Is 2005.5 S4s more reliable?

[cchrisv]

Okay, I'm in the process of buying a used S4. I almost pulled the trigger on a 2005 S4 but I found a 2005.5 S4. Did they upgrade them to be more reliable. I am really scared about the chain link failure issue since I'll be purchasing an S4 over 80K miles.

Any advice?

[Blackstallion]

Ill start by saying NO.
Cars are machines, they will break eventually...some quicker than others.
You shouldnt buy this car if your scared.

Get a PPI etc done and go from there...
Goodluck

[powderrecon]

It has been rumored that the timing chain tensioner was changed for the B7 model to something more sturdy. Also, the clutch in a B7 is stronger than the B6. There are a couple of smaller items also that were improved, however they are essentially the same car.

Whether B6 or B7, get a compression / leakdown test done, and most importantly get a oil change history. Every 7500 is ok (just), every 5000 is good, every 3500 is great.

Try and stick to buying cars on this forum as most have been maintained "over" correctly. There is a B6 in the classifieds now with a new engine, and clutch from a B7, with warranty. Perfect first car to get into.

[Apat]

Nothing was upgraded from 2005 to 2005.5 from a mechanical standpoint. The B7 will have a better resale value though. Make sure you get a PPI and compression test done.

[M|R]

Nothing was upgraded from 2005 to 2005.5 from a mechanical standpoint. The B7 will have a better resale value though. Make sure you get a PPI and compression test done.

This.

Also get a leakdown test performed. They are a little more expensive and a little more tedious, but you will be glad to know you have a healthy motor

[ilko]

No but they are better looking

[adub]

Does a car drive tighter and faster after it has been detailed?

...i still don't know the answer to that- I still think yes.

[M|R]

Does a car drive tighter and faster after it has been detailed?

...i still don't know the answer to that- I still think yes.

I have to agree. Driving a clean car drives 100x better than driving a dirty car lol. Especially if you put the time into it yourself, it feels awesome.

[ProgMetalHead]

When did they introduce the 60/40 power split? Was it B7, or specifically in 2007? I can't remember. Newer ESP in 2007 too, I believe.

I think the B7 is much nicer looking than the B6; I love the big grill.

[Kookie]

When did they introduce the 60/40 power split? Was it B7, or specifically in 2007? I can't remember. Newer ESP in 2007 too, I believe.

I think the B7 is much nicer looking than the B6; I love the big grill.

2006+

05.5 Are a B6 with a B7 Body/Interior

[esimp2k]

Okay, I'm in the process of buying a used S4. I almost pulled the trigger on a 2005 S4 but I found a 2005.5 S4. Did they upgrade them to be more reliable. I am really scared about the chain link failure issue since I'll be purchasing an S4 over 80K miles.

Any advice?

More car info? (Just traded my 05.5 S4 in and it had 80k+ miles on it...........

[dparm]

The issue seems to be more prevalent on 2004s, and even then it's quite rare.

The parts were revised sometime in 2005.

[cchrisv]

http://www.greaterchicagomotors.com/...inois/4802610/

This is the car I might be purchasing this weekend. It is a 1 owner 2005.5 Audi S4 with 90k miles. The owner traded it in for a used RS4 at that dealership.

This will not be a daily driver. I have a 2012 Cadillac CTS Coupe for that. The B7s has been a favorite of mine.

Thoughts?

[Kookie]

I'd spend a little more for one with a little less mileage, good records, and updated 06+ parts/engine components. You can find one with 40-65k Miles in the mid 20's. That's much more bang for buck.

Dparm is right saying that the revisions were done in late 05, which means they only went into 06+ cars. While the recurring issues popping up here appear to be frequent, the S4 is much more reliable than it gets credit for. I've owned two, and an RS4 for extended amounts of time with a good amount of healthy driving.. so far, zero catastrophic failures. I had a warranty on two of the three so the peace of mind was there as well. Even if it's not a DD, you could run into issues.. it's all about the maintenance that's happened so far.

Just go lower mileage, and possibly aftermarket warranty. For me, it's not worth the risk.

But man.. that is crazy cheap for a B7.

[dparm]

I'd spend a little more for one with a little less mileage, good records, and updated 06+ parts/engine components. You can find one with 40-65k Miles in the mid 20's. That's much more bang for buck.

Dparm is right saying that the revisions were done in late 05, which means they only went into 06+ cars. While the recurring issues popping up here appear to be frequent, the S4 is much more reliable than it gets credit for. I've owned two, and an RS4 for extended amounts of time with a good amount of healthy driving.. so far, zero catastrophic failures. I had a warranty on two of the three so the peace of mind was there as well. Even if it's not a DD, you could run into issues.. it's all about the maintenance that's happened so far.

Just go lower mileage, and possibly aftermarket warranty. For me, it's not worth the risk.

But man.. that is crazy cheap for a B7.

The revisions are supposedly in the 2005s, even.

The B7 has high mileage but I suspect it was all highway -- very easy on a car. I'd rather take a high mileage one than a low mileage one (low = city driving/short trips = very hard on the whole car).

[Kookie]

The revisions are supposedly in the 2005s, even.

The B7 has high mileage but I suspect it was all highway -- very easy on a car. I'd rather take a high mileage one than a low mileage one (low = city driving/short trips = very hard on the whole car).

I can see how that would be an issue with an alarmingly low mileage car. But 40-60k over 4-5 years isn't a big deal. I've got 22k on my SL, but they're always weekend drives 200-400 miles.

Too many variables to really know.. My preference would be to go for something lower mileage with a good history, your's might not be though.

EDIT: Reliable source at 034 said awhile back there were some updates on the 07+ engine components... I don't know for sure, but I have a call with AoA this week anyway, so I'll ask.

[FulhamFTW]

I can see how that would be an issue with an alarmingly low mileage car. But 40-60k over 4-5 years isn't a big deal. I've got 22k on my SL, but they're always weekend drives 200-400 miles.

Too many variables to really know.. My preference would be to go for something lower mileage with a good history, your's might not be though.

EDIT: Reliable source at 034 said awhile back there were some updates on the 07+ engine components... I don't know for sure, but I have a call with AoA this week anyway, so I'll ask.

Awesome. I'd love to hear what they have to say about that. If that is true, do you think that would have any affect on the re-sell value of the 07+? I would imagine it would make them even more desireable. But, since I have one, maybe that's just wishful thinking.

[Apat]

If compression and leakdown check out....buy it. That's a good price. They probably used the 2005 B6 value instead of the 2005.5 B7 value to price it. Its a difference of about $800 on NADA.com

[cchrisv]

How much does a compression/leaddown test cost? The one dealership I was at last weekend while looking at an S4 told me 4-5K.....

[dparm]

How much does a compression/leaddown test cost? The one dealership I was at last weekend while looking at an S4 told me 4-5K.....

Any good indie shop can do it in an hour or so. So figure $100-120.

[cchrisv]

Any good indie shop can do it in an hour or so. So figure $100-120.

You know any good shops open on Saturdays in Chicago? I'll be flying out on Saturday to look at this car. I was just going to take it to a Audi dealership for PPI but will do the compression/leakdown if I can find a shop to do it Saturday.

[cchrisv]

Well i decided instead of dealing with a high mileage car, that could blow up on me, to order a brand new 2013 s5. I test drove one and actually love the engine. I test drove a used 2010 s5 at same dealership and like the 2013 more.