First off, I think that was the first time I've ever used inquisition

Anyways, theres god-only-knows how many threads about the reliability of a stock S4; usually asked by new perspective buys as we all know. But what about the reliability of a Stage III S4? Going stage 3 you build most of the weak points and problem areas from the factory; ie: DVs, k03s, bi-pipe, etc. Its obvious the more HP increase on a vehicle the more stress it puts on the parts from the factory and things you haven't modified. Some of the problem areas I can think of of a stage 3 would be the amount of stress the power increase puts on the diffs, axles, and such. Yea no one really thinks about these parts of the car too much but its true that if you constantly launch the car and beat the sh*t outa it like any stage 3 owner would be tempted to do, these parts are eventually going to explode!

This might turn into a good informative thread but cut n dry topic is what is the reliability of stage 3? This could answer some questions if people are looking to buy a used stage III; would you consider buying one used or opt for the unrapped stock car to mod yourself?

 

There are two ways to look at this...

1.) How much value to you put behind finding a clean car that has not been or barely beat on.
or...
2.) How much value to you put behind the money savings you will incur during an upgrade process to stage III.

Neither option guarantees a car that will last some many miles or might break down first, but naturally the odds are against the stage III car.

Shawn

 

yes you do replace most of the faulty parts with better ones, which helps with reliability. If you beat a stock s4, its not going to be reliable, you beat a stage 3 car, it's not going to be reliable... if taken care of i think that the stage 3's with the k04's will last a fairly long time, that is if everything that will go wrong once going stage 3 is replaced. Naturally if one is going stage 3 , it's obvious there is going to be some fun. some more than others because some will track and race it a lot. K04's i have heard are more reliable and made for the 2.7L engine instead of the little k03's which are sometimes unreliable and can't take a lot of beating esp. when chipped. It's best I think that you should be more prepared going Stage 3 and installing everything during that install will need upgrading for the increase power and strain. If we all have millions we'd do it, but we' aren't there YET!
I'll save these thread right here: If you want reliable, go buy a honda or hyundai ! haha

 

oh jeebus, I would walk or ride a bike to work before driving a Honda or Hyundai... Personally, I think Toyota's are more reliable, but quality in general has deteriorated across the board for all manufactures.

Shawn

 

Once you go stage 3, other stuff starts to where down that wasn't as much of an issue as before. i.e. tranny, and the block itself will be under more stress. It will however be more reliable then before.