High Mileage S4s

[dodgyken]

After the leasing company dropped a turd from the skies on my plans to buy an RS2 I am finding myself drawn to the S4.

The question is how many miles can these things handle before they start getting pricey on the maintenance?

[Nige_RS4]

Pretty much the same as any modern engine of comparable size. I would imagine 200k miles is no problem - ther's a few guys on this forum running >160k miles on both S4 and RS4 varients. Obvious things to watch out for are possible turbo replacements, cambelt changes (every 40k on RS4, 80k on S4), suspension lasts ~40-50k miles.

[ShaneyB]

Mine's on 86k and runs very well, still at full power. Only problem I'm having is wheel bearings and an erratic fuel gauge.

[dazzer]

It's been said before by wiser men than me on this forum. It can be a bit of a lottery.

High milers don't always mean endless bills. Agree that there are some obvious things to look out for - Suspension - Control arms, wheel bearings. Check to see if the car has been checked by Audi for the Front Arms. Providing the car has a full service history, genuine audi parts and less than 130K then they will replace them free of charge.

Like most things the quality of the car is correlated to the way it's been treated by it's owner.

I looked at loads and settled for a 1999 facelift with 70K. I got the full history and felt that the seller new his stuff, had nothing to hide, and I got the impression he looked after the motor. I looked at a lot with less mileage that were not a patch on the one I have got.

For your info I also run an A4 that's done 160K. It runs like a dream because I look after it and fix things when they need doing.

If you are going to keep the car then don't get hung up about maintaining the dealer history - there are some excellent specialists out there that are much cheaper and know a lot more than the dealers - no disrespect.

[gavsteryoung]

As has been said above, you need not worry about high miles..... check through as many invoices as possible and see whats been replaced in the past. Things that made me feed good about my car which I was buying it was that the guy told me never use full or lots of boost until the tempreture was up. (Knowing a bit about Tubro'd cars I played a trump card and said.... What the water temp? He said no the oil!) So I knew at least it had been cared for in that respect. The general look and condition was consistant with the millage and life I thought the guy may have given it.

I also noticed that some of the common problems had been sorted like seized wipers, rear diff seals, CV joints, 4 wheel tracking.

I have still had two major things that have had to be done but I guess whoever buys my car will get a beut.... those were the AfterRun waterpump needed replacing... and I have a current oil leak that will be looked at this week....

Remember, the car may look normal and understated but its a serious performance machine.... dont buy one if you not willing to be strict with servicing and be able to afford the odd problem, there reliable cars but when work needs doing they are expensive..... Just look at that engine bay.....

[dodgyken]

I missed out on a 213000km 1999 car for 18500CHF because I was focussed on the RS2.

Thanks for the advice - I will keep you posted. I drive back to the UK on Thursday in my old Volvo - 17 years old, 158000 miles and counting - 12000 of those in the last 10 months.