Buying Guide / things to look for? STFA= no help
02-12-2006, 06:37 AM
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Buying Guide / things to look for? STFA= no help
I've been Audi-less since I sold my '01 allroad last July. I've been looking for another car for a bit, and I've walked my way up the price range... I started looking for a 1.8T Passat, then went to a 1.8T '02-03 A4... but then I started to think about the S4.
I've got a MKIV Jetta Wolfsburg and I'm comfortable with all aspects of the 1.8T, but I've never done my own work on the 2.7T...
I'm leary because of the turbos... I had a 2.7T that had them fail just after I bought the car, luckilly I was able to get out of the deal. I never had a problem with my allroad, but it did have a little bit of a siren from them on cold start. That always scared me.
So... what has happened with these cars over time? Is turbo failure still a common thing, or have they pretty much been worked out? What are the other common problems that have popped up? I know the cluster displays fade out -- is there a fix for that? What else should I look for?
I searched and found a "buyer's guide" from the forums, but it was pretty simplistic.
So basically, what do I need to know in my search? Thanks!
I've got a MKIV Jetta Wolfsburg and I'm comfortable with all aspects of the 1.8T, but I've never done my own work on the 2.7T...
I'm leary because of the turbos... I had a 2.7T that had them fail just after I bought the car, luckilly I was able to get out of the deal. I never had a problem with my allroad, but it did have a little bit of a siren from them on cold start. That always scared me.
So... what has happened with these cars over time? Is turbo failure still a common thing, or have they pretty much been worked out? What are the other common problems that have popped up? I know the cluster displays fade out -- is there a fix for that? What else should I look for?
I searched and found a "buyer's guide" from the forums, but it was pretty simplistic.
So basically, what do I need to know in my search? Thanks!
02-12-2006, 07:17 AM
#3
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
S4 Buyer's guide...
<center><img src="http://www.s4-mtm.com/images/S4_buyers_guide.jpg"></center><p><ul><li><a href="http://www.s4-mtm.com/images/Audi%20S4%20Biturbo%20Buyers%20Guide%202001.09.200 4.pdf">Audi S4 Buyer's guide</a></li></ul>
![[badmoon]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23a0b0cd' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>[</text></svg>)
02-12-2006, 10:24 AM
#6
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, but I mentioned seeing that in my post...
The "guide" seems simplistic and doesn't cover what to look for as they get older... faded displays, etc.
I'm looking at one this afternoon. Local car spec'd exactly as I would want, miles are a bit high (84k), but everything else sounds good. We'll see...
I'm looking at one this afternoon. Local car spec'd exactly as I would want, miles are a bit high (84k), but everything else sounds good. We'll see...
02-12-2006, 02:35 PM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Turbo failure has not been worked out with K03s. As for
the cluster displays, there is no solution besides replacing the cluster... yet. Look down a few threads and you'll see a potential fix, but it may be some time...
It seems to be a crapshoot with how long the turbos will last. Most aren't too terribly bummed when they go (as long as they have some cash set aside) since it means it's stage 3 time!
About the only tip I can think of is too ask about maintenence - in particular the timing belt (60K service).
Lastly, despite the anxiety that reading this forum may impart, I cannot emphasize enough how happy I have been with my purchase (bought in October).
Oh, and chip it!
It seems to be a crapshoot with how long the turbos will last. Most aren't too terribly bummed when they go (as long as they have some cash set aside) since it means it's stage 3 time!
About the only tip I can think of is too ask about maintenence - in particular the timing belt (60K service).
Lastly, despite the anxiety that reading this forum may impart, I cannot emphasize enough how happy I have been with my purchase (bought in October).
Oh, and chip it!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cactus_s4
Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3
10
12-23-2002 10:35 AM
Siper2
A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
2
08-28-1999 11:08 AM