Anyone have any experience of Audi RS4 ?
Discussion
Yes, I had a B7 for a year or so, I really thought it was a great car, had a non res valved Milltek exhausted fitted, that V8 sound is hard to beat IMHO. Main issues to aware of are valves coking up and shock absorber DRC issues, can be very expensive! Mine was all sorted under warranty so no issue for me.
I had a black B7 '56 plate saloon for a few months in 2008.. sledgehammer car, great for a family or bank jobs! 
... it was a leased standard car with a healthy appetite for oil, fuel, tyres & pads as it was a heavy bus compared to a gt3.. great steering & handling though compared to the previous RS2 model that I'd driven.. I was looking at them again recently as a tow car, but read that towing was not advised due to engine cooling issues. Avant models seen to be very expensive too.
... it was a leased standard car with a healthy appetite for oil, fuel, tyres & pads as it was a heavy bus compared to a gt3.. great steering & handling though compared to the previous RS2 model that I'd driven.. I was looking at them again recently as a tow car, but read that towing was not advised due to engine cooling issues. Avant models seen to be very expensive too. Yes, I also had B7-RS4, only let it go to move on to another Porsche.
Great car IMHO, and as said above possible issues would be mainly down to engine coking and DRC system - never had a problem personally on engine front and any DRC was sorted under warranty.
DRC when working properly is a very good 'flexible' system suited to many different driving situations.
For someone such as yourself I wouldn't see that you couldn't sort either issue out if they manifested.
The 'flaps' in the OE exhaust system were another weak point - could seize open as in my case. Many owners change over to Miltek systems, as above again, but not imperative - depends what you want to hear I guess, or maybe what you want others to hear (or not)!
Can be a very practical car (I had the Avant) and quite stealthy if in subdued colour - but can surprise many a 'exotic' if you give it the beans.
Quattro 4-wd system was a boon in winter/the colder wetter months in getting the power down and staying were you want it.
Build quality and interior were right up-there on these cars - better than Porsche at the time.
There is a lack of leg room in the back (especially with buckets) but I still managed many long trips 4-up without major problems or discomfort.
IIRC must haves on the car used to be: Buckets / FBSW / Nav / Carbon.
As said, great car, miss mine still and would have another without hesitation.
Cheers Stiggy
Great car IMHO, and as said above possible issues would be mainly down to engine coking and DRC system - never had a problem personally on engine front and any DRC was sorted under warranty.
DRC when working properly is a very good 'flexible' system suited to many different driving situations.
For someone such as yourself I wouldn't see that you couldn't sort either issue out if they manifested.
The 'flaps' in the OE exhaust system were another weak point - could seize open as in my case. Many owners change over to Miltek systems, as above again, but not imperative - depends what you want to hear I guess, or maybe what you want others to hear (or not)!
Can be a very practical car (I had the Avant) and quite stealthy if in subdued colour - but can surprise many a 'exotic' if you give it the beans.
Quattro 4-wd system was a boon in winter/the colder wetter months in getting the power down and staying were you want it.
Build quality and interior were right up-there on these cars - better than Porsche at the time.
There is a lack of leg room in the back (especially with buckets) but I still managed many long trips 4-up without major problems or discomfort.
IIRC must haves on the car used to be: Buckets / FBSW / Nav / Carbon.
As said, great car, miss mine still and would have another without hesitation.
Cheers Stiggy
What would you like to know?
I have not owned one but my brother has one and I have driven it extensively and know the running costs.
It's quick, holds the road very well and is quite practical but rear leg room is a bit compromised if it has the bucket seats. It will drink oil, fuel (around 19mpg) and eat through brakes very quickly if driven hard.
The coking problems are not a problem if the car has been used as intended and not just on short journeys. The standard fit Pirellis are crap and changing to Michelin PSS does wonders for the handling and ride, especially if it has the Sports+ suspension.
I have not owned one but my brother has one and I have driven it extensively and know the running costs.
It's quick, holds the road very well and is quite practical but rear leg room is a bit compromised if it has the bucket seats. It will drink oil, fuel (around 19mpg) and eat through brakes very quickly if driven hard.
The coking problems are not a problem if the car has been used as intended and not just on short journeys. The standard fit Pirellis are crap and changing to Michelin PSS does wonders for the handling and ride, especially if it has the Sports+ suspension.
I've owned 4 B7s... don't ask why, long story! 2 Avants and 2 saloons.
Absolutely epic car, amazing engine (that needs revved) and great traction. Understeers, but you learn to drive round that. Reliable except for known issues (suspension leaks) but eats fuel. And oil. For some reason I always thought the Avants handled better on the edge, I wondered if they have better weight distribution?!
One of the best sounding cars out there and really gets under your skin. I would have another one for an everyday car in a heartbeat.
If you are getting one make sure it has the proper seats and flat bottom steering wheel. And preferably a blue avant.
Absolutely epic car, amazing engine (that needs revved) and great traction. Understeers, but you learn to drive round that. Reliable except for known issues (suspension leaks) but eats fuel. And oil. For some reason I always thought the Avants handled better on the edge, I wondered if they have better weight distribution?!
One of the best sounding cars out there and really gets under your skin. I would have another one for an everyday car in a heartbeat.
If you are getting one make sure it has the proper seats and flat bottom steering wheel. And preferably a blue avant.
I had a 2007 B7, it was a good workhorse and I wish I had kept it alongside the Porsche but no need for both really. I had the comfort seat option as, at the time, it seemed to be that the buckets were sought after to the extent that some thieving g1ts would trash cars to obtain them.......
Yes I run one as a daily and have done for a few years, doesn't feel that fast (esp compared to turbo models), but unbeatable for general use if you want 4 doors, space etc. and like driving
Basic bits are pretty easy to sort and I've replaced a couple of DRC dampers but they aren't that expensive from Audi these days. Oil is a consumable but then its pretty thin and the engine spends a lot of time running up to 8000.
One plus is that the DRC means that the tyres wear pretty evenly across the tread so at least your tyres will be well used when you swap them.
Touch wood has been reliable and for the type of car pretty cheap to run for the last 70k miles.
Basic bits are pretty easy to sort and I've replaced a couple of DRC dampers but they aren't that expensive from Audi these days. Oil is a consumable but then its pretty thin and the engine spends a lot of time running up to 8000.
One plus is that the DRC means that the tyres wear pretty evenly across the tread so at least your tyres will be well used when you swap them.
Touch wood has been reliable and for the type of car pretty cheap to run for the last 70k miles.
I've had mine for 5 years and have to say its been an absolutely fantastic machine to me in so many ways, I doubt there's anything to match it.
They are practical; especially in Avant form, fairly fast, sound fantastic, more so with a milltek, very reliable if properly maintained/serviced, handling is superb(original DRC is preferable to coilovers as many now have fitted). Bucket seats and a flat bottom steering wheel are the most desirable though 'comfort' recaros may be more comfortable on a day to day basis.
As others have rightly said, be aware of DRC issues and they do have a tendency to coking up if not driven 'properly'. This often has a sizeable impact on the power output, many are only putting out 360-375bhp; well down on the factory quoted 414. Budget about £850 from an Audi specialist to decoke. Contrary to several other comments, I've never had to put oil in mine or found tyre wear to be particularly excessive but then I don't do a great deal of miles. Michelin Pilot Sports are perfect for the car.
Performance wise they don't feel that fast, especially if you have come from a turbo car but the engine is amazing, freely revving right round to 8000+rpm. There's not much you can do tuning wise that would make much difference really other than fit a Supercharger. I put a TTS charger on mine a couple of years ago and absolutely love it but it is a very expensive add-on. With 614ps and 615nm its enough to see off anything you're ever likely to meet on the road; including most Porsches!
Mine is now very sadly up for sale as I need to sell it to make up a deposit on a holiday cottage. Probably not what you are looking for budget wise but you will not find another like it!
They are practical; especially in Avant form, fairly fast, sound fantastic, more so with a milltek, very reliable if properly maintained/serviced, handling is superb(original DRC is preferable to coilovers as many now have fitted). Bucket seats and a flat bottom steering wheel are the most desirable though 'comfort' recaros may be more comfortable on a day to day basis.
As others have rightly said, be aware of DRC issues and they do have a tendency to coking up if not driven 'properly'. This often has a sizeable impact on the power output, many are only putting out 360-375bhp; well down on the factory quoted 414. Budget about £850 from an Audi specialist to decoke. Contrary to several other comments, I've never had to put oil in mine or found tyre wear to be particularly excessive but then I don't do a great deal of miles. Michelin Pilot Sports are perfect for the car.
Performance wise they don't feel that fast, especially if you have come from a turbo car but the engine is amazing, freely revving right round to 8000+rpm. There's not much you can do tuning wise that would make much difference really other than fit a Supercharger. I put a TTS charger on mine a couple of years ago and absolutely love it but it is a very expensive add-on. With 614ps and 615nm its enough to see off anything you're ever likely to meet on the road; including most Porsches!
Mine is now very sadly up for sale as I need to sell it to make up a deposit on a holiday cottage. Probably not what you are looking for budget wise but you will not find another like it!
sportsandclassic said:
Hi,
so all looks fairly positive then apart from fuel and oil consumption.
Jeremy your car looks stunning just out of my price range for a daily driver. Very nice colour.
Mike
Look up the issues with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC). it's probably an expensive fix if not under warranty. And don't forget the potential coking issues as stated in previous posts. Just wanted to make sure you hadn't glossed over them in the pre buyer excitement!so all looks fairly positive then apart from fuel and oil consumption.
Jeremy your car looks stunning just out of my price range for a daily driver. Very nice colour.
Mike
Sorry if this is taking the thread off at a tangent but has anyone experienced both B5 and B7 RS4?
I own a B5 as our family car but have been a little underwhelmed by it. Yes it's fast, capable in all weathers etc etc. But for me it is lacking firstly a level of driver involvement (steering feel/chassis balance) and secondly a sense of occasion (noise I guess).
Reading the posts above it seems the B7 sounds great but how's the steering feel and chassis balance? I wouldn't expect gt3 levels of tactility but Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
Again, sorry for the slight hijack
I own a B5 as our family car but have been a little underwhelmed by it. Yes it's fast, capable in all weathers etc etc. But for me it is lacking firstly a level of driver involvement (steering feel/chassis balance) and secondly a sense of occasion (noise I guess).
Reading the posts above it seems the B7 sounds great but how's the steering feel and chassis balance? I wouldn't expect gt3 levels of tactility but Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
Again, sorry for the slight hijack
lboase said:
Sorry if this is taking the thread off at a tangent but has anyone experienced both B5 and B7 RS4?
I own a B5 as our family car but have been a little underwhelmed by it. Yes it's fast, capable in all weathers etc etc. But for me it is lacking firstly a level of driver involvement (steering feel/chassis balance) and secondly a sense of occasion (noise I guess).
Reading the posts above it seems the B7 sounds great but how's the steering feel and chassis balance? I wouldn't expect gt3 levels of tactility but Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
Again, sorry for the slight hijack
When I tried the B7, I loved it. It's a great car, sounds awesome, goes like stink, handling/ride sublime for road use. Great, great car.I own a B5 as our family car but have been a little underwhelmed by it. Yes it's fast, capable in all weathers etc etc. But for me it is lacking firstly a level of driver involvement (steering feel/chassis balance) and secondly a sense of occasion (noise I guess).
Reading the posts above it seems the B7 sounds great but how's the steering feel and chassis balance? I wouldn't expect gt3 levels of tactility but Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
Again, sorry for the slight hijack
lboase said:
Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
I can't compare the B5 with the B7 variants, but you do realise that the C6 RS6 removes the involvement of changing gear, don't you?For me the B7 RS4 is a fantastic driver's car, probably more involving (and definitely less idiosyncratic) than my RS2.
jeremyc said:
lboase said:
Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
I can't compare the B5 with the B7 variants, but you do realise that the C6 RS6 removes the involvement of changing gear, don't you?For me the B7 RS4 is a fantastic driver's car, probably more involving (and definitely less idiosyncratic) than my RS2.
Instinctively the the b7 sounds like a great balance but the additional space of the '6 would be useful.
Edited by lboase on Wednesday 24th June 23:04
lboase said:
Sorry if this is taking the thread off at a tangent but has anyone experienced both B5 and B7 RS4?
I own a B5 as our family car but have been a little underwhelmed by it. Yes it's fast, capable in all weathers etc etc. But for me it is lacking firstly a level of driver involvement (steering feel/chassis balance) and secondly a sense of occasion (noise I guess).
Reading the posts above it seems the B7 sounds great but how's the steering feel and chassis balance? I wouldn't expect gt3 levels of tactility but Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
Again, sorry for the slight hijack
I too have been considering making a move to an RS4 to replace two cars with one, but even though they look great, sound great, are well built, etc - the possible lack of driver involvement/feel is a concern.I own a B5 as our family car but have been a little underwhelmed by it. Yes it's fast, capable in all weathers etc etc. But for me it is lacking firstly a level of driver involvement (steering feel/chassis balance) and secondly a sense of occasion (noise I guess).
Reading the posts above it seems the B7 sounds great but how's the steering feel and chassis balance? I wouldn't expect gt3 levels of tactility but Im looking for an RS variant estate with a greater level of involvement and sense of occasion. C6 RS6 also on the radar....
Again, sorry for the slight hijack
Would also be interested to hear from anyone who has used both a B5 and B7 - I had been looking more at the B5 models as I'm more of a classic or modern classic man I'd say!!
Surprised you think the B5 sounds dull. I gather oe they are relatively quiet, but out a free flowing exhaust on the 2.7t and it sounds great imo??
https://youtu.be/H8d1mZOqb1c
https://youtu.be/4NS-t82lwVg
https://youtu.be/CvmXNA6Xls0
I agree, the B7 sounds awesome also, even the oe exhaust.
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