B5 S4 or RS4

[dubbs]

Forgiving the "it's exclusive" point....

Why bother buying an RS4 when you can buy an S4 (avants) and then modify it to the same level.

Thinking that any S/RS needs suspension tweaked and some mild breathing plus an MTM exhaust.

On this basis why would you bother paying the extra dough for an RS4?

Honest question - not a provoking troll one!! :-)

(Trying to work out why it's worth spending 20k+ on a B5 shapre car)

[TopBear]

Im presuming you'd have to spend a fair wedge on a std S4 to get it near a std RS4 performance wise, and you'd be lucky to see any of that hard earned returned on subsequent re-sale.

Also, isnt the interiorspec etc quite a bit better on the RS4's vs a std S4?

[dubbs]

Is that all anyoen can say on the matter?

Way I see it is the RS4 is just a breathed on S4... suspension, bodykit, tuning to engine.

Not true?

Come on folks... set me straight....

Also, why are RS4 prices only 3-4k less than RS6 prices? Isn't the RS6 a hugely quicker/more formidable car?

[bogie]

you would spend more on making an S4 to the same spec as an RS4 for sure.

RS4s are holding well ....RS6 are definately a bargain ...if you are buying it as a 2nd car for everyday use then Id get an RS6 (and I did )

the extra practicality and power/toys/general spec easily outweigh the fact its slightly less nimble etc...

[Bengoodwin]

You could get an S4 to go as quick in a straight line for sure, but would it really ahave the same poise as the RS4? The RS4 is a phenomenal car round the bends, on the megahoon, dad's was outpacing 550's down the mountains and really mixing it up with all the elite brands, I don't think you could get an s4 to do that

[dace]

There were only 400 RHD RS4's made. If you plump for one then you can tune to approx 460 BHP, no problem at all. Now that is a quick car...........
Check out the VMax forum and see just how many top cars that you can whip then!

[maxximus]

Id trade in my S4 for its big brother any day. Its like JCs theory of the Boxter - bought by 911 wannabees. Admittedly you can get an S4 up to RS4 spec but economics dictates thats not such a good idea.

A decent average miler 2000 RS4 is circa £22k and these prices are holding tight. You could enjoy a standard RS4 for 2 years and put on 25k miles and youd probably only lose 3/4 grand. Buy a similar 2000 S4 for about £9k and spend £6/7k getting it up to close to RS4 spec and youd still only have a motor worth about 7k in two years time. You do the math.

[drybeer]

Bengoodwin said:

You could get an S4 to go as quick in a straight line for sure, but would it really ahave the same poise as the RS4? The RS4 is a phenomenal car round the bends, on the megahoon, dad's was outpacing 550's down the mountains and really mixing it up with all the elite brands, I don't think you could get an s4 to do that

Hi.

I've just sold my tuned S4 Avant b5 yesterday.

To get a S4 to the same kind of performance as an RS4 would mean instaling K04 turbos (1500 each), a better fuelling system (1000), performance cats (800), and suspension (1500), add 18" wheels and rubber (2000).

And even then, you'd need to get it all to work properly...

Now that brings me on to my next point.

These cars are no getting old.

My 1999 S4 Avant was chipped, Forge Motorsport diverter valves, Eibach adjustable coilover suspension with quattro GMBH anti roll bars, EBC brakes, 18" BBS CH wheels with new Pirelli P Zero rubber.

My car was also well maintained.

It would eat a Porsche 996 TT on anything except a track, as its brakes would be better, but my mate's RS4 B5 which is a shed (poorly maintaned) was like snail in comparison. Poor power, poor handling, poor stopping.

My car total spend, £6500 donor car, plus £5500 work carried out including paintwork to look like new. Total £13000.

My mate, new RS4 in 2001, £53000. Todays value in poorly maintained state: £27000.

In other words, my advice is buy an S4, do the work, and have an RS4 for a fraction of the price.

Andrew Dryburgh.

[Robbo66]

You could enjoy a standard RS4 for 2 years and put on 25k miles and youd probably only lose 3/4 grand.

Not wanting to be rude, but that is just fantasy.

Edited by Robbo66 on Thursday 26th October 13:36

[4WD]

Just a bit. Newer cars are a sure fire way to loose a mint. As will tuning, but even more so!

[drybeer]

4WD said:

Just a bit. Newer cars are a sure fire way to loose a mint. As will tuning, but even more so!

I agree.

An RS4 will cost you dear to put 25k on in depreciation.

And the depreciation will cost more than tuning a B5 S4 biturbo, I feel.

Also it's worth mentioning that B5 RS4s are really starting to drop in value now.

The last couple I've had in stock have been much cheaper, and I would say they've lost £10000 in the last 2 years.

Andrew Dryburgh

[Ziggymarlon]

I agree that recently B5 RS4 prices have started tail off, obviously due to the arrival of the B7.

However, its important to remember that there was only around 400 RHD B5 RS4's ever registered in the UK, also I believe there only some 320 remaining on our roads today.

The limited production numbers are surely going to once again have a positive effect on their value. IMO B5 RS4's will end up a true collectors car of the future.....similar to the RS500 cosworth.

[4WD]

Why? Because it has easily tunable turbo power?

[GTO400]

Totally disagree that tuning a S4 is a better option than the real thing, have you guys never driven or seen a real RS4 (b5). Looks alone make it worth every penny and if you can't afford the real thing why 'maxpower' a perfectly good S4 it will never be an RS4 !

Edited by GTO400 on Wednesday 1st November 16:30

[quattrot]

Ziggymarlon said:

I agree that recently B5 RS4 prices have started tail off, obviously due to the arrival of the B7.

However, its important to remember that there was only around 400 RHD B5 RS4's ever registered in the UK, also I believe there only some 320 remaining on our roads today.

The limited production numbers are surely going to once again have a positive effect on their value. IMO B5 RS4's will end up a true collectors car of the future.....similar to the RS500 cosworth.

well said!

i also believe you would be better off getting an rs4 than modding an s4, then if nothing else at least you can say you've owned one!

[seimech]

Easy - RS4!!!!

[littleblue]

a sorted RS4 is over £20k with about 420 to 460 bhp

a sorted S4 will be about £10 to £12k with about 350 bhp

how fast do you want to go.... and whats your budget????


i just so happen to have a sorted S4 with about 350 bhp for sale and if you want 400+ bhp then just fit the K04 turbos as almost all the other mods have been done (rs4 suspension, rs4 recaro leather seats, rs4 intercoolers, high flow fuel pump, exhuast etc etc etc.

ypu pays ypour money and takes your choice as they say

[GTO400]

All those RS4 parts and you still only have an S4 !

Edited by GTO400 on Wednesday 13th December 22:52

[s2avant]

The S4 is not an RS4.
If you want power per pound get an S2 Avant and spend the money on that. Much more cost effective and a lot more stealthy.

[littleblue]

GTO400 said:

All those RS4 parts and you still only have an S4 !

Edited by GTO400 on Wednesday 13th December 22:52

i agree with you, but i have 4/5's of an RS4 for half the money...

it still looks like a normal audi estate so i keep the Q car look, but i have alot of power and handling and the theives tend to leave me alone.

if i really wanted an RS4, i'd have to shell out £22k and i'd still have a 5 or 6 year old car, as compared with only having £11k tied up in a car and the other money invested in property. the price of S4's seems to have bottomed out, whereas the RS4's will (in my opinion) drop a fair bit more yet, before they bottom out.

if you want an RS4, go buy one, they really are great cars, but if you can only afford an S4, you still wont be disapointed. or you can fit an RS4 bodykit to a 1.8 A4, and have all the show, but no go...... i'd rather have the subtlety of the go, without too much show.

as i said, you pays your money and takes your choice....