Anyone have experience with a B5 S4?
10-29-08, 02:33 PM
#16
One reason I enjoy this forum is that even the most bias people can recognize another car for what it is.
As far as the Audi, I have a B5, but it's a Passat
Yes the control arms/cv axles are a *****. CVs failed at 60K, control arms 85K. Both costly, but considering the way the car feels, handles and turns in a tight circle, I'd say it's worth it. An extended warranty will save your *** as well. Oh, and yes the engine bay is ridiculously compact (W8 is even worse). But the attention to detail is painfully evident even in this engine bay. Weather stripping for example, or the rubber strickers on the A4 door hinges, etc, etc.
As far as the Audi, I have a B5, but it's a Passat
Yes the control arms/cv axles are a *****. CVs failed at 60K, control arms 85K. Both costly, but considering the way the car feels, handles and turns in a tight circle, I'd say it's worth it. An extended warranty will save your *** as well. Oh, and yes the engine bay is ridiculously compact (W8 is even worse). But the attention to detail is painfully evident even in this engine bay. Weather stripping for example, or the rubber strickers on the A4 door hinges, etc, etc.
), but damn close I think. I've never owned one, and this is a perfect illustration of why.
My buddy Ben had one and it was great when it wasn't getting broken parts replaced.
Buy as much warranty as you can.
Stock for stock no faster in a straight line than my GS400, but will out-handle
most stock Lexus cars (except IS-F).
My buddy Ben had one and it was great when it wasn't getting broken parts replaced.
Buy as much warranty as you can.
Stock for stock no faster in a straight line than my GS400, but will out-handle
most stock Lexus cars (except IS-F).
10-30-08, 01:16 AM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hondas use interference engines?? The timing belts had rated lives of 105K, vw/audi lowered it to 75K after a rash of problems with the tensioner and idle rollers. Some people still don't listen and insist on trying out the 105K limit. Say hello to bent valves and a new head.
10-30-08, 04:11 PM
#23
Lexus Test Driver
The timing belt went on my Mom's 1998 Audi A6, the repairs cost more then the car is worth and we sold it for $800. Going back to the S4, I was so tempted to get one, before I bought my IS300, but stock turbo replacement of $4,000 scared me away, but if you have the funds to get the K04 turbos( used in the euro only RS4), the B5 S4 can be a very fast car.
10-30-08, 04:24 PM
#24
I really liked this car too and researched is years ago. Seems people on the audi boards often talked about issues with the turbos going bad and heat soak came up a lot too IIRC. I really like that body style but in the end the difficulty of working on it and amount of problems seemed to out weigh its pros. However, my dad's friend has a modded one and he says the car is more or less very solid and gives him very few problems; to be fair though, he is the original owner and the car is meticulously well cared for.
You think 300hp would be enough for you right now, but I always hear how addicting boost is so I am sure you'd reconsider that sentiment if you had one... haha
You think 300hp would be enough for you right now, but I always hear how addicting boost is so I am sure you'd reconsider that sentiment if you had one... haha
10-30-08, 08:09 PM
#25
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Park Ridge IL
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The timing belt went on my Mom's 1998 Audi A6, the repairs cost more then the car is worth and we sold it for $800. Going back to the S4, I was so tempted to get one, before I bought my IS300, but stock turbo replacement of $4,000 scared me away, but if you have the funds to get the K04 turbos( used in the euro only RS4), the B5 S4 can be a very fast car.
10-30-08, 10:06 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
my best friend in school had one. It was fun to drive, but he dumped it because of reliability issues. It was off warranty and got a little intense to keep fixing
01-06-09, 04:26 PM
#28
Lexus Champion
hey i tried to send you a pm back about your questions but your box is full!
so here's the pm reply:
sure....
check the front suspension. those control arm bushings go out frequently and are a pain to change. also the front upper ball joints.
look at the rear diff for leaks also, i don't know if i mentioned that in the thread.
look at the back of the heads for oil leakage, between the valve covers and head gasket. feel around, you won't be able to see it.
window regulators go out also, run them all up and down and listen for cracks and pops.
check the climate control buttons, typically the cupholder drips coke/coffee right down onto the buttons and makes them stick which is pretty much impossible to "unstick".
that's about it really. good luck!
so here's the pm reply:
sure....
check the front suspension. those control arm bushings go out frequently and are a pain to change. also the front upper ball joints.
look at the rear diff for leaks also, i don't know if i mentioned that in the thread.
look at the back of the heads for oil leakage, between the valve covers and head gasket. feel around, you won't be able to see it.
window regulators go out also, run them all up and down and listen for cracks and pops.
check the climate control buttons, typically the cupholder drips coke/coffee right down onto the buttons and makes them stick which is pretty much impossible to "unstick".
that's about it really. good luck!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
aido
IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005)
18
10-23-04 04:16 PM
