Hi All,

I want to start by saying this is my first Audi, and reading these forums (includingFAQ)helped in my decision to make the move. This place is a great source of information!

I picked up my 2005 S4 with 6-speed manual transmission on Friday morning and drove it from Birmingham, Alabama to Ann Arbor, MI the same day. What a great way to get used to a new car! I had studied the B6 S4's for quite a while and found the "right one" so thought it was worth flying down and driving home.Considering the fact that it isan '05 I knew it wouldn't be perfect, but it's really clean. It drove absolutely great, and I really enjoyed the ease with which it accelerates. It has a couple of very minor blemishes in the paint (I plan to wet-sand and use touch-up paint to get these worked out) and I noticed that the chrome trim around the windows has oxidized.

First question:Has anyone else noticed this oxidation on their chrome? Any recommendations to restore?

One of the benefits to a 10-hour trip with a new vehicle is it enables a new owner to bond with his new car. I was able to have a brief "autobahn session" through the hills of Kentucky on the interstate between Bowling Green and Louisville and was I fully impressed with its high-speed handling!I did notice a light vibration at higher speeds that reminded me of when the wheel bearing was starting to goout on my GTI VR6. However, it occurred to me that this could have been the engine speed or something else.

Second question: Has anyone else noticed any sort of light vibration at higher speeds?

One of the challenges with owning a performace vehicle in Michigan is the crappy Michigan roads. They suck! Anyway, I was running errands yesterday I had the windows down and noticed a "clinking" sound when I hit bumps, almost like if a chain had struck the pavement.

Third question: Is this soundfamiliar to anyone? I'll probably get the vehicle checked out at my local Audi dealer (as I should have before I bought it) just to make sure everything is good to go with this car but thought I'd ask if this is obvious to anyone.

It seems like the clutch is presently holding up very well, but I know the time will come when I have to replace it.

Fourth question: Should I be proactive and replace it before it wears out? Regardless of that answer, should I replace it with an '05 RS4 clutch or something else? Also, what sort of cost should I anticipate for clutch replacement?

My final observation for this post relates to the sound system. My car is equipped with the XM radio option, but my commute is relatively short. Ithink I can dobetter than XMif I have my MP3 player hooked up to the head unit.

Finalquestion: Has anyone elsehard-wired an auxiliary MP3adapter to their Audi Symphony / Bose system? If so, what do you recommend?

Thanks to everyone in advance for your answers.

Cheers,

Storm

 

BTW I was really happy that I averaged about 20 MPG on the trip home. Now to see how it does on my local commute...

 

Haha good luck with the MPG. I just started to commute about 30 miles to work and my monthly bill is averaging close to $500! I haven't had any oxidation but I'm in CA and the weather is kind. Suspension issues are common with Audis. Control arms, bearings, CVs, etc, seem to need replacement a lot. Actually with my B7 I've been lucky so far. Sorry, can't help with the other questions.

 

Wow Congrads 1st off, but I totally second the suspension opinion! I have replaced my control arms and what not on the right side once and they are back to the way they are after 2 years... I would go with somthing a little stronger than OEM replacements if you do have to fix them

 

Congrats on the new car. When are you going to post some pics of it?

 

Thanks for the info on the suspension - I'll start studying which parts to replace with...

I'll get pics on here soon; it'scompletely stock though, so if you've seen a silver B6 S4 with black interior you've seen it already.