Thank you for having a wonderful community to seek advice and gain knowledge, in-which, I have absolutely none of. For 3 years I have had Ebay drop "audi avant s4" into my email, in hopes I would find one at an affordable price and in great condition. Just 2.5 weeks ago, it happened. I dealt with the (now) previous owner over the phone because he was in Maryland, and I, in Monterey,ca. This was the most honest man ever! Just one of the examples, he had all the fluids checked, oil changed, service records obtained, and an all point inspection of the car to make sure it was safe to drive across this most beautiful country of ours/yours. 3,300 miles later, through ice,snow,rain, sand, salt and sun, I arrived home in 4 days with my girlfriend. Having poloroids of the whole trip, and 2 out of the 3 policemen (all super nice State-ies) give us warnings (and poses so we could photograph them too), we arrived home. We drove 25 hours straight from Oklahoma to Cali., and what a charm that car was to drive. Oh, she's smooth and responsive. What you command, she does. That's love (for a car).
Anyhow, I will be posting questions shortly. The worry bug has hit me a bit, about her operating condition not being optimal, so I plan on seeking advice from all of you who have gone through a dealer/private repair shop to have your Audi serviced.
Problems on my mind: Oil consumption... 2 quarts in 3300 miles! -- major service performed at a dealer or private repair shop -- slight smell of something at WOT (though no smoke.)
I just found out today that Autozone will let you use a code scanner for free (w/ a $180 deposit)!
Oh, on the first day, my girlfriend left some rest stop on the side of the interstate, and left the e-brake on for a few miles... That irritated me a smidge-- called the Audi dealership up because the check engine light came on, and said that it takes 4 (cold/hot) cycles to erase the CEL if all things are normal, which, he said was probably tripped because the throttle position did not match with engine speed/load.
Take care! And i'll be reading all posts soon in the mean time.
--Christian

 

Congats on your new car!

 

Congrats on the new car! It's a beaut.