RS4 Running costs
Author
Discussion

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

260 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
quotequote all
Hi,

can anyone give me an overview of the RS4 (v8 version) running costs...

can you run it on normal unleaded, or does it always need super?

any tips when looking at them?

gmk666

1,679 posts

256 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
quotequote all
There's no getting away from the fact that it likes a drink. After just over a year with mine, it's averaging about 19mpg, and that's a daily commute into Central London with the very occasional motorway jaunt. I try to stick to Super, although as with most cars, it'll take 95RON in an emergency.

They use a fair bit of oil too, but it's all worth it the minute you press the start button and hear that V8, especially with the 'S' button pressed and the exhaust valves open.

Servicing isn't too bad - just booked mine in for it's second (variable) service and they've quoted me £370.

There are a lot out there at the minute so it's obviously a buyer's market. Audi main dealer prices are a bit high, but the warranty is a must.

Do you know if you want saloon, cabrio or avant yet? (Avants are the fastest by the way wink) The biggest decision after that is really the seats. Buckets or Recaros?

And your best bet for really serious answers to your questions is www.rs246.com.

Andyuk911

1,979 posts

240 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
quotequote all
Always run on super unleaded as the engine can create carbon and you need the added cleaning agents of the better petrol.

john_r

8,354 posts

302 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
quotequote all
shout DRC!!

The Audi dealer I use is starting to see earlier RS4 V8's with DRC failure and/or leaking shocks.

Get a warranty and ensure it covers the complete DRC and suspension specifically...

mpaul0055

343 posts

218 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
john_r said:
shout DRC!!

The Audi dealer I use is starting to see earlier RS4 V8's with DRC failure and/or leaking shocks.

Get a warranty and ensure it covers the complete DRC and suspension specifically...
Thats the one thing stopping me from pressing the button on one...

Paying 4 figure repair charges on such new cars worries me...

Although i belive Audi have pushed the DRC Cover to 5 Years now.. But still. what then...

Andyuk911

1,979 posts

240 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
TBH it is not that big a deal and should not be a show stopper for you for such a great car.

My car has only had a seal replaced and it is true that some people have had a few sets of front shocks replaced.

There was unconfirmed reports of a revised front shock, but that is unknown.

If you ask a dealer, Audi UK will cover a car for 5 years for DRC issues.

Obviously if this happens after 5 years, you have a choice to maybe to go to KW3's



mpaul0055

343 posts

218 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
Its nice to here that Andy, its normally just doom and gloom about DRC.

Its terrifying seeing the ammount of DRC posts on Rs246 aswell.

Its a toss up between an s5 and a rs4.. although ill stop the Hijack and start another thread for that one.. smile



gmk666

1,679 posts

256 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
mpaul0055 said:
Its nice to here that Andy, its normally just doom and gloom about DRC.

Its terrifying seeing the ammount of DRC posts on Rs246 aswell.
DRC is the RS4's cause celebre.

Just like the RMS in 911s, the victims of this design fault make their feelings known quite regularly. And quite rightly.
They've bought expensive, otherwise well-engineered sports cars and they've gone wrong.

But as Andy says, don't let this put you off, because lots of cars don't suffer from it.
(Touch wood, mine included.)

mpaul0055

343 posts

218 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
Ahhh the old Complaints are always herd louder syndrome.... rolleyes

Ive offically decided it is the RS i want to go for... Theres something about the lack of arches on the S5 that really doesnt sit with me...

Theres one in the local garage to me, but after seeing the prices being quoted on here, i think its about 6/7k over priced... What do you guys think? I dont want to be unrealistic, but 28k seems more fair for that age...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/857775.htm

And as for tiptronic, its time i put this silly automatic phase behind me and bloody grow up...he he

Sorry for the Hijack OP smile

john_r

8,354 posts

302 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
mpaul0055 said:
I dont want to be unrealistic, but 28k seems more fair for that age...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/857775.htm
yes Looks expensive that one when compared with others... i.e. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/854750.htm

Non resonated Milltek can be purchased and fitted for well under £1k and will make a huge grin difference!!

Andyuk911

1,979 posts

240 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
John, don't 100% agree .. you need to see both cars in the flesh ... maybe the silver trim is scratched by a ring .. this much harder to do with the carbon interior.... again Service history comes into it ...all these little items add up to a better car ... mine has had frequent oil changes always has a foam bath and has next to no swirl marks etc etc ..

mpaul0055

343 posts

218 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
Ive had a lookski at the 35k one in the Flesh, and its a lovely car, but id still stick with the fact its about 4k over priced IMO though.. May not be, but youve gotta be happy with what you spending, and compared to prices ive seen going round, it does seem high...

Audi approved is by no way perfect from what ive herd.. Id be just as intrested shopping at fountains or another specialist etc...

Was completely unaware of a silver trim, will make sure i avoid that one....

Snoop08

26 posts

220 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
Does anyone know what Audi charge for the RS4 warranty? Is the consensus that it is not only worth having but also comprehensive?
I am coming out of my 996TT as i need something more practical but also don't fancy paying OPC prices and warranty now that the car is worth what it is.
Thanks T

gmk666

1,679 posts

256 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
Snoop08 said:
Does anyone know what Audi charge for the RS4 warranty?
About £1200 pa I think.

john_r

8,354 posts

302 months

Thursday 12th February 2009
quotequote all
gmk666 said:
Snoop08 said:
Does anyone know what Audi charge for the RS4 warranty?
About £1200 pa I think.
Depends on the mileage and age. Also has to have a full Audi Main Dealer Service History I believe?

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

260 months

Friday 13th February 2009
quotequote all
i read somewhere else that the range on the RS4 is only about 250 miles!

Can anyone confirm/deny this? cheers..

gmk666

1,679 posts

256 months

Friday 13th February 2009
quotequote all
Fidgits said:
i read somewhere else that the range on the RS4 is only about 250 miles!

Can anyone confirm/deny this? cheers..
If you take it steady, yes.

wink

Seriously though, fill the 63litre tank and a normal motorway journey will get you nearer to 300miles before you start playing chicken with the trip computer.
Around town, or on a more 'spirited' drive you can easily see 10mpg, and that has an obvious effect on the range...

David911RSR

1,446 posts

241 months

Friday 13th February 2009
quotequote all
My RS4 did about 18 - 20 round town and on country roads. I really enjoyed mine for the year I owned it. Make sure you don't pay too much for one as they are still depreciating at a rapid rate. For guidence, I was offered between 35K and 39k for an 07/57 Avant with 5000 miles and all the toys last August. Ended up selling privately for 41K. They are depreciating at 1,500 - 2,000 per month and therefore, the same car is worth 30 - 33k at the moment with 10k miles.

Poverty

211 posts

218 months

Friday 13th February 2009
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Just buy it. You only live once and you cant take the money with you when you die!

Dr G

15,994 posts

273 months

Saturday 14th February 2009
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We've got two in the showroom this week fella - if you find yourself up my way by all means swing by for a coffee and a natter smile