RS4 Avant or RS5?
Discussion
I’m going around in circles.
I’ve a car history that is pretty much exclusively VAG and had originally decided to replace my daily A3 tdi with a B8 S5. (10-15k ish) I’ve always wanted to tick the RS box though, so the search went onto 2012< RS5’s at 20-25ish.
This invariably leads me to RS4’s of a similar age and price, I once had a B5 S4 and it’s that which spurs the RS desire. Either car will get daily use, around 12k p/a. I know the ‘drivers’ answer is a C63, but this needs to be an all weather car.
The other issue is spending an extra 10k on a badge and some wide arches. 15k buys a lot of S4/5, a remap and leave change for a weekend toy... but those arches...
I could really do with spending decent time in each car to get some understanding of what they all offer, but understandably dealers are reluctant to allow test drives at the best of times on performance cars - how do I even know if I’d like them?
I’ve a car history that is pretty much exclusively VAG and had originally decided to replace my daily A3 tdi with a B8 S5. (10-15k ish) I’ve always wanted to tick the RS box though, so the search went onto 2012< RS5’s at 20-25ish.
This invariably leads me to RS4’s of a similar age and price, I once had a B5 S4 and it’s that which spurs the RS desire. Either car will get daily use, around 12k p/a. I know the ‘drivers’ answer is a C63, but this needs to be an all weather car.
The other issue is spending an extra 10k on a badge and some wide arches. 15k buys a lot of S4/5, a remap and leave change for a weekend toy... but those arches...
I could really do with spending decent time in each car to get some understanding of what they all offer, but understandably dealers are reluctant to allow test drives at the best of times on performance cars - how do I even know if I’d like them?
bristolbaron said:
I’m going around in circles.
I’ve a car history that is pretty much exclusively VAG and had originally decided to replace my daily A3 tdi with a B8 S5. (10-15k ish) I’ve always wanted to tick the RS box though, so the search went onto 2012< RS5’s at 20-25ish.
This invariably leads me to RS4’s of a similar age and price, I once had a B5 S4 and it’s that which spurs the RS desire. Either car will get daily use, around 12k p/a. I know the ‘drivers’ answer is a C63, but this needs to be an all weather car.
The other issue is spending an extra 10k on a badge and some wide arches. 15k buys a lot of S4/5, a remap and leave change for a weekend toy... but those arches...
I could really do with spending decent time in each car to get some understanding of what they all offer, but understandably dealers are reluctant to allow test drives at the best of times on performance cars - how do I even know if I’d like them?
When it comes to VAG you've got to weigh up looks and performance against maintenance costs.I’ve a car history that is pretty much exclusively VAG and had originally decided to replace my daily A3 tdi with a B8 S5. (10-15k ish) I’ve always wanted to tick the RS box though, so the search went onto 2012< RS5’s at 20-25ish.
This invariably leads me to RS4’s of a similar age and price, I once had a B5 S4 and it’s that which spurs the RS desire. Either car will get daily use, around 12k p/a. I know the ‘drivers’ answer is a C63, but this needs to be an all weather car.
The other issue is spending an extra 10k on a badge and some wide arches. 15k buys a lot of S4/5, a remap and leave change for a weekend toy... but those arches...
I could really do with spending decent time in each car to get some understanding of what they all offer, but understandably dealers are reluctant to allow test drives at the best of times on performance cars - how do I even know if I’d like them?
Assuming that the spending of 25k isn't a problem, I'd be working out the difference in the total cost of ownership over the time you expect to keep them and seeing if the premium for ticking the RS box is worth it.
If it costs 25k, runs for £2k/year and sells in 3 years for £20k then vs costing £15k, running for £500/year and selling for £8k in 3 years then you're looking at £11k vs £8.5k... I'd consider that a reasonable premium for the difference in cars at just ~£800/year difference overall. Obviously those figures are plucked out of thin air but the upfront is irrelevant if you've got it to hand and don't have other plans for it.
If it costs 25k, runs for £2k/year and sells in 3 years for £20k then vs costing £15k, running for £500/year and selling for £8k in 3 years then you're looking at £11k vs £8.5k... I'd consider that a reasonable premium for the difference in cars at just ~£800/year difference overall. Obviously those figures are plucked out of thin air but the upfront is irrelevant if you've got it to hand and don't have other plans for it.
You can buy a newer S5 but it'll depreciate more quickly than the similarly priced RS5 although the later will cost more to run I think you'll regret not buying the RS, just watch the link below & it may help inform your decission:
https://youtu.be/_Kf-2D1vge8
https://youtu.be/_Kf-2D1vge8
Thanks all. Cost of ownership over X period is a factor and funding depreciation on a newer car bothers me.
Looking at current prices between facelift/pre facelift RS5’s I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t lose huge amounts over 2/3 years, but appreciate my risk of maintenance over this time may offset that!
This old Chris Harris review was the one that threw me into thinking the S4/5 may be enough, but the one posted above assured me I need a V8
https://youtu.be/2KfMY96v_Gc
I’m viewing an RS4 on Saturday and will keep the thread updated!
Looking at current prices between facelift/pre facelift RS5’s I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t lose huge amounts over 2/3 years, but appreciate my risk of maintenance over this time may offset that!
This old Chris Harris review was the one that threw me into thinking the S4/5 may be enough, but the one posted above assured me I need a V8
https://youtu.be/2KfMY96v_Gc
I’m viewing an RS4 on Saturday and will keep the thread updated!
I've always been put off by running costs.
£2k for discs and pads fitted all round would make me cry!
I can get decent branded ones for around £500 on my S5 (which is remapped and offers simialr performance) BUT it isnt the whole RS experience.
However, 95% of the time I drive it, I'm not neccesary driving at RS levels of speed or performance, (daily driver)
£2k for discs and pads fitted all round would make me cry!
I can get decent branded ones for around £500 on my S5 (which is remapped and offers simialr performance) BUT it isnt the whole RS experience.
However, 95% of the time I drive it, I'm not neccesary driving at RS levels of speed or performance, (daily driver)
MattS5 said:
I've always been put off by running costs.
£2k for discs and pads fitted all round would make me cry!
I can get decent branded ones for around £500 on my S5 (which is remapped and offers simialr performance) BUT it isnt the whole RS experience.
However, 95% of the time I drive it, I'm not neccesary driving at RS levels of speed or performance, (daily driver)
You can get discs & pads for between 1-1.5k fitted & it's not like you'll be buying brakes every year, it's around every 30-40k which is quite a few miles.£2k for discs and pads fitted all round would make me cry!
I can get decent branded ones for around £500 on my S5 (which is remapped and offers simialr performance) BUT it isnt the whole RS experience.
However, 95% of the time I drive it, I'm not neccesary driving at RS levels of speed or performance, (daily driver)
Yep, and I totally get that.
I guess I'm saying to the OP that unless he buys one where they've just been replaced, they might be half worn, and that's likely just 15k miles, or 18 months of driving for me.
I wouldn't want to be shelling out that sort of money so soon, if I could avoid.
Tyres on my 20" rims don't see much change from £900 and that's every 2 years as well.
Just saying go in with eye open and the RS tax is very much alive
I guess I'm saying to the OP that unless he buys one where they've just been replaced, they might be half worn, and that's likely just 15k miles, or 18 months of driving for me.
I wouldn't want to be shelling out that sort of money so soon, if I could avoid.
Tyres on my 20" rims don't see much change from £900 and that's every 2 years as well.
Just saying go in with eye open and the RS tax is very much alive
bristolbaron said:
I’m going around in circles.
I’ve a car history that is pretty much exclusively VAG and had originally decided to replace my daily A3 tdi with a B8 S5. (10-15k ish) I’ve always wanted to tick the RS box though, so the search went onto 2012< RS5’s at 20-25ish.
This invariably leads me to RS4’s of a similar age and price, I once had a B5 S4 and it’s that which spurs the RS desire. Either car will get daily use, around 12k p/a. I know the ‘drivers’ answer is a C63, but this needs to be an all weather car.
The other issue is spending an extra 10k on a badge and some wide arches. 15k buys a lot of S4/5, a remap and leave change for a weekend toy... but those arches...
I could really do with spending decent time in each car to get some understanding of what they all offer, but understandably dealers are reluctant to allow test drives at the best of times on performance cars - how do I even know if I’d like them?
BB - nothing to add other than the fact that your PH non-secret Santa has just dived back into bork-factor C5 RS6 ownership for the second time in a decade. All logic says no, but heart says ‘play Russian roulette’. Good luck!I’ve a car history that is pretty much exclusively VAG and had originally decided to replace my daily A3 tdi with a B8 S5. (10-15k ish) I’ve always wanted to tick the RS box though, so the search went onto 2012< RS5’s at 20-25ish.
This invariably leads me to RS4’s of a similar age and price, I once had a B5 S4 and it’s that which spurs the RS desire. Either car will get daily use, around 12k p/a. I know the ‘drivers’ answer is a C63, but this needs to be an all weather car.
The other issue is spending an extra 10k on a badge and some wide arches. 15k buys a lot of S4/5, a remap and leave change for a weekend toy... but those arches...
I could really do with spending decent time in each car to get some understanding of what they all offer, but understandably dealers are reluctant to allow test drives at the best of times on performance cars - how do I even know if I’d like them?
There’s a thread somewhere in Reader’s Cars.
Thanks again all.. I’ve just got back from viewing one locally, great spec and well priced, it looks a tidy honest car. However, there’s no service book and very little by the way of paperwork. Apparently this can be pulled up via Audi, but what was there leads me to believe the cars just had routine oil changes and not a lot else over the past few years... back to the drawing board.
bristolbaron said:
Thanks again all.. I’ve just got back from viewing one locally, great spec and well priced, it looks a tidy honest car. However, there’s no service book and very little by the way of paperwork. Apparently this can be pulled up via Audi, but what was there leads me to believe the cars just had routine oil changes and not a lot else over the past few years... back to the drawing board.
Contact Audi just to check you may be surprised.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff