to be honest, i've been considering this boat as well...except I want more driving experience so I want a manual....which led me to think that maybe it's finally time to pull the trigger on a B5 S4. 300hp GS400 -> 260hp S4...oh well, it's more fun. All my non-car friends think it's a step down. Most of my car friends think it's a cool car. I loved this car since I was 16 (I'm 26 now) and always wanted one.

I've been doing some research but contrary to what I used to think, B5 Audi, especially latter models aren't too bad; not as reliable as Lexus though. I've talked to a few owners in the States and Japan but B5 (S4 and RS4) owners said it's not too bad. From what I gathered, besides what listed above, half shaft boots go out (what car doesn't?), water pump goes out (its underneath the intake manifold, between the cylinder bank like in our xUZ engine ), and a line of display going out (but this just seem to be pure luck. also, you just cant fix this...the whole assy has to be replaced).

but then again, I'm also considering keeping the Lexus for a dd since I love it to death and adding a S2000

 

the water pump you mentioned that is between the cylinder valley is the coolant after run pump, it is not the main cooling system pump, that is on the front of the engine and is run by the timing belt. the after run pump turns on after the vehicle gets to a certain temp then is turned off, to circulate coolant to the turbos to cool them down, but basically everything else you and everyone listed are common issues linkarm balljoints camshaft and camshaft hydraulic adjuster seals leak, propeller shaft seal's tend to leak and the usual crappy german plastic trim that breaks... i work on these car's everyday 5 days a week and have been doing so for over 5 years at a dealer and have recieved countless hours of training on specific audi training im actually going to new a4 training next month and can't wait. my advice get an extended warranty... it will pay for itself in the long run. i usually get asked why i don't work for lexus since i like em so much, well what i tell people is, you can't fix working cars and in the world of technicians most are paid flat rate and if you don't have broken cars to fix or stuff to sell you don't make money. if i wanted to do services all day sure i'd go work at toyota or lexus or something like that, but i love money and this is where its at right now

 

I do realize that I'm fully capable of 98mph in the 1.8T Audi as well, but I tend to drive that fast in the GS400 because it's such a short and effortless trip up to such speeds. I know all cars can drive that fast--but I know it takes varying degrees of effort based on the car's performance, and I tend to follow it that way. In my Miata before the GS, I felt comfortable at normal 75-85mph (speeds that socal CHP usually doesn't pull you for, since everyone's moving at that speed). In the Land Cruiser, it was the same, but the GS4.....at 75-85....it feels like childplay...


anyway. The particular model that I'm looking at right now is a 2001, with about 45K miles on the odometer. 5-speed manual, and according to my dad, perhaps the most ****-retentive person in the world, says the car is exceptionally clean, inside and out. And given that I tend to do most things DIY, I think it for the most things I can handle as well...

But besides keeping the GS4, any other suggestions for a car for $10K?

 

Get a GS300 and some wheels

 

as long as you got money, teo of my friends have started driving and one has a 1989 944 and a 2000 a4, and even though the 944 is A LOT OLDER it has had way less problems then the a4 which he has only been driving for about 4 months. And let me just say that both of them oaid for their own cars before you jump on them for being spoiled haha. If you want, i will give you my es for your gs maybe that will help haha

 

o and for ten grand you can get a 323, a 325, acura cl or tl, an older c class, a4's as mentioned, an old 633 or 635(my choice) older e classes and 5 series, and the sc's of course, i am basically in the same boat and these are al i have considered haah

 

These cars don't have very many electrical problems. The closest thing to that would be the fried abs modules and flooded CCM modules in the Passat (clogged sunroof drains), but serious electrical problems were commonplace to older 90s Audis, not these. There are more serious problems like sludge in the 1.8T's to be worried about. Make sure the oil was changed with synthetic at the proper intervals. 89 octane is ok to run in these cars (ecm will compensate), but not if you chip it, then 91 only. And as mentioned, there are the front suspension issues (control arms/cv boots) - common to Passats and 3-series as well.

These are very fun to drive cars though, certainly more entertaining in the twistys than a GS400 (sorry, it's a boat compared to this). Taut steering, excellent directional stability (especially on the highway, drive one you'll see), and very nicely weighted steering. Yes the GS may be easy to get to 98MPH, but the A4 will feel extremely poised at that speed. I do this all the time in my Passat (B5 platform) and the stability is unparalleled even compared to cars like the Acura TL. It's easy to see these cars were designed to be plowing down the autobahn at 155MPH. I say go for it, but be away that these are German cars that require regular love.

 

having worked on audi and lexus in the dealership, i'll just say, dont buy the audi. they're junk, bottom line.
stupid things break that shouldnt and when they do, you'll have to pay a ridiculous amount of money for hte part and the labor, because, as much as you think you can work on your car, audi's are totally different animals. what looks like a 1 hour job is usually about 3 hours.
working on a toyota/lexus is very very easy compared to an audi.
actually, audi's are probably the hardest cars to work on of all lines.
things that you take for granted in your lexus will suddenly be failing in the audi and you'll immediately regret your decision.
the engine is a very good engine, very reliable by itself but it's the supporting systems that fail all the time.

front ball joints, there are several on eadch side. they fail all the time. 45k miles is prime mileage for this stuff to start going out. the ball joints come with the control arms. try pricing a control arm sometime and the labor involved just for one. on a gs, you have what, one upper and one lower? and it's usually only the lower that goes out unless the car has super high miles.

if you like oil leaks, an audi is for you! rear diff seals, cam seals, driveshaft seals they all start leaking way before 100k miles.
besides, an a4 will hit some good speeds faster than you would think just based on hp. you'll be speeding just as much in that if you can't control yourself. probably more becuase it is more nimble.

 

i'd love to own an E24 or E28! gosh those are sexy if done right.
also, W201 190E 2.5-16 or W124 E500 (may not be in your price range for a good one....but if you want to slow down, this isn't for you)

 

190e 16v 2.3 its a fantastic small car

 

lucky you!
and good thing i can't find one in a stick or i'd be tempted to buy one...

 

i had one of those 190e 2.3 16v's about 10 years ago. i loved it!