B7 RS4 avant or E91 335i touring
Discussion
Hello all,
Long time no post! I’m currently looking at changing my daily to something more practical but still exciting. Currently it’s between a 335i touring (n54) or a B7 RS4. My commute is 27 miles each way but I travel abroad a lot with work so only actually commute around 2 weeks per month. I’m not super concerned about fuel as long as the experience makes up for it. I think the RS is going to average low twenties, the 335i probably high twenties low thirties? There’s a bit of a price difference too (30+%), but both are affordable. Both cars I’m looking at are around 100,000 miles and most of the higher mileage RS4s seem to have everything done, carbon clean, DRC, oil coolers and such.
I drove the 335i yesterday and the one I’ve found is very nice, well optioned and still has the BMW extended warranty running on it. I’m yet to drive an RS4 (or even sit in one, the one I went to see was sold about 10 mins before I got there) but something keeps telling me I should wait, travel and try to get one, I might not have another chance to own a V8! Certainly it’s a less daily-able car because they need to be revved to really get the performance from them, whereas the BMW felt like it would just go in any gear. I also realise, warranty aside, the N54 is very tuneable and 400+ bhp is about £1k away, and there is a very nice example quite local to me.
I suppose in summary my only hang ups are that although I want a manual the BMW ones generally aren’t all that, I guess a CDV delete could improve things? And of course it’s V8 vs turbo straight six...
Sorry for the slight brain dump here but can anyone provide any further thoughts or insights to help me make the decision?
Long time no post! I’m currently looking at changing my daily to something more practical but still exciting. Currently it’s between a 335i touring (n54) or a B7 RS4. My commute is 27 miles each way but I travel abroad a lot with work so only actually commute around 2 weeks per month. I’m not super concerned about fuel as long as the experience makes up for it. I think the RS is going to average low twenties, the 335i probably high twenties low thirties? There’s a bit of a price difference too (30+%), but both are affordable. Both cars I’m looking at are around 100,000 miles and most of the higher mileage RS4s seem to have everything done, carbon clean, DRC, oil coolers and such.
I drove the 335i yesterday and the one I’ve found is very nice, well optioned and still has the BMW extended warranty running on it. I’m yet to drive an RS4 (or even sit in one, the one I went to see was sold about 10 mins before I got there) but something keeps telling me I should wait, travel and try to get one, I might not have another chance to own a V8! Certainly it’s a less daily-able car because they need to be revved to really get the performance from them, whereas the BMW felt like it would just go in any gear. I also realise, warranty aside, the N54 is very tuneable and 400+ bhp is about £1k away, and there is a very nice example quite local to me.
I suppose in summary my only hang ups are that although I want a manual the BMW ones generally aren’t all that, I guess a CDV delete could improve things? And of course it’s V8 vs turbo straight six...
Sorry for the slight brain dump here but can anyone provide any further thoughts or insights to help me make the decision?
Shiv_P said:
Xcore said:
Ever tried to take a hot Audi through the bends? BMW every time
Apart from the fact that the B7 RS4 was probably one of the best RS models ever made, was very highly reviewed and in some cases people thought it was better than the E46 M3, possibly the best M3 ever made
I have just sold my RS4 Avant to a garage in Essex after 5 years of ownership. Absolutely terrific car through the twisties, a little bland though but was good as a family car and the noise was great, who doesn't want over 8000 rpm in a V8!
They are not very reliable though, mine had a new engine just before I bought it fitted under warranty with 42k on the clock, exactly 42k later a screw worked loose in the inlet manifold and ended up in the bottom end and the result was another new engine, manifold and clutch.
DRC as it is with most went wrong and a set of KW V3's sorted the handling out nicely.
Other failures I had were the radiator fan, headlight, window switches, driveshaft, suspension arms and bushes, throttle position sensor, ECU and loom, glove box catch, centre console storage box lid snapped at the hinge there was a lot more too I just can't remember.
Brakes lasted about 25k, tyres about 10k, servicing was actually pretty decent.
I wouldn't entertain having another and was glad to see the back of it, Audi customer service is particularly crap especially in the Highlands
They are not very reliable though, mine had a new engine just before I bought it fitted under warranty with 42k on the clock, exactly 42k later a screw worked loose in the inlet manifold and ended up in the bottom end and the result was another new engine, manifold and clutch.
DRC as it is with most went wrong and a set of KW V3's sorted the handling out nicely.
Other failures I had were the radiator fan, headlight, window switches, driveshaft, suspension arms and bushes, throttle position sensor, ECU and loom, glove box catch, centre console storage box lid snapped at the hinge there was a lot more too I just can't remember.
Brakes lasted about 25k, tyres about 10k, servicing was actually pretty decent.
I wouldn't entertain having another and was glad to see the back of it, Audi customer service is particularly crap especially in the Highlands
Edited by craig2003 on Sunday 27th May 14:38
Money no issue, RS4. However, be warned. A friend of mine had one from new back in 2007 (it was a 57 plate) and it was quite problematic. I suspect it was one of the highest mileage RS4s in the UK a while ago as he was doing 25k/year in it. it needed 8 new shocks over his ownership, new power steering hoses, window wiper motor, new inlet manifold and a host of other stuff. He sold it as it was just getting a bit silly really.
Was a nice car though, although I preferred the E92 M3.
Was a nice car though, although I preferred the E92 M3.
The RS4 is a very different car to a 335i the comparison of which would be an S4 so maybe take a look at those too, or if you want a comparison to an RS4 then take a look at the C63 Estate or if you can live without an Estate then the M3 or IS-F.
I went for the 63 when the time came overall for the me it was the better car especially if it has to be an estate then the 63 is the (IMO bias opinion) only one to look at.
I went for the 63 when the time came overall for the me it was the better car especially if it has to be an estate then the 63 is the (IMO bias opinion) only one to look at.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 27th May 17:24
A good few years ago i was in the position to purchase something similar, having had 2 previous E91 335ds I wanted something Petrol, fast, but retaining a level of practicality
Shortlist was
B7 RS4
E90 M3
C63
B8 S4
RS4 was banished first due to its reliability, and having driven one in the past, I thought it was ok but that’s all.
C63 gone as I couldn’t afford a facelift wagon
S4, banished for similar reasons to the RS4
That left the E90 M3, and after some searching I found the best car I’ve owned, absolutely loved it, as docile as the 335d has been day to day, but it could be an absolute hooligan when you wanted it to be. Such a great all rounder
In your situation id look for one of those, the 335i is good, but, it’s no m3, and I’ll say the same about the RS4 it’s good, but it’s no M3.
Out of the two choices you have though, I’d likely choose the RS4, it will hold its value, but a good one and pamper it, may even increase. It’s more special, and there’s the V8 factor, but tread carefully if you do buy one
Shortlist was
B7 RS4
E90 M3
C63
B8 S4
RS4 was banished first due to its reliability, and having driven one in the past, I thought it was ok but that’s all.
C63 gone as I couldn’t afford a facelift wagon
S4, banished for similar reasons to the RS4
That left the E90 M3, and after some searching I found the best car I’ve owned, absolutely loved it, as docile as the 335d has been day to day, but it could be an absolute hooligan when you wanted it to be. Such a great all rounder
In your situation id look for one of those, the 335i is good, but, it’s no m3, and I’ll say the same about the RS4 it’s good, but it’s no M3.
Out of the two choices you have though, I’d likely choose the RS4, it will hold its value, but a good one and pamper it, may even increase. It’s more special, and there’s the V8 factor, but tread carefully if you do buy one
I took the private plate off mine and it'll be up for sale in Essex somewhere soon should be reliable enough now, the engine only has 20k or so on it. SX56 CEU is the new plate that has been assigned just on the off chance you come across it.
Not much left to be replaced now I wouldn't think, it had upwards of £25k in remedial works over the 5 years, relatively new brakes too.
Not much left to be replaced now I wouldn't think, it had upwards of £25k in remedial works over the 5 years, relatively new brakes too.
So I’ve just driven an RS4 and now I want one, the V8 sounded great and was a lot torquier than I expected with such a high red line. The gearbox in particular was much better than the one in the E91, and the engine had bags more character. I also preferred the ride, firmer than the BMW in SE spec but still comfortable.
Unfortunately all three of the blue ones I’ve been looking at but not had time to actually go visit seem to have been sold, and I need a car sooner rather than later... so now I’m confused about what to do.
Unfortunately all three of the blue ones I’ve been looking at but not had time to actually go visit seem to have been sold, and I need a car sooner rather than later... so now I’m confused about what to do.
Just pitching in for the B7 RS4 Avant.
I owned for 2 years. I was the 3rd owner and ran it from 65k to 80k miles. Amazing engine and sound, great handling and stance, great looking IMO and one of the great performance wagons ever made.
However....there was always something around the corner.
2 x DRC leaking, Carbon build up issue if it bothered you, Exhaust flap sticky when hot, rear wiper motor failed, passenger window switch failed, parts pretty expensive (2k for discs and pads but probably went up by now).
Luckily I used an indy garage which knew it's stuff (even had the tool for DRC re-charge) but still hurt the pockets. Always had 'what next' running through my head which eventually spoiled the car for me.
I still think about the car it though and would be happy to have a sorted one for another few years.
I owned for 2 years. I was the 3rd owner and ran it from 65k to 80k miles. Amazing engine and sound, great handling and stance, great looking IMO and one of the great performance wagons ever made.
However....there was always something around the corner.
2 x DRC leaking, Carbon build up issue if it bothered you, Exhaust flap sticky when hot, rear wiper motor failed, passenger window switch failed, parts pretty expensive (2k for discs and pads but probably went up by now).
Luckily I used an indy garage which knew it's stuff (even had the tool for DRC re-charge) but still hurt the pockets. Always had 'what next' running through my head which eventually spoiled the car for me.
I still think about the car it though and would be happy to have a sorted one for another few years.
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