The Chronicles of My Project Vehicle: I Bagged a $925 Audi S4 and It’s Actually Pretty Decent

I stumbled upon this 20-year-old sports sedan on the salvage auction platform Copart and secured it through an online auction … on the fifth attempt. My initial four successful bids fell short of the reserve price, and the seller resisted selling it, but the fifth click sealed the deal.

An affordable, heavily used turbocharged Audi may not be the safest bet for a straightforward restoration project, but I am quite certain that I’ve uncovered a hidden gem here worth rescuing.

The entire process of procuring this vehicle was protracted. It all commenced a month earlier when I chanced upon the magnificent Santorin Blue sedan on AutoBidMaster.com—a platform that ordinary consumers can utilize to bid on salvage auction vehicles—noticing its local availability and seemingly pristine paintwork. “Interesting,” I mused. Its state was described as operational and with “standard wear.”

My desire for a B5 Audi S4 has endured far longer than my interest in many other cars, dating back to high school when it was a relatively fresh model appearing as lightly used inventory. My pursuit intensified, particularly after test-driving my close friend Chris’ immaculate, customized version last summer. At the right price, this blue specimen captured my attention.

In addition to its alleged operational condition, the CarFax report revealed no red flags, and the title was unblemished. Despite originating from Copart, it lacked any ‘rebuilt’ or ‘salvage’ branding on the title. I speculate (and hope) that the previous owner opted to donate it or perhaps it was a donation following the previous owner’s demise. Regardless of how this potential fixer-upper landed at Copart, I exercised caution when bidding.

I never exceeded a bid of $925 because factoring in AutoBidMaster’s fees and the potential nightmarish issues these vehicles can harbor, I wanted to ensure that I could dismantle it for parts without incurring a loss if it turned out to be a lemon. Perhaps, I could even break even. Copart’s interpretation of “operational” could span from a silky-smooth idle to engine knocking.

Following each of the initial four wins, the seller would counter with demands ranging from $3,100 to $3,300. On each occasion, I maintained a modest bid because embarking on a B5 project at that cost before fees seemed excessive. This would potentially escalate the total cost to over $5,000. Moreover, in California, you receive an Acquisition Bill of Sale and must apply for a new title via the DMV, a process about which I will provide an update.

Each time, it was amusing to inform my coworkers of the developments. “Heh heh, looks like I snagged that S4 again! They’ll likely demand an exorbitant amount for it … again.”

Finally, reason prevailed, and the inevitable occurred. One day, I received an email from AutoBidMaster exclaiming “Congratulations, Peter!” “Oh, wow, they’ve relented at last!” I pondered, genuinely taken aback. A mere $925 did the trick. Presumably, with year-end approaching, someone sought to offload this German gem quickly. I had no objections to that.

I signed the sales agreement paperwork, transferred thefunds, and collaborated with a local delivery service suggested by AutoBidMaster. Copart evidently doesn’t allow you to drive a vehicle off the premises, and I was uncertain about its drivability anyway. Thus, I was content to compensate someone to transport it to me in Long Beach. In total, I invested just below $2,500 to have this S4 arrive at my residence. If you’re considering exploring similar avenues to obtain a new automobile, the entire procedure was relatively simple and uncomplicated. However, it was accompanied by various charges.

Upon the arrival of the tow truck, I was taken aback—this S4 appeared superior compared to the listing photographs. The interior was filthy with seats that resembled they had tested the patience of an agitated Wolverine, but apart from that, the body was in good shape, and the paint shone beneath a layer of grime. The only issue was with the front bumper that clearly had undergone a repaint.

With a jump start, it started up and idled smoothly, marking the beginning of its potentially extensive list of necessary repairs with a new battery.

After parking the S in my driveway and lifting the hood, I observed steam and water seepage underneath; there was a considerable coolant leak somewhere. The auction images hinted at this—the reservoir seemed lacking in pink G12. Not a major concern, as there’s ample budget to restore this vehicle to peak condition. Upon cooling down, an inspection of the dipstick also indicated that the oil pan was filled with relatively fresh-looking oil. Promising.

I procured a new battery from O’Reilly Auto Parts, and the car started up robustly. It idled smoothly and quietly, revving up smoothly as well. I adjusted a diverter valve hose, resulting in a slightly improved sound. However, due to the coolant leak, I refrained from running it for an extended period.

A thorough examination confirmed that the auxiliary water pump was split into two sections. This is a common issue with these vehicles, and as of now, I am awaiting the arrival of a replacement along with the corresponding hoses via mail. The process of replacement will be time-consuming as the component is located beneath the intake manifold amidst a maze of hoses and vacuum lines. However, it appears to be a relatively straightforward task assuming no mishaps occur with hoses, vacuum lines, or plastic components. I will keep extra parts and hose clamps readily available.

I cannot overstate how delighted I am to own a B5 project. VW/Audi enthusiasts familiar with these models generally concur that while they require attention, are challenging to work on (minimal space under the hood—engine removal is necessary for turbo swaps), and may present some irritating issues, they are fantastic cars and definitely worth the effort. The B5 ceased production in the US market in 2002, and two years later, I was captivated by the water-cooled VW bug with my A2 Jetta. Quickly, I discovered the formidable early 2000s S4, instilling an instant desire to possess one in the future.

The B5 S4 is truly iconic. It hails from an era of ultimate German sleeper status and harbors enormous potential. The aftermarket sector may have slightly reduced in recent years, but there are still numerous methods to transform them into supercar-like speed demons.

I am not currently contemplating modifications. My goal is to simply refurbish it into a pristine, fresh, and mechanically sound specimen. Minor tweaks will be made intermittently, such as premium brake pads, improved tires (while the current Michelin all-seasons are satisfactory and only two years old), upgraded dampers with sportier springs, and select factory cosmetic enhancements. Additionally, an enhanced intake and exhaust system. Oh, and potentially replacing the automatic gearbox with a manual transmission.

Nevertheless, my primary focus is to ensure it runs flawlessly, looks immaculate, and provides a comfortable, clean environment. And of course, to be eligible for registration and pass California Smog inspections. It complied with these regulations in 2021, so I am not overly concerned. Next on the agenda: conduct a comprehensive inspection to ascertain the exact requirements to meet my stringent standards.