B7 RS4 Avant or B8 S4 Avant
Discussion
Following on from here... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... from a few years ago. I am now in a similar situation.
Have about £25,000 to spend and find myself genuinely split between a decent lowish miles (66k) B7 RS4 and 10/11 plate B8 S4 with about half the miles.
I know the RS4 will be more expensive to run, has some coking and DRC issues, the seats get nicked, the brakes cost £2,000 etc etc.
Whereas the S4 is more reasonable and will be A) more modern B) Audi approved used and C) have half the miles.
In three years they will be worth about the same, the RS probably a bit more but there is not much in it.
However, the RS4 is a far more attractive car, the S4 just looks like any other A4 estate. To be fair that’s not always a bad thing.
Mrs Gecko is coming down firmly on the side of the S4, but I am not quite ready of give up on the idea of owning a RS4 Avant…
Have driven both, prefer the RS, but the S has quite a bit going for it when it comes to eating motorway miles/sitting in London traffic.
First world problems and all that, but what do you guys think; is it worth saving on servicing/running costs and getting a newer car that is 80% as capable or should I take an older, potentially riskier but full fat RS?
Cheers!
Have about £25,000 to spend and find myself genuinely split between a decent lowish miles (66k) B7 RS4 and 10/11 plate B8 S4 with about half the miles.
I know the RS4 will be more expensive to run, has some coking and DRC issues, the seats get nicked, the brakes cost £2,000 etc etc.
Whereas the S4 is more reasonable and will be A) more modern B) Audi approved used and C) have half the miles.
In three years they will be worth about the same, the RS probably a bit more but there is not much in it.
However, the RS4 is a far more attractive car, the S4 just looks like any other A4 estate. To be fair that’s not always a bad thing.
Mrs Gecko is coming down firmly on the side of the S4, but I am not quite ready of give up on the idea of owning a RS4 Avant…
Have driven both, prefer the RS, but the S has quite a bit going for it when it comes to eating motorway miles/sitting in London traffic.
First world problems and all that, but what do you guys think; is it worth saving on servicing/running costs and getting a newer car that is 80% as capable or should I take an older, potentially riskier but full fat RS?
Cheers!
If it were me, I'd take the B8 S4 and chip it.
We were in a broadly similar position a while back. I've always wanted an RS4 and we tossed up whether to get an B7 RS4 or a C6 3.0TDi A6.
Common sense won out, but the RS4 itch is something I still feel like scratching.
Depends how strong your itch is.
We were in a broadly similar position a while back. I've always wanted an RS4 and we tossed up whether to get an B7 RS4 or a C6 3.0TDi A6.
Common sense won out, but the RS4 itch is something I still feel like scratching.
Depends how strong your itch is.
I'd go S4 as well, the b7 shape to me is not aging that well and the vast majority of b7 rs4s are either already in long term enthusiast hands and won't come on the market often, or have been through too many owners and are rapidly deteriorating due to abuse and lack of care. There are a LOT of crashed and abused examples on the market to sort through, but there's no doubt if you can find a good one they're a great drive.
There's massive variety in spec on the b8 s4 so you have to be flexible to a degree, but as an ownership proposition they're a lot less hassle than the b7. The s-tronic is infinitely more preferable to the manual for the b8. Get one with the 19" RS6 style 5 spoke alloys (which were a much more expensive upgrade than the 7 spoke b7 RS4-alike options) and it talks the talk a bit more. They can also look far more aggressive in certain colours - Sprint Blue is my personal favourite.
There's massive variety in spec on the b8 s4 so you have to be flexible to a degree, but as an ownership proposition they're a lot less hassle than the b7. The s-tronic is infinitely more preferable to the manual for the b8. Get one with the 19" RS6 style 5 spoke alloys (which were a much more expensive upgrade than the 7 spoke b7 RS4-alike options) and it talks the talk a bit more. They can also look far more aggressive in certain colours - Sprint Blue is my personal favourite.
Kell said:
If it were me, I'd take the B8 S4 and chip it.
We were in a broadly similar position a while back. I've always wanted an RS4 and we tossed up whether to get an B7 RS4 or a C6 3.0TDi A6.
Common sense won out, but the RS4 itch is something I still feel like scratching.
Depends how strong your itch is.
+1We were in a broadly similar position a while back. I've always wanted an RS4 and we tossed up whether to get an B7 RS4 or a C6 3.0TDi A6.
Common sense won out, but the RS4 itch is something I still feel like scratching.
Depends how strong your itch is.
S4 with an MRC remap is pushing 480BHP vs 380BHP from a coked up B7 RS4. The RS4 looks great but with all the theft issues coupled with the other issues noted I'd go for the S4 any day. It's personal I know and I'm sure RS4 owners will be along to advise otherwise. Just watch the Chris Harris video pitting the B8 S4 vs the B8 RS4, it's told me all I needed to know. I was debating long and hard between a B8 S4 and a C6 RS6, the heart won over the head and I've now got the RS6!
I'd go B8 S4 too, I was in a similar situation last year trying to choose between B7 RS4, E90 M3 C63 and the rank outsider the B8 S4
The RS4 I felt had too many common issues, DRC, coked up heads, inlet manifold faults etc, that are all costly to rectify, and the brakes can be horrendously expensive, so on that basis alone I stopped looking and it was no longer a contender.,
I eventually chose an E90 M3, as it was overall my 1st choice, and the B8s I looked at were always either sold or there was something missing from the spec I wanted, however it's an itch I want to scratch, and they seem to be infinitely more reliable than the B7 RS4
The RS4 I felt had too many common issues, DRC, coked up heads, inlet manifold faults etc, that are all costly to rectify, and the brakes can be horrendously expensive, so on that basis alone I stopped looking and it was no longer a contender.,
I eventually chose an E90 M3, as it was overall my 1st choice, and the B8s I looked at were always either sold or there was something missing from the spec I wanted, however it's an itch I want to scratch, and they seem to be infinitely more reliable than the B7 RS4
RobbyJ said:
Kell said:
If it were me, I'd take the B8 S4 and chip it.
We were in a broadly similar position a while back. I've always wanted an RS4 and we tossed up whether to get an B7 RS4 or a C6 3.0TDi A6.
Common sense won out, but the RS4 itch is something I still feel like scratching.
Depends how strong your itch is.
+1We were in a broadly similar position a while back. I've always wanted an RS4 and we tossed up whether to get an B7 RS4 or a C6 3.0TDi A6.
Common sense won out, but the RS4 itch is something I still feel like scratching.
Depends how strong your itch is.
S4 with an MRC remap is pushing 480BHP vs 380BHP from a coked up B7 RS4. The RS4 looks great but with all the theft issues coupled with the other issues noted I'd go for the S4 any day. It's personal I know and I'm sure RS4 owners will be along to advise otherwise. Just watch the Chris Harris video pitting the B8 S4 vs the B8 RS4, it's told me all I needed to know. I was debating long and hard between a B8 S4 and a C6 RS6, the heart won over the head and I've now got the RS6!
Looks like a few votes for the S4. Still want the RS4 though!
The B7 RS4, though excellent, somehow feels less than the sum of its parts to me. A fantastic looking thing, with an incredible engine but just not quite "there". I guess that's a personal thing, though. The B8 S4, however, seems much much more. I can't wait for them to drop down to more attainable levels...
ManOpener said:
The B7 RS4, though excellent, somehow feels less than the sum of its parts to me. A fantastic looking thing, with an incredible engine but just not quite "there". I guess that's a personal thing, though. The B8 S4, however, seems much much more. I can't wait for them to drop down to more attainable levels...
Strange that you say that.In a recent Evo, they tested the B5, B7 and B8 back to back and the B7 was by far the most involving. THe B8 came off (marginally) worst of the three.
Although 'worst' is a relative term.
Like others have said above though, what put us off in the end, was the potetnail for something to go wrong and cost a fortune. Whether it be broken into for the seats, full-on theft or mechanical issues.
I just didn't want the hassle.
DibblyDobbler said:
WreckedGecko said:
Still want the RS4 though!
You have answered your own question right there! 
It's a heart decision, not a head decision. If you want a B7 go in with your eyes open and buy it.
As soon as you start trying to justify it with 'sensible' comparisons it looks like the poor option it is. It's an old model that's expensive to run but it's an occasion to drive and arguably one of the best cars Audi has ever made.
Sounds like you want the RS, so I'd buy it. Nout' worse than wishing you had a different car.
I've owned an RS6 and now have an S4. I turned down an RS4 (all avants). The S4 is exceptionally capable, and has more torque than the RS, which, here, is more important. I only miss the noise - but my neighbours are quite happy, I'm sure.
Looks wise, I love the fact that the S4 'shouts' less than the RS. If I want to shout, I drive a two seater, not an estate... My estate is quite quiet
I've owned an RS6 and now have an S4. I turned down an RS4 (all avants). The S4 is exceptionally capable, and has more torque than the RS, which, here, is more important. I only miss the noise - but my neighbours are quite happy, I'm sure.
Looks wise, I love the fact that the S4 'shouts' less than the RS. If I want to shout, I drive a two seater, not an estate... My estate is quite quiet
No but Chris Harris did a good vid with a B8 S4 and a B8 RS4 having a drag race at Bruntingthorpe with a before and after REVO remap. Basically there was nothing in it after the remap.
I love the B7 RS4 don't get me wrong, but they are starting to get a little old now and the interior of the S4 looks a lot newer as long as you get a good spec.
I love the B7 RS4 don't get me wrong, but they are starting to get a little old now and the interior of the S4 looks a lot newer as long as you get a good spec.
Interesting debate. The earliest B7s are now some 8 years old and are inevitably looking a little dated when compared to the B8, though I think they still pretty good and have a quietly purposeful presence. However, it's obviously not just about looks.
If I were to be looking now I'd probably plump for the S4 as it's newer, easily modified and doesn't have the shortcomings of the RS4 (though a lot of them are exaggerated by people I suspect don't have first hand experience of them). That said, I love mine and am likely to keep it for quite some time as it's so capable, if quite expensive to run Good luck.
If I were to be looking now I'd probably plump for the S4 as it's newer, easily modified and doesn't have the shortcomings of the RS4 (though a lot of them are exaggerated by people I suspect don't have first hand experience of them). That said, I love mine and am likely to keep it for quite some time as it's so capable, if quite expensive to run
Good luck.WreckedGecko said:
Kell said:
In a recent Evo, they tested the B5, B7 and B8 back to back and the B7 was by far the most involving. THe B8 came off (marginally) worst of the three.
Although 'worst' is a relative term.
That was the RS test wasn't it? Or have they done an S test that I missed?Although 'worst' is a relative term.
But IMHO, the B8 is still a better ownership proposition.
ManOpener said:
I can't wait for them to drop down to more attainable levels...
They seem to now be falling sub £20k on a regular basis.Just before christmas, there were maybe 1 or 2 a month popping up in the classifieds/Autotrader for less than £20k, most were starting at £22k+
Quite a few kicking around at £18k upwards now, some higher mileage, some lower spec, but the values are deffo reducing sharper than they were.
I'm still keeping a keen eye on them, but am cautious of more higher mileage 7 speed DSG issues which are now arising on the 2009 cars, plus also cam chain noises. It would seem the 3.0 engine isn't averse to a rattle...
I've been there and worried about that with a B6 S4 which finally made me sell it due to potential cost of mechanical failure.
WreckedGecko said:
Oh god dont throw RS6's into the mix! I have just got over that hankering!
Looks like a few votes for the S4. Still want the RS4 though!
If you got a £4k bill on the RS4 would you fall out of love with it ? If not scratch the itch, you can change it for an S4 later.Looks like a few votes for the S4. Still want the RS4 though!
graeme4130 said:
From a cost perspective, the b8 S4 will still have a lot of depreciating yet to do whereas the b7 RS4 isn't likely to go down much further
You'd probably spend less in maintenance costs vs the s4 than you'd lose in the comparable depreciation
Lets say I do about 5k a year. The RS and the S are the same price to buy. In three years the RS would have about 75k on it, the S about 50 or so. Given the steep depreciation on the S4s how much less than the RS would it be worth? You'd probably spend less in maintenance costs vs the s4 than you'd lose in the comparable depreciation
I'm thinking max 5k less. So over 3 years thats about £1,600 a year. Given the RS would probably cost that much more in servicing etc per year, I'm not sure the difference in depreciation would come into it.
Or am I wrong?
With regards to the £4,000 bill putting me off it, it would annoy me given that that would represent about 16% of the car's value! But I don't think it would ruin the car, although to be honest, it would come close. It would have to be something fairly major to rack that up though.
I would hope to not have a individual bill of that size. Over the course of a year it would be more managable, although not ideal!
I have run a TVR in the past that had some big costs so I am not adverse to spending on maintainance.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff