Audi B6/7 Avant, S4 v RS4

[rainmasterb]

Afternoon all, thinking about one or other of the above, given my growing family and space requirements. Currently have an E46 M3. Appreciate that the RS4 will be the better car, but 'better' enough to justify the extra purchase price, running costs and risk factor? Car will be a daily driver and probably auto box. Haven't driven either yet but wondering if anybody here has experience of both and can advise? Thanks in advance.

[Chris Hinds]

If you're looking at a B7 RS4 that's a Manual only option I'm afraid. The S4 only works as an auto not as a manual... the manual is too low geared to be in any way efficient when cruising where the auto works nicely. Having driven both, I think the S4 is a nice car but never as quick as it sounds... the RS4 is as quick as it sounds. Either will be getting on a bit now, so on balance I'd probably go S4 as it's less likely to have spent 12 years being ragged on a more highly strained power plant.

[RemyMartin81D]

If you go B6 S4 make sure you get one with the timing chain done or factor it into your costs.

[TheAngryDog]

If you have been looking at B7 RS4s then I would look at the B8 S4. They're not expensive and with a little money spent on them they go quite well, around RS4 performance. You can get these with dsg as well.

[akadk]

The S4 to RS 4 is night and day.

S4 is a standard A4 with a V8

RS 4 is a RS product in many aspects.

[anonymous-user]

Worth looking at rs246.com or audisrs.com for more info.

Do plenty of research as the B7 RS4 has some known issues e.g. DRC suspension and intake clogging as it is FSI. B6/7 S4 is as said previously an A4 with a V8, non-FSI, standard suspension, etc and bit more under the radar compared to the RS.

Can't comment on the timing chains on the the RS but on the S if it rattles more than a second or two on start up walk away, sorting out the tensioners is expensive and on a B6/7 S4 could be uneconomic.