Hey,
I currently have a Mercedes-Benz 1985 190E 2.3-16V but it is suffering reliability problems and is VERY much so a sports car and I plan on going to school next year in a snowy place... but i love the sports car. So I am considering a 2000 S4 because it has four wheel drive, yet still maintains a sports car spirt and feel. But i am wondering what it will take to maintain one. Aside from regular oil changes and the basics what will i end up having to do? I am, for the moment, not interested in modifying or upgrading or anything of that nature as I just want a fun, reliable car for the time being. Would a 2000 S4 fit the bill?

Thanks,
Jim

 

You want reliable, get a Honda or Toyota.

The S4 CAN cost a lot to maintain. If you had to do the turbos, that's really expensive. At 70-80K you'll need to do the timing belt, serpentine belt, and water pump. About $750 -1000 depending on where it's done. If it's a Tiptronic, that could also be very expensive if it breaks.

You need to use a good quality synthetic oil, I use Amsoil 5w-40 European Formula. Try to find one where the previous owner used synthetic from the get-go. Better chance that the turbos will last if they were always on synthetic.

The S4 is an uber-fun car to drive, big upgrade from the 190. You can also get the Avant and have plenty of room to haul stuff around. But it's a high-end German car and can be expensive.

 

Yeah, i know about the oil issues, I use Mobile 1 Delvac. The S4 is a step up from my 190, but not that big, I have the 16v which is a step down from their DTM Race car of the time, the S4 is just AWD and is probably about one and a half seconds faster 0-60 (I have a Euro version, so it had about 20 more HP and flbs). i wouldn't get a honda or a toy simply because i would rather put the money into my 16V.

Now, I have done almost all of the work on my car and its not that bad of a car to work on. How is an S4? I would probably do the serpentine belt and timing belt on my own, assuming the car has some access to it and i wouldn't have to do something exteme to get to them, but how much of a bitch/reasonable is it to replace the turbos myself?

thanks,
Jim

 

I'm not a mechanic - but my impression is that nothing is really easy on the S4s. BTW - do you have something to remove the engine with?

S4 can be fast - very fast if chipped and with turbo UGs etc. I've recently beaten a brand new e55 AMG - twice in my chipped S4 Avant...as well as others cars that perhaps in theory should be faster. It scoots - there can be no doubt.

 

To do the belts and pump, the entire front of the car has to come off to get access to the front of the engine (possibly not as bad as it sounds but takes time). There are quite a few people who do their own. ECS Tuning sells a parts kit for $255. I think shops figure around 5-6 hours for a competent mech with the right tools. Figure a full day for your first one.

Not sure about the labor to do the turbos, it's the turbos themselves that are very expensive. $1k+ each.

With a Bently factory service manual, reasonable tools, ramps, floor jack, jack stands, and creeper, you can do a lot of stuff yourself. You can get most parts for less than the stealership prices.

Like Roadhawk said, the 2.7T engine can be modded to over 400 hp.

 

S4 is obv the best pick, but if u dont want a performance car go with an A4 awd, never have any complaints. just maintence is expensive