I am new to this forum and I appreciate any advice people may have. I am in the market for a 2005 S4 Cabriolet. My price point (up to $12K) finds many of my S4 options with over 100K miles on the odometer. What are some of the things I should be looking for? Timing Chain replaced? How many miles can one expect to get from the 4.2? If I am buying it with 100, 102, or even 108K miles, is it likely to last to 200K plus if I do all of the right things? Any insight on this would be helpful. Thanks.

 

Maintenance history is key... if she was well maintained, she will run forever. I have 174K on my '06.

 

Thanks bradtyler02. I am glad to know that high mileage S4's should not be a problem. I plan on getting it checked out / inspected by Audi prior to any purchase and will find a certified audi mechanic in my area to look after it. I would prefer not to do that at the dealership.

 

Of course, as with any car, things will go wrong... I just had to replace a power steering line because it was old and it runs near an exhaust manifold. It sprang a leak and needed to be replaced. If you can turn your own wrenches, you can save yourself a ton of money.

Also, these engines are notorious for burning some oil and valve cover leaks. I currently have both. The leak I can fix, the consumption I cannot. The price you pay for an high-revving aluminum power plant...

As for the timing chain, it should be good forever. It was the chain guide (in the back of the engine) that were prone to fail in the '04 models. Audi fixed it in '05, so you shouldn't have any issue there either. Just listen when you cold-start it for the first time. You may hear the chain rattle a little while the engine builds oil pressure. If it's too loud or last more than just a split second, you should just walk away. Mine rattled just a little when I bought it. After I did an oil change (9.5 qts.) the rattle went away completely. Now that I'm due another oil change, the rattle is coming back.

 

Excellent insight bradytyler02. I will be sure to do a cold start and listen. I will ask the dealership not to have the car all warmed up for me when I arrive.

I have been using this http://microsites.audiusa.com/my09/l...enance2005.pdf as a reference guide. So when I saw the Timing Belt - Replace for the 4.2L (but only referencing A8) I thought it would apply to the S4 as well. However, you are suggesting that it does not need to be replaced. Is it really model specific or inherent to the engine itself. I thought they were the same engines. Any clarity is appreciated.


Kinnup7

 

I thought the same thing when I was researching buying my S4. On the larger sedans, there is plenty of room for the traditional Audi timing belt located on the front of the engine. However, the 4.2 liter engine was redesigned to allow it to fit in the smaller S4 body, changing the belt to a chain, and relocating it at the back of the engine. The engine actually has to be removed in order to replace the chain. Even if you do your own wrenching, and have an engine puller/ stand, the parts alone cost about $2,500-3,000.

The only S4 4.2s that I'm aware of a chain failure was the 2004s (Audi fixed the design flaw for 2005) and neglected S4s.

 

Just a follow up on your 2005 fix comment. I have come to understand that they introduced a 2005 and then a 2005.5 version (or at least I have read people refer to their's as a 2005.5)

When you say it was fixed in 2005 would it be the entire 2005 year or perhaps the introduction of the 2005.5? Just want to understand that. For example I understand that Navigation was introduced on the 2005.5 and not available on the 2005. Thanks.

 

I'm pretty sure the timing chain problem was fixed in the early 2005 models. The 2005.5 is a B7 body (2005.5-2009) and the 2005 is B6 body.

 

Hey bradtyler02, I found one and bought it. I went above my original budget to get a lower mileage car, but it is worth it. I bought a 2005 Audi S4 Cabriolet. Black exterior with Black leather interior. It was a one owner from new with 53,200 miles. I bought it from an Audi dealer in Chicago where the owner had purchased it and serviced it regularly. (He traded it in for an S5 I believe.) Clean car fax and title too. So, I feel really good about the car. I am looking forward to many years of enjoyment. I will also be frequenting this site to learn more about this car. Thanks.

 

Sounds like you found a gem with those miles. I'm 8 months into owning my S4 and still smile every time I get behind the wheel.

P.S... JHMotorsports, for when you decide it's time to kick it up a notch. The hands-down best place for V8S4 performance upgrades