How Much Is a 2004 Audi S4 Worth Today?

A 2004 Audi S4 is typically worth between $5,000 and $15,000 in the U.S. market as of late 2025, with most clean, unmodified examples trading in the $7,500–$12,000 range. The exact price depends heavily on mileage, maintenance history (especially timing chain work), condition, transmission type, and whether the car is a sedan, Avant wagon, or Cabriolet.

The 2004 Audi S4 at a Glance

The 2004 Audi S4 (B6 generation) has become a niche enthusiast car rather than a mainstream used sedan. Its naturally aspirated 4.2‑liter V8, Quattro all‑wheel drive, and understated styling have given it a small but loyal following. That loyalty, combined with rising interest in early-2000s German performance cars, helps support values—though expensive maintenance risks also keep prices in check.

Current Market Value Ranges

Values vary by condition and configuration, but recent listings and dealer data give a realistic picture of what buyers and sellers are seeing in today’s market. The ranges below reflect asking prices observed across online classifieds, enthusiast forums, and dealer inventories in 2024–2025.

• Rough/“mechanic’s special” (high miles, issues): $3,000–$5,000
• Average driver condition (higher miles, decent but imperfect history): $5,000–$8,000
• Clean, well‑maintained examples (documented service, no major issues): $8,000–$12,000
• Very low miles / exceptional condition / rare spec: $12,000–$15,000+ (usually private or enthusiast sales)

These ranges are broad because the 2004 S4 is now old enough that individual history matters more than book values; two cars the same age can differ in worth by thousands of dollars purely on maintenance and condition.

Key Factors That Affect Value

Mileage and Overall Condition

Mileage is still one of the strongest pricing levers for the 2004 S4, but condition can override the odometer. Buyers expect wear at this age, yet they penalize neglect more than mere use.

• Under 100,000 miles: Often at the top of the market, especially with full service records.
• 100,000–150,000 miles: Common in listings; values are highly dependent on proof of major maintenance.
• Over 150,000 miles: Typically cheaper, but can still be desirable if maintained by specialists and thoroughly documented.

Cosmetic condition—paint quality, interior wear, wheel damage, and rust—can easily swing the price within those mileage bands, as buyers assess whether they’re paying for a sorted car or inheriting a project.

Body Style: Sedan vs. Avant vs. Cabriolet

The 2004 S4 came in three body styles that carry distinct market values, driven by rarity and enthusiast demand rather than practicality alone.

• Sedan: The most common and generally the baseline for pricing; most cars you’ll see listed are sedans.
• Avant (wagon): Often commands a premium of $1,000–$3,000 over a similar sedan due to rarity and strong enthusiast demand.
• Cabriolet: Prices can be similar to or slightly below sedans; seasonal demand and roof condition matter a lot.

For buyers who view the S4 as a collectible or a future classic, the Avant tends to be the most desirable, which keeps values firmer compared with the more common sedan and more niche Cabriolet.

Transmission: Manual vs. Automatic

Transmission choice significantly affects what a 2004 S4 is worth, due both to performance preferences and repair risk.

• 6‑speed manual: Generally preferred; usually sells faster and for more money—often $1,000–$2,000 above an equivalent automatic.
• Automatic (Tiptronic): Can be less desirable to enthusiasts, and potential transmission issues worry some buyers, often pushing prices down.

Because the 6‑speed manual better fits the car’s performance character and is less complex than the aging automatic, it tends to command a noticeable premium in the current market.

Maintenance and Timing Chain Work

The single biggest value lever, beyond mileage, is whether the car has had major preventative maintenance—especially around the V8’s notorious timing chain system, which is mounted at the back of the engine and can be extremely labor‑intensive to service.

• Timing chain / tensioners / guides documented: Strong positive; can add several thousand dollars in perceived value because it avoids a common four‑figure repair.
• Regular oil changes with quality oil: Essential for engine and chain health; detailed service logs reassure buyers.
• Cooling system, suspension, and brake overhauls: New radiators, control arms, and brakes are meaningful pluses at this age.

Because a poorly maintained S4 can turn into an expensive repair project, cars with thick maintenance folders and specialist shop invoices almost always achieve the upper end of the market range.

Modifications vs. Originality

Modifications on a 2004 S4 can help or hurt value depending on how extensive and well‑documented they are, and who is doing the buying.

• Light, tasteful mods (quality exhaust, upgraded brakes, conservative suspension): Often neutral or slightly positive for enthusiasts.
• Heavy performance tuning (engine internals, aggressive tunes, track setups): Can scare off buyers who want long‑term reliability.
• Reversible cosmetic mods (wheels, minor trim changes): Usually have limited impact as long as original parts are included.

For top‑of‑market prices, unmodified or very lightly modified cars with full documentation tend to be favored, especially by buyers thinking about long‑term collectibility.

Regional and Seasonal Price Differences

Location and Climate

Where the car lives and where it’s sold can significantly influence its value, mainly because of rust risk and buyer demand for all‑wheel drive performance cars.

• Rust‑belt states / harsh winters: Undercarriage rust can reduce value; truly rust‑free examples are worth more.
• Dry climates (Southwest, West Coast): Often command a premium, especially if the car has minimal sun damage.
• Urban vs. rural markets: Large metro areas with strong enthusiast communities tend to support higher prices.

Shoppers often pay to transport clean, rust‑free S4s from dry regions, so sellers in those areas may see stronger offers compared with similar cars in harsher climates.

Seasonal Trends

Season also plays a role in pricing, particularly for the convertible and for buyers who prioritize all‑weather performance.

• Winter months: Quattro plus V8 torque can make the S4 appealing in snowy regions, supporting firmer prices for sedans and Avants.
• Spring and summer: Cabriolet prices usually peak as open‑top driving season begins.
• Late fall: Convertible values can soften slightly, creating opportunities for patient buyers.

These seasonal swings won’t usually move values by thousands of dollars on their own, but they can influence how quickly a car sells and how much room there is to negotiate.

How to Check What a Specific 2004 Audi S4 Is Worth

Using Pricing Tools and Market Data

Since book values for a 2004 S4 often lag behind real‑world enthusiast demand, combining traditional valuation tools with current listings gives a more accurate picture.

• Online price guides (Kelley Blue Book, NADA, Edmunds): Provide baseline private‑party and trade‑in ranges.
• Listing platforms (Cars.com, Autotrader, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist): Show real‑world asking prices by region.
• Enthusiast marketplaces (Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, dedicated Audi forums): Reveal what clean or rare examples actually sell for.

By comparing the specific car’s condition and history to similar listings and recent sales, buyers and sellers can refine the generic pricing ranges into a realistic figure for that particular S4.

Evaluating a Single Car: Practical Steps

For anyone standing in front of a 2004 S4 and trying to decide what it’s worth, a structured evaluation can prevent surprises and support a fair price.

• Request full service records, focusing on timing chain, oil changes, and major repairs.
• Inspect for rust under the car, around wheel wells, and under door sills.
• Check interior wear on the seats, steering wheel, and controls to confirm the mileage story.
• Scan for fault codes and have a pre‑purchase inspection done by an Audi/VW specialist.
• Test both performance and comfort features (climate control, electronics, roof on Cabriolet, etc.).

Once that assessment is complete, adjusting the broad market ranges—up for excellent condition and major maintenance, down for looming repairs—yields a practical working value for that individual car.

Is the 2004 Audi S4 Appreciating or Depreciating?

As of 2025, the 2004 S4 sits in a gray area between ordinary used car and emerging modern classic. Values are generally stable year‑to‑year, with some upward pressure for rare, low‑mileage, or Avant/manual examples.

• Enthusiast‑grade cars (Avant, manual, low miles, documented history): Tending to hold value well, with modest appreciation in some cases.
• Average drivers (higher miles, incomplete records): Mostly stable to slowly declining as miles climb and repairs mount.
• Neglected examples: Often depreciating toward parts‑car territory because of major repair costs.

While the 2004 S4 is unlikely to become a high‑dollar collectible in the short term, the best examples are no longer getting cheaper, and buyers seeking a well‑kept car should not expect deep discounts compared with a few years ago.

Summary

A 2004 Audi S4 is generally worth $5,000 to $15,000 in today’s market, with most solid, road‑ready cars clustered around $7,500–$12,000. Avant wagons, 6‑speed manuals, low‑mileage cars, and examples with documented timing chain and major maintenance work sit at the upper end of that spectrum, while high‑mileage, rough, or poorly maintained cars fall toward the bottom. Local market conditions, season, and individual history all matter more than any single price guide. For anyone considering buying or selling one, the smartest approach is to combine current online listings, recent enthusiast sales, and a thorough inspection to arrive at a realistic value for the specific S4 in question.

Is the 2004 Audi S4 a good car to buy?

Among the 41 owners who provided feedback on the 2004 Audi S4 for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with 80% recommending the vehicle.

How much does a 2004 Audi S4 cost now?

A 2004 Audi S4 has depreciated $143 or 3% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $4,311 and trade-in value of $1,606.

Does the Audi S4 hold value?

A 2022 Audi S4 has depreciated $18,040 or 35% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $33,081 and trade-in value of $29,850. The 2022 Audi S4 is in the 25-75% percentile for depreciation among all 2022 Sedans.

How much is an Audi S4 worth?

The value of an Audi S4 depends on its year, mileage, condition, and trim, with newer models like a 2022 S4 having an estimated resale value of around $34,372 and a trade-in value of about $30,889. Older models have significantly lower values, for example, a 2016 model might have a resale value of around $14,491. For the most accurate and current pricing, use online appraisal tools from sources like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds, which factor in your specific vehicle’s details.
 
Current model year (2025)

• S4 Sedan Premium: $56,195$ 56 comma 195$56,195
• S4 Sedan Premium Plus: $60,095$ 60 comma 095$60,095
• S4 Sedan Prestige: $62,795$ 62 comma 795$62,795 

Recent model years (examples)

• 2022 Audi S4:
  • Resale Value: ~$34,372 
  • Trade-in Value: ~$30,889 
• 2021 Audi S4:
  • Premium Sedan: ~$33,232 (Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price) 
  • Premium Plus Sedan: ~$33,553 (Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price) 
  • Prestige Sedan: ~$36,507 (Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price) 

Older model years (examples)

• 2020 Audi S4:
  • Car Value (Edmunds): ~$21,857 (2022 model year example) 
• 2018 Audi S4:
  • Value Range (Edmunds): $15,689$ 15 comma 689$15,689 to $24,291$ 24 comma 291$24,291 
• 2016 Audi S4:
  • Resale Value: ~$14,491 
  • Trade-in Value: ~$10,964 

Factors that affect value

• Condition: A well-maintained S4 will be worth more than one with damage. 
• Mileage: Lower mileage vehicles command higher prices.
• Trim: Higher trim levels like Prestige typically have a higher value.
• Vehicle History: Accidents or a large number of previous owners can lower the value. 
• Location: Your zip code can affect the value.