With any sort of lowering, it’s a good idea to have
geometric check done on the car to check camber and
alignment, which can prove invaluable in the long run.
The more radical of these cars can sport up to 470BHP
using parts from the later Audi RS4 and after some
expensive tuning work.
Bodywork
Avoid vehicles with panels that do not line up, cars with
spoilers or body kits that have not been correctly fitted
and look out for any signs of poorly repaired accident
damage or forced entry.
The Audi S4 comes fully galvanised and has
a 10-year anti-corrosion perforation
warranty. This puts the “rust-bug” nicely
to sleep.
If a car has replacement alloy wheels, enquire as to
where the originals are. This way you can replace them
if you don’t like the ones fitted or have yourself an extra
set of winter tires.
Ensure that the wheels are free of scrapes and chips –
any signs of such are an indication of neglect and hard
driving.
Open all the doors, one at a time and close them – check
that doors have not dropped on their hinges and that
they close first time without slamming or bouncing off
the rubber seals in the doorway. Do the same with the
bonnet and boot-lid (hood and trunk).
If the car exhibits rust of any kind on the body or under
the bonnet, you should walk away.
Check for stone chips or other damage
Check in the boot under the spare tyre. All S4s come
with a full size spare and tools including a jack. Look
for signs of damage or repair. Check under the cars
sills for damage by poor jacking. Many garages (and
some owners) fail to pay attention to the jacking points
and damage suspension, plastic trim or floor pans.
Make sure that the key for the locking wheel bolts is
available and safely stored.
If the car has been lowered, check under the wheel
arches and see if any rubbing of tyres and paintwork
has occurred. Turn the steering wheel to the left and
right and again, check for rubbing or wear.
Servicing
Regular servicing and maintenance always pays
dividends. Late model Audi S4s can go 20,000 miles
without servicing due to advancements in oil, filter and
spark plug technology. In the US, servicing is
recommended every 3,000 miles, quite possibly due to
the amount of stop-start driving done in the cities.
Ideally, all servicing should be carried out by the main dealer
The S4 should always be serviced using
synthetic oil, never mineral or semi-
synthetic blends.
Ensure that a service history document is available and
check that the book exhibits all the correct stamps and
endorsements. Don’t forget to check the latter pages to
see if scheduled brake fluid changes have been
performed. From the factory, the S4 is supplied with a
glycol-based brake fluid of DOT 4 specification. Be
wary of cars that have been topped up with silicone
brake fluids, as glycol and silicone fluids are not
compatible.
It’s important to check that the brake fluid is changed at
regular intervals as glycol fluids are hygroscopic,
meaning that it absorbs water over time and looses it’s
efficiency.
Don’t compromise by viewing or selecting a
car that has not been well cared for. To do
so will result in problems and regrets soon
after purchase.
Usually, the issuing main dealer services most cars.
This means that all the stamps in the service booklet
should match. You can always check with Audi
customer services if you are in any doubt about the
authenticity of such entries.
