etom

I am looking at a second car for wifey, but one that I might like too. In particular, I am looking at a low milage 2004 S4 Audi Avant--V8, 340 hp, I think. Paddle shifter. A little bit of a mini-sportswagon.

Anyone had any experience with these?
Reliability?

porschapete91

My mate has one, brought it new $80000.00(AUS) for his companys work hack
bloody thing flyes and he drives the wheels off it and so do all his employes it runs to melbourne 2 or 3 times a week (2400Ks) and it never misses a beat
good and comfortable and not bad fun to drive.

Nine11

My buddy has an RS4...it's an AWD rocket. A bit tight on the inside though....

pu911rsr

I just picked up a S6 Avant, it's a terrific car.
Phil

Blown Away

Used to have one until it was stolen! Took the keys from my house.
Great car but not much legroom in the rear with the sport seats. Not sure about the paddle shifter - you either love it or hate it. Understeers a bit when giving it some stick.
I'd say try it - you could buy a lot worse. I'm now running an AMG E55 which is a bit heavy by comparison.

Uber 911

Go for the A6 Avant V8 4.2 Sport, the A4 in reality is a Golf and too small. The A6 is all aluminum like the A8/S8 which I've had and they're awesome. You get a lot of car for very little money and bullet proof reliability.

tbennett017

Love the car.. I really want one but.... the local dealer: Sunset Audi - completely sucks.

CurBrwn79

S4 Avant is a tough car to get....its pretty much a blast to drive, with tons of room....can't beat that!! Sounds like an old hot rod when you start her up..One more thing...its pretty much the ultimate sleeper...

Uber 911

According to Top Gear the RS4 isnt as quick as a man on foot.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNAE7e9JTXo

SH || NC

I do. 2004 S4 Avant, Tip.

Its my daily. Love it. Smooth, reasonably fast, solid build quality, nice interior, easy to drive, sure-footed, and goes like stink when you want it to. Fully stock except for tint, added the OEM Nav unit, and swapped out the silver aluminum ‘fish scale’ trim for the CF bits.

Bought CPO. No drama; a bad coil, but was covered under warranty.

Frank 993 C4S

I have the older RS4 model and I love it. I am sure the newer models are much more refined and gas is still cheap in the US.

race911

Go ask Mooty. He had one of the first ones. Couldn't wait to get rid of it with his right foot.........about 13 mpg if I recall. But I think he got a 3rd or 4th or 5th GT3 after that, so maybe he was talking himself out of the car. Got nothing on resale, either, for a year old car.

mooty

it doesn't drive like an V8. tq is low and you really need to get the rpm up to go fast.

it drinks gas all right. and that was way before we got to $4/gal.

fit and finish is incredible.
dealer service is a joke. i am pretty mild manners but every 2nd word out of my mouth is f**k this or that when i am at the dealer.

the car has NO resale value. but that's great if you want them used.

as far as reliability in general, it is pretty good. i never had big problelms.... well until the head gasket blew and i lost the engine. warranty did covere that.

SH || NC

Yeah, it loves gas, although, it is a 4.2L V8 pulling around an 3800lb AWD station wagon. I can manage 21mpg cruising ~75mph everyday.

The dealer? Yeah, they aren't fun, but I do my own oil changes and use my local mechanic for everything but warranty work.

Not much torque down low? I respectfully disagree; I think it does better down low and mid range than up top; to each his own I guess

Read some reviews at Edmunds, the long term reports at evo [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6], etc. then drive one. You either love it or you don’t.

Bill Verburg

I've got one, fantastic car in all respects. Absolutly love mine


but
it does suck gas
Audi service is a joke
generally pretty reliable but, when they go, they go big, an extended warrarnty purchase is a real good idea