Am I mad?
Author
Discussion

Oh Behave

Original Poster:

344 posts

255 months

Wednesday 25th March 2009
quotequote all
I am looking to change my car soon, have looked at a few new cars but there's this burning desire in me to buy an RS4 B5 . I told my other half and she thinks I'm nuts considering buying a car that is near on 10yrs old. I still think they are good looking cars, and if maintained well they are reliable. I have also read reports of some people going back to a b5 from a b7. Are they really this good?

Opinions and experiences of owning/driving one of these are welcome!

tombs

135 posts

277 months

Wednesday 25th March 2009
quotequote all
You’re not mad, I loved mine, extremely rare now days and I think one of Audi's best designs to date. They tend to hold their value very well although there has been a bit of movement in prices recently. For an estate their a little tight in the back. Try and buy one with loads of paperwork and owner history, quite a few would have had a few owners but don’t let that put you off if it’s been looked after. In standard guise they are rapid but I would always recommend looking at remapped RS4’s as this really let’s the car move and the engine is more than capable of surviving a 420bhp upgrade.
For enthusiasts and knowledge take a look at audisrs.com and rs246.com a wealth of information on these cars can be found on these two forums.
If you have any other questions drop me a pm if you like,

Oh Behave

Original Poster:

344 posts

255 months

Wednesday 25th March 2009
quotequote all
Cheers tombs, I should probably start test driving a few and then I'm sure I'll have a few questions. Been looking on rs246.com and there's some good info on there. MRC tuning is quite near to me which is another bonus wink

Dr G

15,987 posts

272 months

Wednesday 25th March 2009
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Do your reading, buy a nice one - bucketloads of info on these on the t'interweb.

Very unique and special car if you're prepared for the running costs.

tombs

135 posts

277 months

Friday 27th March 2009
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Dr G said:
if you're prepared for the running costs.
? Not as bad as you may think DRG, for what you get as a package and with the amount of specialist's around to deal with bigger problems its a pretty reasonable car to own considering the power.

Dr G

15,987 posts

272 months

Saturday 28th March 2009
quotequote all
I agree with your comments - I've sold and driven quite a number of B5s.

If you compare the runnings costs with cars of similar performance then they're pretty much par for the course, unfortunately a lot of buyers expect standard Audi estate running costs (hence the amount of snot out there). Often not worth bothering to put a 'cheap' car right either, not cars that like being abused or neglected.

tombs

135 posts

277 months

Saturday 28th March 2009
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We'll you'd have to assume because he is on here asking questions that he will do his homework and buy a sorted one..Personally I'd be looking to buy privately from an enthusiast who belongs to RS246.com or Audisrs.com as you'll be able to see the history and get a good feel about what your buying, Dealers/stealers independent or not will normally not have the knowledge or history of the car they are trying to sell.

brisel

981 posts

238 months

Sunday 29th March 2009
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tombs said:
We'll you'd have to assume because he is on here asking questions that he will do his homework and buy a sorted one..Personally I'd be looking to buy privately from an enthusiast who belongs to RS246.com or Audisrs.com as you'll be able to see the history and get a good feel about what your buying, Dealers/stealers independent or not will normally not have the knowledge or history of the car they are trying to sell.
yes +1

I bought my MRC tuned B5 RS4 from an ad on here, from an enthusiast who frequented RS246.

Like all 2nd hand cars, look for a good history, preferably with the invoices too. You'll get a good feel for a decent one when you see it and meet the owner/seller.

To the OP: No, you ain't mad & feel free to PM me if you like! thumbup