This particular 2001 Audi S4 belongs to my good friend Chris. It seems like people generalize this generation as being too much of a handful maintenance-wise, but you could’ve fooled him. And my buddy Jason, who’s been wrenching on them since they debuted. Space is limited under its hood, but it’s like any older German car. As long as you keep up with scheduled maintenance and use quality fluids, it’ll generally run trouble-free. Also, any weird hiccups are thoroughly documented by now, so in a sense, they’re a DIYer’s dream.
- Car: 2001 Audi S4 6-Speed
- Location: Oregon, Illinois, Summer 2017
- Photog: Peter Nelson (Instagram)
- Camera: Canon 6D, EF 50mm 1.8 AF
Chris’ example is immensely clean and also surprisingly rare. Audi sold just 475 6-speed manual Laser Red S4s like his in the States. For the 2001 model year? Only 149 sedans and 30 Avants (or, wagons).
He’s also done some excellent things to his, such as swapping its turbos for K04s and giving it an accompanying tune. The thing is a real beast, apparently, however I haven’t had the chance to drive it post-swap-and-tune just yet. I can’t wait.
In the time since taking this photo, he’s also made it look so good aesthetically by adding genuine BBS CH wheels and a super-rare tinted Heckblende. He’s achieved perfect fitment with H&R Premium Performance coilovers. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen another S4 with matching ‘blende and taillights, but my God do they look so good on the back of this small bright red German classic.
I hope he never sells it. I doubt he’ll be able to find one in such good shape, that’s so rare, for how much he has in it, ever again. If he ever does he’d make absolute bank.
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