Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2
Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
I've been trying to decide what car I wanted and finally did today. I had a nissan frontier and used to own a 350Z, and realized that going from a sports car to a truck was a bad idea so I sold it. The s4 fits perfect, luxurious, nice and fast.
I'm pretty sure I want to get a 04-05 s4 as it seems like its right in the area of what I'd like to spend ($25-30k) and I plan to get a 6MT.
A few questions...
Whats the big differences in the 04/05 models?
What should I look out for when I go to purchase?
Also, I don't really understand how the stock GPS works, can someone explain? I was thinking if I don't get the stock GPS, I would install a avic-d3, would that be difficult?
Any problems I should know about?
I read the S4 FAQ, but I didn't really find the answers I was looking for.
Any other pros/cons would be great. I'm looking forward to purchasing a S4 very quickly
I'm pretty sure I want to get a 04-05 s4 as it seems like its right in the area of what I'd like to spend ($25-30k) and I plan to get a 6MT.
A few questions...
Whats the big differences in the 04/05 models?
What should I look out for when I go to purchase?
Also, I don't really understand how the stock GPS works, can someone explain? I was thinking if I don't get the stock GPS, I would install a avic-d3, would that be difficult?
Any problems I should know about?
I read the S4 FAQ, but I didn't really find the answers I was looking for.
Any other pros/cons would be great. I'm looking forward to purchasing a S4 very quickly
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 510
From:
RE: Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
Whats the big differences in the 04/05 models?
nuthin'. the changes didn't come on until 05.5 (b7 body) and 06 (40:60 tq bias)
What should I look out for when I go to purchase?
any sort of lag or "sputter" when you throttle up; early engines had/have coil pack problems. you may also hear a whine coming from the firewall; that's just the timing chain. some of the early ones get the hum, but it's not bad. fogging inside the light lenses.
Also, I don't really understand how the stock GPS works, can someone explain? I was thinking if I don't get the stock GPS, I would install a avic-d3, would that be difficult?
i don't really understand what your asking. but, supposedly the antenna on top of the car is wired for a nav setup even if the multi media interface wasn't an option, but i don't know for sure. if it already has nav, it's a really decent and easy to understand setup. if not, i believe i've seen the avic mentioned in a few aftermarket threads.
Any problems I should know about?
really move your body around in the seat; there have been people complaining about their drivers seats squeeking and there is no easy adjustment to remedy this. i know it's a small discrepancy, but after time it can get on ones nerves.
I read the S4 FAQ, but I didn't really find the answers I was looking for.
Any other pros/cons would be great. I'm looking forward to purchasing a S4 very quickly
modding the engine is mostly pointless. it's better to go for handling. upgraded front and rear sway bars are a fairly inexpensive for the increased turn in feel. first to second shift is absolute crap. a snub mount upgrade is really cheap and takes out most of the "clunk" in that shift. a short shifter is also fantastic. i recommend the jhm short shifter (i have it) since it replaces the plastic and rubber grommet and innards of the shifter housing with a machinedsolidone which make for much less slop in the shifts.
nuthin'. the changes didn't come on until 05.5 (b7 body) and 06 (40:60 tq bias)
What should I look out for when I go to purchase?
any sort of lag or "sputter" when you throttle up; early engines had/have coil pack problems. you may also hear a whine coming from the firewall; that's just the timing chain. some of the early ones get the hum, but it's not bad. fogging inside the light lenses.
Also, I don't really understand how the stock GPS works, can someone explain? I was thinking if I don't get the stock GPS, I would install a avic-d3, would that be difficult?
i don't really understand what your asking. but, supposedly the antenna on top of the car is wired for a nav setup even if the multi media interface wasn't an option, but i don't know for sure. if it already has nav, it's a really decent and easy to understand setup. if not, i believe i've seen the avic mentioned in a few aftermarket threads.
Any problems I should know about?
really move your body around in the seat; there have been people complaining about their drivers seats squeeking and there is no easy adjustment to remedy this. i know it's a small discrepancy, but after time it can get on ones nerves.
I read the S4 FAQ, but I didn't really find the answers I was looking for.
Any other pros/cons would be great. I'm looking forward to purchasing a S4 very quickly
modding the engine is mostly pointless. it's better to go for handling. upgraded front and rear sway bars are a fairly inexpensive for the increased turn in feel. first to second shift is absolute crap. a snub mount upgrade is really cheap and takes out most of the "clunk" in that shift. a short shifter is also fantastic. i recommend the jhm short shifter (i have it) since it replaces the plastic and rubber grommet and innards of the shifter housing with a machinedsolidone which make for much less slop in the shifts.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 53
From:
RE: Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
Your biggest '04 and '05 difference is the fact that 2004 S4's manufactured prior to 10/03 are notorious for tranmission problems and oil leakage. Other than that the changes are minor. The '05 got controls on the steering wheel and OnStar. On some, but not all, exhaust was modified to no longer have a "flap" that modified the exhaust sound. More on this can be found in the B6 section of AudiWorld.com......My advice is if you want to save a couple bucks, grab an 04 made AFTER 10/03...I did (for a 2nd time) and have nothing but good things to say about the car. For the record though "engine mods" are not pointless. A fullback exhaust (Downpipes and Cat-Back) yield a dyno'ed 30HP, add a K&N drop in and a chip for the ECU, you might be close to 385HP...Sure not as tunable as a B5 but that V8 roar sounds SOOO good!!
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 510
From:
RE: Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
okay, not so much pointless, but a bit on the spendy side for minimal gains. you said "might be close to". that says it probably isn't, and that's chp not whp. not enough gain for mods that can run around 3-4k. that's what i was getting at; that this should be the last thing to concern yourself with.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22
RE: Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
I'm also looking at 04 and 05 S4's, can you tell from the VIN # if the 04 was manufactured before 10/03?I have Carfax for a couple of more weeks, but only shows delivery and purchase date, not when manufactured.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 53
From:
RE: Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
The only way I know of is to actually take a look at the sticker inside the driver's side door. I'm haven't looked at Carfax for awhile and can't remember if Build Date info is on there or not....can anyone more familiar with Carfax chime in here?
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 29
From:
RE: Looking to buy 04-05 S4, Questions.
Controls on the steering wheel and Onstar are still options on the 05's. My shifter is one of the best I've ever rowed, the effort is very lite and almost no side slop, this coming from Porsche's and BMW's. If the 1/2 is sticky, it's probably been beat on. The only difference I've seen is the flip up lighter is gone for 05.
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