Audi RS4 B8 is on my short list, are they anygood?

Audi RS4 B8 is on my short list, are they anygood?

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cosworth330

Original Poster:

1,299 posts

236 months

Monday 9th January 2017
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I've had my E60 M5 for over 3 years and it's coming upto 11 years old this year so looking to get something newer. I don't have any experience with Audi RS models, my last 3 cars have been BMW M3/M5. I have been looking at changing to an F10 M5 or F80 M3 but now considering a B8 RS4. Quite like the idea of having the extra traction of the Audi. Things putting me off the RS4 are reviews I've read say the ride quality is very poor ( too hard ). Also Evo review said you really have to work the engine to get it to go and it didn't feel like it had 400 odd BHP. Do they suffer coking up like the other Audi V8's?

I think I'm more than likely to end up with another newer M5 but just considering a change. It would only get occasional use and the odd long family trip to France. Are they any better on fuel than a V10 M5?

Thanks
Simon





Purso

859 posts

101 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
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Hi Simon

Have you considered a b7 rs4 I have just picked one up and am uber happy with it admittedly still honeymoon period but have put 500 miles on her. They have a phenomenal engine awesome gearbox and are very practical.

I haven't much experience of the b8 but to me looks a little bland. Each to there own of course anyway enjoy your search!

Cheers

ChrisRS6

736 posts

182 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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What's your budget?

B8 needs to be worked hard IMO.

RS6 for the win.

will1981

23 posts

198 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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I've had mine for almost 3 years from new.

Good bits.
Engine, it's happier to rev than the B7 and coupled with a Milltek non res sounds just right.
For me it looks great, blistered arches and aggressive front end.
Plenty of space for family duties.
Traction, lots of traction. Although with the fancy diff you can easily get the back end to play on wet roundabouts and power away.
My wife loves the noise/car and doesn't want me to sell it, very rare.

Bad bits
Audi dealers
DRC suspension and steering, I've replaced mine with KW coilovers and 034 control arms, also setup by Ccentre Gravity.
Gearbox, potential problems.

I'd highly recommend one, yes you have to work it but that's where the rewards are, mine has 22k on it and pulls well. If you can find one on std shocks and springs that would be my choice.

It has flaws, but name a car that doesn't. beer

Murph7355

37,648 posts

255 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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ChrisRS6 said:
What's your budget?

B8 needs to be worked hard IMO.

RS6 for the win.
The point of a car with sporting intent is that you need to work them hard...

I love my B7. It's mostly used as my winter daily and it's a superb place to be.

The B8 is less "iconic" looking IMO. But also has more space inside. As and when/if the B7 needs to go I'll look at one. But will also look at the S4 - they can be tuned heavily and are more "Q car"...also cheaper to buy.

Murph7355

37,648 posts

255 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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PS The latest RS6 is an awesome looking car. But my daily route is unnamed or small b-roads. I think the RS6 will therefore be too big.

cosworth330

Original Poster:

1,299 posts

236 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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As much as I like the B7 and I have driven one as my brother in law bought one new in 2007 it's just too old and looks dated. Still a great looking car but I'm after something around 3 years old with about 20-30K miles on. I've always run my M5 with the BMW Mondial warranty so after hearing about B8 gearbox problems maybe a B8 would need a warranty?

djc206

12,241 posts

124 months

Sunday 22nd January 2017
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I've had my B8 RS4 just under 3 years. Will be selling within the next month or so. I think it's on about 17k, gearbox went at about 14k. I argued with them about warranty so have got them to extend it as per their usual parts warranty but if it were heading outside that period I'd definitely look at an aftermarket warranty for peace of mind. I love the car but having had an RS5 before this I've essentially been driving the same car for 5 years so time for a change.

Other than gearbox issues its been pretty good. Just replaced the rear tyres due to a puncture that couldn't be repaired and the fronts were done at about 14k, services fairly inexpensive, about 20mpg mostly urban miles so not too shabby. I wouldn't hesitate if I were you.

thornettj

125 posts

220 months

Monday 23rd January 2017
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I bought one last week, an approved used from Audi. Previously ran an E90 M3 which I loved but I have to say the Audi is far more usable as a day to day car.

Both engines needs revs for sure but the Audi's seamless dsg means it can get in the right gear and be powering down the road while the M3 you're still changing! (mine was manual). Likewise traction, I loved the M3 wayward side but the RS4 just grips and goes. Full power out of junctions and roundabouts are no problem, the M was all about balancing power and grip in this weather, the Audi while maybe less involving, just gets the job done. Point to point I can't think of a better vehicle.

The cabin is a nice place to be, sounds good and I think looks good too. I haven't been disappointed!



Edited by thornettj on Monday 23 January 07:29

Blue62

8,746 posts

151 months

Tuesday 24th January 2017
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Had mine for a couple of years, not quite as involving as the B7 but as an overall package a better, more modern car. I have had no problems with mine in 20,000 miles but echo the comment about dealers, though I'm struggling to think of any marque I've owned where I didn't have an issue. I really like the car and as I am ready to change I'm struggling to think what next, the RS6 is a great bahn stormer but can't get near the M5 (I need an estate) or RS4 for poise, at the moment I am seriously thinking Alpina D3 but may end up waiting to see what the B9 is like. It sounds as though you will probably go M5, but I would recommend a drive, very chuckable, forgiving and good fun if driven properly.

wattsm666

693 posts

264 months

Sunday 29th January 2017
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I recently went from a M5 E60 (great car) to a C7 RS6, which is brilliant. The RS6 is not much bigger than the E60 so I'd probably take one for a test drive to see what it is like in the real world.

chandler99

105 posts

131 months

Monday 30th January 2017
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I have a E61 M5 and wanted something to help keep the miles off it. So i went for the B8 RS4. If you get one with adaptive Suspension the ride is fairly good. Slightly firmer than the M5 in soft mode but soaks up the country roads i drive on every day brilliantly.

If you looked at one with the adaptive Suspension, make sure it doesn't knock when going over bumps. Mine did and after much fighting with Adui they admitted there was an updated version of the front suspension, and its been great ever since they replaced it.

Overall its a great car, the noise it makes is infectious, the gear changes having been in the M5 are silk smooth, and when it snowed a few weeks ago, the RS4 was more than capable getting up snowy hills and felt very safe - by contrast, i would not of dared drive the M5 in the snow lol

They are great cars, and would recommend one..

sjgreen

8 posts

86 months

Monday 30th January 2017
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Go drive one - only way you will know if you like it.

The RS4 is the B8.5 model. Never made a B8 RS4.

baronbennyt

900 posts

95 months

Friday 3rd February 2017
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I bought my RS4 Avant from Audi Guildford having originally gone in to buy a pre owned RS6. Why? Well, I found the RS4 to be far more enjoyable to drive (more nuggety and a greater feel of it wrapping around you) and fell completely for that super high revving V8. Sure it doesn't have the dizzy torque-rich punch of the RS6 but it feels a lot more like a super sports saloon (once you get the rpm up it just goes and sounds like thunder) and less like a Merc AMG than the RS6. I also saved quite a bit of dosh! Still, both cars are awesome and horses for courses and all that.

RS4 Plus Points: V8 engine, top quality build, practicality, traction, stability (particularly in poor weather), looks (subjective), image (subjective)
RS4 Minus Points: Dynamic Steering is lifeless and unpleasant, stiff ride (but not nearly as bad as everyone says), gearbox can get caught out, rather inert handling, fuel consumption.

Overall, however, I love it! Plus it should hold its value well being the last with this type of engine.

My RS4:





Edited by baronbennyt on Friday 3rd February 19:25

cosworth330

Original Poster:

1,299 posts

236 months

Saturday 4th February 2017
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chandler99 said:
I have a E61 M5 and wanted something to help keep the miles off it. So i went for the B8 RS4. If you get one with adaptive Suspension the ride is fairly good. Slightly firmer than the M5 in soft mode but soaks up the country roads i drive on every day brilliantly.

If you looked at one with the adaptive Suspension, make sure it doesn't knock when going over bumps. Mine did and after much fighting with Adui they admitted there was an updated version of the front suspension, and its been great ever since they replaced it.

Overall its a great car, the noise it makes is infectious, the gear changes having been in the M5 are silk smooth, and when it snowed a few weeks ago, the RS4 was more than capable getting up snowy hills and felt very safe - by contrast, i would not of dared drive the M5 in the snow lol

They are great cars, and would recommend one..
Is performance similar to that of the E60? Does the RS4 feel more nimble?

As one of the other posts suggests I need to go and drive one. Still enjoying my M5 but due a change soon. Not too keen on getting something with harder suspension than the M5 but I suppose an RS4 will be similar comfort to a F80 M3.

Blue62

8,746 posts

151 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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cosworth330 said:
Is performance similar to that of the E60? Does the RS4 feel more nimble?

As one of the other posts suggests I need to go and drive one. Still enjoying my M5 but due a change soon. Not too keen on getting something with harder suspension than the M5 but I suppose an RS4 will be similar comfort to a F80 M3.
I can't help with the comparison, but the ride in the RS4 in comfort is not too bad, my car has the 20 inch rotors so I can only assume the 19 inch car is more compliant still. You have to rev the car to get thrills, which gives it a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde character and it is far more nimble than the RS6, which just felt like a fast tank to me. I've reached a point where outright speed has fallen further down the list, I want good overtaking ability and enjoy flooring it now and then but it's far more about the all round package these days. I'd go with what ticks the most boxes mate, having worked out which boxes matter most to you.

zainster

440 posts

175 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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cosworth330 said:
chandler99 said:
I have a E61 M5 and wanted something to help keep the miles off it. So i went for the B8 RS4. If you get one with adaptive Suspension the ride is fairly good. Slightly firmer than the M5 in soft mode but soaks up the country roads i drive on every day brilliantly.

If you looked at one with the adaptive Suspension, make sure it doesn't knock when going over bumps. Mine did and after much fighting with Adui they admitted there was an updated version of the front suspension, and its been great ever since they replaced it.

Overall its a great car, the noise it makes is infectious, the gear changes having been in the M5 are silk smooth, and when it snowed a few weeks ago, the RS4 was more than capable getting up snowy hills and felt very safe - by contrast, i would not of dared drive the M5 in the snow lol

They are great cars, and would recommend one..
Is performance similar to that of the E60? Does the RS4 feel more nimble?

As one of the other posts suggests I need to go and drive one. Still enjoying my M5 but due a change soon. Not too keen on getting something with harder suspension than the M5 but I suppose an RS4 will be similar comfort to a F80 M3.
Not exactly the same but very similar to the B8 RS4, I currently have a B7 RS4 Avant and used to have an E60 M5.
In the dry and on open roads (A roads/Motorways), there is no comparison really,the E60 M5 is on another level in performance.

However, I do find the RS4 more fun on smaller tighter roads and its just so sure footed no matter the road surface (cambers/undulations etc.)



Mezger

370 posts

105 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Considering one of these for the family car when we return to UK later this year, also considering the C63 estate (that engine).

Does anyone have experience of both?

cosworth330

Original Poster:

1,299 posts

236 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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Decided to buy a very high spec F80 M3, has 18k of optional extras including carbon ceramic brakes and only covered 9,300 miles. Very pleased with it. Still have a VW in the family as the wife has a MK7 GTI.





Edited by cosworth330 on Sunday 23 April 06:43

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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Looks very nice.