Currently looking at picking up my first Audi - (No, I'm not going to ask about what to look for, that's gained simply by spending a few hours reading the deluge of posts on that subject). What I will ask however, is which of the two that I am looking at would you consider.

1. - 05 S4 Avant - 130,000kms - Some ECU tuning and custom cat back exhaust by a company in Oregon?? Claimed 30-40bhp bump with speed limit removed...Really nice looking car - AUTO
2 - 05 S4 Avant - 94,000kms - No major upgrades - All recent maintenance completed including all the little "foibles" typical of these cars - MANUAL

Both are within dollars of each other...

I love the performance mods of the first one, but I LOVE MANUALS!! How good are these new Auto's? Will I be seeing similar performance out of the manual due to less drivetrain loss? or do the new auto's not lose that much?

Thanks for any help on the subject.
Here's hoping I can become a contributing member sooner than later...

 

Get the manual and get the performance mods done later!
my 2cents!

 

Without seeing the cars themselves my questions would be directed to you rather than the cars. I see you prefer standard and a standard in an S4 Avant is not that commom. You also mention that the Manual car has all the maintenance done but you didn't mention that with the other car.

On the surface if your really like manual and get the automatic you might always be kicking yourself for doing that. There are some terrific power upgrades for these vehicles and working with a clean slate affords you the opportunity to do some research and make the upgrades that make sense to you.

Let us know what you end up with and good luck.

 

Thanks for the questions - Should have included that originally.
The Auto is v.clean, and has all it's maintenance records, and as of this moment requires nothing. The gentleman who owns it drives nearly 45000km a year, so it see's a LOT of hwy driving...
But I think you're comment around regretting the auto if I don't do the manual is spot on.
I also do prefer the idea of doing my own performance modifications as I've done a lot of this in the past with my Volvo's. Certainly gives it a more personal touch.
I was just looking at it from a $$ point of view. Given that both cars were equal in price, but one had a good couple grand in upgrades...
Fairly certain I will go with the manual, I like manuals so much I swapped one in on my current car...Good times.

Can't wait to pick one of these up and start exploring a new world...

 

All things being equal I probably would have chosen the manual as well and do my own upgrades as cash became available.

I love my S4 sedan. Would love to have an avant.

Good luck and post up some pics when you get it.

 

My choice: Manual. Always hated automatics ... that is until my current whip ...

 

Thanks again everyone for your input, here are the details of the car I'm looking at:
Up forsale is my 2005 Audi S4 Avant.

- Silver Exterior
- Black leather/Grey Alcantra interior
- Brushed aluminum dash accents, not the standard wood grain ones!
- 6 speed manual
- 4.2 V8 with 340 hp
- Multi function steering wheel
- Heated seats
- Sun roof
- 94,000kms (Yes, km, not miles…it's been converted via Audi)
- Bi-Xenon headlights (were not available on the 04 S4s)

The list of maintenance that's been done is a good one, nothing has been let go, forgotten about or not dealt with. I am very **** about my cars and have been diligent to stay ahead of any maintenance or common issue by just fixing them before they even need it. This is what's been done in the last 6 months or so:

- Front pads and rotors (Hawk pads and OEM Rotors)
- Rear pads and rotors (OEM Pads and Rotors)
- New Starter (OEM, not aftermarket)
- New valve cover gaskets
- New tensioner and replaced both pullies
- Serpentine Belt (Was due at 100k but done at 80k)
- All new updated coil packs
- New APR Snub mount
- New Spark plugs
- New air filter
- Oil Change was just done 1000kms ago
- New wipers
- Common headlight condensation issue updated and fixed
- New Apikol Rear diff mount to make for smoother shifts and driving
- Newer Dunlop tires
- Etc.

Anything here jump out at you guys?
Pictures attached: - Seems like standard fair.

 

1. lots of KMs...so bank on spending about $3000-4000 over the next 12-18 months (maintenance items, unforseen failures)

2. the auto transmission is a little boring on these cars but is very effective. My biggest concern would be if addding aftermarket exhaust, the mechatronic transmission (that's what its called) would have you in the drone zone (1500-2000rpm) constantly. Would get annoying not being able to control that.

Just get one that hasn't been modded and pray that it's in great shape. There are dozens of things that could turn you upside down on buying one of these cars, and its very hard to identify them from 1000 miles away. Just do your homework.

 

Ya, the kms scare me away on the auto for sure.

I'm definitely more inclined towards the one(2005 Manual) I posted with all the details....seems to have had a the majority of the "bad" things fixed...I'm still going to budget for a good 3-5K worth of work over the next year or two...but that's all part of owning a car of this pedigree...I can also do the exhaust at anytime in the future...


I drove a black S4 Avant yesterday with the Miltek exhaust system on it, and the sound made my ears wet...absolutely amazing...I would take it in a heart beat, but the dealership currently has very little history on it...so that makes it almost an immediate no go...we'll see...

 

NO question that the Milltek is an awesome exhaust mated to the V8. My RS4 got compliments at least weekly (even ladies would make mention of the sound!).

I'd personally choose a car with CPO and unknown history over one without CPO ... obviously having the car checked out by someone you trust is a given.