Audi B5 RS4

[Leins]

Took my young lad out for a spin this morning, to the local seaside town. He’s two years old, but could definitely sense this was a bit of a different experience to the Qashqai that he’s normally transported in. Took it fairly easily with him in the car obviously, but a little bit of a run down a motorway slip now results in it now being known as “Daddy’s Fast Car”. It also reminded me though that it’s still an A4, so it really can do the practical stuff really well too

[Leins]

Escort3500 said:

He’ll soon be asking you to open the windows in tunnels...

I think you’re right

[Leins]

G111MDS said:

Really nice RS4 you have. The B5 shape has really aged well.

Thanks. The shape is over a quarter of a century old now, but doesn’t seem it to me

E34 said:

I spotted you as you were driving out towards the harbour, the car looks great!

It’s ideal to have a fun car that fits all the family, I have an Elise that doesn’t get used half enough, too hardcore for the mundane stuff and not ideal for kids.

Ah no way, cheers! You should have given me a shout. Were you in the Elise? Sorry I didn’t see you, was trying to figure out where I was going to find the playground and get some coffee. Not been there for a good few years

[Leins]

So hibernation time for the car again, will miss it for the next while



I sometimes feel it’s a shame to put it away for the winter, as it really is the perfect all weather car. I know from buying it at this time of year that the performance, traction and comfort is excellent. However, I’m not prepared to subject a twenty year old car to the ravages of salt and freezing conditions, so away it goes. Looking forward to next year already!

[Leins]

Thanks zesty, rust does scare me, no real interest in trying to eradicate from cars if I can help it. Although these things do seem to be fairly well protected

[Leins]

Not been using this car too much lately, so thought I’d get it out into the countryside for a bit of a lunchtime run today. Seventh year of ownership and still not bored of it!

Next up is its visit to Audi for belts, water pump, etc. and a good service. I have a planned visit to see what’s going on at Caffeine & Machine next month then too, and looking forward to giving it a bit of a run over to that.
So all good in the land of B5 ownership!

[Leins]

Tin Hat said:

That is a very desirable car, it looks superb!

Thanks very much. That’s a mighty fine set of cars you have there btw

Escort3500 said:

Great to see it back out again!

Thanks. It’s funny, every winter when it’s away I wonder should I consider selling it and buying something else. Then as soon as I get it back on the road I wonder what the hell I was thinking. It’ll probably be the same next year too

How is your B7 going?

[Leins]

McGee_22 said:

I always liked the look of the B5 RS4 Avant - it was just a little too small for my needs, hence the E39 Touring.

Yes, the boot isn’t a bad size but the cabin is a bit on the cramped side. I have managed to squeeze five adults into it, but the capability of us all breathing was seriously in doubt!

I think a Mk6 Golf I had for a while was nearly more spacious inside, and I suspect the latest RS3 would probably dwarf it these days

[Leins]

Escort3500 said:

Still got it, and I’ve had the same “should I keep/sell it” debate with myself every year for the last few years Then I drive it and decide it’s staying However, I’ve decided it’s going this year as I just don’t use it enough. It’s only done 68k miles (most of this age are 120k+) so hopefully it’ll find a nice new home. I’ll miss it though

You’re pretty much on the same mileage as I am, 69k on it this year. Do you think you’ll replace it with anything?

I really don’t know what I’d ever replace this car with. I came from a CSL, which I’ve never really regretted swapping out of, and anything else I’d really like to buy these days is now silly money (964 Turbo or RS, Alpina E30 B6). Plus I really do love the old bus, so it’s staying put

[Leins]

ChrisCh86 said:

Only 3k miles in 7 years?!

A beautiful car (my favourite shape of A4), but it needs more miles - even if just summer driving

Still, a credit to you that you still take it to Audi for servicing

If it’s my car (the B5) then it’s actually 4k miles in 7 years I’ll have you know!

I know, too low, and that also includes a trip down to the Ring. I’ve had my MINI GP1 for about the same time and done similar sorts of mileage, but for both cars those miles have all been really fun ones

As for Audi servicing, dealerships tend to get a bit of a bad rep in some circles, and I’ve had my own issues with a few of them back in the day. But the previous owner swore by Brighton Audi, and I’m the same with Belfast Audi now. Plus it doesn’t cost as much as you’d think for the scheduled stuff. Good excuse to pick up some Timmy Taylor’s in a Sainsburys on the way home too, which you can’t get in Dublin!

bangerhoarder said:

You’ll regret selling it, if you do.

What a fantastic looking car, to this day, and it’s a credit to you. Keep enjoying its brilliance.

Thanks very much, and I think you’re probably right. Plus what other car has both a tape deck and single CD in the dash, plus a changer in the boot!

Edited by Leins on Friday 15th April 22:20

[Leins]

The car is now back from Audi Belfast, with an interim service carried out along with belt, water pump, brake fluid, etc all replaced. They also picked up wear and split seals on the front suspension arms so they’ve been replaced, as think they must have still been the original items

It’s normally the same mechanic who works on my car, and he brought me in for a look around while it was up on the ramps. Pleased to say it’s been given a clean bill of health now, and great customer service as usual from them

[Leins]

Oh, and most importantly I did manage to pick up a case of Timmy Taylor’s on the way home

[Leins]

So dropped the B5 into my local detailer this week to get it a bit cleaned up for the weekend. Off on the ferry in the morning for a mini road trip, and can’t wait. Will be good to stretch its legs!

[Leins]

Thanks folks, he really did a great job on it, and even if I say so myself it looked great in the early morning sunshine today when I left home

It’s an interesting car to photograph I think, as it can be hard sometimes to capture the extra width, but that front-end shot he took really does

[Leins]

Thanks very much, and yes it’s definitely more on the subtle side even compared to standard A4 models these days

Had a great run from arrival into Holyhead down to Caffeine & Machine today, with sunshine all the way. Have wanted to pay the place a visit for a while, and it’s been worth the trip so far

[Leins]

Very impressed with Caffeine & Machine. Nice stay there, beers and food a great standard, and some nice cars rolling in

[Leins]

Lynchy1975 said:

Very nice ????
Owned mine for over 15 years ! Now has 220k miles

Thanks very much, and same back to you. It looks great in that colour

[Leins]

5 years ago today - the old dog bus just cooling down after a good Autobahn run, along with my mate’s Munich banana! There seemed very little in it between the two all the way up to 170-ish

[Leins]

F1GTRUeno said:

Surprising given 380bhp versus 321 (IIRC) and twin turbo torque?

Guess weight and aero .cd play into it?

Partly weight, partly a very unscientific approach I suspect

I think ultimately the Audi probably had the legs on the BMW, but both were fairly outgunned by the other car on that trip - an F80 M4

[Leins]

So after nearly eight years, the B5 has today moved onto pastures new. It’s actually the first time since 2005 that I haven’t owned something German with six cylinders, which feels a bit strange

I do have my eye on a replacement though…