1998 Audi S4 quattro (B5)

This Audi S4 manual saloon was first registered on Halloween in 1998, but there’s nothing that should frighten a would-be buyer as it has only had one diligent, retired owner from new and as you will see, is an absolute gem of a car.

The owner was a fan of V12 Jaguars in the ‘70s, had Porsche 928s in the ‘80s and then moved on to Audi - specifying, ordering and waiting for this S4 in launch colour. Despite being in production since late 1997, this is understood to be among the first to come to the UK in RHD.

The car has been kept in a heated garage when not in use, and only got wet if it rained when it was already out. It has been serviced every year regardless of mileage - at Audi main dealers for the first 7 years and thereafter at a trusted local independent. It passed 29,000 miles two years ago and still only has 29,160 on the odometer.

Now that the retired gentleman is in his nineties, and only does a short run to the shops once a week, he decided to get himself a BMW i3 and let the S4 find a new home.

In readiness for sale, the vendor - a Performance Audi specialist - gave the S4 a full detail and Gtechniq ceramic coating in June and a full service, belt change, aircon re-gas and MOT in July.

Finished in Laser Red, the paint and bodywork of this S4 looks amazing; immaculate in a way that no 24-year-old car has a right to be, even if it has just had a full detail and ceramic coating treatment. It won’t be perfect, no car ever is, but it is probably as good as it gets for such a car.

The S4 sits on its original 17-inch six-arm Avus die-cast alloy wheels, which appear in a good condition with few scuffs or lacquer damage other than some chips on a couple of the central covers. All are fitted with Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres except for the rear nearside which carries a Michelin Pilot.

The car also appears to have its original dealership number plates and window stickers for the upgraded alarm.

The interior is a similar story to the outside - incredibly well preserved and presented with only the buffing and light creasing to the driver’s seat, a small scratch on the headrest and another on the gear knob to suggest that anyone has actually driven the car. All the other upholstery gives the appearance of almost virgin Nappa leather which has barely been sat on.

Elsewhere, the carbon-fibre finish door and dash trims appear unmarked and the rest of the dash, instrument panel and centre console look in good order with all original equipment intact.

Additional options specified when new included cruise control, air conditioning and sat-nav - the kind without a map but with turn direction arrows on the display. He also had an Ericsson phone kit fitted but this was removed some time ago - presumably when GSM phones stopped working.

The vendor tells us that everything works and is original - including the sat nav and stereo, which are often replaced when buttons stick or displays fail. The carpets appear clean and undamaged and there are protective fitted floor mats front and back.

Even before the car received its recent full detail, the vendor tells us that the engine bay was clean and tidy and now it is even more so. We know from the service history that this car has been kept garaged and serviced regularly, regardless of mileage, and the look of things under the bonnet reflects the years of care.

The undersides of the car appear relatively clean and undamaged, with good underseal coverage and no significant rust that either we, or the recent MOT inspector could see.

Inside the boot, the condition of the carpeting and lining is as clean and tidy as those inside the car.

The S4 has a current MOT with no advisories, valid until July 2023. It’s online MOT history is pretty good too with diligent annual testing back to 2005 when records went online. There are a few failures but only for minor defects such as lamps and dust covers, no mention of any significant corrosion underneath.

The car comes with 2 remote keys and alarm fobs plus a spare manual key, and the history file includes MOT reports, an Audi magazine featuring an S4, and a couple of garage invoices, one of which is the original bill of sale from Docklands Audi. There’s also a recent, thorough inspection report on the paint thickness and condition.

The maintenance booklet contains the following stamped service entries:

-Oct 1998 - PDI - Docklands Audi

-Nov 1999 - 3,784 - HR Owen Audi

-Nov 2000 - 6,955 - Whetstone Audi

-Dec 2001 - 10,139 - a/a

-Nov 2002 - 12,252 - a/a

-Nov 2003 - 13,589 - a/a

-Nov 2004 - 15,467 - a/a

-Dec 2005 - 17,211 - a/a

-Oct 2006 - 18,815 - Eli Motors, Hendon

-Oct 2007 - 19,922 - a/a

-Oct 2008 - 21,080 - a/a

-Oct 2009 - 22,456 - a/a

-Oct 2010 - unknown - a/a

-Oct 2012 - 25,264 - a/a

-Oct 2013 - 26,099 - a/a

-Oct 2014 - 26,620 - a/a

-Oct 2015 - 27,136 - a/a

-Sep 2017 - 28,234 - a/a

-Sep 2018 - 28,733 - a/a

-Sep 2020 - 29,054 - a/a

-Sep 2021 - 29,093 - a/a

-Jul 2022 - 29,150 - Fontain Motors, Bucks (inc belt change)

Despite the recent service, the dash display still prompts “service: INSP”. The vendor tells us - and Google confirms - that it is a combination of key turns and button presses for the new owner to reset it rather than any computer hook-up required.

The general enthusiasm for Audi’s RS and S models could be considered beyond a mere passion and almost a religion. Whilst the RS variants attract more devout worshippers, the S

models are eminently more usable - giving a spirited and enjoyable drive with less risk of exceeding the limits of speed or driving talent.

The Audi S4 B5 saloon is also a fairly rare car, we could only find three others among the classifieds outside of Audi forums. One of them was Cat C and all of them were a long way north of 100k miles.

Whilst rarity is no guarantee of desirability, we think this beautifully presented, highly original, low mileage, one owner S4 will get some pulses racing and sell for between £13,000 and £18,000.

It would be nice to think that this gloriously original car will stay that way, but it’s not so precious and low mileage that it shouldn’t be driven. Regardless of your plans for it, you’d better get your best bids in now, it’ll be a long time before another one this good comes along.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.