C4 S4 New Guy. Need Advice

[darkslash]

From what I can tell, there are a lot more S6's available in my area. Are there many differences between the S6 and S4? I know the motor is the same, but what are the major differences? IS the S6 a lot bigger of a chassis?

[darkslash]

Originally Posted by darkslash

From what I can tell, there are a lot more S6's available in my area. Are there many differences between the S6 and S4? I know the motor is the same, but what are the major differences? IS the S6 a lot bigger of a chassis?

Actually it seems as though the motors were different... Care to elaborate on the differences?

[UrS4boy]

Originally Posted by darkslash

Actually it seems as though the motors were different... Care to elaborate on the differences?

The AAN engines in the UrS4 and UrS6 are the same. The C4 chassis are the same. Differences include the exterior cosmetics (front fenders, bumpers, headlights, hood, side mouldings, wheels, etc). UrS6s build after July 95 no longer have the electronic differential lock on the rear differential. Instead the ABS system provides an EDL (electronic differential lock) effect by applying the brake(s) on the rear spinning wheel(s).

[darkslash]

Originally Posted by UrS4boy

The AAN engines in the UrS4 and UrS6 are the same. The C4 chassis are the same. Differences include the exterior cosmetics (front fenders, bumpers, headlights, hood, side mouldings, wheels, etc). UrS6s build after July 95 no longer have the electronic differential lock on the rear differential. Instead the ABS system provides an EDL (electronic differential lock) effect by applying the brake(s) on the rear spinning wheel(s).

Ok so for the most important things... they are the same car. That's very good to know.. as the availability seems to be different in my area. I was under the impression that the S6 was a bigger car.

[GoHeels]

This might be of interest to you -- http://s-cars.org/site/archives/630

I use my S6 as a daily driver. I dont put lots of city miles on it, but its been reliable for me, as was my S4.
I was fortunate that both of mine were in good shape when I purchased them.

The S6 I drive now, I flew to Denver to buy. Bought 2 plane tickets and took a friend - also took the fuzz-buster and a nice set of binoculars, so he could scan for cops while we cannonball'd back to Carolina at 100+ after taking it up Pikes Peak first.

Its been great for 3 years now - about 15k miles

[darkslash]

Originally Posted by GoHeels

This might be of interest to you -- http://s-cars.org/site/archives/630

I use my S6 as a daily driver. I dont put lots of city miles on it, but its been reliable for me, as was my S4.
I was fortunate that both of mine were in good shape when I purchased them.

The S6 I drive now, I flew to Denver to buy. Bought 2 plane tickets and took a friend - also took the fuzz-buster and a nice set of binoculars, so he could scan for cops while we cannonball'd back to Carolina at 100+ after taking it up Pikes Peak first.

Its been great for 3 years now - about 15k miles

Awesome man. I was talking to a friend about possibly flying out to Oregon for a super clean one I recently found. I am super excited to get hunting and find the perfect one. These cars are amazing.

[GoHeels]

Here's the year by year changes -- cant find the link so I'll try and copy/paste



SPOTTERS GUIDE
This is an overview of the changes made to the UrS during its model run. This guide does not necessarily include all mechanical changes.
Model Year
Exterior
Interior
1992 S4
steel sunroof
heating elements form "quattro" script in rear windscreen
black side moldings and trim
amber front marker lights
IR receivers on B pillars
rear deck lid badge configuration: "Audi" script (L), "four rings" logo (C), and S4 badge (R)
rear sway bar
elm trim
trip computer with boost gauge
ABS switch
manual rear differential lock switch in center console
"open" headrests
under hood light
prop rod has extension button to allow the hood to open to a greater degree
1993 S4
glass sunroof
no "quattro" script in rear windscreen
rear deck lid badge configuration: S4 badge (L), "four rings" logo (C), "quattro" script badge (R)
carbon fiber trim
no trip computer (no boost gauge)
no ABS switch
passenger airbag
1994 S4
restyled mirrors
smaller RH mirror
walnut trim
oil pressure gauge replaced with voltmeter
no under hood light
extensible prop rod phased out
1995 S6
restyled bumper caps and side moldings (now body colored)
restyled headlights and hood
front marker lights now have an amber trailing edge
no IR receivers as RF is phased in
Avus wheels phased in
rear deck lid badge configuration: S6 badge (L), "four rings" logo (C)
3 spoke sport steering wheel phased in
chrome trim around gauges phased in
electronic odometer phased in
solid headrests phased in
1995.5 S6
no changes
different stereo head unit (wider)
all windows now have express down
front windows have express up
no differential lock switch (S6 now equipped with Quattro IV w/ EDL)
1996 S6
no changes
sound system information no longer appears in dash display
1997 S6
no changes
no changes
Steve Mills

[darkslash]

I cant figure out how to add edits to posts on here

I wanted to ask, how quick would you be to jump on a slight fixer upper, something that needed around $500 of body work and some slight exhaust work? Are these cars rare enough that I should settle on the best clean deal, or should I be picky and go wherever necessary to get a nice clean one? I know this is a personal opinion, but I dont know the exact current state of availability of clean ones in the states.

[scarman]

I could accept doing some mechanical work that might have been postponed/neglected on a vehicle (as much as I don"t like brake or suspension work or cleaning up someone's mess left from ignoring oil and hydraulic fluid leaks.

When you get to body work and interior/upholstery work, these are things that don't normally lend themselves to DIY jobs. Limiting that body/paint work is difficult, and even a partial respray is expensive. Replacement seats are nearly impossible to find in good condition anymore, and upholstery work is an expensive undertaking. The price of your "slight" fixer upper needs to reflect these facts. Don't let youself be distracted by a set of Big Reds on the front brakes or even RS2 stuff if you want a car that at least looks decent. You can't have much pride in a car when the drivers seat has been trashed and the exterior needs so much everywhere you look.

None of this appraisal has mentioned the engine. If there are issues there, seriously think about the plan that will fix those problems, most likely resulting in the car not being roadworthy for an extended period after purchase.

[GoHeels]

Might not be able to edit yet -- some forums are like that

I waited until I found a clean stock S6 in good shape for ~$5,000 -- there are super nice ones for upwards of 10k, but you should be able to find a nice one for less if you're persistent and patient

might not be able to be picky about color and everything, but they are out there -- perhaps a few good ones worth considering come up each month in that range -- if you find one that only needs ~$500 worth of anything, dont let that get in the way