2018 Audi RS4 B9

[sri16v]

Hi all

I'm currently in the process of looking for my next car, I ccurrently own 2 cars and a works van, I'm looking at just having one car.

One of my cars is a 15 year old Octavia VRS Tdi and is literally used for chucking a mountain bike in the back due to the cavernous boot and for hiking trips. It's a brilliant car and due to the age I have no concerns on where I park it or if anyone hits it, it's quite cathartic not worrying about where to park it!

I also have a mk3 Focus RS, which is rarely used and due to the tiny boot, isn't really suitable for lugging a bike around and the hassle of getting the interior dirty.

I have been considering a b9 RS4 as it looks as though the boot capacity will be similar to the octavia, it also has a decent turn of pace aswell as a comfortable and modern interior.

I have seen a few horror stories/videos of the v6 engine with cam bearing failures, and a resultant engine out job due to access to the timing covers. I believe this was modified by audi from 2019 onwards using different roller/needle bearings but not sure if that is confirmed.

Anyone out there own one and can give an honest appraisal? I'm guessing it's not the type of car to run without a warranty?

Budget is 50k, I dont really want to go over that. Any alternatives to the RS4 that I'm missing?

Servicing costs etc.. appreciated

Thanks

[ninjag]

sri16v said:

Hi all

I'm currently in the process of looking for my next car, I ccurrently own 2 cars and a works van, I'm looking at just having one car.

One of my cars is a 15 year old Octavia VRS Tdi and is literally used for chucking a mountain bike in the back due to the cavernous boot and for hiking trips. It's a brilliant car and due to the age I have no concerns on where I park it or if anyone hits it, it's quite cathartic not worrying about where to park it!

I also have a mk3 Focus RS, which is rarely used and due to the tiny boot, isn't really suitable for lugging a bike around and the hassle of getting the interior dirty.

I have been considering a b9 RS4 as it looks as though the boot capacity will be similar to the octavia, it also has a decent turn of pace aswell as a comfortable and modern interior.

I have seen a few horror stories/videos of the v6 engine with cam bearing failures, and a resultant engine out job due to access to the timing covers. I believe this was modified by audi from 2019 onwards using different roller/needle bearings but not sure if that is confirmed.

Anyone out there own one and can give an honest appraisal? I'm guessing it's not the type of car to run without a warranty?

Budget is 50k, I dont really want to go over that. Any alternatives to the RS4 that I'm missing?

Servicing costs etc.. appreciated

Thanks

Had a quite look at boot sizes and I think your Octavia is 1,620 litres with the seats down.

For comparison a few estate alternatives within your budget with the seats down:

RS4 1,510 litres
S6/RS6 1,680 litres
BMW 540i 1,700 litres
E43/E63 1,820 litres

[Novexx]

Could be wrong, but I think that the rocker arm needle bearing issue is a bit over played. The rocker arms were revised at some point in 2018, but I don't know how easy it is to identify which is fitted to any given engine (engine assemby date, factory Vs parts stock). Water/air intercooler can fail leading to moisture / water entering the intake, but again I don't think this is a frequent issue.

Warranty - yes, approved used if you can.

[JohnnyUK]

sri16v said:

Hi all

Budget is 50k, I dont really want to go over that. Any alternatives to the RS4 that I'm missing?

Yes, a B8 RS4.

[Terminator X]

As usual I would say the "horror stories" are rare events? How many cars sold vs problem cars.

I owned a 2018 B9 RS4 and my view is (a) very fast (b) looks amazing, those rear arches (c) internals are very nice (d) it was too quiet for me. Swapped it for a M5C which it turns out was too big and heavy so sold for a M2C which it turns out was a tad too small so now in a M3!

TX.

[sri16v]

JohnnyUK said:

Yes, a B8 RS4.

As much as I love the idea of the V8 engine in the B8, I'm looking for something with all the mod cons interior wise, also want automatic gearbox, the B8 interior is starting to look a bit dated.

Thanks for the other replies, M5 competition definitely appeals and they seem a bit cheaper than the RS4.

[Percy.]

Although not the RS4, I do have a B9 S4 Avant and use it for client visits and it's comfortable enough to do 500 miles in a day

[sri16v]

Novexx said:

Could be wrong, but I think that the rocker arm needle bearing issue is a bit over played. The rocker arms were revised at some point in 2018, but I don't know how easy it is to identify which is fitted to any given engine (engine assemby date, factory Vs parts stock). Water/air intercooler can fail leading to moisture / water entering the intake, but again I don't think this is a frequent issue.

Warranty - yes, approved used if you can.

Also due to it being direct injection it appears to be an engine out job for carbon cleaning aswell!

Thanks for the info on boot sizes, I would consider a newer octavia estate but they just don't excite enough to drive.

Brilliant at being a car, just so competent in every area, but not exactly something you'd rush out to go for an early morning drive!

[ST66N]

sri16v said:

Hi all

I'm currently in the process of looking for my next car, I ccurrently own 2 cars and a works van, I'm looking at just having one car.

One of my cars is a 15 year old Octavia VRS Tdi and is literally used for chucking a mountain bike in the back due to the cavernous boot and for hiking trips. It's a brilliant car and due to the age I have no concerns on where I park it or if anyone hits it, it's quite cathartic not worrying about where to park it!

I also have a mk3 Focus RS, which is rarely used and due to the tiny boot, isn't really suitable for lugging a bike around and the hassle of getting the interior dirty.

I have been considering a b9 RS4 as it looks as though the boot capacity will be similar to the octavia, it also has a decent turn of pace aswell as a comfortable and modern interior.

I have seen a few horror stories/videos of the v6 engine with cam bearing failures, and a resultant engine out job due to access to the timing covers. I believe this was modified by audi from 2019 onwards using different roller/needle bearings but not sure if that is confirmed.

Anyone out there own one and can give an honest appraisal? I'm guessing it's not the type of car to run without a warranty?

Budget is 50k, I dont really want to go over that. Any alternatives to the RS4 that I'm missing?

Servicing costs etc.. appreciated

Thanks

Its a really great all-rounder. I had an XL 29er in mine no bother before I fitted the roof bars. My guess is they will hold their value pretty well over the next couple of years as well.

Service pack on mine was the same as the wife's Q7, they can eat the Contis a bit but I got 14k out of a set.

If you test drive make sure you set up the RS modes, they all make a significant difference, its a very different car with everything turned up.