V8 Project Wagon: 2005 Audi S4 Avant – SOLD!

October 25, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

It’s somewhat hard to fathom, but yes – this late-model Audi S4 Avant is a bit of a project car. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, and you can hop in and drive it down the road; however, it has a few strikes against it, leading to the seller offering a desirable collector car at a very fair price. The strikes? An automatic transmission and no receipts indicating a timing chain job have been performed. If you can live with two pedals, this is a smoking deal, provided you’re proactive with the chain job the second you hear a rattle at startup. This S4 Avant was originally listed in September 2022 on Craigslist in Rancho Cordova, California, for $13,999. Comparing that price against the Classic.com model guide shows us that the seller is right on the money, given the average sale price for the B6 chassis is $12,866, with the S4 cars trending a bit higher.

The Audi S4 has had its ups and downs in the collector car marketplace for some time. The first-generation model, sold under the S6 moniker, is finally seeing some love these days, with nicely preserved examples consistently selling in the low teens and top-flight models with low miles reaching into the low 20s. The B5 S4 is probably the most consistent in selling prices, but that’s only if it’s in better-than-driver-quality condition – and many of them have been mercilessly beaten down by young drivers with seemingly endless modification budgets. The B6 S4, like our subject car here, is still available for short money in decent shape, and I can’t tell if that’s due solely to its relative newness or because the recipe changed from turbocharged upstart to V8-powered sleeper. The later cars seem to be modified far less frequently, but that may also be due to the engine bay being so unbelievably cramped that the prospect of shoving even a cold air intake in there is hugely unappealing. The other Achilles heel? The must-do timing chain job is not a matter of if but when.

The Legendary Motorcar YouTube Channel features this test drive of a 2005 Audi S4 Avant back when the car launched:

The seller openly admits he bought this S4 to convert it to a manual transmission, a noble goal considering how everyone loves a V8-powered wagon with three pedals. Of course, life had different plans, and the seller notes the addition of a new family member stopped that project in its tracks. The bodywork is so-so, with a few different flaws in the paint ranging from sun damage to swirl marks to some luggage scratches in the top of the rear bumper. Nothing major and the condition of the Recaro interior more than makes up for it. Speaking of the interior, it’s one of the best colors offered in this lineup: Nogaro Blue and the seller notes its pairing with Moro Blue paint may make it one of just five cars with that color scheme. The automatic isn’t a deal killer for me in this scenario, but a manual would be more fun; still, this isn’t an ’89 BMW 3-Series we’re talking about converting. See if you can get it down a bit to account for the cost of the timing chain job, and enjoy driving a seriously quick wagon regardless of the transmission option.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“2005 Audi S4 Avant Automatic

Purchased this about a year ago had a plan to convert it manual and make it all nice. However, we just have a new family member and I already bought a new 7 seaters SUV so I have to sell this.

* Very rare combo with Moro Blue and Nogara Blue suede Recaro seat interior, I believe this is 1 of 5 imported in this combo
* Super low mile consider this is 17 years old car
* Bought from Oregon and have it shipped to the Bayarea. I worked from home so for a year I only drove about 3000 miles.
* The rear spoiler and the roof might need a repaint and as it has sun damage by the previous owner. Parked in my garage during my ownership.
* I don’t think the chain service was completed by the previous owner, however the car start up without any rattle or chain noise.
* Interior is extreme clean. Wear and tear is very minimal considering the age of this car.
*Bonus snowboard ski rack if the price is right.

Clean title on hand, vehicle is located in Sacramento area, please email only then text.”

Three pedals versus two: would the automatic transmission scare you away from buying this S4 Avant?