JM993

Hey Everybody,

I've always fancied the replacement for my old E30 325is to be a 996TT or a 997 of some type. To be sure, I can keep the old BMW going indefinitely - it will probably easily go 400K miles before needing a rebuild (which I can do myself cheaply). However, if I'm honest, I have to accept the fact that what I really need is more room. At the same time, I can't justify spending big (read Porsche) money on a sedan.

Being totally fed up with BMWs, I have started looking at 2004 - 2006 S4s (6sp only). I've seen them advertised for around $20K. Does anyone have experience with these cars? Are they somewhat reliable? Any other insights?

TIA,
Joe

Streetfighter

Look at B5 2000-2002 models, V6 engines 6 spd twin turbo and are a great value. Newer S4's are V8 gas guzzlers that in my opinion look bloated. Drive both models and see what you think.

JM993

I'd prefer to stay away from the complexity and age of the 2.7 TT. I like the looks of the later car and have always fancied a V8.

Thanks

Cactus

A friend just bought an 04 6spd with 11,500 miles for $22K. I'm really diggin it!!!!

Bill Verburg

i just sold my 18000 mi B6 S4 Avant, It was a wonderful car from an enthusiasts perspective but also a maintainance/reliability nightmare and that was while it was under the factoy warranty. The longest it ever went w/o having to be in for service(some scheduled most not) was 6 mo, the last under warranty would have cost $3800. I'd pass unless there is a solid extended warranty on it.

boulderbobo

+1 on the B5. I have a 2001.5 with 154k miles! The cost of a car like this to a consumer $10-12k the value to me priceless. Find one that has been maintaied and you will have a truley an awesome car

Stealth 993

If you want a "cheap" commuter, stay away from the B5, while a awesome car, it's expensive to maintain, & has so many dam sensors that fail. I had one for a few years, it's a great car, but just about every month something was going on with it. The suspension arms do not last long, the tie rod ends also fail, then there are coil packs, & other little things. Some guys have had the E-throttle fail, it's like $750. It's no where near as reliable as the E30.

The B6 is a great car, but it does suck gas. Honestly, if room is a concern, the Audi's back seat suck. In the B5 with me in the front (6ft) there was about 8in of leg room in the back seat. So less then the E30!! The B6 is not that much better.

The build quality is there, the interiors are great, & they are fun to drive, but you feel the front heaviness. There also are not a lot of things you can do to the B6, but I would recommend getting a coil over set like the Vogtland GT kit, makes the feel 500lbs lighter, & drives better then stock.

nota_troll

I had an 02 S4 and it was ALWAYS in the shop. Audi and I settled so it's no more. Having said this, I'd buy another one but like Bill said NEVER own it without a warranty.

centerpunch

I had a 2000 B5, just out of warranty the water pump bearing seized, cam belt jumped, car needed new block and one head- $18,000 repair on a then-$25,000 car. Audi finally agreed to pay all but $4000.

I have a B6 now, which is definitely not as fun to drive. I have had zero problems with mine, but be warned, they get really lousy mileage- under 19 on the highway.

air eater

A friend had a 05 S4 with less than 15k that spent more time in the shop than on the road.The majority of the problems were electrical and a faulty auto transmission.
He sold it and went back to driving a Toyoya as his daily driver.

b5audia4

The B5s were awesome cars to drive, but I agree with everyone, maintenance and reliability nightmares. Something always small seems to fail and not cheap fixes. Like the 944, control arms and timing belts need to be replaced often.

caronsd

Have you considered an A4? - It gets around the issue of the volume of gas that the V8 craves. I just picked up a B7 A4 Avant with the 2.0 turbo and 6-speed. The car is "chipped" to increase the power AND the torque. Various programs are available based upon the octane available to you (and you can switch amongst the programs as required). My car has a coilover set-up and RS4 rear bar as well as aftermarket exhaust. I really like it - it truly is a fun car to drive. IT's even more fun when I go to fill-up and find that I've gotten 27 mpg on the last tank!

I also am an older BMW fan and find that the current BMWs don't so it for me. I recently sold my 535is, but kept my E24 M6. I also have my previous daily driver '95 E36 M3 that I supercharged at 130K miles. At 200K, it really needs some TLC and I'm wondering if it may be time to let it go (after 14+ years in my garage).

Stealth 993

Yea, & you have to take 80% of the car apart to change the belt!!

Here is mine when I did it....

goatfarmer1970

I have had B5 and B6 S4s and loved both -- both manuals and both wagons, and my wife still has a 6-speed 2.7T allroad. Great cars! Lots has already been said above, but I'll add that I wish I never sold my Nogaro Blue car last year and have been on AutoTrader weekly for the last two months looking to replace it. I did a AWE non-res exhaust and it sounded like a real muscle car...loved it and not annoying. The B6 has less performance upside, but seems like a car that will age well -- plus the seats and the brakes are a lot better than the B5 cars. I could go on and on. Good luck.

Barney1

Not an S4 but a A6 4.2.. Great motor but you can keep the rest of the car. electrical problems like I have never seen before. And the front end was falling out of the car at 12,000 miles, both front CV boots, ball joints and so on...
NEVER AGAIN !!!!