Buying a new S4

[Steve Marinello]

Sue:

To add to what Brett has said about price...I was just at Crescent City
Motors here in New Orleans and they have a perfect, new pearl white six
speed that they will probably let go for near cost, maybe $38+.  Can't
fathom why it hasn't sold.  New Orleans is not big on Audi's and I'm not big
on pearl, but it is simply gorgeous on this car.  Of course, the  thing has
the Pirelli P6000's on it right now, which I couldn't wait, and probably
wouldn't, to replace.

If you still haven't done a deal, like pearl white and would do something
long distance, call them at 800-966-7222 and ask for Keith Hellmers or
Walter Barbier and mention my name.  It won't get me anything but tolerance
out there for all the times I go in and check things (with Keith) that I'm
not supposed to.  BTW, John in parts has become nationally well known on the
s-car list as providing some of the best prices on dealer only and Porsche
brake upgrade parts.

Steve


----- Original Message -----
From: "Brett Dikeman" <brett at cloud9.net>
To: "Sue Kraft" <suekraft at new.rr.com>; <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: Buying a new S4


> At 11:23 AM -0600 3/6/02, Sue Kraft wrote:
> >I am about to purchase a new 2002 S4 and would appreciate any feedback
> >on the car before I take the plunge.  Any problems that I should be
> >aware of?  Also, any info on the aftermarket performance chips that are
> >available would be helpful.  Thanks!
>
> Sue,
>
> Audi is supposedly being very aggressive about going after S4 owners
> who chip their cars; Audi Client Relations supposedly told one
> owner(who had broken turbos) that they were "going to make an example
> out of him."
>
>    I have it from a good friend that a customer of Ira Audi was told
> never to come back for service after they found an aftermarket air
> filter and chip installed(the failure was unrelated; the transmission
> lost all its oil over the course of a cross-country trip, naturally
> annoying the bejezus out of the owner, who was then less than pleased
> at being told to go away.  The dealership did repair the damage, as
> they must by law.  At least there are plenty of dealerships in the
> area happy to take the business.)
>
> As for feedback in general, the turbo bypass valves are becoming
> infamous failure items on almost all the turbo engines(they always
> have been, but it seems particularly bad in the newer cars.)  Some
> suspect this is what eventually causes turbo failure even in
> unmodified cars.  It is somewhat of a rare failure, so I wouldn't
> worry too much.
>
> Last is somewhat of a warning about depreciation; since the '99 model
> it has been consistently been given a "poor" rating for depreciation.
> 99 models are currently going for the mid-high 20's to very low 30's.
> Some have been spied at the bottom of the 20's if they have higher
> mileage.  Don't expect your car to have some astronomical resale
> value in a few years...
>
> That said, it is a car that has consistently received praise from the
> automotive press, has very good build quality and finish(save for
> that atrocious blue interior; looks horrible)...and is considered an
> excellent value in terms of what it is(small, luxury sports sedan)
> and a very practical one at that(with the fold-down seats for hauling
> an impressive amount of stuff even in the sedan, and all wheel drive
> for messy weather.)
>
> My suggestion is to enjoy the car as is for now; they're plenty quick
> enough and fun to drive for just about any taste.  If you really want
> to enjoy your car, sign up for the quattro club of America and attend
> a few driver education events; they're held on tracks, with very good
> instruction, never timed, so the emphasis is on learning and having
> fun.  I've heard a lot of stories from Audifans and QCUSA members
> about near-accidents that start out "thanks to what I learned at the
> drivers schools..."
>
> Lastly, IMHO you shouldn't pay MSRP on an S4; dealers may make a fuss
> and say the cars are selling like hotcakes; it's not entirely BS, but
> it is close.  The S4s, particularly the wagons, aren't really the hot
> sellers dealers would like them to be and its not like if you don't
> buy the car, someone else will the next day.  There should be plenty
> of room for negotiation on the price; look to get about 5% or
> slightly more, above -dealer invoice-.  Oh, and when you do purchase,
> don't take delivery of the car at night; you might want to pick it up
> in the morning, and go over it with a fine tooth comb.  Make sure all
> body panels line up, paint looks consistent and perfect, no
> dents/dings/scratches/whatever, interior including leather is in
> -perfect- shape, etc...for roughly $40k, you should be getting a
> -perfect- car in all regards.
>
> Brett
> --
> ----
> "They that give up essential liberty to obtain temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin
> http://www.users.cloud9.net/~brett/
>


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