Re: S4/S6 model year differences

["Frank Amoroso" <famoroso@sprintmail.com>]

My $0.02...
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Mills <smillsx@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: S4/S6 model year differences


>Mike, Ian-
>
> These are the differences as far as I've been able to compile- if anyone
>has any additions/corrections, let me know. This list is for US spec cars.
>
>92 S4-
> Exterior: Steel sunroof, black side moldings & bumper trim, amber front
>markers, under hood light.
> Interior: Wood trim, trip computer w/boost guage, driver's side airbag,
>ABS on/off switch, infrared remote.
> Wheels/Suspension: Stiffest (factory) springs, 5 spoke 16 X 8 wheels, rear
>swaybar.
> Driveline: Highest incidence of transmission problems.

Interior wood is lighter, Zebrano? I forget.
Also some '92's came with factory strut bar. Extra washer bottle in the
passenger side cowl of the engine compartment.

>
>93 S4- Same as 92 except:
> Exterior: Glass sunroof.
> Interior: Carbon fiber trim, no trip computer, driver and passenger side
>airbags.
> Wheels/Suspension: Softer springs, no rear swaybar.
> Driveline: Fewer transmission problems, but still a potential problem.

Some early '93s still came with the lighter wood. After that I believe you
could special order the darker walnut from the 100.
Somewhere after '93 you lose the really cool hood shock housing that allows
you to open the hood almost 90 degrees.

>
>94 S4- Same as 93 except:
> Exterior: No under hood light.
> Interior: Wood trim.
> Driveline: Transmission problems mostly eliminated.

Also somewhere along the way (late '94 I believe) the oil press gauge was
heaved in favor of the costlier (kidding) voltmeter.

>
>95 S6- S6 Avant added-
> Exterior: Restyled bumper caps and side moldings (body color), clear front
>markers?, restyled mirrors, RF remote.
> Interior: 3 spoke sport steering wheel.
> Wheels/suspension: 6 spoke 16 X 7.5 Avus-style wheels.

Front markers are not entirely clear as the trailing edge has a little amber
on it. Not all S6s came with Avus wheels some (early ones I assume) came
with S4 wheels. All of them have voltmeters and silver trim rings around the
gauges. Odo and trip odo are now electronic. Different headlights (no HID in
US) and corresponding hood.

Late '95s had solid headrests.

>
>95.5 S6/S6 Avant: Same as 95 except:
> Interior: Some cloth interior cars.
> Driveline: Quattro IV w/EDL.

Different stereo. Cigarette lighter relocated to center console. Solid
headrests. Some with cloth door panels.
Saw a cloth interior Avant with carbon the other day and it really freaked
me out.

>
> The only S4/S6 specific weak point is the transmission. Otherwise, all
>normal Audi turbo potential trouble spots apply- bomb, turbo oil & coolant
>lines, timing belt, etc. The engine compartment is deceptively simple from
>the top, so make sure you take a good look at any potential purchase while
>the car is on a lift- the packaging density is pretty impressive from
below.

Some S4s have been spotted with UFO brakes. Different years had the cell
phone brain mounted in different parts of the trunk. Somewhere along the
line the rear cigarette lighter was deleted from the center console. Too bad
I like it. I keep my phone plugged in there and it is switchable using the
window lock.

Frank--
>
> HTH-
>
> Steve
>
>>
>>Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 09:00:01 EDT
>>From: LawtonMK@aol.com
>>Subject: S4 model year differences.
>>
>>I'm in the early stages of contemplating an S4 purchase. Were there any
>>significant model-year changes through the production range? Were there
any
>>improvements, or common faults to look for when inspecting a potential
>>purchase???
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Mike Lawton
>
>
>