Sunday 3rd April 2016

Audi RS4 (B7) Avant: Spotted

A decade since the RS4 revolutionised fast Audis, is now the time to try one?

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Yes, it really has been 10 years since the B7 Audi RS4 went on sale in the UK. It had been five years since the B5 RS4 and, let's be honest, expectations were not that high. Fast Audis were, well, fast and looked pretty cool but dynamically weren't all that. The RS4 changed that quite dramatically.

Before those wheels were on every S Line diesel

R8 aside, nothing has done as much for the dynamic reputation for Audis as the first V8 RS4. It was precise and engaging, it rode properly (!) and finally gave the M3 a proper rival from Audi. It's hard to underestimate the impact the RS4 had; nothing since, again with the exception of the R8, has really made enthusiasts take notice of Audi.

And there was that engine. That engine. It revved to 8,500rpm, produced 420hp and made a glorious V8 noise. The next RS4 will most likely be turbocharged, and who would bet against it being DSG -- only as well? The engine is a real selling point for this RS4.

Now this is a subjective thing, but for many the RS4 did - and still does - look brilliant as well. Swollen arches, big exhausts and just enough aggression without being OTT, the RS4 continued that tradition of great looking fast Audis.

For this story we've chosen a Mugello Blue RS4 Avant, because they're easily the coolest RS4. It's from the first year of production, its 89,000 miles have been covered by two owners and it has been "meticulously maintained" according to the ad. Tempting...

A big selling point in a world of turbos

Now the PH Buying Guide points to a few key areas to check on any RS4, most notably the DRC dampers (fitted here) and a lumpy idle from carbon deposits, but not a great deal else. If the owners spoken to for that feature are anything to go by, RS4 drivers are a happy bunch!

While the RS4's tenth birthday may make you feel a little old, it does at least mean that they're getting more affordable. This car, with just under 90,000 miles recorded, is £18,990. There isn't a great deal else to consider when looking at RS4 Avants, mainly because the C63 is newer and more expensive and there was never an M3 estate. All other suggestions welcome, of course...

So that's the case for an RS4. It's not an especially difficult one, funnily enough! Fast estates don't always seem that popular with the rise of SUVs, but this one is very easy to love. When's the next one coming Audi?

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AUDI RS4 (B7) AVANT
Engine: 4,163cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 420@7,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 317@5,500rpm
MPG: 20
CO2: 324g/km
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 89,000
Price new: N/A
Price now: £18,990

See the original advert here.

 

[Ryvita]

No M3 estate you say? Well, there is just one. http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/04/01/never-built-bmw-...

Ahhh, what could have been...

[xxdaix]

When I was looking at these last year, there were a number for them that were Cat C.

I was told this was due to the fact that the Recaros were been nicked to fit into Golf's A3 etc etc and the dealers had to buy the seats as kits which meant it was in the region of £3k per seat (I'm sure someone that had this actually happen will correct) So the insurance companies wrote them off.

Higher mileage cars start at between £12 & £14k a lot of car for the money...

[Blackbird425]

Beautiful looking car in that colour. Not cheap for a ten year old near 100k motor though

Never ceases to amaze me how many people fit hideous looking mobile phone / Bluetooth / stereo contraptions into cars like this. Ruins the interior, to my eyes at least.

[crashley]

I've had mine getting on 3years now; one of the best cars i've owned and the longest i've kept. Expensive to keep healthy, but worth it. I've repeatedly toyed with swapping for something more modern (335D, Macan, SQ5) but i jump back in the B7 and it really is a great bit of kit when pressing on, especially given how practical it is.

[djdest]

I had a B5 RS4, give me that over a B7 every time

[WCZ]

these have definitely climbed in value

[Leins]

djdest said:

I had a B5 RS4, give me that over a B7 every time

Yep, same as that, although I do love the sound of the V8 in the B7, especially when linked up to the likes of a Milltek. However, for me the B5 just feels more "special" if that makes any sense, and I prefer the looks of the older car

Also, I've never found the ride in my B5 to be anywhere near unacceptable, so never really understood that particular criticism. In fact I think it's considerably better than that of my old 335d (although maybe that's not saying much )

[Jamesgt]

Blackbird425 said:

Never ceases to amaze me how many people fit hideous looking mobile phone / Bluetooth / stereo contraptions into cars like this. Ruins the interior, to my eyes at least.

If you're referring to the phone cradle then I think it was an option. To remove this I believe it may leave a slot in the trim so new trim required and it then becomes expensive to do a nice job. I agree, it looks rubbish though. My friend has the saloon in work. It's great, love the sound, looks and how it handles.

[jeremyc]

Blackbird425 said:

Never ceases to amaze me how many people fit hideous looking mobile phone / Bluetooth / stereo contraptions into cars like this. Ruins the interior, to my eyes at least.

That's the standard OEM fitment. The trick is to find one without the Bluetooth preparation.

[PistonBroker]

I've always liked these - powerful yet understated - but have been obsessing over them recently ever since one made it into my watch list on my usual 'distance-nearest first' trawl of eBay Motors.

The one in my watch list has been on a few times now. It looks not quite right - it was on 20" Rotiforms when it first appeared - and it's latest appearance declares it to be a Cat D which I don't recall from the previous listings but isn't a great surprise.

Edit to add link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-AUDI-RS4-NICE-SPEC-...

Doesn't stop me thinking about a good one though! Appreciating classic, surely?

Edited by PistonBroker on Thursday 31st March 11:54

[RicM5]

Owned several B5 RS4's and 1 B7...... The ride in the B7 is unbelievably good you just don't think your driving an estate.... As with all things mechanical there is a degree of luck involved ..... In 6 months of ownership I had mine carbon cleaned .... Replaced a failing inlet manifold and fitted new rubber at every corner. This resulted in A £5k bill and as much as I loved the car I decided to move on.
It's worth trying to find 1 with major jobs addressed or pay a premium for a warranty.... That being said awesome car

[Krikkit]

Don't take this the wrong way Ric, but why'd you move on? Having spent £5k I'd be keeping it for a while knowing a couple of expensive jobs have already had to be done, may as well get the benefit!

[Leins]

That's a fab photo Ric!

[walm]

I nearly bought one of these two years ago.
Probably should have.
They literally haven't moved in price. If anything up a little.
Could have had zero depreciation motoring for a 60-70k miler!

[anonymous-user]

I love the idea of them but one major issue without warranty and it's going to make you wince.

[RicM5]

Yer fair point krikkit
Fantastic spec to including black optics pack and sports suspension
Thanks Leins

[RicM5]

Yer fair point krikkit
Fantastic spec to including black optics pack and sports suspension
Thanks Leins

[British Beef]

I really like these, but would not pay what they are now commanding.
They are not special or rare enough in my opinion.

I prefer the relative simplicity and rear space my E39 M5 affords, at half the cost of these things.

[va1o]

Always loved these but still a little expensive. As an alternative I've recently picked up an S5 V8 for quite a lot less money. It's a bit less powerful with 355bhp but still more than quick enough, and obviously benefits from sitting on the newer MLB chassis as per the B8 RS4

[djdest]

Leins said:

Yep, same as that, although I do love the sound of the V8 in the B7, especially when linked up to the likes of a Milltek. However, for me the B5 just feels more "special" if that makes any sense, and I prefer the looks of the older car

Also, I've never found the ride in my B5 to be anywhere near unacceptable, so never really understood that particular criticism. In fact I think it's considerably better than that of my old 335d (although maybe that's not saying much )

I think the B5 with a milltek and bigger down pipes sounds much better than the B7.
Also, prices of good B5's are now going up rather quickly, B7 prices are staying the same, so are now similar money for both. I'd say the B5 is a much better investment if you're concerned about that sort of thing