New S4 owner

[ajsl]

After what seemed like ages looking, I'm now the proud owner of a silver '00 S4 6-speed sedan [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

The car is in mint condition and has: 37k miles on the clock, black leather interior with heated electric Recaros (these are really nice), carbon fibre trim, CD changer (concert), centre arm rests, ski bag, "robot" headlight washers, and climate control.

The car is stock and still has an Audi warranty on it (which were key selling points to me).

Bad points about it would be that there is very small scuff on one of the wheels (less than an inch across) and it has an Audi OEM boot lid spoiler, which I would have rather not have had, but I'm pretty much stuck with it now.

For the curious, I got it for £19k which wasn't a steal (though that was under the Glass' valuation) but I'm well pleased [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Driving the beast back up to Scotland was a bit of an experience in itself, I had the usual (if you read the reviews of other first timers) problems of not being able to find 3rd gear consistently (I have no problems now). But in some ways that highlighted the flexibility of the engine (IMHO) as you can pretty much do a 2nd -> 5th gear change and not bring the car to a shuddering halt.

Also the centre arm rest seems to get in the way so I ended up just folding it up for 99% of the time!

Further impressions were of just how quiet the car is, though there's a bit of what sounds like A-pillar noise at around 80MP/H but not much engine noise, and of how solid it feels on the road with quite a "weighty" feel to the whole car... Oh and it's fast [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

As for mods etc, I'm not planning on doing any for now. I'll keep it stock during the warranty period and then depending upon price, next year I'll extend the warranty again. After that when the turbos blow I'll probably move to K04s..

Also, thanks for the help from the old hands here, either directly (thanks Paul) or via the reading of your earlier posts via searches as I learnt a lot.

Alex.

[wazza]

Hope you enjoy it [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Carps]

Sounds nice. Congratulations [img]images/graemlins/roundeyes.gif[/img]

Good to see that S4 owners are an optimisitic bunch:

when the turbos blow I'll probably move to K04s..

[ajsl]

Well, not so much optimistic as realistic [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] but with the warranty I'm not too worried.

One thing that very quickly becomes apparent when looking into getting a B5 S4 is that what seems to be a lot of people have problems with blown turbos.

I do wonder however, if the profile of people on forums such as this one (but especially AudiWorld) are more <cough> spirited drivers than most owners?

As outwith the forums the B5 S4 doesn't especially seem to have a fragile reputation.. ??

Either way I'm well pleased with the S4 and just plan on enjoying it for as long as possible [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

It's a great car and (of course IMHO) is a heck of a car for the price they're now going for.

Alex.

[Riz_RS4]

Welcome to RS246.com [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

Riz

[ammwhite]

Hi Alex,

I think we exchanged emails before. Glad to hear you finally got an S4. Where did you buy it from and what reg. is it? As you probably know, I paid £20,500 for my '00 'V' reg S4 avant about 6 months ago.

heated electric Recaros (these are really nice)

Recaros are the one extra I wish I had got on mine.

Also the centre arm rest seems to get in the way so I ended up just folding it up for 99% of the time!

I agree - mine is permanently folded up.

Maybe we should have a Glasgow meet to compare cars - any others in Glasgow?

[jeffw]

Re armrest....you guys now that there are 3 positions when the armrest is down ....just hold the lever up and push further down. I used to have the armrest all the way up until I discovered the extra positions (ohhh errr misses)

[Dippy]

Welcome from me too.

My preferred armrest position is down - as Jeff stated if you push the button in at the front it tilts downwards slightly. Maybe this doesn't suit everyone.

A friend of mine recently had a turbo reconditioned and asked what the 'typical' lifespan of a turbo is. The answer was around 80,000 miles depending on the circumstances.

So turbo failure is not an if, it is definitely a when.

[DrB]

Maybe we should have a Glasgow meet to compare cars - any others in Glasgow?

Who else would be interested?

[ajsl]

Andy: It's a "W" Reg and I got it via a private seller (I had to drive down South to collect it).

As for the 3rd position of the armrest, I'll give it a try [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

MarkB, Andy: I'd be keen on a meet up, though we've got a baby due in the next month so I could be a bit pre-occupied [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Alex.

[Joshie]

One thing that very quickly becomes apparent when looking into getting a B5 S4 is that what seems to be a lot of people have problems with blown turbos.

Yes turbo failure while not a common problem can occur from time to time however following the basic rules such as correct warm up and cool down procedures will go a long way to prevent this from happening.

Many people have fitted a turbo timer which is a low cost mod and which allows the water pump to continue to pump water through the jacket aound the turbos when the engine is switched off. This prevents heat build up particularly in the oil feeds which in extreme cases can result in coking up restricting the oil flow which over time can lead to turbo failure.

Enjoy the S4 - it is a great car.

[Dippy]

Enjoy the S4 - it is a great car.

But not as good as the M3.
Did you know that the M3 has the best engine in the world?
[img]images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]