Discussion
This is Dad's new one which just arrived and which is rather marvellous:
It was the very first RS4 Avant delivered in Italy. Deep Green metallic and black silk nappa leather with cream piping inside. As you know, the RS4 comes with just about everything standard including goodies like BOSE and parking sensors, but somehow my parents managed to add about 5 grand's worth of extras including an MMI/Sat Nav system which is really very good. Much better than the old Sat-Nav Plus system in their previous Audi.
My God! It sounds, and goes, like a fighter plane. And then you discover that there's a button on the dashboard marked "S" which, when pressed, ups the power, opens some valve in the howitzer-like exhaust pipes to make a noise which you can imagine cracks the tarmac, stiffens the suspension and generally unleashes unfettered fury! I drove it down from Milan down to the south of France and back and had the "S" button pressed most of the time - the noise in the tunnels on the Autostrada dei Fiori was just too addictive! And boy is it absolutely, categorically, unimaginabley fast. I kept a Bentley Continental GT honest. He saw us behind him and floored it (puffs of smoke from his exhausts as it kicked down) - I never knew that they have a large retractile rear spoiler that pops up at high speed - but he couldn't lose us at all. I hit 230kph before deciding to slow down and vaguely respect the speed limit!
It was the very first RS4 Avant delivered in Italy. Deep Green metallic and black silk nappa leather with cream piping inside. As you know, the RS4 comes with just about everything standard including goodies like BOSE and parking sensors, but somehow my parents managed to add about 5 grand's worth of extras including an MMI/Sat Nav system which is really very good. Much better than the old Sat-Nav Plus system in their previous Audi.
My God! It sounds, and goes, like a fighter plane. And then you discover that there's a button on the dashboard marked "S" which, when pressed, ups the power, opens some valve in the howitzer-like exhaust pipes to make a noise which you can imagine cracks the tarmac, stiffens the suspension and generally unleashes unfettered fury! I drove it down from Milan down to the south of France and back and had the "S" button pressed most of the time - the noise in the tunnels on the Autostrada dei Fiori was just too addictive! And boy is it absolutely, categorically, unimaginabley fast. I kept a Bentley Continental GT honest. He saw us behind him and floored it (puffs of smoke from his exhausts as it kicked down) - I never knew that they have a large retractile rear spoiler that pops up at high speed - but he couldn't lose us at all. I hit 230kph before deciding to slow down and vaguely respect the speed limit!
Witchfinder said:
Sorry to be all "practical", but what's the rear legroom like? The B5 Audi A4/S4/RS4 was terrible in that respect and stopped me buying one. Are the B6 and B7 platforms any better?
I thought it was pretty poor considering the size of the boot (which is massive!). This was on the Saloon but I assume it would be the same on the Avant?
I think it's supposed to be quite good if your RS4 is equipped with the skinny racing buckets up front. Dad, being in his sixties, took one look at those and decided to choose the heated, electric normal recaro front seats instead. These are properly massive and yes, with them in place, rear legroom is not amazing (noticeably less than in the Allroad my parents previously had). But I think it would only be an issue if you regularly carry four six-foot people.
sjc said:
Unfortunately, there was zero legroom in the back for my kids (3 and 5) on mty test drive ( I'm 6'4) and that was the only thing that stopped me buying. Absolutely great drive,was totally gutted!
I simply don't understand this. Why make a four door estate with a massive boot, and give it such terrible rear legroom?
No idea. Just seems to be an issue with these small estates. The BMW 3-series and Merc C-Class have poor rear space too. I think they are really aimed at empty-nesters like my parents who want something with more room for wine and suitcases than a 997 Carrera 4, and the occasional ability to carry four people, rather than family types who need accommodation for five.
That said since my Dad and I are both 5"10 and the tallest members of our family, the RS4 proves adequate. I sat in the back several times and I was not uncomfortable.
That said since my Dad and I are both 5"10 and the tallest members of our family, the RS4 proves adequate. I sat in the back several times and I was not uncomfortable.
yep -thats what I found when I was looking for quick practical car - ended up with an RS6 Avant - if you want to carry 4-5 adults + luggage then you really need the next size up 
The new RS4 is an awesome car for everyday use, but its obviously more of a 'sports' estate rather than a full on B&Q/Ikea load lugging machine !
...Im waiting for the new RS6 to see what that offers over the existing model
The new RS4 is an awesome car for everyday use, but its obviously more of a 'sports' estate rather than a full on B&Q/Ikea load lugging machine !
...Im waiting for the new RS6 to see what that offers over the existing model
bogie said:
yep -thats what I found when I was looking for quick practical car - ended up with an RS6 Avant - if you want to carry 4-5 adults + luggage then you really need the next size up
That's a mighty expensive car to buy and run though, plus it's not going to be as light on its toes, surely? Crumbs, if Ford can make a Focus that has adequate rear legroom, I'm sure Audi could squeeze the back seats 20cm rearwards.
craigw said:
I have to say, have just been to a wedding in cornwall, drove the RS4 laden with kit, went through, torrential rain, hail & motorways, A roads & tight b roads, it was nothing short of amazing, virtually 600 miles, effortless & bloody quick. get one.
Glad to hear it mate. Why not get the speed limiter disabled for the VMAX action ?
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