Audi RS4 Avant (B5) | Spotted
Has the B5 been in the shadow of its V8s successors for too long? Here are 381 reasons why it's well worth a look
Sometimes, a carmaker gets an engine so right that it becomes synonymous with the model it featured in. The original BMW M3, for instance, packed a race-bred 2.0-litre, but along came the S50 and S54 in the E30 and E46 respectively, and suddenly, straight-six power became the defining engine of M’s 3er. Then there’s the first AMG C-Class, originally offered with a 3.6-litre straight-six but ever since the 55 landed Merc’s hottest C has traditionally been driven by a big, rumbly V8. (Part of the reason the current four-cylinder hybrid has fallen so spectacularly on its face.)
Perhaps it’s a German performance car thing, because it’s a similar story for the Audi RS4, like the one we have here. A V8 seemed like the perfect powertrain when it was introduced on the B7 and improved for the B8, and made the move to a twin-turbo V6 for the B9 seem a touch underwhelming, not least because it didn’t move the power needle an inch. But, as you know, the original B5 RS4 came with a 2.7-litre V6 - just 200cc smaller than the current car - with a brace of turbocharges and 381hp on tap. That’s more than what today’s S4 can muster, and must have felt positively nuclear back in 2000.
While the RS2 set the blueprint for the fast Audi wagon, the B5 RS4 was the first super Avant designed and built in-house (well, mostly). No longer needing Porsche assistance with development, Audi set about reworking the S4’s engine (with a bit of help from Cosworth Technology), upgrading the 90-degree V6 with an aluminium head, beefier conrods, two BorgWarner turbos, side-mounted intercoolers and a new exhaust system. The brakes were Audi’s own, with chunky 360mm discs and dual-piston callipers up front and the chassis was inevitably firmed up.
Clearly, it was quite a bit wider than the S4. Humungous arches were needed to cater for the near 70mm increase in track width, while deeper front and rear bumpers not only added to the Avant’s meanness, but also made the RS4 a good deal more slippery than the S4. Just what you need while barrelling down the autobahn at a (limited) 155mph. It was said to be good in the twisty stuff, too, with a trick torque-sensing centre differential and 50:50 weight distribution - depending on boot contents.
It was a very impressive car, but the B5 doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it followed the trend-setting RS2 and was succeeded by the V8-powered B7, which is probably the best RS4 there’s been. But it’s hard not to get excited about B5s when cars like this exist. It’s finished in the Nogaro Blue, which immediately hands it bonus points, and comes with white leather Recaros that look oh-so comfy. From head to toe, it looks utterly sublime.
As it should, given that it hasn’t been driven all that much in recent years. Much of the 59,679 miles covered were completed during the first 11 years of its life and it’s been used more sparingly since. That being said, it’s recently been put through a major service, including new belts, and the seller claims it comes with an advisory-free MOT. The price? £46,995, which is on the steep side for a B5 RS4, especially as you could grab this example (albeit with double the mileage) for less than half the price. But that car isn’t Nogaro Blue, nor is it bone stock like the one we have here. Does that account for the £25k premium? We’ll let you decide on that one...
SPECIFICATION | AUDI RS4 (B5)
Engine: 2,671cc V6, twin turbocharged
Transmission: six-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 381@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 324@2,500-6,000rpm
MPG: 23.4
CO2: 288g/km
Year registered: 2001
Recorded mileage: 59,679
Price new: £46,500
Yours for: £46,995
Prefer B7 in looks and engine. The later models were the size of gen 1 RS6's, a shame because was perfectly big enough.
That seems like a lot of wedge.
. I can see the attraction, but not at £47k The original M3 actually was the E30, and had a 2.3-litre S14B23 engine (some of the later specials excepted).
The original M3 actually was the E30, and had a 2.3-litre S14B23 engine (some of the later specials excepted).
Nice car but not at that money for me.
Lovely cars but the S8 used to take us for passenger rides sideways on a track was the highlight, gave us serious Ronin vibes.
Weren't the originals prone to buckling and cracking?
I don't know if the official fix was stronger rims of the same design?
I had one years ago and loved it - it had a real hot rod vibe- although the B7 I owned a few years afterwards was a much better car on every measure.
The only practicality issue with the early generation RS4s is the rear legroom - they seem to be much more compromised than the equivalent BMW.
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