Audi B9 RS4 or C7 S/RS6?
Discussion
It’s currently 2.30am and I’m sitting in hospital after surgery to chop bits out of me, wondering what to spend some of my half of the value of our house that’s being sold due to divorce! I’m tied to a rental for a year so at some point I’m going to be sitting on a pot of cash that I can spend however the hell I like!
I’ve long hankered after an RS6 of some generation, but following one through town recently made me realise just how big they are and how ridiculous it would be for me and my 14 yr old son to gad about in! My ‘sensible’ head had downgraded the RS6 to an S6 as a suitable replacement for the S5 Sportback owned for the last 12 years, but that’s my ex’s problem now…..
The B9 RS4 has therefore come onto my radar as a slightly smaller and vaguely more sensible only car (I can’t justify running new car alongside my Mk7 Golf GTI). The reviews of the RS4 weren’t exactly stellar, mainly because it cost substantially more than the S4 but wasn’t night and day quicker
The RS4 and RS6 seemed available in reasonable numbers, but ACC is essential so that rules loads out that don’t appear to have it!
Who has driven/considered/owned both and what are your impressions?
In spending silly money I may also go to the dark side of either a Merc E63 or BMW M3 touring…..
I’ve long hankered after an RS6 of some generation, but following one through town recently made me realise just how big they are and how ridiculous it would be for me and my 14 yr old son to gad about in! My ‘sensible’ head had downgraded the RS6 to an S6 as a suitable replacement for the S5 Sportback owned for the last 12 years, but that’s my ex’s problem now…..
The B9 RS4 has therefore come onto my radar as a slightly smaller and vaguely more sensible only car (I can’t justify running new car alongside my Mk7 Golf GTI). The reviews of the RS4 weren’t exactly stellar, mainly because it cost substantially more than the S4 but wasn’t night and day quicker
The RS4 and RS6 seemed available in reasonable numbers, but ACC is essential so that rules loads out that don’t appear to have it!
Who has driven/considered/owned both and what are your impressions?
In spending silly money I may also go to the dark side of either a Merc E63 or BMW M3 touring…..
I had a C7 RS6 as a one car does all, which it does well. But it is huge and you notice that and the running costs can be expensive. I also think you’d have to buy wisely, there are plenty of abused examples around. If you buy well you will be fine, but that may limit cars that are available. An RS4 might be a better buy as you can get new for the same money.
I have a B9 RS4 in "Competition" guise. It does everything I want it to, is alarmingly quick when conditions allow (and when they don't to be honest 
) and does not have ACC and I don't miss it. My two previous AMG's had ACC and it is a nice thing to have but not essential day to day. I didn't miss an option box here, Audi did not include it on the Competition Spec cars for some reason - but did add other interesting upgrades to which are hidden away.
I looked at the M3 Touring but it didn't work for me in terms of rear space. I have two cocker spaniel's who go out in the car and the Audi had a much better compartment for them to be comfortable in. The M3 is very close in terms of cubic metres/feet but is somewhat cramped for the dogs so I guess the rear space is slightly shorter but higher compared to the RS4.
I can highly recommend an RS4 over as RS6 unless you really need the extra rear space as apart from a really straight road the RS4 is a much more comfortable car to "press on" with along twisty A and B roads.
One thing to be aware of if you are planning to have an RS4 mapped is to get one pre 2021 as Bosch upgraded their security codes around then and nobody has cracked those as yet. You don't want too much added but I have been out in one with 500bhp and 800nm and it is a perfect balance of practicality and missile
) and does not have ACC and I don't miss it. My two previous AMG's had ACC and it is a nice thing to have but not essential day to day. I didn't miss an option box here, Audi did not include it on the Competition Spec cars for some reason - but did add other interesting upgrades to which are hidden away.I looked at the M3 Touring but it didn't work for me in terms of rear space. I have two cocker spaniel's who go out in the car and the Audi had a much better compartment for them to be comfortable in. The M3 is very close in terms of cubic metres/feet but is somewhat cramped for the dogs so I guess the rear space is slightly shorter but higher compared to the RS4.
I can highly recommend an RS4 over as RS6 unless you really need the extra rear space as apart from a really straight road the RS4 is a much more comfortable car to "press on" with along twisty A and B roads.
One thing to be aware of if you are planning to have an RS4 mapped is to get one pre 2021 as Bosch upgraded their security codes around then and nobody has cracked those as yet. You don't want too much added but I have been out in one with 500bhp and 800nm and it is a perfect balance of practicality and missile
Thanks all for input
I've had a serious look at the M3 Touring today and suspect it's not for me - my main reason for wanting an estate is for lugging my toy car racing stuff about, bikes and camping gear (not all at the same time, necessarily!). The boot shape looks pretty restrictive, with a very narrow opening with the back seats down. I'd love to tick the box (closest I've got previously was test driving an E90 V8 saloon) but think the G81 would probably annoy me as much as entertain me, in much the same way the E90 did.
I've had a D2 S8 (16mpg on super), an S5 Sportback (20mpg) and various other petrol engined cars with fairly iffy fuel economy, so I'm not that bothered about fuel costs - I don't do enough miles to worry about it.
Wise words about careful choices - I'm usually quite picky when I view cars, and have a couple of friends who work on Audis and should be able to sniff out a dodgy one. I'd tend to go for the usual pointers to avoid, and a private purchase wouldn't worry me unduly for the right car.
Ref ACC - that's useful to know it wasn't specced on the run out Competitions. One of the 'benefits' of the revised emissions testing standards in that option packs have to all be tested, which is why everything is now in 'packs'.
How do you find the 8 speed box in the B9? I imagine there's mapping options for the box as well as the engine from the usual suspects?
I've driven a C7 RS at Castle Combe, but probably need to find a B9 to try, and refresh my memory of the C7. My bum dyno is still calibrated to the S5, and I know a C7 RS will eat that for breakfast. It's where the B9 'feels' in between, I suspect.....
I've had a serious look at the M3 Touring today and suspect it's not for me - my main reason for wanting an estate is for lugging my toy car racing stuff about, bikes and camping gear (not all at the same time, necessarily!). The boot shape looks pretty restrictive, with a very narrow opening with the back seats down. I'd love to tick the box (closest I've got previously was test driving an E90 V8 saloon) but think the G81 would probably annoy me as much as entertain me, in much the same way the E90 did.
I've had a D2 S8 (16mpg on super), an S5 Sportback (20mpg) and various other petrol engined cars with fairly iffy fuel economy, so I'm not that bothered about fuel costs - I don't do enough miles to worry about it.
Wise words about careful choices - I'm usually quite picky when I view cars, and have a couple of friends who work on Audis and should be able to sniff out a dodgy one. I'd tend to go for the usual pointers to avoid, and a private purchase wouldn't worry me unduly for the right car.
Ref ACC - that's useful to know it wasn't specced on the run out Competitions. One of the 'benefits' of the revised emissions testing standards in that option packs have to all be tested, which is why everything is now in 'packs'.
How do you find the 8 speed box in the B9? I imagine there's mapping options for the box as well as the engine from the usual suspects?
I've driven a C7 RS at Castle Combe, but probably need to find a B9 to try, and refresh my memory of the C7. My bum dyno is still calibrated to the S5, and I know a C7 RS will eat that for breakfast. It's where the B9 'feels' in between, I suspect.....
Mate, you’ve wanted an RS6 for ever. This isn’t even a question.
C7 RS6 is a top 5 RS car, B9 RS4 is not. They’re very competent, but possess neither sparkle nor sledgehammer performance. The engine does what it’s supposed to do, but isn’t in any way sparkling. It’s 3.0 litre cousin in the S4 suits those really well, but the 2.9 feels so similar that the RS ends up feeling like ‘just’ a faster S.
The V8T is and was fantastic. Go like hell, sound the part, and C7 A6 is a good car in any trim.
Better looking than the newer cars too.
C7 RS6 is a top 5 RS car, B9 RS4 is not. They’re very competent, but possess neither sparkle nor sledgehammer performance. The engine does what it’s supposed to do, but isn’t in any way sparkling. It’s 3.0 litre cousin in the S4 suits those really well, but the 2.9 feels so similar that the RS ends up feeling like ‘just’ a faster S.
The V8T is and was fantastic. Go like hell, sound the part, and C7 A6 is a good car in any trim.
Better looking than the newer cars too.
I know Alex, I know. Always an element of doubt in my head. Been thinking about it so long, plus with life circumstances I need to not bankrupt myself, as nobody else to carry the financial can if it goes wrong now!
Is B&O a rare option on the C7? Just spotted one with pop up tweeters and don’t remember seeing one before! Shame it’s black as swore I’d never have another black car! Really want a proper colour…..
I know the C7 will be epic, but it’s bloody big and electronically I think it’s showing its age a bit now (v similar to the s5)
Would be an easier choice if I could keep the Golf but can’t justify 2 cars just for me. The insurance on the Golf has gone silly since moving house. Used to be buttons to insure…..
Is B&O a rare option on the C7? Just spotted one with pop up tweeters and don’t remember seeing one before! Shame it’s black as swore I’d never have another black car! Really want a proper colour…..
I know the C7 will be epic, but it’s bloody big and electronically I think it’s showing its age a bit now (v similar to the s5)
Would be an easier choice if I could keep the Golf but can’t justify 2 cars just for me. The insurance on the Golf has gone silly since moving house. Used to be buttons to insure…..
Few people bothered with B&O Advanced, £6k new and to my ear never justified the price. Cool used if someone else is paying for it.
C7 cabin nicer than a C8. Late ones not far behind a B9 RS4 (add Smartphone Interface to RS6 if not factory).
They are big, but particularly on DRC are not unwieldy. If you own it for two years and change it for something else fair play. I just think you'll regret compromising when you have the opportunity to NOT compromise.
We're only here once.
Funny story - very recently sold a C7 RS6 to a chap who tried to be "sensible" post divorce and changed his C7 S6 for a hybrid A7. He hated it. Bit the bullet and got a C7 RS6 a few months later.
C7 cabin nicer than a C8. Late ones not far behind a B9 RS4 (add Smartphone Interface to RS6 if not factory).
They are big, but particularly on DRC are not unwieldy. If you own it for two years and change it for something else fair play. I just think you'll regret compromising when you have the opportunity to NOT compromise.
We're only here once.
Funny story - very recently sold a C7 RS6 to a chap who tried to be "sensible" post divorce and changed his C7 S6 for a hybrid A7. He hated it. Bit the bullet and got a C7 RS6 a few months later.
Dr G said:
Mate, you’ve wanted an RS6 for ever. This isn’t even a question.
C7 RS6 is a top 5 RS car, B9 RS4 is not. They’re very competent, but possess neither sparkle nor sledgehammer performance. The engine does what it’s supposed to do, but isn’t in any way sparkling. It’s 3.0 litre cousin in the S4 suits those really well, but the 2.9 feels so similar that the RS ends up feeling like ‘just’ a faster S.
The V8T is and was fantastic. Go like hell, sound the part, and C7 A6 is a good car in any trim.
Better looking than the newer cars too.
I was the same, almost went C6, but plumped for the C7.5, and its awesome, absolutely love it.C7 RS6 is a top 5 RS car, B9 RS4 is not. They’re very competent, but possess neither sparkle nor sledgehammer performance. The engine does what it’s supposed to do, but isn’t in any way sparkling. It’s 3.0 litre cousin in the S4 suits those really well, but the 2.9 feels so similar that the RS ends up feeling like ‘just’ a faster S.
The V8T is and was fantastic. Go like hell, sound the part, and C7 A6 is a good car in any trim.
Better looking than the newer cars too.
In reply to your question on the 8 speed box in the B9.
It can be sluggish when you are driving normally around town and feel like it is a little slow to pick up but that is easily sorted by using "Sport" mode which brings the gearbox to a more lively setting - RS modes are just too much for town driving
Whichever car you choose I can recommend getting the rear space fitted with a "Hatchbag" coverall pack. Completely protects the rear end and when used on conjunction with an "Over the Top" rear seat cover the whole rear of the car is protected
It can be sluggish when you are driving normally around town and feel like it is a little slow to pick up but that is easily sorted by using "Sport" mode which brings the gearbox to a more lively setting - RS modes are just too much for town driving
Whichever car you choose I can recommend getting the rear space fitted with a "Hatchbag" coverall pack. Completely protects the rear end and when used on conjunction with an "Over the Top" rear seat cover the whole rear of the car is protected
Yex RS4 said:
In reply to your question on the 8 speed box in the B9.
It can be sluggish when you are driving normally around town and feel like it is a little slow to pick up but that is easily sorted by using "Sport" mode which brings the gearbox to a more lively setting - RS modes are just too much for town driving
Whichever car you choose I can recommend getting the rear space fitted with a "Hatchbag" coverall pack. Completely protects the rear end and when used on conjunction with an "Over the Top" rear seat cover the whole rear of the car is protected
+1 to HatchbagIt can be sluggish when you are driving normally around town and feel like it is a little slow to pick up but that is easily sorted by using "Sport" mode which brings the gearbox to a more lively setting - RS modes are just too much for town driving
Whichever car you choose I can recommend getting the rear space fitted with a "Hatchbag" coverall pack. Completely protects the rear end and when used on conjunction with an "Over the Top" rear seat cover the whole rear of the car is protected
Thanks all - not heard of that boot liner - will defo investigate 
Day 3 in hospital and accepted an offer on what was the marital home. Hopefully it goes through fairly quickly and then potential shopping can start!
I need to investigate specs as really not sure what I want/need. It seems hard to find a poorly specced RS6, but some are odder than others!
The B&O advanced car seems to have sold over the weekend (was in East Grinstead) as straight after flicking through the pics it’s now gone off AT. Although it was black it seemed quite sensibly priced for miles and spec
Day 3 in hospital and accepted an offer on what was the marital home. Hopefully it goes through fairly quickly and then potential shopping can start!
I need to investigate specs as really not sure what I want/need. It seems hard to find a poorly specced RS6, but some are odder than others!
The B&O advanced car seems to have sold over the weekend (was in East Grinstead) as straight after flicking through the pics it’s now gone off AT. Although it was black it seemed quite sensibly priced for miles and spec
Decided to have a look at C7 RS6s on AT after seeing this thread, and clicked on this Misano one (as the colour that appeals to me the most!) and....
... it has B&O!
https://www.lloydmotorgroup.com/UsedCars/AUDI/AUDI...
oh, but no adaptive cruise though!
... it has B&O!
https://www.lloydmotorgroup.com/UsedCars/AUDI/AUDI...
oh, but no adaptive cruise though!
Adrian E said:
Thanks all - not heard of that boot liner - will defo investigate
Day 3 in hospital and accepted an offer on what was the marital home. Hopefully it goes through fairly quickly and then potential shopping can start!
Sounds like you are making some good progress to "come out the other side" which can only be a good thing going forward Day 3 in hospital and accepted an offer on what was the marital home. Hopefully it goes through fairly quickly and then potential shopping can start!
One thing to look into is car tax on RS6's - couple of recent articles specifically mention the 4.0 V8 engine and explains cars in certain age groups are going to be hit very hard from next month.
Yex RS4 said:
Sounds like you are making some good progress to "come out the other side" which can only be a good thing going forward
One thing to look into is car tax on RS6's - couple of recent articles specifically mention the 4.0 V8 engine and explains cars in certain age groups are going to be hit very hard from next month.
The car tax issue is for new cars not existing cars. They will just continue to rise with inflation. One thing to look into is car tax on RS6's - couple of recent articles specifically mention the 4.0 V8 engine and explains cars in certain age groups are going to be hit very hard from next month.
wattsm666 said:
Yex RS4 said:
Sounds like you are making some good progress to "come out the other side" which can only be a good thing going forward
One thing to look into is car tax on RS6's - couple of recent articles specifically mention the 4.0 V8 engine and explains cars in certain age groups are going to be hit very hard from next month.
The car tax issue is for new cars not existing cars. They will just continue to rise with inflation. One thing to look into is car tax on RS6's - couple of recent articles specifically mention the 4.0 V8 engine and explains cars in certain age groups are going to be hit very hard from next month.
MisanoPayments said:
Decided to have a look at C7 RS6s on AT after seeing this thread, and clicked on this Misano one (as the colour that appeals to me the most!) and....
... it has B&O!
https://www.lloydmotorgroup.com/UsedCars/AUDI/AUDI...
oh, but no adaptive cruise though!
I'm not a fan of red cars normally, but that looks fab I reckon.... it has B&O!
https://www.lloydmotorgroup.com/UsedCars/AUDI/AUDI...
oh, but no adaptive cruise though!
Adrian E said:
Thanks all - not heard of that boot liner - will defo investigate
Day 3 in hospital and accepted an offer on what was the marital home. Hopefully it goes through fairly quickly and then potential shopping can start!
I need to investigate specs as really not sure what I want/need. It seems hard to find a poorly specced RS6, but some are odder than others!
The B&O advanced car seems to have sold over the weekend (was in East Grinstead) as straight after flicking through the pics it’s now gone off AT. Although it was black it seemed quite sensibly priced for miles and spec
Best of luck with hospital, divorce and house sale.Day 3 in hospital and accepted an offer on what was the marital home. Hopefully it goes through fairly quickly and then potential shopping can start!
I need to investigate specs as really not sure what I want/need. It seems hard to find a poorly specced RS6, but some are odder than others!
The B&O advanced car seems to have sold over the weekend (was in East Grinstead) as straight after flicking through the pics it’s now gone off AT. Although it was black it seemed quite sensibly priced for miles and spec
I’m in the process of getting divorced and house sale is pending but thankfully my soon-to-be ex-wife doesn’t seem to have any designs on my 2011 S5 Sportback…
I drove the B9 RS5 on amazing Andorran roads at launch and remember being thoroughly nonplussed. The steering, engine and sound were all completely nondescript. I also drove the C7 S6 or RS6 when new - it left such an impression on me I can’t even remember which. Nice cabin and bloody quick, but just wasn’t interesting, memorable or particularly satisfying - a definite step down from the S5 in terms on engagement, though the cabin is peak Audi in my eyes in terms of quality, tactility and tech that it is useful and relatively modern without being annoying.
How is your hunt going?
Thanks RoVoFob
Am now out of hospital at least, but still very much house-bound with some fairly serious drugs to take. Car shopping is definitely a sofa based activity at the moment! Had some stitches removed yesterday, but still got 20 staples holding my back together, where they went in to chop a bit of lung out.
I liked our S5 Sportback, but the performance never really lived up to the fuel bills, and the tiny fuel tank is a PITA, and I always found it a bit of a wooden steer (not helped by factory 20s). I actually prefer driving my Mk7 Golf GTI PP, so I was quite grateful when the ex flounced off in 'her' S5. We'd been talking about selling it for a while as we've owned it for 12 years and it's thrown a few chunky bills in that time (thermostats x2, instrument cluster, mechatronics etc). That's when I'd gravitated towards an S6.
I'd still like to try both an RS4 and RS6, but at the moment there's no way I'm test driving anything! I'm not one for ultimate cornering prowess as a requirement. I've always felt more comfortable in bigger cars - it was pointed out to me on an Audi RS experience day at Castle Combe that I could place an RS6 a lot better than an RS3 or similar. No idea why, but probably because at the time I was driving a D2 S8! My main requirements are stability, overtaking grunt, and the ability to cover distance effortlessly whilst loaded to the roof. Added bonus if it sounds nice and doesn't wallow when pressing on on A roads! Shaving the apex on a B road a la BMW M3 is defo not my thing. Never owned a diesel and not going to start now, as I'd miss-fuel the bloody thing and there's too many places you can't go and too much risk of very expensive emissions control faults.
I do really miss an estate (at one stage we had both a C5 A6 3.0 quattro Sport and a B5 Passat!) as my hobbies seem to require dragging large amounts of crap around at the weekends, so that does rather limit the choice. I've never really 'got' Mercs, but I may be missing a trick there with AMG versions. M5 scares the crap out of me with potential failures, so that's a no-go.
I suspect the house is going to take months to progress, so I'm loath to go too far down the path to buying anything - if nothing else it will complicate divorce finances in ways I really don't need, plus I'm paying stupid amounts in rent at the moment so finance isn't somewhere I want to go except in the very short term. If it completes quickly then I want to be ready in terms of knowing what I want and getting on with it - already planning a Euro road trip that may take in Berlin and South of France
Adrian
Am now out of hospital at least, but still very much house-bound with some fairly serious drugs to take. Car shopping is definitely a sofa based activity at the moment! Had some stitches removed yesterday, but still got 20 staples holding my back together, where they went in to chop a bit of lung out.
I liked our S5 Sportback, but the performance never really lived up to the fuel bills, and the tiny fuel tank is a PITA, and I always found it a bit of a wooden steer (not helped by factory 20s). I actually prefer driving my Mk7 Golf GTI PP, so I was quite grateful when the ex flounced off in 'her' S5. We'd been talking about selling it for a while as we've owned it for 12 years and it's thrown a few chunky bills in that time (thermostats x2, instrument cluster, mechatronics etc). That's when I'd gravitated towards an S6.
I'd still like to try both an RS4 and RS6, but at the moment there's no way I'm test driving anything! I'm not one for ultimate cornering prowess as a requirement. I've always felt more comfortable in bigger cars - it was pointed out to me on an Audi RS experience day at Castle Combe that I could place an RS6 a lot better than an RS3 or similar. No idea why, but probably because at the time I was driving a D2 S8! My main requirements are stability, overtaking grunt, and the ability to cover distance effortlessly whilst loaded to the roof. Added bonus if it sounds nice and doesn't wallow when pressing on on A roads! Shaving the apex on a B road a la BMW M3 is defo not my thing. Never owned a diesel and not going to start now, as I'd miss-fuel the bloody thing and there's too many places you can't go and too much risk of very expensive emissions control faults.
I do really miss an estate (at one stage we had both a C5 A6 3.0 quattro Sport and a B5 Passat!) as my hobbies seem to require dragging large amounts of crap around at the weekends, so that does rather limit the choice. I've never really 'got' Mercs, but I may be missing a trick there with AMG versions. M5 scares the crap out of me with potential failures, so that's a no-go.
I suspect the house is going to take months to progress, so I'm loath to go too far down the path to buying anything - if nothing else it will complicate divorce finances in ways I really don't need, plus I'm paying stupid amounts in rent at the moment so finance isn't somewhere I want to go except in the very short term. If it completes quickly then I want to be ready in terms of knowing what I want and getting on with it - already planning a Euro road trip that may take in Berlin and South of France
Adrian
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