1998 Audi S4

There’s always a nagging fear with Audi’s high-performance S and RS models that they may have been driven within an inch of their valve-train’s life. Happily, this example has been in the same safe hands all its life, initially as a company car that was purchased by its driver. For the last 20 years, it has led a pretty sedentary life – and always garaged. The owner was a keen horse racing enthusiast (the car comes from a deceased estate) and latterly he used the Audi on race days and not very much else. Apparently though, he was certainly not inclined to go racing himself, despite the car’s capabilities.

Thinking about the latter, this S4 Quattro saloon retains all of the cult model’s celebrated performance. Power from the twin turbo V6 is on tap from quite low in the rev range. Couple that with the more rare, but certainly far more satisfying manual gear change and you have a pretty potent combination. Acceleration is very strong, but the car is just as quickly calmed by ample brakes. And traction is supremely sure-footed through the all wheel-drive system. (This reviewer also drove the car).

There are no worrying rattles from the engine at any point – certainly no clatter on start up, nor any smoke of an untoward colour from the exhaust. The steering responds precisely to impute and the whole car feels solid and planted on the road. And there’s something quite satisfying about its totally understated ‘family saloon’ appearance in its quite sober colour scheme...

As mentioned, the Audi is finished in a solid (rather than metallic) colour; Nogaro Blue. It’s a well-known shade for the S and RS models. The finish remains consistent across the car, with no major blemishes or signs of corrosion. Don’t mistake rain droplets in the pictures for bubbles in the paint – there are none, this is a very clean example. There are some marks from 22 years on the road; for instance, there are faint polishing swirls in the paintwork and slight dulling in the door handle insets where nails and fingers have scuffed the finish. There are also scuffs to the edge of the deep wrap-around front bumper by the wheel arch on the nearside and also a hand-sized abrasion to the driver’s side corner of the rear bumper.

Panel fit remains good. All the doors open and close without sagging, and without needing any undue force. Trim along the flanks on both sides line up squarely panel to panel and boot and bonnet lids show symmetrical panel gaps side to side.

The black window trims are in good condition. There is a little fading, but they retain a very good look and remain a smart contrast to the blue. There is a tiny nick to the windscreen surround in the top driver’s side corner

This Audi’s black leather interior makes a very good impression, both in terms of features offered and general condition. It certainly retains that sporting luxury feel that the marquee is renowned for. The seats themselves show a gentle creasing, but very much retain their deep black pigment. All cushions and bolsters hold their shape, and stitching all around remains tight and tidy. The back seats appear very little used.

The controls and surfaces that potentially see the most wear; steering wheel, gear stick and hand brake all retain a good finish – again, no frayed stitching, scuffed leather or scratches. Switches on the door inserts and the ever-sturdy door handles themselves appear to have been treated with care. Understandably, there are some scuffs around the inside driver’s door handle.

There is no accumulated grime, either around such typical dirt trap areas as the gear gaiter, nor in the seams between plastic/hide-covered panels and the bright metal trim. The ‘rhinoceros hide’ fascia trim is clean, as are the carpets on both floors and transmission tunnel. The driver’s floor mat is a bit grubby – no biggie. Headlining shows no staining or any signs of smoking.

The overwhelming impression is of a respected, cherished car.

Apart from being rather dusty, everything under the bonnet looks very business like and serviceable. Metal fuel lines, synthetic hoses, ducting and their fastenings/clips all look very healthy and tidy. There are no splits at joins and junctions and no signs of perishing or corrosion. A new owner might want to whip some out for a set of day-glo silicon substitutes, but the present incumbents look to have a lot of life left in them.

As per so many ‘modern’ engines, it’s hard to see much of the V6 or its twin turbos, but there appears to be no evidence of overheating or significant leaks. The radiator looks to be in sound condition, and the brackets and bracing in this area appear sturdy – and again corrosion-free. The paint around the engine bay and along the seams of the wings is good.

The underside of the Audi looks generally robust. Protective plastic panels are intact and the underside of the monocoque appears very sound. That deep, louvered front apron is surprisingly free of gravel rash and the protective undertray behind is intact. Likewise, the metal on the undersides of the doors is clean and retains a good paint finish, while the inner wheel arches look to be in good shape. Brake assemblies appear good and suspension parts sturdy. There is however, a fair amount of surface rust on isolated suspension parts and some parts of the exhaust. Even so, there certainly doesn’t appear to be anything that would prevent the car being a very viable and running modern classic.

The Audi has a very comprehensively stamped service book – for many years with a local main dealer and more latterly with a marquee/German car specialist who reportedly has family connections (so all the more reason to take care of it). There is also a separate invoice (October 2016) for a new  timing belt and water pump; that’s some 9000 miles ago and definitely a refresh which Audi enthusiasts like to see. 

As often said, Audi’s RS and S models lean more towards a religion than a model range – and Quattro versions such as this are high up in its pantheon. Factors to consider include the definitive and discreet colour combination plus the increasing popularity (amongst enthusiasts) of the eminently tunable twin turbo V8.

There is also a very genuine ‘one careful owner’ vibe about this Audi – I don’t think there has been any drifting in its past! (If it was an Avant, I’d snap it up and you lot wouldn’t get a look in). As a result, we estimate this vehicle to reach between £7,500 - £10,000

There may be a little sprucing up of the exhaust and (maybe eventually) one or two suspension parts, but this appears to be a very solid new age classic buy.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Bolton; 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’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.