Audi S4 Biturbo Buyer's Manual

The Audi S4 Biturbo
A buyers guide
By Nilesh Ramrattan
1. Homework
2. Model Specifics
3. Choosing a Vehicle
4. Options
5. Finding an S4
6. The phone call
7. Modifications
8. Bodywork
9. Servicing
10. Recalls
11. Test Drive
12. Transmission
13. Brakes
14. Electrical
15. Engine
16. Interior
17. Screening
18. A time to buy...
19. Buyers Checklist
20. Checklist
O
K – So now you've done your homework – you've
decided that you want a fast yet understated saloon or
estate car (sedan or station wagon).
You'll want a car that will last, a car that is
safe, sure footed, and to a certain degree a
car that you can "grow" with.
You want a six-speed manual or tiptronic transmission,
permanent four-wheel drive, and a six cylinder turbo-
charged engine with the very latest five-valve per
cylinder technology, superb build quality, and lots of
"go".
You've convinced your better half and your bank
manager, you've checked with the insurance company
that you can be covered and you've satisfied your
conscience that you've made the "right" choice.
You've made the decision to buy an Audi S4. Here's
how to make the vision into reality...
Model Specifics
Where do you go from here? Well, firstly you might
want to appreciate that the Audi S4 biturbo was first
released in Europe in 1998, with North America and
Canada being introduced to the model in 2000, so there
are actually two different models available in Europe.
The external differences can be seen quite quickly, with
early vehicles featuring square side-repeaters, thin
body-mouldings, flush mounted door handles, and
The Audi S4 Biturbo
Xenon headlamps with separate indicators. It takes
quite an eye to see, but you may also note that the door-
mirrors on earlier cars are not quite as "angular" as
those of its successor.
You'll also need to know when browsing through local
classifieds and dealer pages that an S4 listed as circa
1994 is not a misprint, and while it is a fabulous car,
you do not want to waste valuable time looking at it!
The early S4's (or urS4's as they are sometimes
referred to) are based on the last model Audi 100 cars,
and feature a 20-valve 5-cylinder turbocharged engine
as found in the Audi S2.
Audi S4's V6 Biturbo Power Plant
Choosing a vehicle
By choosing an Audi S4 biturbo, you've actually cut
out some major hassles usually associated with car
buying right from the start.
At the time of writing, the oldest Audi S4 biturbos have
only been in circulation for under 3-years. This means
that in most cases, you can rely on them having
relatively low mileages, having been well looked after,
sporting service history from the main dealer, and still
benefiting from the manufacturers warranty.
Problems such as rust, mechanical wear, and other such
issues do not really come into the equation when
buying an S4, especially since the car is fully
galvanised and because it is exceptionally robust. But,
as with all cars (and there is a but), there are some
issues you do need to be made aware of – most of
which stem from cars that have been modified, cars that
have been poorly repaired after accidents and cars that
have been repaired after vandalism.
Be aware that although the Audi S4 biturbo is limited to
a low annual production figure, there is a good quantity
available on the market to choose from, so if at first you
don't find quite what you're looking for, try the next
one!
For worry free motoring it is recommended that you
choose an example with low to average mileage, a