What do you think?
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
What do you think?
S4 / 2001 / 77,000 miles
I quote; "On 1/21/08 the 70,000 mile scheduled service was done to the car, changed timing belt, water pump, thermostat oil change and tune up."
He's asking $9,900. KBB estimates $10,850 for "Good" condition.
I can talk him down to $9,000.
Why am I posting?
I read this;
http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/1407640.phtml
Naturally I'm disappointed. I need your input, I also understand that none of you have seen this car in person, so I understand your knowledge would be limited. But, I want to buy this car - and have no plans on "modding" it - though, the article, frightened me.
Onwards; if I buy this car, and do the items the link asked me to do; replace the TBB, BPV's, and the F-Hose with "better" aftermarket version, would this remedy my concern?
Should I buy this?
I quote; "On 1/21/08 the 70,000 mile scheduled service was done to the car, changed timing belt, water pump, thermostat oil change and tune up."
He's asking $9,900. KBB estimates $10,850 for "Good" condition.
I can talk him down to $9,000.
Why am I posting?
I read this;
http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/1407640.phtml
Naturally I'm disappointed. I need your input, I also understand that none of you have seen this car in person, so I understand your knowledge would be limited. But, I want to buy this car - and have no plans on "modding" it - though, the article, frightened me.
Onwards; if I buy this car, and do the items the link asked me to do; replace the TBB, BPV's, and the F-Hose with "better" aftermarket version, would this remedy my concern?
Should I buy this?
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,847
If it has the options you want then sounds like a good deal to me. 77k isnt bad especially if it just had the timing belt done; that just sweetens the deal. It appears stock which is good, probably never chipped? Disappointing how dirty the engine bay is though, that can be fixed though.
If its a new model 2001 it wont have an f hose. As its stock the DV's are probably OK for now but it never hurts to replace them and the TBB. The turbos on stock boost are pretty relyable and could keep on going for another 77k miles. Runing the turbos past stock boost really isnt good for longevity, my car has been chipped at least half of its 71,000 miles and the turbos are done.
Buy the S4 and have fun. There will be things to fix allong the way as the car approaches 10 years /100k miles, hopefully nothing major. Your chances are much better if you dont mod or race!
If its a new model 2001 it wont have an f hose. As its stock the DV's are probably OK for now but it never hurts to replace them and the TBB. The turbos on stock boost are pretty relyable and could keep on going for another 77k miles. Runing the turbos past stock boost really isnt good for longevity, my car has been chipped at least half of its 71,000 miles and the turbos are done.
Buy the S4 and have fun. There will be things to fix allong the way as the car approaches 10 years /100k miles, hopefully nothing major. Your chances are much better if you dont mod or race!
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
If it has the options you want then sounds like a good deal to me. 77k isnt bad especially if it just had the timing belt done; that just sweetens the deal. It appears stock which is good, probably never chipped? Disappointing how dirty the engine bay is though, that can be fixed though.
If its a new model 2001 it wont have an f hose. As its stock the DV's are probably OK for now but it never hurts to replace them and the TBB. The turbos on stock boost are pretty relyable and could keep on going for another 77k miles. Runing the turbos past stock boost really isnt good for longevity, my car has been chipped at least half of its 71,000 miles and the turbos are done.
Buy the S4 and have fun. There will be things to fix allong the way as the car approaches 10 years /100k miles, hopefully nothing major. Your chances are much better if you dont mod or race!
If its a new model 2001 it wont have an f hose. As its stock the DV's are probably OK for now but it never hurts to replace them and the TBB. The turbos on stock boost are pretty relyable and could keep on going for another 77k miles. Runing the turbos past stock boost really isnt good for longevity, my car has been chipped at least half of its 71,000 miles and the turbos are done.
Buy the S4 and have fun. There will be things to fix allong the way as the car approaches 10 years /100k miles, hopefully nothing major. Your chances are much better if you dont mod or race!
My biggest concern, and what everyone keeps telling me, is to have the turbos "blow" - I heard it will get expensive.
The dealer said the car is a 2001, and he gave me a VIN number - is there any way I can find out when exactly the car was produced? I heard the "late" 2001 production line had some of the problems remedied.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,847
If it has the same S4 badge on the steering wheel, and gauge cluster as it has on the trunk then it is a late model or 2001.5. Seeing as its stock that would be my guess, i dont think anyone would change the badges. All 2001 and 2002 cars also have the ESP button above the radio to turn off the traction controll.
The turbos are a pain in the *** because you have to pull the motor to access them. If you dont do it yourself then it translates into alot of labor costs. Neglecting preventative maintance while your in there just means your going to have to pay for more labor later to fix things that were easily accessible during a turbo swap. When the turbos go alot of people choose to replace them with the RS4 turbos (K04's) because the stock K03's dont have te best reputation. A set of K04's with inlets is around $2500 by itself..
The turbos are a pain in the *** because you have to pull the motor to access them. If you dont do it yourself then it translates into alot of labor costs. Neglecting preventative maintance while your in there just means your going to have to pay for more labor later to fix things that were easily accessible during a turbo swap. When the turbos go alot of people choose to replace them with the RS4 turbos (K04's) because the stock K03's dont have te best reputation. A set of K04's with inlets is around $2500 by itself..
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
If it has the same S4 badge on the steering wheel, and gauge cluster as it has on the trunk then it is a late model or 2001.5. Seeing as its stock that would be my guess, i dont think anyone would change the badges. All 2001 and 2002 cars also have the ESP button above the radio to turn off the traction controll.
The turbos are a pain in the *** because you have to pull the motor to access them. If you dont do it yourself then it translates into alot of labor costs. Neglecting preventative maintance while your in there just means your going to have to pay for more labor later to fix things that were easily accessible during a turbo swap. When the turbos go alot of people choose to replace them with the RS4 turbos (K04's) because the stock K03's dont have te best reputation. A set of K04's with inlets is around $2500 by itself..
The turbos are a pain in the *** because you have to pull the motor to access them. If you dont do it yourself then it translates into alot of labor costs. Neglecting preventative maintance while your in there just means your going to have to pay for more labor later to fix things that were easily accessible during a turbo swap. When the turbos go alot of people choose to replace them with the RS4 turbos (K04's) because the stock K03's dont have te best reputation. A set of K04's with inlets is around $2500 by itself..
Is there a thread anywhere that points what major "preventive" maintenance should be done?
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 671
From: Denver
Based on your badges, you're looking at a 2001.5
There were some nice improvements in the 2001.5+ years, notably, the removal of the pesky f-hose and an increased turbo oil line diameter. The oil lines should make the turbos last a bit longer, given they are properly maintained. Oil changes on these cars are important to prevent coking of the oil. Using a thin, lightweight oil will also help keep things running strong.
If you want my opinion, you have a good deal. In a nutshell, you're looking at a 2001.5, 77k miles, with the cold weather package and the timing belt job done. I think that's a pretty damn good deal for $9k.
Looks like you're missing a **** on the stereo, how did that happen? Make sure the transmission shifts nicely (no grinding) -- make sure it goes into 1st and 2nd easily.
Other than that, I say go for it.
P.S. - You should have the seller detail the car -- it looks like **** because of all the dust and dirt!
There were some nice improvements in the 2001.5+ years, notably, the removal of the pesky f-hose and an increased turbo oil line diameter. The oil lines should make the turbos last a bit longer, given they are properly maintained. Oil changes on these cars are important to prevent coking of the oil. Using a thin, lightweight oil will also help keep things running strong.
If you want my opinion, you have a good deal. In a nutshell, you're looking at a 2001.5, 77k miles, with the cold weather package and the timing belt job done. I think that's a pretty damn good deal for $9k.
Looks like you're missing a **** on the stereo, how did that happen? Make sure the transmission shifts nicely (no grinding) -- make sure it goes into 1st and 2nd easily.
Other than that, I say go for it.
P.S. - You should have the seller detail the car -- it looks like **** because of all the dust and dirt!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 671
From: Denver
Are you worried you're going to have some major mechanical failure in the next 3 years? Turbos are pretty major, but you have to know going in that they are likely to fail at some point. How many miles do you think you'll drive in the next 3 years? My last B5 had 111k miles on it with stock turbos and an MTM chip. Around 70k of those miles we're driven with the chip.
I'm not saying you're not going to have any problems for the next 3 years, that would be pretty unreasonable. But, given proper maintenance and driving habits (and a little bit of luck
, I bet you could easily get 3 more years out of your turbos.
I'm not saying you're not going to have any problems for the next 3 years, that would be pretty unreasonable. But, given proper maintenance and driving habits (and a little bit of luck
, I bet you could easily get 3 more years out of your turbos.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 141
From: Somewhere in NH
It's alot of information about reliability to take in at once. Yeah, all of it is true, but I think you have a pretty good deal here. 9k is nothing... imagine if you spent twice that and had all those problems...
And if you're not modding, you should be okay. Cant guarantee anything, but, hey, I've had my car chipped and nothing seems to be running poorly yet. But then again, I replaced some things and plan to go RS6 when/if they do fail. Just prepare and you'll be fine. Be nice to the car, and it'll be nice to you.
And if you're not modding, you should be okay. Cant guarantee anything, but, hey, I've had my car chipped and nothing seems to be running poorly yet. But then again, I replaced some things and plan to go RS6 when/if they do fail. Just prepare and you'll be fine. Be nice to the car, and it'll be nice to you.