Fellas -

Looking to buy a B5 S4... I've always been a domestic guy, but the BiTurbos are a lot of fun. I've heard nothing but negative experiences from everyone I've known who has owned an Audi/VW about reliability and repair costs. I'm used to doing my own work on the american cars as they're pretty easy to work on.

This would be my only car andI'm in college, so this would have to be a super dependable daily driveryear round(with a bit 'o tracking on the weekends, or course).

Anyone have any (experience positive or negative) with their B5's reliability?

Are they really that difficult to diagnose/repair/work on?

How expensive are parts, really?


I really appreciate the unbiased advice!

 

Dude, Read the FAQ's page at the top of the page it should fill you in on most everything you need!
here are most of the common problems...
-bpv's blow
-tbb's blow
-k03's blow
-instrument cluster info/clock display abnormalities
-radio screen cuts out while driving
-radio screen doesn't show audio adjustments
-intercoolers leak
-MAF sensors die (2000 Bosch)
-paint easily chipped
-parking brake handle pops off with normal use
-seats clunk back and forth
-headrests clunk
-moonroof clunks when in the up setting
-lifting jack is flimsy and causes cars to fall down
-secondary water pumps fail
-washer pump housings crack
-2000 Model year Throttle body failures
-warped rotors that AoA insists on resurfacing instead of replacing (nyet, poor guy)
-wheel bearings die early
-coolant reservoir tanks crack with heat
-tie rods
-control arms
-abs modules
-trans syncros
-sticky buttons
-cv's rip

 

but overall they're a solid car, as long as you treat it well, it'll treat you well. Bqasic maintainance is key to a good running car with no problems..

 

Get the S4!!! that's all I have to say, I'm a Audi lover through and through problems or no problems and besides all cars have problems

 

I did read the sticky, but not all of it, sorry. Some of my questions were answered, but I was wondering really what the frequency isof problems most guys are having. If it is one of those "always something" kind of cars, or if some go forever and some just seemed to be plagued or if the problems mentioned are pretty much universally applicable. If I pick one up with 80k am I asking for trouble? Thanks.

 

yeah, don't mean to be a dick, but it's kind of annoying when newbs inadvertantly remind us of how unrealiable & expensive our cars can be (no matter how much we love them... pets hood of car, pets hood of car).

Like S4speedfreak said, check out the FAQ's sticky and search the archives here & elsewhere. If you're looking for a cheap, realiable car thats easy to work on... you're in the wrong place. Now ask us how much fun S4's are to drive, and you just can't compare.[sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

That's kinda getting up there. As you probably read, it's really a flip of the coin with these cars with regards to the turbos (and they're EXPENSIVE to replace).At that mileage, you're chances of replacement drastically increase. Again, some people have 100k +++ miles on their S4's with the stock k03's, so it just all depends what kinda life it's lead.

edit: wrong turbos guys, sorry ; )

 

treat it well and it will return the favor, there are basic maintainence issues you can make sure the car has done before you buy the car, but you'll learn to love it, main issues are k03's and tranny synchros, others like CV joints and throttle body boots are easy fixes, not very costly

 

I have a 2000 S4 with 150,000 and drive it two hundard miles a day with stock K03 turbos butI have new turbos sitting in the shop for when ever thay go bad.I did have the TBBgo butother than that i have had no problims oh i bought the car with136,000 and did a timing belt and all the things that go with it

 

The B5 S4 rules. But if you want a car that's east to work on and good at the track, buy a Civic SI or an M3. Seriously, the S4's are ok on the roadcourse with suspension and some stickysbut too much car for auto x. Any car is easy to work on, easy being a relative term. It's easy to work on if your used to workin on them. Or you can buy my S4 if you still want to pursue it.