B8 RS4 - 24hr test drive with report/pics

[Blue62]

CatalystV12V said:

Thread resurrection.

Just wondering what people's thoughts on the car are now after 2 years of ownership?

I have had mine from new since Xmas, I've covered 10,000 miles and I like the car a lot, it is a very good all rounder, road holding and grip is astonishing, the engine is sweet but needs revs (which makes everyday driving easier) and I like the low key looks (mine is de badged).

Mine is has a lot of options and I am not so impressed with the steering feel, especially in dynamic mode and lane assist is a waste of money. However I do like the roof, adaptive cruise, hill hold and the bose, all of which I would recommend. My car is on bridgestones and I would like to compare it to a Michelin shod car, I get a lot of tram lining under load and sometimes the front end feels light in heavy rain, but in the dry they give great grip, are fairly quiet and they look good with their square shoulders. I've had one minor electrical problem and would love a bigger tank, but I have no regrets, the only other cars I was seriously considering were a C63 estate and and an M5 and I am sure I made the right move now.

[graeme4130]

coyft said:

I've had mine a couple of years and have done about 30,000 miles.

It's not as fun to drive as the B7, but is more relaxing to drive in traffic due to the automatic gearbox. I really dislike the different modes for suspension, steering and engine. Mine is left in comfort mode all the time as dynamic is far too harsh for UK roads, dynamic engine mode isn't much better either. In this mode the engine note sounds good but it holds the gears too long and does an unnecessary throttle blip.

I specced mine without the dynamic steering option as I couldn't get on with it during a test drive. My summary would be it's a good car, but the old one was a great car.

Since writing the original post I'm on my second B8 RS4 with 7 months in a RS5 in-between
Re the engine noise and holding gears, if you just reselect D rather than S on the stick, you'll still get the better exhaust sound, but normal shifting on no more blips on downshifts

I obviously like the B8, It's a decent step over the B7 in every way other than steering feel, which I agree takes some getting used to. Not sure that's a good thing, but once you're used to the variability of the rack speed, then it's not too bad at all.
My second one's on 20k miles now, and as they've not yet launched the B9, I guess I hang onto it until they do