The RS4's cabin is very well appointed as standard, with all models featuring leather upholstery, air conditioning, CD stereo and Audi's usual high standards of build quality. In the saloon and Avant RS4 models, sports bucket seats are standard but the Cabriolet came with sports seat similar to the S4's. However, the Recaro bucket seats were an option for the Cabrio.
MMI looks quite old now, but should work well
When the Sport button is pressed, the side bolsters of the sports bucket seats inflate to hold the driver more securely in place. However, this can make the seats too snug for larger drivers and not everyone likes this feature. The Sport button is usually positioned on the steering wheel, but with the optional multi-function steering wheel this button is moved to the dash.
The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a defining RS4 feature and has an aluminium-effect plastic lower portion. A carbon fibre-effect finish was an option.
Other options were included in the Tech pack that brought auto dipping mirrors, auto wipers and a BOSE stereo upgrade, while the Comfort pack included cruise control and heated seats. Satellite navigation was another option and, while it seems dated by modern standard, still works well. However, it cannot accept seven digit postcodes.
Audi's MMI (multimedia interface) is positioned on the dash, so it's not quite as intuitively placed as modern Audi models' but it's simple to use. The rest of the dash is typical of Audis of this age, so it's logically laid out. Check the centre armrest's catch works as it can break.
Passenger space go hang; these seats are ace
Look for wear on the outside bolsters of the seats, especially the Recaro sports buckets as they are very prone to rubbing as the driver gets in and out.
The optional Recaro seats steal even more space from rear seat passengers, so consider this if you need to carry more than one passenger regularly.
The Avant's boot is also not the biggest by any standards so an RS6 Avant might be better suited to family use.
There are Isofix child seat mounts in the rear seats and the saloon Avant come with front, side and curtain airbags. The Cabrio doesn't have curtain airbags but does have deployable roll-over bars in the event of an accident.
Moving the battery to the boot of the RS4, which means there's no space for a spare wheel. In its place is a can of tyre sealant, so make sure this is full as otherwise you could be left stranded at the side of the road with a puncture.
PHer's view:
In typical Audi fashion, the RS4 is a performance sport saloon in an Armani suit, the interior has a very durable and luxurious quality to it. That interior may feel a bit dated at times but it was so well designed and thought through this feeling never stays for too long. Top quality leather as well and the sport seats still look and feel fantastic.
Pascal