So I am looking at getting an 04-05 Audi S4 and was wondering if there is anything I should know or look for while I look around for one...any reliability issues? Should I make sure i get a warranty? Thank everyone!!

 

you'll pay more for a car with a warranty but thats a plus. try to avoid cars with late 03 build dates, they are problematic. other than that, pretty solid car. if you get it CPO'd, you have nothing to worry about

 

Yeah, you should try to get a car with warranty.

 

the 2005.5s are the facelifted versions (B7). The 2004-2005s are a better value. Given how much they've dropped, I would pick up a properly serviced one and pay for an extended warranty.

 

+1 get one with a build date in 04 or later.

 

My S4 has a late 03 build date. It has almost 90k miles on it, almost 75k of mine. It hasn't been problematic at all, except for the cracked tranny that the warranty replaced a couple of years ago =)

Definitely get one with the lowest miles you can find with an Audi CPO.

One with an aftermarket exhaust is a plus too =) I love my full Miltek. Stay away from any that are "chipped". Audi won't have much to cover with that CPO if it is chipped.

 

thats not completely true. i had S4 and S6 both chiped. no problems with cpo waranty. they have to prove it that the chip was the cause of the demage to the engine or to the car. Check with your dealer if they ok with you chiping the car. N/A cars are ok with the dealer. VW dealers offer chip when you buy a car. and it still will be under waranty.

 

there is always an exception. I know AndreNY over on audizine has a late 03 build and his is just fine. but for the most part, they are the most problematic

 

What issues do they have? All I've heard about is the cracked tranny thing on the tips (mine got replaced).

 

Headlights will fog up after a good car wash. Most dealers call this "normal" and will not cover by warranty. Just run the lights for a bit, other than that I bought and 05 new and sold it at 42k miles, no major
problems. Oh one more thing, at 20k miles I took the car in to repair driver side tweeter, turns out they never installed it. GL

 

B7 chasis is a bit stiffer and more solid than B6.....CPO warranty is a must

 

Really? I thought the B6 and B7 were the exact same chassis, just cosmetically facelifted

And lets be honest, how much does a chip do on this car? Are the minimal gains worth a possible warranty issue to you? Exhausts on the other hand sound incredible on the car.

 

Agree with the board, CPO is a must, then are in the clear. Look at models from 05 on (B7)

 

Actually 2005.5 or newer are B7s. 2005s are B6s.

 

There are a few mechanical changes, such as revised springs and dampers and, for model year 2008 and later, an updated centre Torsen T-3 differential, featuring a 'default' asymmetric 40:60 front-rear torque split on manual transmission quattro models, along with the later Bosch ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme. The Avus-III wheels still available, with an option of an alternative 18 inch "7-spoke" forged alloy wheel.

Subtle differences, but you're right...nothing major!