Audi RS4 Avant: PH Carpool
Better to have loved and lost? Better not to have lost...
Car: Audi RS4 B5
Owned since: June 2009
Previously owned: "Cars; VW Polo MKII x2, Ford Sierra XR4x4 (Supercharged), Polo MKIII, Subaru Imprezza STI WRX PPP. Bikes: Honda CBR 600 F2, Honda Fireblade RRS, Ducati 996S, R and RS, MV Agusta F4 312RR."
Why I bought it:
Man likes fast 4WD estates; this was inevitable
"So when I left, it was a bit of a sweet shop moment, suddenly unshackled from the burden of the 'buy one, pay for three' regime. I previously owned an XR4x4. Admittedly, the Sierra was pretty agricultural and the interior not great. However, the supercharged performance was really fun, the noise amazing and the 4WD able to reconcile the deficit in my driving ability back then with the 300hp available. I also had a relatively rare Subaru WRX STI PPP estate for a while. A similar formula to the XR4x4. The terrible interior, hollow doors and rough engine began to annoy me so I sold it after less than a year for what I had paid for it. However I remain a real fan of the fast estate combination of practicality and performance.
"I had seen a number of RS4s over the years and, though many now are ruined by 25 profile tyres, chromed rims, absent suspension and a sound system in the boot spec'd for an IMAX cinema, there are still decent examples here. Additionally the Audi has a really well made interior unlike the Ford and Subaru. If I have one car I am just not organised enough to have a sports car. So I managed to justify the price almost immediately by thinking how much a new Polo would cost in Denmark and that it was also another very practical solution."
What I wish I'd known:
"Servicing. Audi main dealers seem geared up for fleet and standard Audis, obvious really. Booking it in for a service immediately initiates rolling out the red carpet and the constant sound of the till ringing. I should have known of course but the first visit resulted in, a paid for, three-page list of essential errors and issues to be resolved immediately. Reeling from this experience, I then resorted to forums and found a couple of specialist Audi workshops who sensibly and knowledgeably ignored all the error messages generated by the modifications and focused on applying their excellent knowledge to the actual condition of the car. Without fail they were very capable, enthusiastic and interested in providing great service at a reasonable price.
"The complexity of the RS4, a car from 2001, is impressive. A fast Renault from 2001 would have a couple of sticks behind the headlights or a very cheap knob under the steering wheel to adjust the front headlights under load, the Audi had an automated system that seemed could clearly be used to stabilise the gun on a Leopard Tank. It uses an early version of Can-Bus, and many three-letter systems developed by Bosch. All well and good until they fail or until the Can-Bus spits out many messages. This also extends to the engine. If the turbos are in need of attention, the engine needs to be removed.
"In reality unless it has been very well maintained you might as well add 15-20 per cent to the purchase price to have it really well sorted."
Things I love:
"Even though this modified example was pushing 500hp, it was easy to drive it at normal speeds all day, safe in the knowledge that it was very fast but that it did not seem to demand to be driven at 11/10 all the time. The Subaru on the other hand was like a character from a BDSM film (so I have heard) in that it just demanded to be continually thrashed. At low speeds it behaved well, easy to manoeuvre and small enough to pick a path through urban traffic.
You'll notice much of this is wrtten in the past tense...
"Unmolested examples look relatively normal, the flared wheel arches really being the only giveaway, especially with original Audi wheels and an exhaust exiting on one side. It attracted little attention from most people (and Police) except those that know their cars unlike the XR4x4 and the Subaru.
"The interior, for a car that is from 2001, has absolutely all the gadgets I would ever want in a car, then, now or in the future. The seats are very comfortable though centre panels made of cloth would be a sensible addition. The interior is well laid out and uses high quality materials in a well thought out design. The only minor criticism being that it was very very dark, like I imagine the inside of Darth Vader's helmet would be.
"It just looks great. I really liked that colour and the way it looked quietly menacing. Definitely one of Audi's best cars."
Things I hate:
"There is nothing as such about the car I dislike. Needing deep pockets both to fuel it and maintain it (at that age). Owning one with less than 60K on the clock and five years earlier would have been brilliant. It is annoying that such a great car falls into the hands of people who abuse them so early in their lives.
"It is a thief magnet. Although understated it was obviously very sought after and was eventually stolen right under the CCTV cameras at an airport whilst immobilised and with a number of other engine items disabled by me. It is likely somewhere much further east, lowered, running on chromed rims, being driven by a 25-year-old with pimples who will abuse it and likely write it off. That I hate."
Costs:
"Fortunately the insurance was paid as if it was a company car. Otherwise and even with 10 years no claims it would not have been cheap but compared to the UK, still a bargain to insure.
"The fuel cost was dependent on how it was driven but I reckon that at full speed it was probably managing no more that 5-10mpg and when driven responsibly late 20s. Whilst accelerating hard and driving at near top speed you could actually see the fuel gauge chart its inexorable path to the red and beyond.
"Tyres. Well again somewhat dependent on how it was driven. Dark lines in the rear view mirror tended to bring tears to my eyes. The original spec was 18-inch wheels and 255/R35 tyres so at this level tyres can be purchased reasonably. However owners put anything from 225s to 285s, 25-45 profile tyres on 18-inch - 20-inch inch wheels. So four tyres could cost well into four digits.
"Any serious surgery was a four-digit affair. However this was offset by the professionalism and knowledge of those performing surgery whose life's ambition seemed not to be to make a million but to enjoy making these cars run well. It came with some Italian alloys made from cheese wrapped in 30 profile rubber mats. It was almost unbearable to drive. Every wheel was oval and out of balance. It tram-lined constantly and pounded my back. I sold these and the money was used to fund a set of new tyres and B7 wheels with 35 profile tyres. An hour with the German Kwik Fit fitter and I knew all there was to know about the RS4 and possible wheel and tyre combinations."
Where I've been:
"I spent some time in the UK with it and just enjoyed driving about on B roads, mostly in the Cotswolds and further south west. In and around Burford being favourites. Apart from it being a lovely area, when you leave the tourists behind there are some great and rarely used roads. Left-hand drive is not really a problem unless you are in a real hurry or pulling out of a tight parking space.
Have you seen this car?
"A lovely and long tour to France, down to Macon and around the largely deserted roads of that area. Then across to the busier town of Annecy. However there are some good roads but more importantly fantastic views in and around that beautiful town. Then north up to the First World War sites before driving back to Scandinavia. Just a real joy the entire way. The benefit of an estate being plenty of space for a mattress, all other required luxuries, resulting in a much cheaper trip.
"In winter the Swedes do not clear their roads of snow. Everyone uses tyres with metal studs and thus I became Stig Blomqvist for a while that year with a rolling video of those memorable winter rallies being projected through the windscreen. Alot of fun and again, roads usually deserted but also without risk of running into a Moose."
What's next?
"Thus far I have not purchased another car. I do not currently need one. I submitted my £100K garage and thus that would be my start point. Occasionally though I see a final edition old school 4.0L XJR or an Audi RS4 B7 and I start to try and justify needing one again. In my opinion the RS4 dropped off after the B7. New cars just do not interest me. So whatever it is, it will be second hand but hopefully with less than 60k miles and youngish.
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
I always take the new car/bike on that stretch to make a comparison.Me and the wife when on a walk around the general Burford area a little while back and while parking up on a side road there was a silver RS4 parked on the road. Could well have been this one!
Also while working in Austria one of the top 'big wigs' had a RS4. Even though I was a trainee we still had a good little exchange talking about his car. A true sign of a 'petrolhead', does not matter your money or position, there is that common love of cars
The acknowledgment that too many of here have been lowered, had rubber and tyres put on, or tuned to within an inch of their lives is th heart of this story to me; search out , and be prepared to pay a premium for, an unadulterated example.
Definitely one on my wish list, but my fear is that by the time I have one the chances of finding that special example will rank alongside finding a unicorn....
I always take the new car/bike on that stretch to make a comparison.Me and the wife when on a walk around the general Burford area a little while back and while parking up on a side road there was a silver RS4 parked on the road. Could well have been this one!
Also while working in Austria one of the top 'big wigs' had a RS4. Even though I was a trainee we still had a good little exchange talking about his car. A true sign of a 'petrolhead', does not matter your money or position, there is that common love of cars
It was near and in Burford about 2yrs ago. Some great roads around there though. These were taken in Minster Lovell.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff