Audi RS4 (B5) | Spotted
There might not be another RS4 - time to celebrate one of the very best, in the best colour
Introduced more than a quarter of a century ago now, it's hard to recall the impact of the original RS4. But it’s equally difficult to overstate what the RS4 represented. Not only was it just 20hp less powerful than the M5 from a class above, it was also just 20hp less powerful than the entry-level mid-engined Ferrari of the time, the 360 Modena.
Imagine that now, from the latest RS5 - it would have more than 700hp. With the turbo torque and quattro four-wheel drive in its favour also, the RS4 totally redefined expectations of all-weather speed in the UK. Even a Skyline GT-R was (officially) 100hp less powerful. In truth, the RS4 was without rival in 1999, much as the RS2 had been a few years earlier, and therefore a very worthy replacement.
It helped, of course, that the RS4 looked how it did as well. The original Audi RS car had been a handsome fast estate, but the second really took things up several notches. Perfectly melding aggression with discretion, the B5 became the template for how fast Audis should look, relying on track width and stance for attitude - not silly spoilers. To some extent, the current RS5 follows the guidelines, if pushing them to the extreme.
This particular RS4 is in Nogaro Blue, the definitive Audi Sport colour. It’s the one always associated with the RS2, the one that’s brought back for special editions, the one that will always carry a premium. To make it better still, this one’s paired with light leather for the Recaros, which have somehow survived 25 years without turning the colour of the denim.
Maybe this Audi has only ever been driven in linen trousers, but the tiny mileage of just 26,000 will play a part as well. The condition of it generally seems exceptional, which is always notable for a car like this: there’s not much in the world better suited to long distances and year-round usability than an RS4, yet this has barely covered a thousand miles a year. Indeed, the first 18,000 were covered by the first digital MOT, the rest added on gently since (including a six-year hibernation.)
So there might be a couple of bits and bobs that would benefit from rejuvenation, as well as just proper use: it’s done about 2,000 miles in 17 years. There’s no mention of service records in the ad, though the condition of the paint, wheels, upholstery and engine bay would very much suggest it’s been cherished as a collectable rather than just forgotten about.
Certainly the B5 qualifies as a modern classic these days. As well as the design, performance and historical significance in its favour, there’s the rarity (just 532 for the UK), the Cosworth input and the manual-only configuration. As Audi Sport embarks on its hybrid-only path that’s near enough mandatory these days, so the interest in the old warriors only seems likely to increase. Especially when they look this good.
Does that mean an RS4 is now a £55k car? When an RS2 can be an £80k prospect, perhaps it does. In this specification and with so little use, there’s undoubtedly going to be interest, even if keeping a B5 in as fine a fettle as this won’t come cheaply. If only the very best of the best will do when it comes to old Audis, then look no further.
SPECIFICATION | AUDI RS4 AVANT (B5)
Engine: 2,671cc, twin-turbo V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive via Torsen differential
Power (hp): 381@7,000 rpm
Torque (lb ft): 324@2,500-6,000rpm
MPG: 24
CO2: 288g/km
Year registered: 2001
Recorded mileage: 26,587
Price new: £46,500 (2000)
Yours for: £54,995
The AI written advert is weird, and I've no idea why it shows 1 owner when it's 6. I fitted RNSE to it way back in the day, might even have the original radio in a draw somewhere...
Photos from February it seems, but keeper changed in June. Who knows.
It was an absolute animal and I loved it.
175 mph flat out on the autobahn despite the 'voluntary' 155 mph limit amongst German manufacturers at the time. It's speed on the autobahn only matched by the turbo lag when trying to pull onto a busy roundabout.
Is the RS4 that Audi don t support, parts-wise?
If so I wonder how hard it will become to keep this on the road, although it sounds like previous owners have used it a bit, but not much.
Good car though, glad I owned it. As per the poster above, it was in its element on the Autobahn drinking Aral 102
It’s not a Lotus Elise, but it is a decent enough car to enjoy driving with IME
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