically means you will only get around 270-280 miles to a tank or £60.00. The front tyres will only last you circa 10k and the rears another 5k after that....at £160 per corner. The front pads will last only around 12-15k, costing £110 + labour (£90/hr Audi) to fit. Depending on your driving style, the S4 needs servicing every 10k....costing anything from £280 - £310 from an Audi main dealer.


They are fantastic cars, I have had mine now for 6 months.

The above points are valid. However, they are not the norm. My first set of tyres lasted 20K in total. The tyres life is purely down to make. I currently run F1's and have covered approx 10K and there is still another 7-10K left. The price referenced are for Audi pads and labour but they are not difficult to install saving you a wedge of cash. An independent will fit them and service your car for half the price of the stealers. Unless your car is still in warranty you do not need to be ripped of by going to Audi.

The S4 is not cheap to run but it does not have to be extortianate at the same time.

[BlingBling]

listen for a whine from cold at 1200 revs also. the whine is the auxilliary belt tensioner.

Is this a neccesary to replace if it does whine? If so, is it much of a job do you know ?
I know the cam chain rattle is one that people seem to live with, just wanted to know about the tensioner.

Cheers
Matt

There was a Technical Bulletin released regarding the whine. Any job to do with the chains is an engine out job. All the chains etc are situated at the back of the engine.