S4 yearly maintenance costs

**kuhndawg** · 05-21-2017 10:55 AM

Hello all,

I'm wondering about the yearly maintenance costs of B8.5 S4 owners. B8 owners are welcome to chime in as well. The older the better. I am on the fence with buying this car. I'm in my late 20s and have owned cars for years, but I've had ford and mazda, which aren't too expensive to repair. I can afford to buy the car, but I don't want to buy a money pit.

Side question: I have heard the cost of ownership is supposedly cheaper on the B8.5 as compared to B8. Is this true?

My apologies if this post has been done before, but I'm new around here. (if it has, please point me in the right direction

)

Thanks for your time!

**04Moroblue** · 05-21-2017 11:48 AM

My B8 has 146k on it. I'm the second owner and it has impeccable maintenace history. However in the last year, excluding modifications I've done 2 oil changes (100$), a DSG service (150$), and most recently new tires/alignment (1240$). Car has had no other issues, and from what I can tell won't be having any for the near future. That is me being picky as well, the only other issue the car has at this point is it needs a control arm refresh (500$) and a heated seat element that needs to be replaced.

These cars are pretty solid as long as you find a good example.

EDIT: I should probably state that I've been a tech since 14 y/o, and I perform nearly all of my own maintenance.... so those costs are for fluid not labor, with the exception of the tires.

**Low Orbit** · 05-21-2017 12:18 PM

I only have 14K miles on my car but the service people at my dealer said the B8.5 has been very reliable from their experience.

**tar** · 05-21-2017 12:28 PM

Costs are cheap. I diy everything tho.
Tstat and water pump control arms were all done at 80k. Car has 93k now no issues.

At 100k ill be changing the supercharger oil and doing the pcv among other things.

**kuhndawg** · 05-21-2017 02:03 PM

thanks for the info guys! glad to hear good stories. I'm very interested to hear the bad side as well, but it sounds like these cars have a good record across the board.

anyone have info on B8 vs B8.5 cost of ownership?

**Johnnycash** · 05-21-2017 02:23 PM

Generally speaking any kind of import car will carry higher costs in general, there are exceptions but the rule still applies.

lets just assume you are not going to diy

oil changes are $100 give or take, full synthetic is 10k or yearly, but i do every 5k because racecar

I would say take your baseline average for a domestic vehicle ie ford and double that at a minimum just for preventative maintenance items, and try to be smart and buy a clean well maintained car and hope that the random failure doesnt happen.

tldr;

these cars are not cheap to fix or maintain but they sure are fun! and if you take care of your car it for the most part will take care of you:)

**whiped** · 05-21-2017 02:34 PM

Keep in mind, the 3.0T is one if the best motors audi has put out in a long time. Asking about yearly cost isn't really a good metric as it doesn't mean much.

Since purchasing my car a little over a year ago I have around $15k put into it...

Everything from cosmetics to wheels to lots of mods.

Actual maintenance cost even included upgraded parts, preventative maintenance and testing things has been pretty cheap.

If your car isn't modified just follow Audi's recommended maintenance schedule. There are a few costly services but nothing major.

**MrFunk** · 05-21-2017 04:26 PM

It's all perspective. What is expensive to you may be inexpensive to someone else...
Modern vehicles these days are relatively reliable and low maintenance unless you are buying a super/hyper car or similar. The days of certain brand vehicles constantly being in the shop (ex 90's Jaguars etc) are mostly behind us.
That said - maintenance will be more on an import. Money pit? Not at all. These cars are very reliable and no more expensive to run than any of it's competitors in the market.

**TMurt** · 05-21-2017 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by kuhndawg

thanks for the info guys! glad to hear good stories. I'm very interested to hear the bad side as well, but it sounds like these cars have a good record across the board.

anyone have info on B8 vs B8.5 cost of ownership?

I'd say the biggest benefit to the B8.5 is that its probably less likely to have the DSG problems that the B8 does. With that being said, asking for yearly costs is tough. I have planned for $6000 in expenses over the next 36 months for mine (currently at 109k). That covers routine maintenance, new summer tires, brake job for all corners, and $3000 for extras (replacing suspension components, any leaks, etc.). Keep in mind I just sunk in $3k for a new clutch and tires though. They aren't cheap but the engine is solid. You'll have some cheap years and some more expensive years, it'll vary though for sure

**MVR 155** · 05-21-2017 07:42 PM

With manufacturer recommended service intervals at 10K miles this car is barely more expensive to maintain than a civic..... DSG service every 35K is pricey but cost averaged out it's still not bad at all. The stigma with German car maintenance is long gone, these cars are pretty much bullet proof. I would not let regular maintenance/service costs deter your purchase.

**Senseless** · 05-21-2017 08:01 PM

My '12 Audi from 35,000 miles to 73,000 miles (2 year time frame) has averaged $1500 per year in repairs & maintenance, if that helps. I don't use the dealer at all and do minor work myself. Otherwise, it would have been roughly $3000 per year. Insurance is nearly as reasonable as my Subaru was.

**wangshuo1989** · 05-21-2017 09:33 PM

Only 1100 bucks for the rotors and pads, as I have warranty and audi care + audi care select. I would recommend buying audi care select to cover 55K/65K and 75K/85K service, it's cheap and you'll have loaner car.

**kuhndawg** · 05-22-2017 08:22 AM

Great info in this thread! Thank you to all who have commented. Sounds like the horror stories I've heard on other car forums are from older cars/biased individuals. I'm sure some bias exists here in the Audi den, but I can think of no better place to ask owners for their opinions. I've been floundering on this decision because it is more money than I planned on spending on my next car, but after driving the S4 I fell in love. Thanks again for all the info! You will likely be seeing me again

**whiped** · 05-22-2017 08:30 AM

Older Audis had a fair share of problems and sadly deserved their poor reputation if you weren't DIYing. Lots of random things would go wrong or the occasional big thing.

3.0T is a very solid motor. Personally, I'd avoid the 2.0Ts.

**AvusPdx** · 05-22-2017 08:30 AM

also keep in mind that majority of owners will not be in the forums, and those that decide to join has had issues/questions that they want to address. Even with that, engine/Trans issues are less common on here compared to other cars.
Premium gas, ~$100 oil changes and DSG fluid change is the only thing I can think of that may cost more to maintain compared to a civic.
I always think car payments are the other half of the cost involved in ownership of a car (insurance/gas/maintenance).

**spoolinrs6** · 05-22-2017 08:12 PM

my b8 is turning 132k miles soon all highway miles. Still runs like new. im a stage 2 apr dual pulley 6mt and its my daily :)

Originally Posted by 04Moroblue

My B8 has 146k on it. I'm the second owner and it has impeccable maintenace history. However in the last year, excluding modifications I've done 2 oil changes (100$), a DSG service (150$), and most recently new tires/alignment (1240$). Car has had no other issues, and from what I can tell won't be having any for the near future. That is me being picky as well, the only other issue the car has at this point is it needs a control arm refresh (500$) and a heated seat element that needs to be replaced.

These cars are pretty solid as long as you find a good example.

EDIT: I should probably state that I've been a tech since 14 y/o, and I perform nearly all of my own maintenance.... so those costs are for fluid not labor, with the exception of the tires.

**randyjo888** · 05-22-2017 08:37 PM

I just purchased my 2013 Audi S4 for $21,000 with 99K miles. Very clean with one owner, but I just ran into the clutch slipping. I expected to go sometime soon but I didn't expect it this soon. I've had the car for a couple of months. Gonna be about $1,100 in labor and $2000 for JHM clutch and flywheel. The board has been a great source for recommendations and knowledge. I will spend another grand come 6 - 8 months from now on tires. But after that I hope everything else will be minor, minus interval maintenance costs.