Reliability issues with s4

[dc177]

New to this forum but have owned a b7 s4, b8 s4, b8.5 rs5, b7 rs4 and daily an A6. I'm an audi fan.
Im thinking about getting a b5 s4 with 100k miles. It was regularly maintained by the dealer, clutch done recently but has not had the timing belt done and has stock turbos. in doing some internet research I've heard that the b5 s4 has reliability problems.

What has your experience been with the car?

[Trb1]

LOL. Reliability.

Get used to a car that doesn’t work properly, never driving it and emptying your pockets to pay someone to work on it, or doing the work yourself.

Anyways, now to actually answer your question. I’m sure others will disagree, but they are cheap to maintain as long as you don’t have a need for more than factory turbos. Even a basic stage 3 car will keep reliability up and maintenance down. The issue is that the cars are rabbit holes. There’s places to throw money at you’d never expect. You have to have the discipline to not upgrade or spend money on everything. It’s still a 50/50 even with maintenance records. I’d rather buy a b5 for 2 grand and throw all new suspension and motor maintenance parts at it. That way you’re still only 5 grand deep, but you have a completely refreshed car. People advertise a ton of motor maintenance but forget about control arms, struts, wheel bearings, etc.

Let me give you an example. Control arms are a common failure point that most people don’t think about when looking at maintenance records. Not a big deal if you can do it yourself. A quality kit runs you ~$250 with hardware. Take it to a shop and that’s now over a grand spent.

At 100k and 17 years old, I’d be worried about the driveshaft Carrier bushing, rear diff mount, shifter linkage bushings, inner axle joints, 1-2 shift collar, and corrosion. Especially on rear suspension components (depending on location). That’s on top of general wear and tear items that could be faulty at this age.

[blitz2190]

Those who say there are reliability issues probably have never owned a well maintained one, while the handling of the b7 is probably nicer, the 2.7 has more potential and less likely to have a catastrophic engine failure. People see the small oil leaks that can happen at the turbos and claim its all junk because of the leak( mine don't leak but I take care of my car, same for 99% on this forum). Like most cars of this age you'll likely have to replace the pcv and some vacuum lines but I'de say the worst that will typically happen is you could lose a turbo. Which sucks to replace but sticking to oem or stock you'll not see many issues. That said once you start modding a car(any car) for power you'll find the weakest link and break stuff but its part of the game.

to trb1

They can be just as reliable(more so than newer s4's) as long as they are taken care of. The difference in your response is the money spent once you start modding. And I agree they are a money pit once you start but I daily mine, did so for a year with no issues, then built the engine and daily it now.

[Trb1]

Those who say there are reliability issues probably have never owned a well maintained one, while the handling of the b7 is probably nicer, the 2.7 has more potential and less likely to have a catastrophic engine failure. People see the small oil leaks that can happen at the turbos and claim its all junk because of the leak( mine don't leak but I take care of my car, same for 99% on this forum). Like most cars of this age you'll likely have to replace the pcv and some vacuum lines but I'de say the worst that will typically happen is you could lose a turbo. Which sucks to replace but sticking to oem or stock you'll not see many issues. That said once you start modding a car(any car) for power you'll find the weakest link and break stuff but its part of the game.

This is a good point. The b5 core drivetrain is incredibly reliable and will likely never give you trouble. It’s just that “well maintained” is a very loosely thrown around term, and there’s a very large variety of condition on this platform.

I daily one as well. A stage 2 6 speed Avant at 170k miles on original turbos and clutch, but I have essentially done a full overhaul since I bought it a year ago. I throw unnecessary amounts of money at my other one.

[blitz2190]

This is a good point. The b5 core drivetrain is incredibly reliable and will likely never give you trouble. It’s just that “well maintained” is a very loosely thrown around term, and there’s a very large variety of condition on this platform.

exactly, the core 2.7 drivetrain is pretty damn stout considering whats been done to it over the years. And to the OP he makes a good point, well maintained should include body, suspension, and engine, and price should be adjusted accordingly.

I throw unnecessary amounts of money at my other one.

Only unnecessary if you don't drive it

[DieselElectric]

Bought my car with 123k, very few owners, and full maintenance records. It's actually been very reliable even with modifications.

Reliability is more on the owner than the car. Aside from a starter and now recently, an alternator, all issues I've had are related to hard driving or aftermarket TBB.

[goalieman24]

OP, I think if you've been a member here for 9 years and have owned those cars... you either have deep pockets, or/and a good understanding of how to properly care for and maintain cars. Either one of those sets you up for B5 ownership. It's only those who get one of these because "omggg twin turboz for $4000" who are the ones with issue upon issue.

If it's got good maintenance records, that's a big step in the right direction.

[ElementR]

Wow, this thread is ripe for ranting. The S4 is a car like any other. Does it need maintenance - yes, like any other. If you care for your car, it will treat you well. I have put a lot of time and money into mine but also put a lot of upgrades into it. It's a hard platform to beat for the money frankly.

[Cgoon009]

my sedan cost me 20 dollars in "unexpected maint" and never left me anywhere over the three years a daily drove it

my wagon which I beat on, upgraded and doubled the factory power has been a long process. But to its credit, the parts that have failed were either aftermarket ones I bought or had over 150k miles. So its hard to call either unreliable when one simply wasn't and the other I tore apart and made work twice as hard.

[dc177]

Thanks for the replies guys.
In my research people almost always bring up the reliability of these cars (mostly faulty sensors, suspension issues and turbo problems)
Good to know that some people don't have these issues or that they're not a total headache to take care of.
What i do know of the B5 is that their design has really aged well esp in avant form.
Thanks again guys and keep them coming

[AllroadCorbin]

It really depends on the previous owner. Mine was owned by a young shit head who used nothing but shit chinese parts and he half-assed everything. But even a mint stock B5 S4 will be expensive to maintain and very hands on. If you can not DIY- do not buy this car is my advice. Sensors will go, the turbos will go (some Borg warner K03s and K04s can last 200k miles if used properly). The synchros will eventually go because of how people drove these. The dash pixels will fail. The egts will fail. The camshaft position sensors will fail. The water pump, timing belt, after run pump, every single drive-train mount, all the wheel bearings, potentially the CV axles, all the control arms, strut towers can disintegrate, valve cover gaskets will end up leaking, camshaft seals, PCV will need to be rebuilt, oil level sensor, coolant temp sensor, throttle body boot, some boost hoses and vac hoses may crack and fail (the 2.7 is a vacuum leak nightmare...so many opportunities for leaks lol). I'm sure there's other stuff i'm not listing. They make fun project / second cars....some people definitely daily them but I would rather get round house kicked in the balls than have to daily mine haha. I love it...but they're fickle as all hell. I do find however that even when something is majorly F'd up, the motor really wants to keep running....unlike on my B8.5 allroad where if I forget to plug in just one sensor, the car freaks out and wont start at all.

Bottom line, the biggest obstacle to them being reliable is that they are now really old cars. My 2000 S4 has been beaten on for 18 years now.

[christianb5s4]

Many good points made of the the pluses and minuses of these cars. Frankly, I bought a very mistreated 286k stage 2 B5 S4. It was clearly mechanically neglected but after learning about the platform on the forums and taking care of little things here and there, it was extremely reliable for 2 years. Knowing the common issues of these and doing some preventative maintenance go a very long way (albeit that rule applies to any used car).

However, if you plan on modifying them... that can open a huge can of worms. All the "while you're in there" things that come with pulling the motor and trans out will most likely be substantial if the car is on stock turbos or if already stage 3, it's unlikely most people who own these really take the time and money to address those things.

[AllroadCorbin]

Many good points made of the the pluses and minuses of these cars. Frankly, I bought a very mistreated 286k stage 2 B5 S4. It was clearly mechanically neglected but after learning about the platform on the forums and taking care of little things here and there, it was extremely reliable for 2 years. Knowing the common issues of these and doing some preventative maintenance go a very long way (albeit that rule applies to any used car).

However, if you plan on modifying them... that can open a huge can of worms. All the "while you're in there" things that come with pulling the motor and trans out will most likely be substantial if the car is on stock turbos or if already stage 3, it's unlikely most people who own these really take the time and money to address those things.

People with money don't usually buy these because they're smart. Smart people shouldn't buy B5 S4's. Don't inflict that kind of pain on yourself if you can avoid it. Just don't go test drive one.... because the minute you feel the power band of a stage 2 or 3 car and hear one with a nice exhaust work through the gears, you are 100% screwed.

[blitz2190]

Many good points made of the the pluses and minuses of these cars. Frankly, I bought a very mistreated 286k stage 2 B5 S4. It was clearly mechanically neglected but after learning about the platform on the forums and taking care of little things here and there, it was extremely reliable for 2 years. Knowing the common issues of these and doing some preventative maintenance go a very long way (albeit that rule applies to any used car).

However, if you plan on modifying them... that can open a huge can of worms. All the "while you're in there" things that come with pulling the motor and trans out will most likely be substantial if the car is on stock turbos or if already stage 3, it's unlikely most people who own these really take the time and money to address those things.

I saw a woman come into a shop once and was told here turbo was making noise, the response? I have a turbo? those type of people owned these as well so its important to know what your getting into. Those are the people that will and have never done preventative maintenance.

[AllroadCorbin]

For the record I regret buying mine. Its fun but it was not worth the money I've spent. I paid 5k for it and I'm easily 11-12k in the hole for it and the motor is currently sitting on a hoist in front of the car. I would have sold it months ago but I can't stand giving up on things. I want to enjoy a mint stage 3 B5 S4 sedan the way I want it for like a year. At that point, expect to see a classifieds listing where I can hopefully get 7-9k back for it. We shall see

[jballou]

These cars do cost money to maintain. Have to remember, these cars are almost pushing 20years old now. Even Hondas/Toyotas of that age are going to require stuff, and unexpected stuff will break. That is why people buy new cars..(unless you live in LA, then it is just to show off to your neighbors...I kid, I kid..)

[AllroadCorbin]

my sedan cost me 20 dollars in "unexpected maint" and never left me anywhere over the three years a daily drove it

my wagon which I beat on, upgraded and doubled the factory power has been a long process. But to its credit, the parts that have failed were either aftermarket ones I bought or had over 150k miles. So its hard to call either unreliable when one simply wasn't and the other I tore apart and made work twice as hard.

wait can you post a pic of your sedan? I've deff only seen your avant? I could be losing my mind

[AllroadCorbin]

These cars do cost money to maintain. Have to remember, these cars are almost pushing 20years old now. Even Hondas/Toyotas of that age are going to require stuff, and unexpected stuff will break. That is why people buy new cars..(unless you live in LA, then it is just to show off to your neighbors...I kid, I kid..)

I could have kept my B8.5 Allroad and put a fat down payment on an MK7.5 Golf R with a 6MT and even with the monthly payment on it, still probably have spent less per month owning that than what I've been spending per month on this pile of crap haha. Marriage/ engagement is coming up in my future...and B5 S4s dont mix well with fiances and wives.

[Bordom]

The only issues I had on my S4 was from cutting corners, and I went back and fixed all those.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=667328

I revived something that should have gone to scrap or swapped into a better chassis, but there's my journey.

I'll be back one day, we always come back.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

[blitz2190]

I could have kept my B8.5 Allroad and put a fat down payment on an MK7.5 Golf R with a 6MT and even with the monthly payment on it, still probably have spent less per month owning that than what I've been spending per month on this pile of crap haha. Marriage/ engagement is coming up in my future...and B5 S4s dont mix well with fiances and wives.

haha, yeah there are some that are nightmares but comes back to that idiot that had yours first. Personally I have about 10-12k into mine but thats mostly building the engine. I guess where I'm lucky is the newer design of the b6 with heart of the b5.

To the OP, the gist is, with any car of age, its as reliable as the owner wants it to be while they maintain it.(not including just straight lemons of crap *cough* 4.2 *cough*)

[AllroadCorbin]

I’m not buying an old car again. It’s the worst


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[JustManson]

As you can see there is a trend here. Pain and suffering, but also respect and pure enthusiasm.

I came into this platform over a year ago now. I’ve driven my 2000 S4 for maybe 4 of those 12 months. I bought a “well maintained” with service records S4. I am an amateur mechanic. I can make my way around most cars, but this platform is a Love Hate relationship for me. I can fix it, but it takes a village to raise a B5 S4 as you have read.

Without the support and information here to revive and properly maintain the platform, without the enthusiasts dedicated here... I don’t know that it would be possible for myself or others to continue ownership without Deep pockets for professional mechanics.

Reliability comes from yourself. You can’t trust the previous owner, you can only know for fact what YOU did or can prove completed.

I wish you luck and a wonderful experience on the platform. You will learn more than you ever thought!



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