RE: You Know You Want To: 200K Audi RS4 (B5)
Discussion
ecs0set is 100% spot on in describing the 330i, had mine for two years and his list is my "things I have done" list. Anyone who frequents bimmerforums or has owned an E46 will recognise that itemised expensive list of pain.
They are garbage, and his list is "the short version".
I had an A4 V6 Quattro diesel that was dull compared to my 330i, but sooooo much better at not falling apart and rusting.
My wife's car (the other in the household) is a Mondeo of the same year as my 330i, same miles, but has a much harder life (it is the mum-bus). It has proved to be a much better car in terms of durability, build quality and reliability.
They are garbage, and his list is "the short version".
I had an A4 V6 Quattro diesel that was dull compared to my 330i, but sooooo much better at not falling apart and rusting.
My wife's car (the other in the household) is a Mondeo of the same year as my 330i, same miles, but has a much harder life (it is the mum-bus). It has proved to be a much better car in terms of durability, build quality and reliability.
I've got one with less than half those miles. I love it.
It has cost me a lot of money to run, admittedly, (this year: alternator, clutch master cyl - could happen to any car) but the parts i've replaced will last another 80-100k. What you're paying in parts you're not losing in depreciation.
They are phenomenally capable and rare cars and cannot be compared to an old M3.
It has cost me a lot of money to run, admittedly, (this year: alternator, clutch master cyl - could happen to any car) but the parts i've replaced will last another 80-100k. What you're paying in parts you're not losing in depreciation.
They are phenomenally capable and rare cars and cannot be compared to an old M3.
KungFuPanda said:
I bought a 2007 S6 with the V10 engine in November of last year. Had 88,000 miles on at the time and got it for £13500. Had a full Audi service history and prior to me buying it, it had all ten coil packs replaced under the recall, two new tyres and had the gearbox oil replaced due to a slight leak which was picked up on it's previous MOT.
In the past 10 months, all I've had to shell out for is an interim oil change for peace of mind which was £125 at an indie (it took 11 litres of fully synthetic) and a £32 rear bulb holder to replace one which threw up a few bulb errors.
It's in tremendous nick and the interior doesn't show any wear at all. This is my first high mileage car and I won't be put off buying another when the time comes.
Sounds great & far better value than the 200k RS4 in the original ad (ok a lot more ££'s but still way better value) 6 years newer & less than half the miles.In the past 10 months, all I've had to shell out for is an interim oil change for peace of mind which was £125 at an indie (it took 11 litres of fully synthetic) and a £32 rear bulb holder to replace one which threw up a few bulb errors.
It's in tremendous nick and the interior doesn't show any wear at all. This is my first high mileage car and I won't be put off buying another when the time comes.
I'd be saving for a V10 S6 given the choice.
A guy up the road from me had one from new & I couldn't believe when he told me how little it was worth even last year, he was going to keep it, running it into the ground.
If I wanted one ..... I'd bite the bullet and pay the extra three grand.
You can be lucky ..... but I've learned the hard way that there are two things you never do in life.
One ..... never buy a car with massive mileage.
Two ..... never buy a classic car that is "partially restored - needs finishing".
Both can cost you shed loads of the folding stuff.
Everyone likes a bargain (me included) ... but my advice has always been to find the best car available within your budget ... and then haggle!
You can be lucky ..... but I've learned the hard way that there are two things you never do in life.
One ..... never buy a car with massive mileage.
Two ..... never buy a classic car that is "partially restored - needs finishing".
Both can cost you shed loads of the folding stuff.
Everyone likes a bargain (me included) ... but my advice has always been to find the best car available within your budget ... and then haggle!
I've just finished my little leggy s4 project... well worth a punt in my opinion 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Contigo said:
evobob said:
ermm no thanks, not quick enough.
In standard form they will beat most cars out there and that for a 12 year old + car is impressive.In mapped form (custom remap) they are as quick as an FQ400. I'd say that is quick enough for most.
Just traded my B5 RS4 in at RSJ for a 996TT, i dont think my 996 would "leave" the RS in a straight line. Mine was mapped also. Its probably been the best all-round car ive had and while im chuffed to bits with the Porker i miss the RS...
Think my RS is for sale at RSJ if anyone is looking for a decent one
ecs0set said:
Radiators collapse (while replacing you may as well do the coolant reservoir and water pump)
Front bushes go
Vanos seals need replacing
Power steering pumps fail (while replacing you may as well change all the hoses and reservoir)
Central locking and windows pack up
The climate control goes mental (Final Stage Resistor - £50)
The Sat Nav intermittently stops working
The CD changer jams
Electric adjustment on seats does't work properly
Headlight washers leak emptying a full tank of washer fluid every 6 hours
Front wings rust
CCV valves stick
Auto gearboxes expire
Manual gearboxes won't go into reverse
They can use oil at a frightening rate
The door seals on the coupe wear and then cost £350+ to replace (per side)
The clutch has a delay valve which sticks and causes you to kangaroo like a learner
My TVR has been more reliable than my 330Ci and they're at the same mileage! Not just my E46 either, every issue I've found has been well documented on the forums. And to think I chose one over an Alfa GTV Cup because of the perceived reliability of the BMW!
Out of intrest what TVR do you own, and the miles of each? Only asking as I had a TVR chimaera and now have a 3.0l z4 and I have found the z4 far more reliable than the TVR! I think though German reliability reputation is greatly exaggerated !Front bushes go
Vanos seals need replacing
Power steering pumps fail (while replacing you may as well change all the hoses and reservoir)
Central locking and windows pack up
The climate control goes mental (Final Stage Resistor - £50)
The Sat Nav intermittently stops working
The CD changer jams
Electric adjustment on seats does't work properly
Headlight washers leak emptying a full tank of washer fluid every 6 hours
Front wings rust
CCV valves stick
Auto gearboxes expire
Manual gearboxes won't go into reverse
They can use oil at a frightening rate
The door seals on the coupe wear and then cost £350+ to replace (per side)
The clutch has a delay valve which sticks and causes you to kangaroo like a learner
My TVR has been more reliable than my 330Ci and they're at the same mileage! Not just my E46 either, every issue I've found has been well documented on the forums. And to think I chose one over an Alfa GTV Cup because of the perceived reliability of the BMW!
I love a high miler bargain. Favourites being a 99 140k Alfa GTV which when I got it was the cheapest Phase 2 car I could find. An ebay £750 90 170k MX5 which was just incredible fun for the money. I even bought a 274k km Ford Bronco in Canada once. All great, and gave little or no trouble. Yes, the RS4 is a far different beast, but as others have said, the same model with far lower miles have suffered all sorts of issues. I think of used car buying as a bit of a lottery. Even after doing all the checks, and making sure you buy from the right person, you can still get burnt. If it drives right, and the seller gives you confidence, then go for it. Yes a big end could go, yes a turbo or two could go pop, but you could also get the side ripped off by a skip lorry tomorrow, or a vein in your head could pop too.
I'm off for some base jumping.
I'm off for some base jumping.
I paid 9k for my RS4 last year.
It already had all the mods done that are worth doing.
Its done 125k, and Ive just had to have the turbos rebuilt due to an oil seal giving up.
£1500 it cost me, which is'nt that bad considering how much people are willing to pay for major services at a main dealer! (Not that I would ever do such a thing myself)
It is an awesome all round car
It already had all the mods done that are worth doing.
Its done 125k, and Ive just had to have the turbos rebuilt due to an oil seal giving up.
£1500 it cost me, which is'nt that bad considering how much people are willing to pay for major services at a main dealer! (Not that I would ever do such a thing myself)
It is an awesome all round car
A friends B5 RS4 had to have the same work done at around 50K miles so even lower mileage examples can generate big bills. I’m generally not put off by high mileages but would I buy this RS4? I’m not sure to be honest, but there’s something about high mileage performance cars that appeals to me…..I think it’s the fact that they have obviously been used regularly instead of being tucked up in a garage waiting for the sun to shine.
djdestiny said:
I paid 9k for my RS4 last year.
It already had all the mods done that are worth doing.
Its done 125k, and Ive just had to have the turbos rebuilt due to an oil seal giving up.
£1500 it cost me, which is'nt that bad considering how much people are willing to pay for major services at a main dealer! (Not that I would ever do such a thing myself)
It is an awesome all round car
It's nice one, and you knew what you were looking for, what about the ones you walked away from that less informed people would buy ?.It already had all the mods done that are worth doing.
Its done 125k, and Ive just had to have the turbos rebuilt due to an oil seal giving up.
£1500 it cost me, which is'nt that bad considering how much people are willing to pay for major services at a main dealer! (Not that I would ever do such a thing myself)
It is an awesome all round car
Edited by blade7 on Tuesday 28th August 12:13
Surely it depends how the miles have being added.... if it did 100k plus in its first 3 years the mileage isn't such an issue (or it wouldnt be to me), plus going up and down the motorway is unlikely to over stress the gear train etc
(My 1.8t did well over 100k in it's first 3 years and now at 180k the engine is still 100% and also still on the original turbo)
(My 1.8t did well over 100k in it's first 3 years and now at 180k the engine is still 100% and also still on the original turbo)
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