Are B5 Audi S4 Actually Unreliable?

[@danielchmiel4143]

They're reliable after you pull the engine out, refresh everything, replace sensors, replace gaskets, replace turbos, delete sai, pcv, everything vac related, convert coil packs. The reason people hate them is whenever theres a turbo issue or a boost issue, you have to pull the motor to get to anything. I still love mine though

That can be said about any older Audi, Just gotta keep with maintanence up to date and you are good. Keep puring those moneys in. I daily drive C6 3.0TDi with 370kms on the clock. Did mechanical refresh and i love it. Getting S4 this year as garage queen.

[@jayjesuswake3140]

Never buy a neglected s4 b5....they are actually very very reliable

[@redlinedyl]

100%

[@brandonb88]

The cam chain tensioner pads love to shatter after 20 plus years on these. If they haven’t been done, get ready for it.

[@puppetmasterI2]

I love my 2002 S4, has 209k miles on it with a stage one. I do beat the balls off mine but I do all my own work in a shop so its not so bad for me at all. Will keep driving it as long as I'm willing to put the effort into it. Also love my C7 A6, a simple tune and it's already over 400 horse, fun and still relaible

[@roboduck9760]

Been Daily Driving my B5 S4 stage 3 150k for many months now and through winter. Zero issues with the car. Going to do the R8 coil pack conversion here (having some issues stuttering when cold) also with Bigger injectors and pump to go E85 this summer. Car was built to stage 3 10k ago no issues.

[@unknown-sy4lq]

My a6 is proof if you take care they last forever. Shes a rare model with the b5 s4 drive terrain. It has 263k miles and i still daily drive it 45min one way 5 days a week and i RARELY have any issues and when i do its some stupid vacum line that takes 5 min to change out. Love my 2.7 makes beautiful power and never lets me down

[@poponnecle]

Absolutely correct bro. A race car always breaks. Once you’re racing, something will eventually break or worn out.

[@braapforce]

As a 5+ year b5 owner. Well put my friend 😁

[@dudu86240]

That's funny because I also own a turbo mx5, way far from yours power range and I'm looking for a S4 ! I own a E91 325i N52 engine but it has no torque for towing the miata when I go to the Nordschleife. I'm still in hesitation between a B5 or a B8, I'm a bit afraid about the reliabity and lot of aged stuffs I have to replace, but in the same time,I love the B5 so much. I do almost everything on my cars and I've a friend who is professional mechanic so he has all the tools and the knowledge I need. Anyway we'll see when the BMW will be sold, it will depend what model I'm going to find first !

[@86TDC]

They have an auxiliary water pump under the intake that runs the coolant after shutoff also

[@sawyercrosby3710]

My 2002 A6 with a 2.7t had 190k miles on the original engine and turbos. I drove it 40k miles in 2 years and only had a PCV and ICM failure. Other than that it ran phenomenal, even with me thrashing it.

[@redlinedyl]

Awesome!!

[@denvernn]

Great insights!

[@JNAMOTORSPORTS]

Basically you need to pull the motor and do absolutely full maintenance at like 110-120k and do a re seal and replace all sensors with turbos

[@11THEW0RD11]

I always hear how they're so unreliable but then theres 10 of them on facebook marketplace with 180k miles. Never owned one always wanted one.

[@johnlexus1]

180 is nothing

[@alaskanlangolier8622]

Im looking at buying a 2000 B5 S4 that is torn apart because the timing belt broke, so this thing is nice but possibly neglected also. What would price for it? It's got a stage 2 and some upgraded DV's, intake pipe and few other minor mods, stock KO3's though and 118k miles on it. It will come with some low milage 2.7T heads but I'd probably off those for the 2.8 heads.

[@jdm2gdm]

Yeah I'd stick to a B8.5 S4/S5 with the sport diff (if it has a "Drive Select" button, it has the sport diff). It's just a better car all around (interior, performance, handling, etc.) unless you like doing your own wrenching...a lot of wrenching...a lot...

[@DirkOz]

B5 A4 1.8Tq easier wrenching.

[@reallife4598]

It not the reliant the access to maintenance it

[@davidc750]

They are reliable considering it is early 2000's Audi. If you don't expect it to be a Toyota and treat like one, you should be fine.

[@JNAMOTORSPORTS]

Every B5 is 10-15k in maintenance give or take. Thats with and without mods or paying someone

[@b5Bart]

no they are not if properly maintained, when you buy a 185k one from a 17 year old then they sure are, ive been doing b5 shit for 10+ years with minor issues here n there

[@caseyyarborough8904]

put the peelers on the noggy

[@calebyoung1579]

Audi, in general, is a maintenance cost nightmare no matter who owned it before you. I own 3 differnt Audis. If you dont perform your own work... dont bother.

[@aw_shucks17]

Yessir

[@audigw]

I've had mine for 10 years BW K04 car, all I did was properly tune it from a base tune. Don't buy a china build and buy a well maintained car.

[@whcwcjecjecuecuw6654]

So they are unreliable

[@milesallen5590]

Like owning any other Audi basically.

[@alfredohaynes5752]

P r o m o s m 😔

[@NoWacko]

That numberplate is untasteful af bro!

[@naughtydog8579]

had my b5 1.8 since 2012, bout to finally get stage 3 setup. turbo waiting, just few more support mods done. Is that greddy turbo thing pretty easy to install?