Overview & Reviews

For 2005, the S4 gets a new satellite/navigation/AM/FM antenna.

• Broad power band, confident handling, high-quality materials and attractive cabin design, available as a sedan, wagon or convertible.

• Not the tire smoker you would expect, small backseat, priced close to more established rivals.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 89.00

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  Time to debunk the Audi S4! - 2005 Audi S4
  By kevin raynard - November 4 - 5:03 pm

  Time to debunk some myths about this car that previous owners seem starstruck over 1/ The engine....well yes its ok but thats it, after all 340hp in a 3700lb body is NOT going to set the world on fire! For comparison the then new C5 vette in 1997 made 345hp and weighed 3400lb. So WHY does the S4 feel so lively? Very simple, its all in the gearing! It is running the equivalent of a 4.11 final drive which as any gearhead knows will give you blinding acceleration and instant thrust through the gears at the expense of fuel economy. Which brings me to.. 2. Fuel economy...TBH I do not find it to be awful, I average 19-20mpg and given the facts on the gearing is about right. Now if we were to swap the gearing to similar to a 1997 vette came with( 2.87, 3.23 or 3.42 if memory serves) you would see a large increase in average mpg, probably 5 to 6 mpg more. But then your highly rewarding impetus would be diminshed, oh well. Please do not get me wrong, I am NOT critical of the car at all, but it is not a miracle motor some claim, just a good old fashioned combination of sound engineering and gearing. Moreover Audi are to be praised for having the corporate balls to build this the way they did although in the mid 2000,s the economic rug if you like had not been pulled out from under the vast majority of Americans. Drive and enjoy, prepare for high maintenance cost and so so fuel economy.

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  Updated review of my 2005 S4 - 2005 Audi S4
  By jnicho1 - March 28 - 9:26 pm

  I previously wrote a review on my car at about 70k miles and she was still an awesome car (I bought her used in 2007 with 28k miles). I say still because at about 84k miles my timing tensioners started to fail and my timing chain had the infamous rattle at start up. At first, not a big deal, but the check engine light came on and the rattle became worse and worse. I knew the repairs would cost thousands, so I had to get rid of her. It was bitter sweet because I got a new S4, but I miss the V8. The suspension isnt meant for bad roads, so beware of suspension work if you live in a city of anywhere the roads arent great. That was several thousand $$$ too.

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  Dont buy, unless you have money to burn - 2005 Audi S4
  By somedaycame123 - July 11 - 4:03 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive, I love it! However, now that my car, bought new, has 75k miles on it, I would be happy to get rid of it and never buy Audi again. Since I first bought it there have been problems, but when you add them all up, they are outrageous! The original top failed during a rainstorm ,causing the car to flood. Spent $9k replacing the control panel and rewiring the car. The new top hasnt worked for a year, Audi USA is involved now but still no satisfactory resolution. The starter broke, the car fan wouldnt shut off, draining the battery until I needed a tow to get repaired, so many other!

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  Excellent car for the money - 2005 Audi S4
  By jnicho1 - October 21 - 9:59 pm

  Ive owned my 2005 S4 since 2007 (bought used off lease at 24k miles) and it has been a great car. It is a lot of fun to drive with lots of torque and great V8 growl. Living in the city, I buy cheap tires (nails, etc.) and they still do great with cornering. Ive had it at top speed (155 mph) and it was surprisingly smooth, although the revs were really high. Dont expect good gas mileage, but thats not why you buy thus car. It still looks sexy and I get compliments with a car that is almost hitting its 8th birthday. I test drove the new S4 (2013) and it just wasnt the same. I have no idea what to get next!

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  The Ultimate Compromise - 2005 Audi S4
  By DJD - August 29 - 2:40 am

  I drove both new and used BMWs and Mercedes before I picked my 5-year-old S4 Cabrio. Havent regretted my choice for a second. I think of this car as the "ultimate compromise." You can speed top-down through the sweepers of Big Sur in Summer or tackle the hills at Tahoe in the winter. You can hoon it like a teenager, or ferry the kids to grandmas in safety and comfort. And oh, the engine! Its the finest engine Ive ever owned - power and torque and an understated rumble. Its hard to say how this car could be improved. A hint: the 2005 tends to be ~$10k cheaper than face-lifted 06-09 models, even though its almost exactly identical under the skin.

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  The best car for a smart man - 2005 Audi S4
  By Jim - March 19 - 11:23 pm

  Ive owned my S4 for over 30k miles now, so I think I can properly review it as a used car. Its a blast to drive if you drive it like it wants to be driven. You honestly have to take care to drive it slowly. I commute 3 hours round trip to DC everyday and while I hate my commute, if I just stomp on the gas in 3rd gear at 3k revs, it makes you smile like a teenager watching American Pie during a certain scene. Gun it in first and you almost feel uncomfortable. It throws you back and takes some getting used to. I typically drive conservatively, but if you downshift in this car and hear the growl, it just makes you smile. I give my car to my wife when Im out of town, and it scares her.

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  excellent car - 2005 Audi S4
  By airgim - March 14 - 10:16 pm

  Fantastic engine performance. Very well built interior finishes. High quality. Excellent grip with 4wd. A pleasure to drive. You feel safe and enjoy high performance. I enjoy driving on s mode gear. A fan choice if you are looking for a used sports performance car, without looking like one.

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  If I could marry this car, I would! - 2005 Audi S4
  By SSG_Wells - October 6 - 12:24 pm

  I bought this car when I was home on R&R leave from Afghanistan back in February. I had been researching the A4 for about 7 months and had every intention of buying that once I got to the dealership. As the Carmax dealer was walking me to the A4s I saw my knight in shining armor out of the corner of my eye. The girl opened the drivers side door and I was sold. I didnt even test drive the thing, and it was a manual so I had to teach myself, but trust me it was WELL worth it. I took a look at the A4s once I was done drooling over my soon-to-be new car and there was absolutely no comparison the A4 looked like a grandma car compared to what I was about to roll home in!

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  BEWARE!! Caught on fire in my driveway! - 2005 Audi S4
  By Chad - July 12 - 4:42 am

  I loved my Audi. I really did. I had no complaints to speak of. It was flawless with only 20k miles. Unfortunately, it caught fire on its own in the middle of the night. It was an electrical fire originating under the drivers seat. Had the windows been open, the fire wouldve been much worse, probably wouldve damaged my house.

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  Is there a perfect car?This is may be it - 2005 Audi S4
  By Biagio - January 29 - 2:45 pm

  Thanks to most of the reviewers here, I made the decision to purchase a used S4 (along with Audis pure protection additional warranty). I have to say it is the most amazing car Ive ever owned--even over my 67 Mustang fastback. As another reviewer said "it does everything right". A pleasure to drive, doesnt look fast but runs like a refined rocket, handles like a track car and is great in snowy terrain of the north west. Highway MPG is doable, and for those that lament about city MPG, realize its 340HP w/over 300lb ft torque...in the same engine compartment as the A4 (which Ive owned 1.8t) and also liked. This is like a supermodel love affair in comparison. Gracious, powerful, refined