B7 RS4 running costs / risks nowadays?

[havoc]

Looking for a V8 family bus while I still can, and the RS4 is one of the few with a manual 'box...and as a bonus also has a nat-asp high-revving engine.

Mrs H has had a succession of fast Golfs since the Mk5, but I'm fairly certain the RS4 is in a different league, both in performance and costs.

...so, what can I realistically expect in terms of servicing costs, preventative maintenance, and above all what are the big risks / big bills...and how likely actually are they to come home to roost (on a 15+y.o. 70-100k mile car)?

Thanks,
Martin.


PS - any ownership experiences, good or bad, gratefully received.

[jeremyc]

My specialist subject having owned one for more than 14 years.

I've averaged £1K per year in maintenance and servicing costs.

The main (well documented) challenge is in the DRC suspension: it's expensive to replace, and difficult to get hold of parts. Check whether dampers are leaking and whether there are knocks from the suspension. One option is to replace with coilovers, but that potentially loses some of the magic handling.

Others will tell you about coking up of the inlet manifolds which is common on all direct injection engines. There are a number of places that can resolve this with walnut blasting or similar.

Parts that are unique to this model can also be expensive (brake discs and the like), though there are aftermarket alternatives.

Audi don't have a good reputation in parts support for older models, so it may be that this becomes more of an issue over time for these cars.

That said they are a fantastic drive, and the reason I still have mine.

[jeremyc]

havoc said:

(on a 15+y.o. 70-100k mile car)

The youngest B7 RS4s are now 19 years old, so you need to factor in looking after a twenty year old car and all that brings.

[Dr G]

I can't add much to Jeremy's post; he's on the money.

But:

£1k annually is conservative, very few cars are maintained properly these days and will be behind where they need to be.

Whatever you buy allow some 'make it right' money, for the same reason.

[MinchCS]

Just to echo the DRC warning. I have never owned a B7 RS4 but I did 70K miles (between them) in a new B9 RS4 and a new C7 RS6, both with DRC, and over that mileage I had one complete set of dampers and 10, yes ten, DRC control valves (they were replaced in pairs). All under new car warranty thankfully. And these are later systems than the B7. Nightmare in what were otherwise two amazing cars.

Edited by MinchCS on Monday 11th May 13:16

[phumy]

I bought mine 5 yers ago, two weeks after i bought it, it went in for new DRC pipework throughout, new oil cooler and pipes, full brake caliper refurb, gear and diff oil change, two new rear spings. Re-newed any frazzled brake hoses throughout. Total cost £8.3k, ive had 5 years of trouble free running but this week i had to take it back to my favourite Indie for two front DRC shocks to be changed out as one had exploded and dumped oil everywhere, i dont know what its going to cost but i sure hope i get another 5 years of maintenance free driving from it. Oh yes, sorry last year i had it carbon cleaned, cost £630 but made the drive so different, the throttle response is now awesome, i love it.

Oh almost forgot, last year i spent a bit on getting the interior retrimmed in Cognac Connolley Hide, cost me a bit but it really does suit the Deep Green Pearl colour of the car. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

As Dr G said, i spent some money on it to make it right for me, Green over Tan, thats just right for me.

Edited by phumy on Monday 11th May 20:59

[jeremyc]

phumy said:

... this week i had to take it back to my favourite Indie for two front DRC shocks to be changed out as one had exploded and dumped oil everywhere, i dont know what its going to cost

I've recently had cause to do quite a lot of research on where to get DRC shock absorbers and/or refurbishing old ones. Drop me an email if you'd like more information.

[phumy]

jeremyc said:

phumy said:

... this week i had to take it back to my favourite Indie for two front DRC shocks to be changed out as one had exploded and dumped oil everywhere, i dont know what its going to cost

I've recently had cause to do quite a lot of research on where to get DRC shock absorbers and/or refurbishing old ones. Drop me an email if you'd like more information.

Poland by any chance?

[jeremyc]

phumy said:

jeremyc said:

phumy said:

... this week i had to take it back to my favourite Indie for two front DRC shocks to be changed out as one had exploded and dumped oil everywhere, i dont know what its going to cost

I've recently had cause to do quite a lot of research on where to get DRC shock absorbers and/or refurbishing old ones. Drop me an email if you'd like more information.

Poland by any chance?

Poland for the refurb, yes. But I also discovered how to buy new units from Audi Tradition (well, the three corners they actually have available - the fourth is in stock at Audi UK ).

[v8notbrave]

I only have humble S4 but there are many similarities (and key differences north of 5000 rpm I'm sure RS4 owners will tell you), key is to do almost anything is front end off as it's sooo tight. So generic items in addition to carbon etc are for example New thermostat and new water pump is well over £1k and largely is labour. Oil cooler gasket is probably leaking or due to start soon, front main seal can become permanent MOT advisory of oil leak not serious. Valley pan between heads needs resealing with new gasket at some point.

So as said above depends if proactive maintenance done or not, these shouldn't be scary but need attention at some point as mid life crisis items i.e. every 15 or so years

Couple recent YouTubers spending 7-10k+ to buy them and make them tip top. So I'd look at a few and want lots of big invoices already paid

Also suspension such as control arms need replacing as heavy 4wd car

But although I've only the humble version they're fantastic (I've had 2 spanning 10 years now) just don't expect good motorway mpg!

[havoc]

Thanks all.

Sounds like it's (a) an eyes-open purchase, with a decent contingency pot; and (b) a patient hunt for the right one.


If it's any consolation, I started a similar E90 M3 thread and that's if anything even more doom-and-gloom. I'd really prefer to stay manual if i could, but the ubiquity of a C63 is looming and the slightly lesser fun (but fewer big bills) of an IS-F might be hard to ignore.