[s-cars] What to look for in a used B5 S4

[David Kase]

torque converters crap only on S4?  Good point.  I was at my local 
private Audi garage 2 weeks ago and there were FIVE B5 S4's there that 
all needed torque converters.  Maybe squids are running the p!ss out of 
them.

crap turbos?  I thought you had to do several other upgrades (like 
injectors +) to get the full advantage of the K04's.  I don't want to 
loose my low end torque with my K03's and was told I would have to do 
several mods to keep that torque curve with K04's.  Comments?

BPV's?   I have Baileys on mine from the PO.  The car was bone stock so 
I suppose they were done for reliability reasons.  Mihnea recommends the 
225TT valves (I have the part number if you need it).

TB?  I concur that the removal of the front makes the TB change easier.  
This is what I did with all my CQ's.   The problem is that garages 
charge a premium to do a TB on one of these.  $1300+

Kase


Theodore Chen wrote:
> i've got a B5 S4 avant with tip.
>
>   
>> Torque 
>>     
> converters 
> are 
> crap 
> in 
> the 
> automatics
>
> i've heard this, but i wonder how much of this has to do with the typical driver of an S4.  what about the allroad and A6 2.7T with tiptronic?  do they have reliability issues?
>
>   
>> turbos 
>>     
> fail 
> and 
> are 
> expensive 
> to 
> have 
> replaced 
> (labor 
> intensive)
>
> been there, done that (under warranty).  my car sports K04s now.  :)
>
>   
>> upper 
>>     
> and 
> lower 
> control 
> arms 
> need 
> to 
> be 
> replaced 
> if 
> there 
> are 
> a 
> few miles 
> on 
> the 
> car
>
> mine are OK at 55k miles, but the tie rod ends had to be replaced.
>
>   
>> stock 
>>     
> turbo 
> BPV's 
> are 
> crap
>
> mine seem to be OK, but i should replace them.  i don't want a bad BPV to kill my K04s.  i hear the BPV used on the 225hp TT is the way to go.
>
>   
>> dash 
>>     
> computer 
> displays 
> are 
> always 
> dead 
> by 
> this 
> age
>
> works OK on mine, but occasionally there's a random line not working.  i suspect corrosion in the connector.  i haven't gotten around to looking for it.
>
>   
>> ashtray 
>>     
> does 
> not 
> open 
> on 
> any 
> of 
> the 
> cars 
> I 
> looked 
> at
>
> works fine on mine.
>
>   
>> timing 
>>     
> belt 
> changes 
> are 
> expensive 
> (must 
> remove 
> front 
> of 
> car) 
> - 
> you 
> know the 
> rule, 
> no 
> records 
> = 
> needs 
> new 
> tb
>
> it's no different than any other car with a timing belt.  and i view the removal of the front of the car to be a feature, not a bug.  it is much easier to do the timing belt and water pump with the front opened up.  you can stand right next to the engine instead of having to lean over to jam your hands into a cramped space with poor visibility.  opening up the front of the car doesn't take very long, and is well worth the time in the aggravation it saves.
>
>   
>> '01.5's 
>>     
> and 
> '02's 
> are 
> supposed 
> to 
> have 
> some 
> improvements 
> in 
> turbo lubrication 
> or 
> cooling 
> (?)
>
> lubrication.  oil feed lines are supposed to be better.  all B5 S4 avants have this improvement.  my turbos died anyway.
>
>
>
>
>