USATrade

Couple of you guys helped out with advice in related threads, thanks. I had asked about another S4 that had been in a couple of accidents and had about 15k more miles for give or take the same price. I passed on that one, and went for this...

2004 S4 - Silver Exterior, Black/White Recaro Interior (would have preferred all black). Premium, no navi. 68k miles, paid $14k even, awaiting delivery which should be a week or so as it is being shipped. Car is in excellent condition, slight curb rash. One owner, ongoing maintenance had taken place. I anticipate a belt change in 1-2 years (I only drive 8k miles / yr as I work from home). Will upload pictures in a couple of days.

I hope to keep this car for at least 5-6 years.

What do you guys think?

Mark80scu

that's a good price, i'm toying with a 2004 s4 avant for 16k but 83k mls (but it looks like it has an aftermarket exhaust). where did you find yours?

audimotion

sounds like a good deal...especially w/one owner w/records. Congrats...and have fun waiting. I had my S4 Cabriolet shipped from San Fran to MN and the wait was killer.

USATrade

If you're looking at 83k mile car then as I've learned here you need to expect to have to change timing belt any time now which can be a couple grand or so, give or take.

I found the car on Ebay Motors. I searched around on AutoTrader, Cars.com, and Ebay, but am most comfortable on Ebay. I like that I can see a preliminary report on any car on Ebay for free to start off with in addition to the seller's description and photos. On top of that you can view seller's prior feedback which I find really helpful. I deal with nobody that doesn't have 100% positive feedback - if they have 100% pos I think you're pretty safe relying on their basic descriptions - though they pretty much all say "no guarantee to condition is made and car is sold as-is". Between the information given by a 100% positive feedback seller, photos, the free report that Ebay offers, and a carfax - you get a pretty good picture.

audimotion

No timing belt, but rather timing chains and tensioners...and if they need replacing it is a motor out job an costs serious money (4-8K) dependng on where you get it serviced. There is no service schedule for this as the chains are considered "lifetime"...but over time they do wear as do the tesioners.

joeycuccaro

Right on. This motor is driven off timing chains on the rear of the motor unlike the 4.2 A6 motor or the 2.7t S4 bi-turbo. Changing them requires a full engine pull.

USATrade

Right, my bad. I didn't know that (until I saw that photo on another thread, of the rear of the engine with the chain). Thanks.

So the car just got delivered and is in my driveway though I have been out of town so have not yet taken it out or checked on things.