The B7 Audi S4: A love story ruined by faulty timing chain guides
In enthusiast circles, a common "helpful story" involves the debate between a high-mileage S4 and a newer . AUDI S4 V2.0
The S4's story began in 1991 as a high-performance version of the Audi 100, featuring a legendary 2.2L turbo inline-5 engine that produced an unprecedented 227 horsepower for its time. It brought Audi's rally-bred system to the luxury sedan market, allowing it to outperform established rear-wheel-drive competitors in everyday conditions. The B7 Audi S4: A love story ruined
: This generation is often called the "ultimate S4" by purists. It featured a 2.7L twin-turbo V6 that was wildly tunable, allowing owners to push power levels far beyond the factory 250 hp with simple modifications. : This generation is often called the "ultimate
: Audi shifted to a 4.2L naturally aspirated V8. While praised for its glorious sound and linear power, this era is also a cautionary tale for owners due to notorious timing chain guide issues that can be costly to repair.
: The latest B9 generation, like the 2018 Audi S4 , returned to a single-turbo 3.0L V6. This "rocket sled" produces 349-354 horsepower and is celebrated as one of the most capable and comfortable sport luxury sedans ever built. A Practical Alternative: The 2.0 TFSI
While there is no official " Audi S4 V2.0" model, the legacy is a story of technical innovation and high-performance evolution that transformed Audi from a struggling brand into a luxury powerhouse. For many enthusiasts, the "2.0" of the S4 story is often associated with the B9 generation (2017+) , which marked a major shift back to turbocharging with a 3.0L V6, or the comparison between the S4 and the more practical 2.0 TFSI A4 models. The Evolution of a Legend