Audi S4 2004-2008 (2004–2008)
Generation-specific owner insights from 150+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2004–2008 S4?
143
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2004–2008
7
recall campaigns
exterior lighting
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for this generation is sharply divided: nearly everyone praises the 4.2L V8's sound, power, and the way the car drives, but the same discussions are dominated by warnings about running costs and major engine work.
13 problems reported (2 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 6 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentTiming chain guide and tensioner failure
- Very frequentTiming chain service cost and engine-out labor
- RecurrentOil consumption
+ 10 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentScored cylinders requiring engine replacement
- RecurrentCold-start timing chain rattle
- RecurrentCarbon buildup requiring periodic cleaning
- RecurrentAutomatic transmission reducing resale value
- IsolatedRear turn signal and bulb holder failure
- IsolatedClutch slave cylinder failure
- IsolatedSplit block O-ring leak between the block halves
- IsolatedLifter or valvetrain noise from the intake manifold area
- IsolatedSerpentine belt failure
- IsolatedElectrical gremlins
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal favors later B7 cars (2006-2008) over early B6 cars, and manual-transmission cars are consistently valued above automatics, with one owner stating the automatic "decreases the value of these cars SIGNIFICANTLY." Avant models, especially with a manual, are described as uncommon and commanding a premium.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the B5 S4, B7 S4, B8 S4, Audi A4 and Audi RS4.
Is a 2004–2008 S4 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
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Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment for this generation is sharply divided: nearly everyone praises the 4.2L V8's sound, power, and the way the car drives, but the same discussions are dominated by warnings about running costs and major engine work. The most repeated theme is the timing chain service, described as an engine-out job with quotes ranging from roughly $3,500 to $8,000, and many owners say they would only buy a car with documented chain work. Oil consumption and scored cylinders are also raised as serious, sometimes unfixable problems. A minority of long-term owners report their cars have been reliable, particularly when maintenance is documented and they do their own work. Early B6 cars (2004-2005) are generally treated as the more problematic end of the range, while later B7 cars (2005.5-2008) are often recommended instead, though the same 4.2 V8 concerns still apply.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position this generation as the naturally aspirated V8 choice, prized for sound and character but penalized for maintenance risk. The B5 S4 is presented as cheaper to make fast and potentially more reliable at high mileage, while the B8 S4 is repeatedly recommended for better handling, better weight distribution, an optional sport differential, and far more tuning potential from its supercharged engine. The B7 S4 is treated as a styling and chassis improvement over the B6, though owners note the same engine concerns carry over. Against the Infiniti G37, one owner notes the G37 lacks the kind of common issues that can require a full engine replacement. The RS4 is referenced mainly as a source for upgraded timing guides and as a higher-performance alternative.
Recommended configurations
Owners consistently advise buying only a car with documented timing chain service, ideally performed with upgraded RS4 guides, which is described as a one-and-done fix. Manual transmission is preferred over automatic. Later B7 cars are favored over early B6 cars. One owner notes that 2006 and later manual cars have a different center differential power split than the 2005.5, and that upgrading is possible for about $500 in parts. A well-sorted, documented car is repeatedly described as worth paying a premium for.
General recommendations
This generation is recommended mainly for buyers who can do their own engine-out work or who have a trusted independent shop, and who treat it as a hobby car rather than a daily driver. Buyers are told to budget for the timing chain service immediately if it has not been done, to insist on receipts, and to walk away from cars with cold-start chain rattle, misfires, or no documentation. A pre-purchase inspection, compression test, leakdown test, and borescope inspection of the cylinders are repeatedly recommended. Short trips are flagged as potentially worsening chain issues. Owners advise against buying this car on a tight budget or as a first car.
Remarks
Owners repeatedly note that the timing chain is located at the back of the engine, which is why the repair is so expensive, and that the problem can appear at any mileage, with reports from around 30,000 miles up to 150,000 miles. Several owners describe the car as a "ticking money bomb" and note that proper maintenance does not prevent the chain or cylinder issues. Others counter that a documented, well-sorted car can be reliable for another 100,000 miles. The V8's exhaust note and the car's sleeper character are the most consistently praised traits, and the B6 body style draws strong affection from some owners. Analysis based on approximately 150 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 12 | 2 | air bags |
| 2006 | 30 | 2 | exterior lighting |
| 2005 | 43 | 2 | exterior lighting |
| 2004 | 58 | 1 | engine and engine cooling |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2008 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V427000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2008 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V032000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2006 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V427000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2006 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V032000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2005 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V427000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2005 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V032000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2004 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 05V096000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.