RS4 4.2 Avant Running Costs

[Rick101]

Can any owners give me an idea of running costs over two years?
I'm looking at cars around 2007, likely over 100k miles.

Servicing will be local independent so looks to be about £850 for a major and a minor. Hoping that's tax inc!
It'll prob do around 6k miles per year.
I'd guess it's a high tax bracket £300+ per year?
I've fairly good insurance history so hopefully a fair price.
Understand bar coking and the air suspension these are fairly reliable cars. What sort of money should I budget for additional maintenance for a car of that mileage?

Thanks

[Nedzilla]

As an R8 owner with the same engine I'm assuming your tax is more likely to be around £550 a year depending on how you pay.

[Dr G]

Rick101 said:

air suspension

DRC or Dynamic Ride Control is a hydraulically self-levelling system (rather than air springs).

There's a buying guide on this very site that details the majority of the pitfalls (there are a fair few).

I'd work on the basis of £2k annually to keep things fighting fit. With good maintenance and modest mileage it may well work out less but if you hold that in mind you'll enjoy the ownership experience more.

[jeremyc]

In five and a half years ownership I have spent just under £5K on servicing, tyres and MOTs.

Add in £535 tax and insurance and the guidance of £2K a year to run sounds about right.

Well worth it though.

[crashley]

Depends how you drive them also. I've had mine 4yrs or so, covered c.30k miles in that period. In that time:

Lots of brakes, recently replaced all pads and rear discs only @ c.£1300 fitted - they are expensive so check wear.
I've replaced 2x DRC dampers, think that was nearer £1600 or so.
Lots of tyres, £160-200 each
Servicing sounds about right, big service every 2x years @ £750ish, oil and filters between @ £350 ish.
Mine will need oil cooler replacing soon which is c.£1300 job.
Clutches also i think are around £2k mark, but mine was done just before purchase i believe (at around 60k)
When i first bought it the TPMS receiver went pop, was replaced under warranty, perhaps a £400 job - and had had a few senders replaced too over the years.
Tax is £500 or so a year.

They also have an appetite for 1L decent oil every 1k miles; beans but need to make sure it is getting done and ideally is warmed up properly before being driven properly.

[Rick101]

Thanks all.

Current thinking an S4 might be a better option.

Slightly less complex and substantially less capital outlay. Not quite as special as the RS but as it'll be a daily/shopping/utility car that's maybe a good thing.

Not many around these parts (York crap for cars) unfortunately. Will nip to JJB at some point and have a chat with them about what to look for.

Ta

[Murph7355]

Rick101 said:

Thanks all.

Current thinking an S4 might be a better option.

Slightly less complex and substantially less capital outlay. Not quite as special as the RS but as it'll be a daily/shopping/utility car that's maybe a good thing.

Not many around these parts (York crap for cars) unfortunately. Will nip to JJB at some point and have a chat with them about what to look for.

Ta

I'm not sure many elements of run costs will be that different considering the drop in specialness.

I agree with the 2k marker (excl. fuel). It may well be a chunk less, but allow for that much.