RS4 4.2 (both gen) noise for motorway and slow driving

RS4 4.2 (both gen) noise for motorway and slow driving

Author
Discussion

Z4MCSL

Original Poster:

548 posts

90 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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Hi all

I (think I) am starting to look for a more comfortable daily.

I drive a Z4 Coupe (3.0si) and a Megane RS275Trophy as my daily cars. The Z is actually great for longer distances but when I need to transport 4 people (and some times some (small) dogs) the Meg is becoming tiresome/I am old

Its also starting to wind me up driving in slow london traffic over speedbumps as the meg is lowered and crashy (it is not on the Ohlins - I would get Ohlins to deal with this issue (and improve the value of the car) but the car will still be too noisy


I am therefore looking at comfy alternatives which are still fun.

I would not expect the next car to be anywhere near as engaging to drive as the Megane ( I will one day switch my 182 track car for a megane I am sure) but want something which is a nice balance of fun, exciting, a bit of an experience - but that can still quietly and comfortably eat up the miles when I need it to

Currently looking at RS4s, any advice on these and opinions on noise level?

And any other suggestions?

Rawhide

971 posts

220 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Hi - I'm new to Audi RS4 ownership, I'm just about counting it in days. I can advise a motorway trip from Liverpool to London was bearable. It's not as comfortable as an E-Class Mercedes but perfectly good.

Bare in mind for B7 RS4 just about every one out there will now thankfully be running on coilovers due to the poor reliability of the DRC system which most seem to replace, so that needs to be considered. Mine is on K&W V1s which seems pretty good to me. A bit firm but does make the car feel very planted and sporty without being crashy.

I have back issues so intentionally avoided the 'Wingback' bucket seats as from what I can tell they can become tiring on a long journey, though I expect the market does like these seats as an option.

I can't speak for the B8.


Edited by Rawhide on Monday 12th June 16:28


Edited by Rawhide on Monday 12th June 16:28

phumy

5,743 posts

244 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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I also have a B7 RS4, I bought it because it still had its DRC system on the car, even though the DRC pipes were quite corroded, I had them replaced with genuine pipes and it drives absolutely fantastic, Im a sucker for originality and want to keep it as that too. Ive had new OEM oil cooler and pipes fitted, caliper refurbs, new springs all round loads of other work, spent a fortune on it as i love it. Its been on drives of over 300 miles each way and its a dream to drive. A little heavy on fuel but hey its an N/A 4.2ltr V8.

Its quite rare colour too its in Deep Green pearl and only a few of them about in Avant guise, plus its a decent low-ish mileage too.

Not sure i would want to daily drive it but its certainly capable, if you`re going for a B7 then do your due diligence, not sure what the issues are on B8`s.

  • Edited to say**
Noise is no issue, i have the standard original exhaust on it, it has valves on the exhaust that open on demand, full throttle and on an S button on the steering wheel. A lot of people will put Milltek SS exhausts on them, some have the cetre box, some do not and as I understand the non resonant ones are quite "drony" on a long drive.

Edited by phumy on Monday 12th June 17:06

CloudStuff

3,835 posts

111 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Hi, I’m on my second B8 now.

It has the sports pack and hence DRC.

This weekend, took the family to Cardiff from Reading to collect my daughter from uni. Hence had the traditionally totally loaded car.

Fun on the way there, overloaded on the way back but smooth as anything.

A totally enjoyable family car with all the power you’d ever need.

I love this car. It makes much, much more sense as a 35k car. As a new car, the quality was not on a par with the expectations and price “point”, but now it’s ideal.

Happy to help if you have any more specific questions.

Edited by CloudStuff on Sunday 18th June 19:39

JRC1

467 posts

112 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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Regarding noise level, it's just such a personal question in that what I find acceptable might be far too loud for you, or vice versa, so it's really hard to say until you go and drive a few.

I can only speak of the B7 but in standard form they aren't loud at all. Many fit Milltek cat back exhaust systems which unlock more V8 sound but are still more than fine at motorway speeds. Others like me go even further with sport cats or decats to unlock more power and V8 symphony. I've never once found the exhaust droney. It sounds excellent.

As for more generic B7 buying advice you ideally want one that has had the DRC replaced with coilovers, had a recent carbon clean, evidence of aux rads and oil coolers being done (because they will fail) and ideally a remap that brings the RS4 back to 414bhp+ where it should have been from factory. Many without a recent clean or map will only be making 360-380bhp at a push, and they feel completely different.

The DRC is personal opinion but I don't agree with phumy's post above repairing the DRC each time. I've seen B7's where the DRC has failed on mileage as low as 20-30k, then £3k+ is spent on repairing it, only for it to fail again 20k miles down the line. It's a false economy and new top of the range coilovers are simply better than a prone to fail suspension system produced by Audi back in 2005.

It's also worth noting that these are very expensive cars to run, especially when coming from something French. I've owned French cars and still do own a French and another VAG cars alongside my B7 and it is a different league of money for repairs, labour, tax, fuel, oil, most things. Couple that with the age of them now and the big jobs I've mentioned above, buying on condition - not mileage, is key.

phumy

5,743 posts

244 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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OP, best to make your own mind up on the DRC system as this is now conflicting reports, be rest assued Audi didnt spend £millions on the design of this DRC system for nothing, the ride is so much better than normal strut/spring suspension. Normal suspension is predominantly fitted because the majority of owners do not want to pay the cost for the superb DRC system. Anyway thats a nother subject, as said before do your due dilligence before buying.

Awaiting flack....rolleyes

Make your own mind up.

alscar

5,326 posts

220 months

Wednesday 14th June 2023
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Not sure if this helps at all but my wife has a new B9 version.
Absolute fabulous car - smooth and real world fast.
She specced the RS exhaust which adds some base when in use but just adds to the experience.
Compared to my old secondary decatted V12 Aston and my existing Ti exhaust GT8 it sounds like a Tesla 😊
Tbh if we had to have just 1 car to do everything I wouldn’t object.

JRC1

467 posts

112 months

Wednesday 14th June 2023
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phumy said:
OP, best to make your own mind up on the DRC system as this is now conflicting reports, be rest assued Audi didnt spend £millions on the design of this DRC system for nothing, the ride is so much better than normal strut/spring suspension. Normal suspension is predominantly fitted because the majority of owners do not want to pay the cost for the superb DRC system. Anyway thats a nother subject, as said before do your due dilligence before buying.

Awaiting flack....rolleyes

Make your own mind up.
No flack, it's all personal opinion and there's no denying the DRC is a great system ... when it works. Agree that the OP should drive both and decide for themselves.

As you say, the issue for 90% of owners is that it fails far too frequntly and costs far too much to repair each time that it becomes a false economy.
I'd also be interested to know whether you've been out in a B7 that has had B16's or KW V3's fitted and experienced the ride of a properly set up car, or whether you've just heard coilovers aren't as good. £500 entry level coilovers and £2k top of the range coilovers are very different.

The DRC system is almost 20 years old, so despite it being excellent at the time, I really don't think in the mid 2020's it can be compared to £2k+'s worth of brand new coilovers but again that's just my personal opinion.

FWIW I've driven RS4's with both DRC and coilovers and mine corners more flat with less body roll with the coilovers than it ever did with the DRC.

alscar said:
Not sure if this helps at all but my wife has a new B9 version.
Absolute fabulous car - smooth and real world fast.
She specced the RS exhaust which adds some base when in use but just adds to the experience.
Compared to my old secondary decatted V12 Aston and my existing Ti exhaust GT8 it sounds like a Tesla ??
Tbh if we had to have just 1 car to do everything I wouldn’t object.
OP is asking specifically about the 4.2 V8 which is found in the B7 and B8. The B9 has the 3.0 V6 and isn't even in the same stratosphere as the previous generations when it comes to sound.

alscar

5,326 posts

220 months

Wednesday 14th June 2023
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JRC1 said:
OP is asking specifically about the 4.2 V8 which is found in the B7 and B8. The B9 has the 3.0 V6 and isn't even in the same stratosphere as the previous generations when it comes to sound.
Yes I appreciate that hence my opening comment.
But not just about sound - unless the earlier versions also aren’t smooth and fast to drive and could be the one car to do everything?
But happy to get my coat if they’re not.
smile