Over this past month I have been looking for a new car. I am torn between the S4 and the M3. For a few reasons I am leaning toward the S4. Unfortunately 3 guys I work with had the twin turbo 2001 S4 and all had a ton of problems and were always in for service.

I am looking at the 2004 or newer S4. Does anyone think that I am going to have problems with it. Is it as reliable as the M3 or will the price difference be made up in the service costs?

Thanks in advance

 

I have had both a 2000 S4 and now a 2004 S4. Both of the cars have been reliable as a matter of fact my 2000 S4 is now owned by a fellow 6speeder. My 2004 has 66,000 miles and still going strong.

 

35K on my '04. It has been stone cold reliable.

Surprised me, truthfully.

 

The only problems I heard of with '04-on cars were early-production '04s. I had an '05.5 (B7) S4 and now an RS4 and both have been totally reliable (the RS4 is still really new). FWIW, even my A3 has been perfectly reliable.

Audi's quality is very good these days - considering some of the stories my BMW-driving coworkers tell me, much better than BMW and Mercedes.

 

How do you like your A3? Is it fast enough and fun to drive? I was looking at that a bit as well since I live in downtown SF

 

I purchased an '04 S4 and threw a valve with 300 miles on the car.

Audi wanted to replace the engine (which wasn't possible do to the shortage of V8's). I refused the solution.

They had denied there was any problem with these cars, however my son noticed on Audiworld, someone had been tracking all issues with S4's and they were significant.

At one point approx 25% of reported cars had issues; engine or tranny so be careful.

BTW, the dealer did a really bad job resolving things.

Eventually I received a replacement car that they could not deliver because of transmission trouble!

It took me 4 months to get a refund.

KING

 

wow that sucks man I am sorry to hear that. One story is one thing but it sounds like you were not the only case. I am surprised that I have not gotten a few more negative responses regarding Audi's.

Damn this is killing me because the S4 and really the RS4 is my favorite car on the market. There must also be these hell stories on the BMW side of things

 

I had an early-build 2004 S4 for nearly three years/70K miles. Absolutely no problems except a malfunctioning coolant sensor (50 bucks). Also had a B5 S4, a 6-speed S8, a bunch of A4s and A6s and so on. I guess I'm lucky but I've never really had any trouble at all. Unlike my MB ownership...

 

I think overall mechanically the S4 is just as sound as the M3. Audi has a bad reliability wrap but its mostly for stupid sensors and electronic gizmos, nothing serious. I usually recommend anyone going for a used Audi to pickup a CPO just to be safe.

 

The A3 is dope... I love it - it's easy to mod for big power (flash alone is good for 40hp/80lb-ft), comfortable, quick (beat an auto 350Z), and practical. Ever since I let my g/f drive it, she's had a stranglehold on it. It's a great daily driver - make sure you get it w/DSG.

 

STAY AWAY FROM CVT (FWD) AUDIS!

That's all I will say. Mine was replaced under warranty and went to the dealership a couple of times before that. The CVT transmissions are pieces of ****. Other than that, it has been very, very reliable.

I think the S4 comes standard with Quattro, so this is nothing to worry about on that model.

P.S. I think the DSG in the A3 is FWD also, right? Haven't heard of any problems with that one.

 

The 2.0T A3 is FWD, but DSG is a completely different animal from CVT. I don't like how CVT cars feel - it seems like it is always sort of half-assed revving...

DSG + 2.0T is a HUGELY proven combo in the GTI and A3 for over 2 years now (counting Europe).

Worrying about the S4 is a moot point nowadays. Get the latest one you can and you should be good. I've seen B7s going for low $30K range... That is new A3 money.

 

I had zero problems with my 2005 S4 and none so far with my 2007 B7 RS4 which I got last month.

 

Only small **** with my rs6...but its nice to know your service advisor anyway...that being said, the audi service guys have been AMAZING and much easier to work with than BMW...I had a e46 m3 before and that was much worse

 

Good to hear these posts. Also considering a used 04+ S4. Sounds overall like positive feedback.