Usual stuff, how does this gen hold up, are some good, others you want run away screaming?
Usual stuff, how does this gen hold up, are some good, others you want run away screaming?
Or, how about a nice 6sp version?
I presume same same, but the difference between my 3rd gen Focus manual and the DCT versions was gas and oil for 90k and grenaded transmissions if you were so lucky (and a lot were...)
They eat timing chains and wheel bearings. I've seen a few seize balance shafts but they were generally not well maintained/abused. Oil consumption issues were improved after 2012. A good maintenance history is important.
I had a 2015. Keep an eye on timing chains. Seem to be about $1200-$1500 to replace if you have it done. Wheel bearings are an issue. I had no issues with mine before it was totaled. My wife has a 15 allroad now. Knock on wood, no issues at 64k miles. I do 5k oil change intervals and have done all other fluids. Brakes at 55k miles. So far so good.
You'll probably want the sport seats. Get a VAGCOM or other VW/Audi specific code reader.
We just sold our B8, a 2011 A4 Quattro 6-speed manual. The timing chains are a non-negotiable maintenance item. No paperwork means they've never been done. The main one is in the front and there's a cam to cam one in the back of the head. The oil consumption is real in these, even when everything is working right expect a quart every 1000 miles.
I preferred the B7 A4 in every metric except styling. It has a better front suspension and steering setup and a much more robust engine. We sold ours with 180k miles on it running like a Swiss watch. Still miss that one.
With all Audi's, the options are very a la cart, and there is some stark differences between a low spec one and a loaded one. The original MMI can still be updated to this day and is very slick. Get the manual no matter what.
Shoot. I thought I posted this question, but didn't... I digress.
Timing chain replacement DIY - horrible, budget an entire weekend plus, or just a Saturday job?
OldGray320i (Forum Supporter) said:Shoot. I thought I posted this question, but didn't... I digress.
Timing chain replacement DIY - horrible, budget an entire weekend plus, or just a Saturday job?
Involved but not horrible, just a time and money sink. Budget an entire weekend. The entire nose comes off and the rad support goes into a "service position". There are multiple special tools that are absolutely required and very expensive. The rear one is not as much of a maintenance item and can be done from up top in car, but it's a pretty difficult job. The same job on the B7 is easier and requires less special tools. Neither is terribly difficult, just time consuming.
This is from Classic, but it does cover the S4 (and A4) from 2009-2015:
In reply to Colin Wood :
To update that article now, the 7DCT in the S4 has high rates of failure on the mechatronic unit and the TCU. The B&O sounds system is also optional. The 333 HP supercharged V6 can easily be bumped to over 400 HP with just an ECU tune on 93 octane. Dual pulleys, CAI, and a cat-back exhaust with a more aggressive tune gets deep into the 500 HP territory. The Audi Drive Select option really does make it a completely different car with a push of the button by adjusting the steering, engine, transmission, suspension (B8.5), and rear diff (of required). The Sport Diff lives up to the internet hype, nothing I've ever driven has gripped like that on the street.
On the A4 side, Audi seriously updated the 2.0T engine from the B8 to B8.5 generation to try and get a handle on oil consumption. You can upgrade everything on a B8 to match except for the piston rings unless you rebuild the engine. Power is the same and so is the maintenance including timing chains.
I try to explain a little bit about the updates for oil consumption here:
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