How Many Miles Will a 2018 Audi S4 Last?

A well-maintained 2018 Audi S4 will typically last around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, and in some cases beyond, but only if servicing, driving habits, and known problem areas are carefully managed. This article explains what determines the lifespan of a 2018 S4, what owners are actually seeing in the real world, and how to maximize the car’s usable mileage and value.

What Owners Can Realistically Expect

The 2018 Audi S4 is a performance-oriented luxury sedan, so its lifespan is shaped by both engineering quality and how hard it’s driven. While some economy cars routinely see 250,000+ miles, performance German cars often land slightly lower in average lifespan due to complexity, repair costs, and the way many owners use them.

Typical Mileage Range

Based on owner reports, used-market data, and Audi’s broader reliability record for similar platforms, the expected life for a 2018 S4 looks like this:

This list outlines the common mileage brackets and what they tend to mean for a 2018 Audi S4’s condition and ownership experience.

• 0–80,000 miles: Generally low major failures if maintained; factory warranty (4 years/50,000 miles) may still cover earlier years’ issues; wear items begin to show.
• 80,000–120,000 miles: Transition zone where bigger repairs (suspension, carbon buildup cleaning, cooling system components, sensors) become more likely.
• 120,000–150,000 miles: Many S4s reach this range with no catastrophic failures, but maintenance costs typically rise and preventive work becomes critical.
• 150,000–200,000 miles: Achievable for a well-serviced car with careful driving; at this stage, ownership is usually viable only if the owner is prepared for higher-cost repairs.
• 200,000+ miles: Possible, but not typical; generally seen on cars with meticulous maintenance, highway-heavy miles, and conservative driving or enthusiast-level care.

In practice, the majority of 2018 S4s that are well cared for should comfortably reach 150,000 miles, with a significant share making 200,000 miles, though at the cost of more frequent and sometimes expensive repairs as they age.

The 2018 S4’s Powertrain and Platform

The 2018 Audi S4 launched on the B9 platform and switched from a supercharged V6 (used in the B8/B8.5) to a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (engine code EA839) paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive. This setup is generally considered robust, but not immune to age- and mileage-related issues.

Engine Longevity

The EA839 3.0T V6 in the 2018 S4 has been praised for strong performance and decent reliability by modern German-performance standards. When maintained properly (oil changes, quality fuel, timely spark plugs, etc.), the long-block itself can often exceed 150,000–200,000 miles without catastrophic internal failure.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The ZF 8HP automatic transmission used in the B9 S4 has a good durability record across multiple brands (Audi, BMW, Jaguar, etc.), especially when its fluid is changed on schedule instead of treating it as “lifetime.” The quattro system also tends to last well, though differentials and related components may need fluid changes and occasional attention as mileage accumulates.

Key Factors That Determine How Long a 2018 S4 Will Last

Although the underlying hardware is capable, the actual lifespan of a 2018 S4 depends heavily on how the car is treated throughout its life.

1. Maintenance and Service History

Maintenance is the single biggest predictor of whether a 2018 S4 will reach 150,000 miles or die early. Audi’s official intervals are often seen as the minimum, not the ideal, by independent specialists.

This list summarizes the most important maintenance practices that affect how many miles the 2018 Audi S4 can realistically achieve.

• Oil changes: Many independent mechanics recommend 5,000–7,500-mile intervals with high-quality synthetic oil, rather than stretching to longer intervals.
• Spark plugs and ignition coils: Prevent misfires and undue stress on the engine; typically replaced around 40,000–60,000 miles.
• ZF 8-speed transmission fluid and filter: Generally advisable around 60,000–80,000 miles and again later; helps prevent harsh shifts and premature wear.
• Differential and transfer case fluids: Regular changes reduce wear in the quattro system at higher mileage.
• Cooling system components: Monitoring water pump, thermostat, and coolant hoses helps avoid overheating failures, which can be engine-killers.
• Carbon buildup cleaning (if needed): Direct-injection engines can see intake valve deposits; cleaning, if required, helps maintain efficiency and performance.

A 2018 S4 with thorough service records and timely fluid changes is far more likely to hit or exceed the 150,000–200,000-mile mark than one that’s been run on minimal or delayed maintenance.

2. Driving Style and Usage

How the car is driven deeply affects its lifespan. The S4 is often used enthusiastically, which can accelerate wear.

This list explains the main usage patterns that tend to lengthen or shorten the usable life of a 2018 Audi S4.

• Highway vs. city driving: Highway miles are generally easier on the engine and transmission than stop-and-go urban driving.
• Frequent hard acceleration: Repeated launches, aggressive driving, and track use increase stress on the drivetrain, brakes, and cooling system.
• Warm-up habits: Letting the car reach operating temperature before hard driving and not shutting it off immediately after spirited runs aids longevity.
• Load and climate: Heavy loads, extreme heat or cold, and mountainous terrain can all shorten key component life if not balanced with careful maintenance.

Owners who treat the S4 as a fast but refined daily driver—rather than a constant race car—generally see higher mileages with fewer expensive surprises.

3. Modifications and Tuning

Many S4 owners tune their cars for more power. While modern tunes are sophisticated, extra horsepower and torque inevitably add stress.

The following points outline how modifications influence the long-term durability and mileage potential of a 2018 Audi S4.

• ECU tunes (Stage 1, Stage 2): Raise boost and heat; often reliable when conservative and paired with upgraded cooling and meticulous maintenance, but they do narrow the safety margin.
• Aftermarket hardware (intakes, downpipes, intercoolers): Can support reliability under higher power if well-chosen, but cheap or poorly installed parts can do the opposite.
• Warranty impact: Tuning can void portions of Audi’s warranty, leaving owners fully exposed to repair costs that arise from increased stress.

A tuned 2018 S4 can still reach high mileages, but the risk of earlier repair and component replacement is higher than on a stock car, especially if the tune is aggressive or maintenance is not upgraded accordingly.

4. Known Issues and Reliability Patterns

By now, multiple years of real-world data and owner forums have revealed patterns for the B9 S4. While there is no single universally catastrophic flaw comparable to some older German performance models, several areas merit attention as miles accumulate.

This list highlights the categories of issues that tend to appear more frequently on higher-mileage 2018 Audi S4s.

• Electronic and sensor glitches: Modern Audis have complex electronics; occasional failures in sensors, MMI components, and driver-assist systems are not unusual.
• Suspension wear: Control arm bushings, ball joints, and shocks/struts can show fatigue around 80,000–120,000 miles, especially on rough roads.
• Brake system wear: Performance braking components (pads, rotors, sometimes calipers) wear faster than on non-sport sedans.
• Minor oil or coolant leaks: Gaskets, seals, and plastic components may begin to seep after 80,000+ miles if not addressed proactively.
• Carbon buildup (common to DI engines): May affect driveability and efficiency in the long run if not monitored or cleaned where necessary.

These issues rarely mean the car is “done,” but they add cost and complexity as the odometer climbs, and how promptly they are handled can influence whether the S4 remains reliable past 150,000 miles.

Used-Market Evidence: What Current Mileage Tells Us

The used-car market offers a snapshot of how 2018 S4s are aging in practice. Cars advertised with higher mileage provide insight into how far most owners are actually driving them.

Typical Odometer Readings in 2024–2025

On major used-car platforms in North America and Europe, 2018 Audi S4s commonly appear with mileages in the 40,000–90,000 range, with a meaningful number stretching past 100,000 miles. Listings above roughly 140,000 miles are less frequent but do exist, often with detailed maintenance histories.

This list breaks down what the current used-market mileage spread suggests about the likely long-term lifespan of the 2018 S4.

• Most cars are still mid-life: Many 2018 S4s haven’t yet reached 100,000 miles, implying the true upper limit is still developing but trending positively.
• High-mileage examples exist: The presence of cars over 120,000–150,000 miles, still in active use and for sale, supports the idea that 150,000+ miles is realistic with proper care.
• Maintenance history drives price: High-mileage S4s with full service records and clean inspections still command comparatively strong prices, suggesting confidence in their continued life.

While market listings don’t show what happens at 220,000 miles, they do confirm that the 2018 S4 is not commonly failing early, and many examples are comfortably heading into six-figure mileage territory.

How to Maximize the Lifespan of a 2018 Audi S4

For current or prospective owners, the difference between a 120,000-mile car and a 200,000-mile car is often a set of disciplined habits rather than sheer luck.

Practical Steps for Long-Term Ownership

Owners who want their 2018 S4 to last as long as possible should focus on proactive, rather than reactive, care.

The following steps outline a practical, prioritized approach to stretching a 2018 Audi S4’s life well past 150,000 miles.

1. Follow (and improve on) factory service intervals: Use Audi’s schedule as a floor and adopt shorter oil and fluid intervals recommended by trusted specialists.
2. Keep complete records: Document every service; it helps with resale and ensures you don’t miss critical items over time.
3. Monitor for early warning signs: Address check-engine lights, odd noises, smells, or leaks immediately rather than postponing.
4. Avoid repeated abuse: Enjoy the performance, but limit launch-control starts, long high-RPM sessions, and track driving unless prepared for increased wear and cost.
5. Use quality parts and fluids: Stick with OEM or reputable aftermarket components and the correct oil/fluids specified for the B9 S4 platform.
6. Plan a budget for aging-related repairs: As the car passes 100,000 miles, expect increasing annual costs; planning for them reduces the temptation to defer crucial repairs.

Following these steps does not guarantee a trouble-free 200,000-mile journey, but it substantially raises the odds that the 2018 S4 will remain dependable and enjoyable as the odometer climbs.

Is the 2018 Audi S4 a Good Long-Term Bet?

As a performance-oriented German sedan, the 2018 S4 occupies a middle ground: it is more complex and potentially costlier to maintain than a mainstream commuter car, but generally more robust and modern than many earlier-generation performance Audis.

Balancing Longevity and Cost

Prospective owners should distinguish between how many miles the S4 can last and how many miles it makes sense to keep it financially.

This list explains the trade-offs between squeezing maximum miles from a 2018 S4 and maintaining sensible long-term ownership costs.

• Mechanical capability: With care, the engine, transmission, and drivetrain are capable of traveling 150,000–200,000 miles or more.
• Maintenance and repair costs: As mileage rises, annual spend on upkeep tends to climb, which may discourage some owners from keeping the car into very high mileage.
• Value retention: S models hold value relatively well, but once a car crosses 120,000–150,000 miles, resale prices drop faster, so owners may keep them “to the end.”

For buyers who accept higher-than-average maintenance costs in exchange for performance and refinement, the 2018 S4 can be a long-term companion, not just a short-term lease or flip.

Summary

A 2018 Audi S4 that has been maintained diligently and driven reasonably can typically be expected to last around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, with some well-cared-for examples capable of going even farther. Its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and ZF 8-speed transmission are fundamentally robust, but the car’s complexity, performance use, and German-luxury maintenance costs mean that longevity depends heavily on timely service, sensible driving habits, and cautious tuning. For owners prepared to invest in preventative maintenance and to address issues early, the 2018 S4 can deliver many years and miles of strong performance before major age-related wear makes replacement more appealing than repair.