RS4 B7 - Is there a better Audi?
Discussion
I’m aware of carbon deposits and suspension issues, also it may not handle as well as my Cayman 981, but for some reason I hanker after one, an Avant so as to be sensible.
We’ve had two A3 sportback 2.0 diesels in the past, 57 and 62 plate, which I really liked, then a 62 TTS, which I didn’t so much. Hated a courtesy SQ5 around 4 years ago - bobbly suspension.
So... out of all recent Audis (to 20 years old for creature comforts) what’s recommended for fast, practical, fun? B7 RS4 fuel consumption worries me a little, so maybe a big diesel?
A8 looks a great luxury car, but no estate version.
From your personal experience, what’s worth looking at?
Thanks all.
We’ve had two A3 sportback 2.0 diesels in the past, 57 and 62 plate, which I really liked, then a 62 TTS, which I didn’t so much. Hated a courtesy SQ5 around 4 years ago - bobbly suspension.
So... out of all recent Audis (to 20 years old for creature comforts) what’s recommended for fast, practical, fun? B7 RS4 fuel consumption worries me a little, so maybe a big diesel?
A8 looks a great luxury car, but no estate version.
From your personal experience, what’s worth looking at?
Thanks all.
OP - B7 RS4s are lovely cars but in no way, shape, or form cheap to run.
B8 S4 Avants are excellent allrounders and facelifted cars (12 on) pretty well sorted in quality terms. Average mid-high 20s on juice and just past 30 on a run.
BitDI A6/7Allroad fast, comfortable, and incredibly effective, 40 MPG, a lovely way to travel, but not really a fun car.
C7 RS6s are ridiculously fast, well screwed together, will do 30 MPG on a run, and cost 50k.
C7 S6/7 in the 25-40 range for nice ones, very quick but quite GT like.
B8 S4 Avants are excellent allrounders and facelifted cars (12 on) pretty well sorted in quality terms. Average mid-high 20s on juice and just past 30 on a run.
BitDI A6/7Allroad fast, comfortable, and incredibly effective, 40 MPG, a lovely way to travel, but not really a fun car.
C7 RS6s are ridiculously fast, well screwed together, will do 30 MPG on a run, and cost 50k.
C7 S6/7 in the 25-40 range for nice ones, very quick but quite GT like.
Rulu said:
Hi, Is there a RS4 group/page on here ? sorry to hijack, I'm after an RS4 avant ? and don't know where to as a few questions.
cheers
rs246.com if you want model specific detail. It's well supported.cheers
Dr G said:
OP - B7 RS4s are lovely cars but in no way, shape, or form cheap to run.....
Couldn't agree more and my wallet will be next week as the car goes in for DRC hard lines, some bits on the brakes, some bushes etc.To be fair this will be the biggest bill I'll have had in 6 or 7yrs...but it will still put the annual running costs right up there.
Now that said, they are fantastic cars to drive. There are few things genuinely quicker point to point over UK b-roads in all weathers.
I ran one as a daily a few years ago, Mugello Avant, it was a great car to drive but I got sick of filling it up two or three times a week. Had the B8 and though it was probably a better all rounder, nowhere near as enjoyable, steering feel and brakes were not in the same league and the engine was very peaky.
I have run mine for over 10 years and ~92k miles to date. As others have said, if you're concerned with fuel costs you may be be better off in S4 or high powered diesel. I would also recommend the same if you do a lot of motorway miles. The RS4 can do it just fine, but I concede an S or diesel would be far better suited in terms of the engine's low down torque and softer suspension.
I agree running costs can be quite high, but I would argue a case that it is an RS. Some jobs can come with an "RS" tax in much the same way as BMW M products or Mercedes AMG
That said, if you have a B7 RS4 scratch to itch, then certainly recommend it
Darren
I agree running costs can be quite high, but I would argue a case that it is an RS. Some jobs can come with an "RS" tax in much the same way as BMW M products or Mercedes AMG
That said, if you have a B7 RS4 scratch to itch, then certainly recommend it
Darren
t slow gearbox, not even close to being the "best".
Yertis said:
One of the few Audis I've had that I was initially excited to own, but after 18 months chopped in without a backward glance.
Fully understood.They're like the best microwaves in the whole world - they make your food hot but they'll never be as much fun as BBQing it (even if you do burn the odd sausage).
RS4 B7 = BBQ. Messy, time consuming, expensive, inefficient... ...but fun!
If you can stretch to it, the B8 is a better RS4. The DSG box works much better with the V8 as you can get to the end of the revs quicker with it, and the B8 was just more refined generally
Both the B7 and B8 understeer like you'd expect a car to do with such a big V8 stuck over in front of the front axle, but once you learn to live with that, they handle pretty well for a car of their size and weight.
The V8 makes a great noise too, but you have to rev the B7 harder as it has an artificial 'power band' up the revs, whereas the B8, with roughly the same engine, doesn't so you get all the available power from lower down.
It's very rare that a B7 will make anything like the claimed power too, whereas the B8's seem to be around the 444 that they quote (I've had a B7 for 70k miles and later two B8's and done something like 90k miles in those too), but that's probably more to do with the fact they're newer so don't have the chance to build up carbon
Admittedly, it's a totally different price point, but the B9 RS4 is significantly better than both V8 options, and you soon forget about missing the V8 noise as soon as you hit the throttle or turn into the first corner, as it's a faster and better handling car by some margin
Hope this helps ?
Load of info on Rs4's over at rs246.com
Both the B7 and B8 understeer like you'd expect a car to do with such a big V8 stuck over in front of the front axle, but once you learn to live with that, they handle pretty well for a car of their size and weight.
The V8 makes a great noise too, but you have to rev the B7 harder as it has an artificial 'power band' up the revs, whereas the B8, with roughly the same engine, doesn't so you get all the available power from lower down.
It's very rare that a B7 will make anything like the claimed power too, whereas the B8's seem to be around the 444 that they quote (I've had a B7 for 70k miles and later two B8's and done something like 90k miles in those too), but that's probably more to do with the fact they're newer so don't have the chance to build up carbon
Admittedly, it's a totally different price point, but the B9 RS4 is significantly better than both V8 options, and you soon forget about missing the V8 noise as soon as you hit the throttle or turn into the first corner, as it's a faster and better handling car by some margin
Hope this helps ?
Load of info on Rs4's over at rs246.com
Edited by graeme4130 on Friday 21st June 20:02
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