[Biturbos4] Turbos Reliability & Replacement Cost (was: 2000 S4Running Hot)

[Vincent Huang]

MY2K S4.  Built 7/99.  Mine was one from the first batch of S4s to ever
reach these shores.  92K miles on original turbos.  Syn (Mobil 1) oil change
3k - 5k miles.  Did belts, water pump etc etc at 60k miles.  Will do the
same at 100k miles.

I've had the car modified for most of its life.  GIAC X chip, downpipes,
exhaust, bypass valves.  And I've been patiently waiting for the turbos to
blow so I can step up to a stage 3+ but they've surprised me with their
longevity.  I can honestly say I am the last if not one of the last few from
the first batch of S4s that have not had to replace the turbos (Although
I've had to replace the MAF twice so far... GRRRR).

The car is 99.9999999% warmed up and cooled down each time I drive it.  By
that I don't mean sitting in the driveway idling the engine, I just drive it
off boost changing gears early and basically babying the engine.  Same thing
starting the car or nearing the end of the drive.  As long as my oil temp
stays at 200 or below, I feel I can safely turn my engine off and walk away
leaving the after run coolant pump to do its thing.

I also have a vented hood but I doubt that contributes much to the life
expectancy of the turbos.  I do believe that warming up and cooling off the
car does.  My friend who has an MY01 S4 blew his turbos before 50k miles and
AOA replaced them gratis.  He does not do the warming up and cooling down
thing, just basically rips the engine from the get go and shuts it down when
he gets wherever he is going.

My 2 cents.