RS4 B7 Potential Purchase

Author
Discussion

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Hi I am looking at getting an RS4 B7 this weekend, im use to Audis Ur Quattros and RS2s and the cost of keeping them running in fine fettle, just wondering if any one can tell me the main points to look out for. I know about the Aux & Oil coolers that they rust through and aleak and that the pipes are a bit rubbish. It also has DRC suspension, which i would really like keep on the car.

So if you can add anything else to what i need to look at please, would really be appreciated it.

AI1601

876 posts

101 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Google the coking up issues resulting in them losing 20-30hp in some cases.

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Yes ive seen the carbon issues that come with this engine and have budgetted for a clean, if it hasnt been done recently, apparently they need a bit hard driving quite often to aleviate this issue.

DanoS4

869 posts

201 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
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I'm looking at the S5/RS5 V8 so the coking thing is at the forefront. The engines aren't that dissimilar from what I can tell.

From what I can see, it's not the "cleaning" per se, but more so the removing of the hardened crud - so walnut blasting (circa £800).

High-pressure fuel pumps appear to be an alert.

The balljoints (iirc, the top one) can be a bit of a pig too - ie looking at rubbers etc to be replaced.
Aside from that, the Audi passenger door lock actuator (ie it needs replacing because the door won't open from the outside)......

They seemed pretty good tbh. smile

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
quotequote all
DanoS4 said:
I'm looking at the S5/RS5 V8 so the coking thing is at the forefront. The engines aren't that dissimilar from what I can tell.

From what I can see, it's not the "cleaning" per se, but more so the removing of the hardened crud - so walnut blasting (circa £800).

High-pressure fuel pumps appear to be an alert.

The balljoints (iirc, the top one) can be a bit of a pig too - ie looking at rubbers etc to be replaced.
Aside from that, the Audi passenger door lock actuator (ie it needs replacing because the door won't open from the outside)......

They seemed pretty good tbh. smile
Thanks for the pointers, is the door lock actuator issue only specific to the RS4?

Murph7355

38,937 posts

263 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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There's at least one other thread on here from the last week on the topic...and also a PH buyer's guide.

Your best resource is www.rs246.com.

DRC...dampers can let go. Pipework rusts. Cylinders can fail.

Coolers as noted. Audi using two different metals in their wisdom.

Check when the brakes were last changed (budget £1k or so per axle. Maybe more).

Check for rust generally on the undersides and in the panels...as an example, the door blades can rust and I believe are hard to get hold of.

Great cars. But the newest will now be 14yrs old. Condition more than mileage as ever....and look through the history. If it has none, or it's patchy, walk.

Gazzab

21,232 posts

289 months

Friday 21st January 2022
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Have you driven one? I borrowed one 10 years or so ago. I was tempted to buy one but I found it a little underwhelming. Yep it felt like a tank and made some nice noises but it didn’t feel particularly fast or fun and felt heavy. Nice but didn’t excite me. I’d been a massive fan until that point.

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Friday 21st January 2022
quotequote all
Murph7355 said:
There's at least one other thread on here from the last week on the topic...and also a PH buyer's guide.

Your best resource is www.rs246.com.

DRC...dampers can let go. Pipework rusts. Cylinders can fail.

Coolers as noted. Audi using two different metals in their wisdom.

Check when the brakes were last changed (budget £1k or so per axle. Maybe more).

Check for rust generally on the undersides and in the panels...as an example, the door blades can rust and I believe are hard to get hold of.

Great cars. But the newest will now be 14yrs old. Condition more than mileage as ever....and look through the history. If it has none, or it's patchy, walk.
Thanks for your input, the front discs and pads were done 1000 miles ago and the rear discs and pads have just been changed. As for the history the owner has siad its not all there although all the servicing was done by Audi up until 2017 (i know that doesnt bode well with some people as some indies are far better than the dealer on these cars). I will go in with my eyes wide open and buy on condition, if i do buy.

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Friday 21st January 2022
quotequote all
Gazzab said:
Have you driven one? I borrowed one 10 years or so ago. I was tempted to buy one but I found it a little underwhelming. Yep it felt like a tank and made some nice noises but it didn’t feel particularly fast or fun and felt heavy. Nice but didn’t excite me. I’d been a massive fan until that point.
I have not driven one, this is the first one im going to see, maybe the one you drove was in need of a carbon clean. All the report i have read and videos ive watched have all said, even for a heavy car (1650kg, not really that heavy) the V8 putting out 415hp is more than enough. I suppose it all depends on what youre used to and what youre expectaions are of the car, i will go in with an open mind and hope for the best.

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Sunday 23rd January 2022
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I went to look at one on Saturday and put a deposit down on it, should be delivered to me on Tuesday, looking forward to it and lots of plans for it too. The test drive was good and crawling all over it too was fine. Was impressed with the engine even though I couldnt see a receipt for Carbon clean so i might just get that done soon as a base to start again from.

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Tuesday 25th January 2022
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The first one I went to see on Saturday really did it for me, probably because of the Cambridge green colour; apparently, it's very rare. Anyway, a few shots for you.








MisanoPayments

388 posts

49 months

Tuesday 25th January 2022
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That's a great looking car and colour, congratulations!

phumy

Original Poster:

5,743 posts

244 months

Tuesday 25th January 2022
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Thanks very much, thats what drew me to it and finally buying it.