Well, I had been wanting an Audi for a long time, and I found a 2001 Audi S4 with Triptronic, Navigation, and all options for 19,5 with 54,xxx miles. I thought this was a great deal, and saw that it actually was while checking kbb.com. However, after buying the Audi 2 weeks ago, I've begain to start reading horror stories on how unreliable S4's are, and that you should have an extra 10grand laying around to fix problems, especially with the turbos. Now I dont have money to spare like this, so did I make a bad choice? My other choice was a Nissan 350z, should I have gone with this instead, considering the cost for repairs on the s4? I understand the biasness of the results here on an Audi forum, but please try to be open minded with your responses. Thanks! and this is a GREAT forum!

 

S4's make very nice drivers, you just have to know how to take care of them. I think you will be very pleased with your new S4.

 

it is worth the cost of repairs to drive such a beast nothing handles like a german vehicle the japaness cars just don't have the same feel too sloppy

 

dont worry, enjoy your car and change the oil every 5000 k

 

I have a little feeling of regret as well even though I love the car. I had it for about a week now mtm stage 3 350hp kit without the upgraded turbos though. lowered and he replaced the clutch to rs4 clutch and new ko3 turbos recently and I'm still breaking it in. The regret part came from the rep that audis have. Electrical problems and defects. Also looking at the service receipts from the previous 2 owners OMG its about 1 inch thick of receipts and reading the services done there was a lot of defects like flimsy door hinges, hood shock not holding, leaking radiator, leaking replaced oil pan, guage cluster pixels missing, head gasket, cams, o2 sensor like 3 times, gas sensor, turbos went out at 50k miles and you can't forget the usual defects tbb, f-hose, coolent sensor and I think thats it. You can search threads there is some by imolas4 and others that tell you the defects to look for if replaced when looking to buy an s4 for 2001 models and under at least.

 

another thing I would get a turbo timer if I were you and didn't have like 5k laying around because my turbos went out at about 50k miles but my car has mods plus chipped i don't know about yours. the turbo timers would help prolong the life of the turbos. I've read on forums the turbos tend to go out around your mileage 50k to 100k miles the lower range miles with mods. This forum also gives things to look for to see if the turbos are wearing out. You may expect to replace them within the next year or year in a half depending on how much you drive it. Thats what I've learned so far or read. You would probably want to replace those definate problematic pieces like the tbb and f-hose unless it was already done. http://www.hoppenmotorsport.com/s427tuning.htm
read what they say about the f-hose, y-hose or tbb and y-brace.

 

I picked my 2000 S4 up used about 6 months ago. Lower milage than yours, but I have been very happy. I don't know how you drive. If you track the car a lot and chip it, you are probably going to blow the turbos. A friend of mine also has a automatic S4 with 115,000 miles on the original turbos, and he is not a granny driver.

From what I've read, there are some nagging issues, including the pixels in the driver info going out, washer fluid leading, etc. However, a guy I work with bought a 350z and has had LOTs of trouble with his as well. Plus he says that it is tail happy and loves to spin. (low polar momentum with short wheelbase) So it is hard to say if the 350z would be more reliable.

Trying to be objective, if reliability is your #1 concern, you should have gotton a honda or something. But to balance fun, praticality and reliability, it is hard to beat an S4.

 

dont worry all cars break down, i havent heard antyhing bad about S4 if u take care of them.

 

Most german owners will admit that Jap cars are generally more reliable. This is another reason I am hesitant about buying not only an S4, but a german car. My neighbor has had a BMW for 2 years that is riddled with electrical problems, while my IS300 has been in good shape for 50k miles requiring nothing but oil changes.

 

I think it's kind of difficult to compare a german car with any japanese model, and if you drove both cars that was probably ONE deciding factor in going wih the S4. My 01 Avant 6 spd is the best car I've ever had in terms of just about everything (and I've owned my share of Jap cars!), 32 k miles, no problems. The one thing I did learn though, is it makes sense to get an extended warranty with these cars (which i will probably get when I buy out the lease this coming year, although I do plan to mod it lightly, so.......) I've bought two used Beemers in the past, and the 12-1500 dollar warranty paid for itself quicky, usually with something simple like a radiator going out, or recently on my 01 X5 I had some fuel problems, injectors and air sensor, but the extended warranty covered it all. They are just expensive to maintain, and you have to be willing to play that game going in. You didn't mention any plans to mod the car, so one option may be to purchase an extended warranty (a good one!) and drive care free, and enjoy the car the way it was meant to be, and of course, take care of it. Enjoy your car, it's one the few out there that are really special.