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My family is considering picking up a used 2000 Audi S4 with 89000 miles if anyone has any dirt or recommendations about the car that they would like to share advice would be welcome.

In the words of maiden...

"Run for the hills,..... run for your life...."
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I have nothing useful to add to this thread... just a closet VW hater.

Replacing the turbos requires removing the engine from the car - I have a friend who has done this, and it's not exactly a trivial procedure.

It has the normal VW/Audi gremlins:
- Power window regulators
- Brake light switches

I've never heard anything bad about the transmissions and transfer cases.

And thanks to Mike for the Maiden reference. I'm humming that song in my head now...

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

Mike, you're not in the closet. You're out. And proud.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

You could save money by just setting your wallet on fire instead of buying the Audi.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Man, what a bunch of haters

The trick is getting to spend mod money on mods and not on repairs.

As said before the turbos require extensive work to replace, as for me, I am waiting for them to blow so that I can drop in some bigger ones

With the mileage on it you will need to see if the timing belt was done, the manual says 105k, but it should really be done every 60k, along with water pump and about 10 other things that need to be replaced at the same time. The entire front end of the car has to come off in order to do the job.

Do yourself a favor and take it to Black Forest Industries for Paul check it out.

It is an expensive car to maintain, but I think it is worth it. For about 20k dollars invested I have a powerful (350hp/400+ft-lb at the crank) car that looks good and is as good at hauling the kids around as it is haulin' ass.

There is a guy on NCEuro that is selling his with ~40k on it, I would look into that as well. http://nceuro.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8754&start=30

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APR Stage II++ 2001 Silver S4 w/ ASP and AWE goodies
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

From experience with my son's 2001 S4, at that mileage I would say it also is getting close to needing front upper and lower control arms. Have the motor mounts checked closely also -- part of the mount tends to crack from fatigue prior to the mount leaking.

Make sure you have full records to inspect and that oil/filter, brake fluid and coolant have been properly changed. My son's car is at 141k miles now and is still on the original turbos and running fine. It has had 5k or less synthetic oil/filter changes its whole life. At this point, it essentially doesn't even burn oil between 5k changes. The only time it needed some added was this spring after he took it to VIR, and I recall it was like 1/4 quart.

If the car has ever had a modified ECU in it, then the turbos have certainly seen rpms beyond their designed range. If so, and it still has the original turbos, stay clear of the car or work a deal that's too good to turn down.

Brakes are easy to do on this car even with its weirdo front caliper design. The rears require a rotating piston compressor tool. We just replaced a RF caliper due to one of the pistons sticking at times. It was actually pretty inexpensive -- ~$145 for a Cardone reman caliper.

Depending on its condition, you should probably expect to spend an additional 40% of what you buy it for over the next couple of years imo. (assuming you pay somewhere around $10-11k for it).

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

[quote="Chuck Branscomb"]
The rears require a rotating piston compressor tool. (quote]

Not trying to hijack the thread, BUT, where can I buy one of these?

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

The same place you buy all cheap **** tools -- Harbor Freight. This is the one we bought (it comes with many adapters one of which was perfect for the Audi):

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40732

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

Thanks! I had looked on line and couldn't find that!

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

Cline, I have a poor mans version of that, you are welcome to borrow it.

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Very gracious, but I need it everytime I go to the track, the mini is real pita trying to do it with needle nose pliers. Anyway, I usually get up about 5 am when I want to work on the car, oh, your probably up then too! or two!

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

Cline-you'll really like this one when you see that Mini Mania, etc sells the one for Minis for over $200!

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SCCA Solo Triad Award Recipient 2014
SCCA HSL National Champion 2012
SCCA DSL National Champion 2013
SCCA DSL National Champion 2014
NCR National Driver of the Year 2012
THSCC Heel of the Year 2011
Former Club Secretary
http://www.petscompanioninn.com

Yeah, I knew that one was available, I just wasn't interested at that price!

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

I have said tool in my tool box. If you need to borrow it let me know!

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1993 Crystal White Miata ST 27 - Slow, but always finishes
2006 Flint Mica Metallic Lexus LS430 - Pure luxury
2005 Toyota Sienna XLE - The "new" Mobile Closet, Sandbox and Grocery Getter

Hey if you need tires, I know a guy....