B7 Audi RS4 info required, please
Discussion
Hi guys!
I have recently test driven the 4.2 V8 RS4 (I believe it is the B7 model, but I'm sure you guys will correct me, it not!)
The car was nothing short of astonishing! Over the last couple of months I've driven the an Audi S5, VW Passat R36 and CLS63 AMG, but this Audi may make me switch brands! I was so impressed.
So much so, it's coming down to the nitty-gritty of what will make me decide - owner's views and any issues with this model of RS4.
I know the RS4 is still pretty new, and have their been any factory recalls?
Are their own known issues with cars: Rust? Gearboxes? Suspension? Electronics?
What should I expect to pay? The one I test drove was 18 months old with 37k on the clock, up for £35,000 at an Audi dealer. I'd ideally like to get the best spec with very low mileage, but are there any known issue with engine when the miles start piling on? I'm guessing its quite a stressed engine, revving to 8,000rpm, so is there potential of things to wrong sooner?
Is the Quattro system good taking some track action?
What are the servicing costs? (I assume Audi has an "A and B" service regime?
How much are tyres and brakes? If someone could give me a rough idea for replacing pads and discs for the standard steel and option ceramic brakes, that would be a great help.
Finally, what's the car like to live with day-to-day? The test drive was in the wetest of conditions, but how does the Quattro cope is snow and ice?
If there is any other information you guys think I should know, then that would also be greatly received.
Many thanks in advance,
Darren
I have recently test driven the 4.2 V8 RS4 (I believe it is the B7 model, but I'm sure you guys will correct me, it not!)
The car was nothing short of astonishing! Over the last couple of months I've driven the an Audi S5, VW Passat R36 and CLS63 AMG, but this Audi may make me switch brands! I was so impressed.
So much so, it's coming down to the nitty-gritty of what will make me decide - owner's views and any issues with this model of RS4.
I know the RS4 is still pretty new, and have their been any factory recalls?
Are their own known issues with cars: Rust? Gearboxes? Suspension? Electronics?
What should I expect to pay? The one I test drove was 18 months old with 37k on the clock, up for £35,000 at an Audi dealer. I'd ideally like to get the best spec with very low mileage, but are there any known issue with engine when the miles start piling on? I'm guessing its quite a stressed engine, revving to 8,000rpm, so is there potential of things to wrong sooner?
Is the Quattro system good taking some track action?
What are the servicing costs? (I assume Audi has an "A and B" service regime?
How much are tyres and brakes? If someone could give me a rough idea for replacing pads and discs for the standard steel and option ceramic brakes, that would be a great help.
Finally, what's the car like to live with day-to-day? The test drive was in the wetest of conditions, but how does the Quattro cope is snow and ice?
If there is any other information you guys think I should know, then that would also be greatly received.
Many thanks in advance,
Darren
I know the RS4 is still pretty new, and have their been any factory recalls?
Yes, early cars got an ECU update and a slight tweak to the clutch mechanism.
Are their own known issues with cars: Rust? Gearboxes? Suspension? Electronics?
DRC failures (leaking dampers) are not common but would be expensive outside warranty as the system requires replacement in full.
Front discs can warp if abused.
Front discs and pads wear fast if used hard.
Front tyres wear fast is used hard.
Wheels ridiculously easy to kerb.
Clutches are strong but will not tolerate ham fisted driving.
Bolsters on the RS buckets wear fast if not treated carefully (repairable, though).
What should I expect to pay? The one I test drove was 18 months old with 37k on the clock, up for £35,000 at an Audi dealer.
That sounds like 31 retail to me if it's clean and specced.
I'd ideally like to get the best spec with very low mileage,
There's a premium to pay for anything ultra low mileage cars right now and high demand also.
but are there any known issue with engine when the miles start piling on? I'm guessing its quite a stressed engine, revving to 8,000rpm, so is there potential of things to wrong sooner?
The only engine replacement I know of was on a car that had been given a 'bit of a bath' by its owner. The engines in my experience get better and better with miles, by far the nicest RS4 I've driven had done over 30k and the added benefit of a full Milltek. Oil needs topping up regularly but that's about it, clean copy book
Is the Quattro system good taking some track action?
I was spun around the ring in a Misano red example - I was terrified. Freaky grip, agile back end when pushed and vomit inducing direction changes from the passenger seat. I haven't tracked one but on the road I am always, always impressed by quite how on-side they feel. Very special car to drive at any speed.
What are the servicing costs? (I assume Audi has an "A and B" service regime?
Apologies for the blatant plug, I have no interest in the service arm!
1st Variable service £306.96
2nd Variable service £534.95
To give you an idea of a specialist price. Expect roughly 14-15k between services, if it was mine I'd do it annualy/10k though.
How much are tyres and brakes?
Grand for front discs and pads fitted. Boots are 190+ a corner.
If someone could give me a rough idea for replacing pads and discs for the standard steel and option ceramic brakes, that would be a great help.
Ceramics are a remortgage job - standard stoppers are superb.
Finally, what's the car like to live with day-to-day?
Easy peasy, lots of positive attention, practical, comfortable, 24mpg not difficult to achieve, lovely car to wake up to in the morning!
The test drive was in the wetest of conditions, but how does the Quattro cope is snow and ice?
Haven't pushed one in really poor conditions but in torrential rain it was totally unphased.
If there is any other information you guys think I should know, then that would also be greatly received.
Phantom black, Daytona Grey or sprint blue are excellent. Mugello, Avus, Silver are passable. Misano and Imola can make resale very, very difficult.
Don't go for the "on-dash" phone cradle, it's hideous. Audi Bluetooth is easily retrofttted and superb.
Don't go for the multi function wheel, most people dislike it.
Sunroof is nice to have (interior is quite dark).
Alex
Yes, early cars got an ECU update and a slight tweak to the clutch mechanism.
Are their own known issues with cars: Rust? Gearboxes? Suspension? Electronics?
DRC failures (leaking dampers) are not common but would be expensive outside warranty as the system requires replacement in full.
Front discs can warp if abused.
Front discs and pads wear fast if used hard.
Front tyres wear fast is used hard.
Wheels ridiculously easy to kerb.
Clutches are strong but will not tolerate ham fisted driving.
Bolsters on the RS buckets wear fast if not treated carefully (repairable, though).
What should I expect to pay? The one I test drove was 18 months old with 37k on the clock, up for £35,000 at an Audi dealer.
That sounds like 31 retail to me if it's clean and specced.
I'd ideally like to get the best spec with very low mileage,
There's a premium to pay for anything ultra low mileage cars right now and high demand also.
but are there any known issue with engine when the miles start piling on? I'm guessing its quite a stressed engine, revving to 8,000rpm, so is there potential of things to wrong sooner?
The only engine replacement I know of was on a car that had been given a 'bit of a bath' by its owner. The engines in my experience get better and better with miles, by far the nicest RS4 I've driven had done over 30k and the added benefit of a full Milltek. Oil needs topping up regularly but that's about it, clean copy book
Is the Quattro system good taking some track action?
I was spun around the ring in a Misano red example - I was terrified. Freaky grip, agile back end when pushed and vomit inducing direction changes from the passenger seat. I haven't tracked one but on the road I am always, always impressed by quite how on-side they feel. Very special car to drive at any speed.
What are the servicing costs? (I assume Audi has an "A and B" service regime?
Apologies for the blatant plug, I have no interest in the service arm!
1st Variable service £306.96
2nd Variable service £534.95
To give you an idea of a specialist price. Expect roughly 14-15k between services, if it was mine I'd do it annualy/10k though.
How much are tyres and brakes?
Grand for front discs and pads fitted. Boots are 190+ a corner.
If someone could give me a rough idea for replacing pads and discs for the standard steel and option ceramic brakes, that would be a great help.
Ceramics are a remortgage job - standard stoppers are superb.
Finally, what's the car like to live with day-to-day?
Easy peasy, lots of positive attention, practical, comfortable, 24mpg not difficult to achieve, lovely car to wake up to in the morning!
The test drive was in the wetest of conditions, but how does the Quattro cope is snow and ice?
Haven't pushed one in really poor conditions but in torrential rain it was totally unphased.
If there is any other information you guys think I should know, then that would also be greatly received.
Phantom black, Daytona Grey or sprint blue are excellent. Mugello, Avus, Silver are passable. Misano and Imola can make resale very, very difficult.
Don't go for the "on-dash" phone cradle, it's hideous. Audi Bluetooth is easily retrofttted and superb.
Don't go for the multi function wheel, most people dislike it.
Sunroof is nice to have (interior is quite dark).
Alex
iluvmercs said:
What should I expect to pay? The one I test drove was 18 months old with 37k on the clock, up for £35,000 at an Audi dealer.
Darren
Just sold mine - px value was 29.5K. Sold privately, at the same money. March 06 saloon. 16.5K miles. Lots of extras, inc. Sport Suspension, sunroof, coolbox/glovebox, ipod adapter, electric blinds, satnav etc etc.Darren
Hope that helps with pricing. I would expect to see it sell at about £32K had it gone as px.
Fantastic cars - enjoy it when you find the right one.
Cheers, Mark
I would get as new as you can, make sure you test drive one with recarros and one with buckets as I found the buckets too tight and personally didnt like the quality of them either, they seem to wear quite badly. I would also test the sports suspension vs the sports suspension +, the suspension plus lowers and stiffens the ride whilst not being crashy. The phone cradle on the dash I tend to disagree with the comments above, I initially did not like it but the voice controlled system that utilizes the button on the bottom of the cradle is very good, you simply press the button say a few words and it dials it for you. If you get the blue tooth retro fitted with out the bracket make sure that they incorporate this facility as it is very good.
The DRC system has now been covered by a further warranty for 5 years from date of registration in recognition of the problems if a car has had new parts fitted already.
Good luck and have a look over on www.rs246.com
The DRC system has now been covered by a further warranty for 5 years from date of registration in recognition of the problems if a car has had new parts fitted already.
Good luck and have a look over on www.rs246.com
Many thanks for the information, advice and opinions in this thread, thus far.
I shall have to have to long browse of that Audi forum, so thank you for the link, baxter and Fort Jefferson.
Fort Jefferson: I noticed you were at PF 2007. Were you the chap with the black S4, then usually seen with the likes of Prof Beard, BG and Kermit? I don't think I had the pleasure of meeting of you, on that rain soaked weekend
Darren
I shall have to have to long browse of that Audi forum, so thank you for the link, baxter and Fort Jefferson.
Fort Jefferson: I noticed you were at PF 2007. Were you the chap with the black S4, then usually seen with the likes of Prof Beard, BG and Kermit? I don't think I had the pleasure of meeting of you, on that rain soaked weekend
Darren
I agree with most of the points above. Beaware that RS4's are depreciating by 1,500 plus per month, therefore, this needs to be reflected in the purchase price. To find out the current trade value, simply phone 2 or three dealers both official Audi and specialist and ask them to bid on the car you are looking to purchase. That way, you will know what it's true trade value is. I sold my 07/57 RS4 Avant with 5K on the clock in August. Dealer bids ranged from 35 - 39K. I sold it privately for 41. Same car now is worth 3-5K less.
There has been another recall, they tend just to do it when the car is in for something else so can't be that serious but it is for the fuel sensor I believe.
Definitely try both seats, I went for non-buckets as I wanted the car as usable as possible and the buckets didn't seem right to me, they also take up space in the back seats which aren't that roomy anyway.
Definitely agree wheels are very easy to curb, consider myself quite careful and have done all 4.
Would also mention that they aren't the easiest cars to drive round town smoothly, the clutch takes a bit of getting used to.
To me the avants look better - but I am biased.
Definitely try both seats, I went for non-buckets as I wanted the car as usable as possible and the buckets didn't seem right to me, they also take up space in the back seats which aren't that roomy anyway.
Definitely agree wheels are very easy to curb, consider myself quite careful and have done all 4.
Would also mention that they aren't the easiest cars to drive round town smoothly, the clutch takes a bit of getting used to.
To me the avants look better - but I am biased.
Thorny said:
Definitely try both seats, I went for non-buckets as I wanted the car as usable as possible and the buckets didn't seem right to me, they also take up space in the back seats which aren't that roomy anyway.
Thorny said:
Wheels are very easy to curb, consider myself quite careful and have done all 4.
Thorny said:
Would also mention that they aren't the easiest cars to drive round town smoothly, the clutch takes a bit of getting used to.
Thorny said:
To me the avants look better - but I am biased.
Leondrums said:
Something about S4s.
Hi iluvmercs.
I was in the market but bottled it come crunch time!
Last week I nearly bought an 06 silver saloon with 18k miles for 33k cash from indy. Theres also an 06 black one near me at a main dealers with 12k on the clock for 34.
Basically, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE test drive. Fastest car I've ever been in let alone driven. It just eats road like you wouldn't believe LOL.
I'm expecting prices to drop below 30 in the next couple of months so planning to sit it out rather than lose immediate deprection ( as it were).
I was in the market but bottled it come crunch time!
Last week I nearly bought an 06 silver saloon with 18k miles for 33k cash from indy. Theres also an 06 black one near me at a main dealers with 12k on the clock for 34.
Basically, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE test drive. Fastest car I've ever been in let alone driven. It just eats road like you wouldn't believe LOL.
I'm expecting prices to drop below 30 in the next couple of months so planning to sit it out rather than lose immediate deprection ( as it were).
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