2000 S4, or 1997-8 BMW540i?
03-31-2006, 01:08 PM
#23
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree- I had a 200o E39 540 6spd prior to the S4. Nice car, lots of torque...
a little rommier than the s4. Plus, I don't think modding the 540 is quite as enticing as the audi. You'll enjoy the car, and won't have to worry about replacing turbos.
03-31-2006, 01:23 PM
#26
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's some prices for those things
ABS Controller - $250 sent to module masters. You can remove it and install it easy. Not bad.
Instrument Cluster - Just don't fix it, only the trip computer w/info goes out but not the necessary stuff
Control Arms - about 150 a pop (there are 8 on the front) but you should just replace them as they go not all at once. If you can do it yourself, you'll save a pretty penny but they're kind of a PITA.
Wheel Bearings - have a shop do them, major PITA, about 300 bucks per axle (both sides parts and labor)
Turbos!!! Expect to pay 5K minimum as you'll want to replace clutch, piggie pipes and other maintenance items at the same time.
Tranny!!! 3K - 2K for a rebuilt tranny and 1K for install (cheap)
Good luck, these are NOT cheap cars. Other things like CV boots and MAFs blowing are quite common but cheap; however these things do add up.
Instrument Cluster - Just don't fix it, only the trip computer w/info goes out but not the necessary stuff
Control Arms - about 150 a pop (there are 8 on the front) but you should just replace them as they go not all at once. If you can do it yourself, you'll save a pretty penny but they're kind of a PITA.
Wheel Bearings - have a shop do them, major PITA, about 300 bucks per axle (both sides parts and labor)
Turbos!!! Expect to pay 5K minimum as you'll want to replace clutch, piggie pipes and other maintenance items at the same time.
Tranny!!! 3K - 2K for a rebuilt tranny and 1K for install (cheap)
Good luck, these are NOT cheap cars. Other things like CV boots and MAFs blowing are quite common but cheap; however these things do add up.
03-31-2006, 03:00 PM
#28
AudiWorld Uber User
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 66,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If his car payment budget is only $150/mo...
I'm betting his maintenance budget is $0. Frankly, the maintenance budget for the S needs to be $150/mo, probably more if he finds anything in the $13K price range. That assumes nothing catastrophic happens (turbos)...because that will require more debt to fix.
He's looking at the wrong car.
He's looking at the wrong car.
