Newbie introduction with a request for some advice!

[arS4]

Hello,

I'm a newbie (so please be gentle!) with a MY99 UK Scooby at the moment, although not for long!

Had 2 Scoobs, but now have a larger family/dogs etc, and Subaru don't offer a package that suits my needs. Therefore, I'm looking at an S4 Avant, however, I know little (read as sweet FA!) about Audis.

My limited knowledge reaches as far as your "sticky" post!

Will have a budget of around about £13K, so I'm guessing that this will get me a mid-high mileage B5(correct?) S4 Avant.

So before I get ideas above my station, I would really welcome some advice from the guys who know!

I'm used to expensive running costs (got a Scooby!), but what other pitfalls/expenses surround this model and this type of age/price?

Is there a FAQ that's got the equipment that should be standard (I'm reading things about BOSE ICE and buying brake pads from Porsche directly - but this might be my confusion!)

Insurance doesn't seem like it's too bad, what about servicing? Looking to keep the car for 3yrs before changing (hopefully an RS then )

any advice you can offer would be great

A big "thanks" in advance,

Regards,

Dano

[KayGee]

What mods have you had done to your scoobies? So we have some idea of what you are likely to do to your S4?

[arS4]

Hi KayGee,

Nothing too major - subtle stuff (all too many "chav'd" up Subarus out there - mine isn't one of them! My profession (and age!!) expects a more mature impression to be made)

Panel filter (STI), de-catted exhaust (Scoobysport) and a "new car" magic tree Everything else was standard. My guestimate is about 240 bhp ish. So the S4 will be a bit more pokey but with bi-turbos, it will be smoother.........

I heard the audio clip from the Miltek site regarding the S4 - sounded really nice. I suppose that's one of the things I will miss about the Scooby - it's flat-four "burble" and wonderful soundtrack when "making progress"
Wifey has said that she won't miss the ability to put the kettle on when I get to the outskirts of the town

One thing I have stumbled across this morning is the boot size. TopGear magazine state it as circa 1200 litres. This is actually smaller than the Subaru (sorry to make so many comparisons, especially when they're totally different beasts, but I've got no other reference point). I even measured the car in comparison last night - about a 1ft wider and longer Might be interesting getting it on my drive (Big drive but it arcs round with another car in the way)

The TopGear RS4 review does seem to sensationalise the car (not that much detail), but I'm assuming some of the things to look out for are the same.
Would I also be correct in assuming that the running costs will be less than the RS4? As stated previously, I'm used to a money pit, but it would be nice with Audi quality to get to allocate funds elsewhere every now and again!!!

Regards,

Dano

[mikeyquattro]

My sugestion is that you buy one that has already had some mods done to it.
E.G suspension upgrade, brake conversion.
MRC are the best when it comes to remapping (just look at the comments on the site)

And if a member is selling, all the better.....

[grizz]

Hi , Welcome to the fun . The b5 is not a big car , i'am 6ft2in and with the seat back there is very little room on the back . That is the only bad bit of the car . with a little work (but a pile of cash) you can transform the car into a real super car . As for the money pit , yes it can be ! ! £7K on parts in the last year ! ! good luck Grizz

[arS4]

Nice one guys
Whilst the modding bug may take hold (if wifey's reading this then "no, I'm keeping it standard!"), I see what you're saying about choice mods on a car already

What's the relaiblity like with mid/high milers? I've always been told (by everyman and his dog) that these types of Audis become money pits when older. Moreso than other cars?

Thankfully, I'm only 5ft6in, so the height thing sholdn't be a problem - I was just suprised that with a car that's bigger than the Scoob, the boot would be smaller (and less leg room in the back (grizz!)

I'm assuming that the 7K on parts was mods.


What I'm bearing in mind is that this is a pretty cheap car to buy but runs as a £40k car!!
Is there a colour to avoid - in Scooby land, the WRC blue is now too common, and IMHO affects resale value.

Sorry about the questions - just trying to get my head around the wealth of information out there!!!

Cheers,

Dano

[mikeyquattro]

Tartan Rob's S4 has over 140k on it with no probs.

Mines got 93k. Suspension bushes can be an issue.
If you do the overrun mod for the turbos (do a search for it)and change the oil every 5k, you should keep costs to a minimum. Biggest outlay for me so far was the ABS unit when the ecu went pop. Common problem ive been told.
Personally i like nogaro blue or missano red, but thats my choice!

[springfield]

arS4 where are you ?
MY 99 S4's have a later design exhaust manifolds the early ones can fail they become loose internaly,water pumps can go at 60k,belts and tensioners to be changed around 60k(Audi say 80 but i would not chance it) this is quite a big job font of the car off for access.
Check the audio control on the standard head unit as they can be all or nothing,try to buy one with leather as cloth seems to affect resale dramaticaly most have leather the armrest is an option as is sunroof,Bose ICE,Cruise,
Mine has has MRC remap (315bhp)and new DV,s not the boy racer whoosh type! the original DV,s split internally,i hope to fit a Miltek cat back.
Suspension is a lot softer than a scooby as it is more of a Grand Tourer but can be fettled if required standard brakes can fade if used really hard as do standard scoobys.
Personaly I think the cars look better in brighter colours Nogaro Blue(my fave) Misano Red or Imola Yellow like mine which is YELLOW !
A well cared and regular proper servicing not necessarily dealer car should last forever and i believe that it will be cheaper to run than a scooby,A mate has a Mitsubishi Evo and it needs seviced every time you open the door and costs a fortune it also eats tyres and petrol.
Overall these things are understated classy tarmac munchers and different to the thousands of scoobies and mitsubushi thingies that run about round here(Cumbria).
Take your time looking around.Good Luck
Jim.

[shineydave]

reading on here it seems there's issues with the back box exhaust hangers breaking off the pipe. check that as well, no idea what a back box is but i'm guessing it won't be cheap.

[arS4]

Magic guys - sorta detail I'm after. By the looks of it, the S4 is pretty rock-solid.

I've done a bit more research today (and lovin' it!)

Budget is circa £11 - 12K. (insurance VERY happy - £462 p/annum )

So what to look for (looked at one car, was almost perfect, but no Recaros or leather)
would like -
Recaros
Leather
Miltek backbox (!)
Lighting pack (?) what's this?
Winter Pack (?) sa above (just heated seats?)

Would also like suspension and wheels upgrade but unless it's there, will take or leave!

Radio - my understanding is (please correct me otherwise) that the "Concert" is a single DIN CD H/Unit.
The Symphony is double DIN CD/Cassette with 6 CD.
I usually like to put my own H/Unit in anyway

Are the Bose speakers standard? otherwise I'll put in my favourite Inifinties

Colour - hmm. Wifey wasn't too keen on the Noggy blue or Imola - but she liked darker blue or silver or black.

Now to start looking for a car - might be a while as I guess i'm being picky

Again guys, thanks for your help - I'm going to enjoy this forum!!!

Dano

[S4ben]

Hi , Welcome to the fun . The b5 is not a big car , i'am 6ft2in and with the seat back there is very little room on the back . That is the only bad bit of the car . with a little work (but a pile of cash) you can transform the car into a real super car . As for the money pit , yes it can be ! ! £7K on parts in the last year ! ! good luck Grizz

was the 7k on parts then???

im only 21 and a uni student if i had to pay out 7k in parts, well i wouldnt beable to put it that way,

[arS4]

forgot to add, I'm in Herefordshire 25 miles away for J7 M5.

Can you recommend anywhere where I can get a test drive - falling for a car that I haven't even driven!!!

Dan

[mikeyquattro]

You can hve a go in mine if you fancy a trek to 5 miles north of Swindon, Wilts

[arS4]

Thanks Mikey - might hold you to that

Got a few other details to sort out 1st - also seems like S4s in Herefordshire are as rare as rocking horse sh1t!!

Dano

[Dippy]

I'm an ex-Scooby owner. I had an MY00 (pre-bug ugly) UK-spec turbo wagon (unmodded) and then moved up to my S4. I don't know of the S4 is any longer or wider, but certainly there was no difference for me in interior space. The boot area seems about the same size to me.

I would definitely agree with everyone who suggested you look for a modded car. The risk with used S4s is knowing if the turbos have been looked after and if major items like cambelt and (where applicable) manifolds have been sorted. The state of the used car market is such that modded cars don't necessarily cost more, and in some cases are more difficult to sell. I'd also say that in general, most Audi owners who mod their cars look after them correctly (which I think is not so true for Scoobys???).

Recaros are not easy to find. They weren't standard equipment.
"Packs" never really existed for UK cars (seems to be a US thing). Winter pack=Heated seats, heated door mirrors, heated steering wheel. Lighting pack not applicable. This would be adding Xenons to an A4. I'm sure they were standard for S4s.

If you want to go aftermarket ICE be warned that you can't easily turn a single-DIN (Concert) set-up into a double-DIN because you'd need a new cage and a new aircon unit (the latter is expensive new and rare used).