Hello

[theboyfold]

Hello S4 people

I'm currently busy searching the site looking for a buyers guide to the B6 S4 that I'm hopefully driving on Wednesday morning. Coming from a Boxster S (986) that I had to sell in March when I managed to put myself out of work (long story), but now I'm in a position to buy a new fun car

If anybody has a link to a decent buyers guide, I'd be grateful, as all my searches throw up are 'I suggest you use the search function!'. Trying to work out what I should be looking for in the car, number of stamps etc as I understand the services are variable.

Also trying to find somebody reputable around the Reading area should I go ahead with the car and get it inspected before driving it away. If anybody knows of one I'd be interested to hear, I don't fancy getting the RAC out to look at a specialist car like this.

Also, if anybody has a manual S4 with decent history they are looking to sell, please feel free to let me know what you have. I have a budget of up to (and not over!) £15k.

I'll head back to the search function to see what I can find, in the meantime I'll look forward to your answers

[chunky79]

What year, colour, spec are you after?
As you will probably know (you should know) by now that a specialist service history is probably better than a main dealer history.
Suppose you should look out for the aux rads that fail on these motors.
The engine whine is pretty normal so don't crap ye pants when you first start one up!!!
I think all the other stuff is just normal car problems.

Welcome

Dunc

[theboyfold]

I'm not really fussy about the colour, I tend to buy cars on condition and history, rather than spec. However, I'd like black leather and it has to be manual. That's about it really.

Has anybody had any experience with MDM Technik? I might use them to have a look over the car.

Oh, and this is the car in question: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1335403.htm

Does anybody here know it?

[ShaneyB]

Hi mate,
I bought my B6 S4 from the IMC and found them very helpful and they gave me a good price for my old B5 Avant in P/X. Apart from the rads and the fact they drink as much oil as petrol (not quite) they're great cars. The rattle on start up isn't a problem so as mentioned above don't worry about that.
Shame you want a manual as mine's going at £13,500.00.

Good luck with the purchase.

[no_RS]

Make sure you check how the glovebox opens, should be smooth and not stiff, if it is stiff it will break the hinge. Dealer will charge £170 to fix, this is a known fault.

Check for any leaks in the aux rads, the gearchange is smooth, rattles from a cold start, check for even tyre wear and that all the electrics work.

Finally make sure any fault codes are checked, if any are found you could post in the relevant section.

[jamess4cab]

Hey buddy. Welcome to the fold. I too came from 986 Boxster and bought an S4 cabriolet. Loved my Boxster to bits but after 2 1/2 years i needed a change. I bought my 04 plate S4 cab in March 08 and still have it and have managed to keep her in exceptional condition and only done 11k miles in 20 months.

However, i cannot say that it has been cheap. I have done both aux rads, fuel sender, oil sender, roof catch mechanism, front and rear discs and pads. Obviously serviced it which from a main dealer isn't pretty so I went the Indy route which I have been more than happy with. Just fitted a cat back non res Milltek system with B7 rear boxes which sounds absolutely mental!! Just bought a set of H&R springs which are due to be fitted next month and make the stance lower.

SOoooooooo - to conclude. Its a very addictive ownership experience, you get used to spending a lot of time at the pumps, but when she growls through the Millteks, its absolutely worth every penny.

Oh, and if you are looking for a black S4 cab with FSH, with everything done and only 56k miles for your budget. drop me a pm!!

[theboyfold]

Cheers for the reply, the cab sounds interesting, although I wouldn't want the springs on it.

What's the difference dynamically between the hard and soft top?

I've sent a couple of Boxster related questions to you on PM.

The car I was going to look at tomorrow morning has now gone

[theboyfold]

Drove one today, and it's lovely but not quite what I'm after.

Back to the drawing board!