Keep and repair S4 or trade it in?

[chi123]

So my '10 S4 is at 106K miles right now. It's been burning maybe a quart of oil every 1K miles for the past year or so. Replaced the PCV and did the software update but it's still burning oil. I fear that it will need piston rings which of course will require the engine to come out and that would be a costly repair. Also, car is 6MT and will probably need a new clutch soon cause it's GIAC Stage 2 and clutch occasionally slips. I'm the second owner and have no clue what clutch is in there now but it's definitely not stock. Plan to go dual-pulley soon too. I'm guessing the engine repairs and clutch job will be well over $10K. So my options are:

1. Trade my S4 in and purchase a newer automatic B8.5 S4. My S4 has over $20K in mods which I will ask to swap over to the new S4 but not everything. Will leave the coilovers, tune, shift knob, and heat exchanger. That's already $5K in parts that I will have to spend on the newer S4. Probably will get $15K for my B8 and most B8.5's are around $35K used. Basically the difference I will owe is $20K plus another $10K in mods to happy with it.

2. Sell the parts and get stock parts. Then trade for a S3 in the same price range as the B8.5. Same thing as B8.5, will owe $20K on top and probably end up spending $10K in mods. First thing on my mind is the APR Stage 3.

3. Keep my B8, spend $10K+ in repairs and new clutch. Car will still be a high mileage car and I would definitely want built internals if it has to be taken apart, but does anyone make internals?

Yes it's cheaper to repair my B8, but seems like a good opportunity to get a newer and lower mileage S3 or S4. Don't know if it's worth the difference that I will have to pay.

[13jfp]

Upgrade

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[waxxonMTL]

yep, upgrade. the b8.5 is still a more refined car in a lot of ''little aspect''. Overall, it's the same car but as you get closer, theres plenty of little thing that make the B8.5 ''nicer'' and with repair.. you never know if these repair will hold up or this be problematic.

[Vanimal]

Trade up to a B8.5. NOT a S3. If you get a DSG, it would be smart to get a warranty or a CPO. Which I assume you're looking at a CPO since you mentioned around $35k. That's where the 13-14's hover around CPO wise.

I'm looking to move from my B8 S5 to a B8.5 S4 in the near future. Won't get the DSG which I need without a warranty.

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[will13k7]

limp along until the B9 S4 is available.

[AvusPdx]

Test drove the S3, I think it is more fun to drive, very good brakes (not sure if it was upgraded with factory option). The S4 felt better for me for daily driving for the size, back seat space and trunk space. It really depends on what you use the car for, both are capable of "fun" driving, but still an over weight AWD german car, which you will never get a satisfaction over a purposely made sports car.

The B8.5 will hit a steep depreciation curve next year when the B9's will be around, and people dumping their car from their lease returns (2~4 year old). For some reason, these cars don't move much, and there will be a higher supply in the market, so that will be a good time to buy if you can hold out a little longer.

[Vanimal]

Test drove the S3, I think it is more fun to drive, very good brakes (not sure if it was upgraded with factory option). The S4 felt better for me for daily driving for the size, back seat space and trunk space. It really depends on what you use the car for, both are capable of "fun" driving, but still an over weight AWD german car, which you will never get a satisfaction over a purposely made sports car.

The B8.5 will hit a steep depreciation curve next year when the B9's will be around, and people dumping their car from their lease returns (2~4 year old). For some reason, these cars don't move much, and there will be a higher supply in the market, so that will be a good time to buy if you can hold out a little longer.

So if I'm lightly currently in the market for a B8.5 S4 should I wait until summer, or longer? Currently in a 2010 S5 which I love. But 4 doors would just be more practical & id love a face lift model. Not to mention I'm really a lover of the 4 door sport/luxury sedan with some aftermarket wheels & suspension. My S5 currently serves me very well, about 86k miles.

My only thing is with the DSG problems I'd either want a CPO or aftermarket warranty. And I would need the DSG.

Here's the current DD, I'd imagine I'd get less looks so to "speak". But the 3.0t should be fun around town with its low end torque.




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[AvusPdx]

The S5 has a better design for sure. wider, lower etc. The 3.0T is a blast, and a simple tune/pulley really wakes the car up.

That is just my guess with the price drop next year for the B8.5 S4 if your not in a rush. Good deals can pop up anywhere, so I would keep my eyes peeled for one. I got lucky with a local one that just popped up when I was selling my RS4, all the options I wanted, 21k miles on the ODO for a '13. Only grip was the color since I had avus silver on my RS, and going to Ice Silver. The color has grown on me after I got some contrasting colors with a CF mirror cap and the black RS grill, I still wish I had a black or sprint blue.

As for the DSG, I've read that the B8.5 has an updated version of it, which I haven't heard much cases of issues on the forum which is a good sign. Keeping up with the maintenance before the factory interval would be key for longevity I think.

[infinkc]

Trade it in now while it's still running fine.

[sebgreen]

Trade in whilst running. As for the future price drop, here in the UK the B9 S4 is available & the B8 prices have stayed steady.


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[jsh139]

Cut your losses and trade it in. The end of the year is usually a good time to buy a car (deal-wise).

[chaos2984]

I would upgrade to the B8.5. The B9 well is a good drivetrain But i think the Car interior is crap. I don't like the layout or the design for a "S" at all

[sebgreen]

I spoke with a contact at an AD about the new interior and how I don't like the "stick an iPad to the dash for the sat nav" setup. They agreed and said it was due to cost cutting. Shame really.


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[soptic425]

Warranty is everything. Get a solid b8.5. Def no s3. Haldex vs torsen. Turbo 4 vs supercharged 6, completely different feel and sound. Interior is a different league on the s4.


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