B8 RS4 spec must haves?
Discussion
Looking fairly seriously about picking up a 3 year old B8 RS4 in a few months time - need a reasonably interesting but practical estate.
I don't usually add lots of options to my cars when bought new, but wondered what the feeling is on the RS4 as I know that a lot of items tend to be added to the standard spec.
I'm not a fan of the 5 spoke rotor alloys, so I'm probably going to have to look at either standard spec cars (with the multi spokes) or cars with the Sport pack (inc. the V-spokes) since I don't imagine many people upgrade to the V-Spokes as a stand alone item. So a couple of questions on the other bits in the sport pack:
- Is the Sports exhaust a must have? Is the standard sound a little underwhelming?
- Is the Dynamic Ride Control worth having or a mixed blessing?
- Is the dynamic steering best avoided? There seems to be a bit of negativity around this but will I really notice 95% of the time? The variable steering in the Mk7 GTI is quite well weighted and has never bothered me and I assume this is similar?
Thanks!
I don't usually add lots of options to my cars when bought new, but wondered what the feeling is on the RS4 as I know that a lot of items tend to be added to the standard spec.
I'm not a fan of the 5 spoke rotor alloys, so I'm probably going to have to look at either standard spec cars (with the multi spokes) or cars with the Sport pack (inc. the V-spokes) since I don't imagine many people upgrade to the V-Spokes as a stand alone item. So a couple of questions on the other bits in the sport pack:
- Is the Sports exhaust a must have? Is the standard sound a little underwhelming?
- Is the Dynamic Ride Control worth having or a mixed blessing?
- Is the dynamic steering best avoided? There seems to be a bit of negativity around this but will I really notice 95% of the time? The variable steering in the Mk7 GTI is quite well weighted and has never bothered me and I assume this is similar?
Thanks!
Really depends what you are after.
Sports pack is good for the v-spoke alloys (although these are diamond cut and are very delicate and seem to need a lot of care to keep looking new)
The sports exhaust is a little under whelming in my opinion (no idea what the standard one sounds like) unless you switch the gearbox to sport but then the gearbox holds onto gears too long and down shifts very early keeping the revs high meaning it is horrible to drive around town in that mode. Wish you could keep the gearbox in comfort with the exhaust open as it sounds much nicer open (throaty but not ridiculous)
I never use DRC to be honest as comfort is great for most roads. People complain about the dynamic steering, it is blunt and lacking in some feel but not really any worse than anything else from VAG I have driven recently.
As I say it depends what you want. I am old before my time so I like the Advanced Key (keep it in your pocket etc), heated seats, power boot and updated stereo.
I also have the panoramic roof which I like for extra light in the cabin but I never really open it
The one option I don’t have which I wish I did was radar cruise control. It only has standard cruise.
All in all they are great cars, not he most exciting to drive but are awesome cruisers, that are great for bikes and dogs and I think they look great and seem to get nothing but positive comments.
Obviously they are quite pricy to run and maintain but you probably know that
Sports pack is good for the v-spoke alloys (although these are diamond cut and are very delicate and seem to need a lot of care to keep looking new)
The sports exhaust is a little under whelming in my opinion (no idea what the standard one sounds like) unless you switch the gearbox to sport but then the gearbox holds onto gears too long and down shifts very early keeping the revs high meaning it is horrible to drive around town in that mode. Wish you could keep the gearbox in comfort with the exhaust open as it sounds much nicer open (throaty but not ridiculous)
I never use DRC to be honest as comfort is great for most roads. People complain about the dynamic steering, it is blunt and lacking in some feel but not really any worse than anything else from VAG I have driven recently.
As I say it depends what you want. I am old before my time so I like the Advanced Key (keep it in your pocket etc), heated seats, power boot and updated stereo.
I also have the panoramic roof which I like for extra light in the cabin but I never really open it
The one option I don’t have which I wish I did was radar cruise control. It only has standard cruise.
All in all they are great cars, not he most exciting to drive but are awesome cruisers, that are great for bikes and dogs and I think they look great and seem to get nothing but positive comments.
Obviously they are quite pricy to run and maintain but you probably know that
Norgles said:
The sports exhaust is a little under whelming in my opinion (no idea what the standard one sounds like) unless you switch the gearbox to sport but then the gearbox holds onto gears too long and down shifts very early keeping the revs high meaning it is horrible to drive around town in that mode. Wish you could keep the gearbox in comfort with the exhaust open as it sounds much nicer open (throaty but not ridiculous)
If you put it in Sport and then take it out again the exhaust stays in loud mode as long as you have configured the custom settings correctly. Sports pack was almost a default option when speccing the car new unless you didn't want the sports exhaust or 20" wheels because the cost of those two options was around the same as the sports pack which also gave you DRC. The DRC system is not without issues. I had mine replaced on all four corners due to knocking which is a known issue. If a car hasn't had it replaced then take it for a test drive over rough surface, a badly maintained road is sufficient. Put the car in both comfort mode and auto and listen for knocking especially at low speed 15-30 mph. If it knocks then the DRC needs to be replaced to fix it. Its circa £700 a corner plus labour which is intensive as the system needs to be drained and recharged which takes a long time.
I loved mine.
Were you to buy for resale desirability:
Sport pack (DRC, Sport exhaust, Dynamic steering, 20s)
Sound pack (B&O, DAB)
A bold but tasteful colour combination (red probably the least desirable, Grey & black probably the most)
Black leather generally has a wider market than silver
Panoramic sunroof
I've driven with and without DRC and dynamic steering; DRC does a lovely job of keeping the car flat in corners but can be jiggly with 20s on a broken surface. The standard RS4 suspension (Damper control as per option on S4) actually works fine and under normal driving is a bit more comfy.
The factory sport exhaust isn't amazing but is worth having. Without it they sound a bit limp.
Sport pack (DRC, Sport exhaust, Dynamic steering, 20s)
Sound pack (B&O, DAB)
A bold but tasteful colour combination (red probably the least desirable, Grey & black probably the most)
Black leather generally has a wider market than silver
Panoramic sunroof
I've driven with and without DRC and dynamic steering; DRC does a lovely job of keeping the car flat in corners but can be jiggly with 20s on a broken surface. The standard RS4 suspension (Damper control as per option on S4) actually works fine and under normal driving is a bit more comfy.
The factory sport exhaust isn't amazing but is worth having. Without it they sound a bit limp.
Sport pack, b and o, pano roof, black styling...
Really important that you check it’s been serviced in line with requirements. They’re starting to throw gearbox and related issues and you naturally can’t trust AUC cars.....do you own diligence work:
https://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=1...
Really important that you check it’s been serviced in line with requirements. They’re starting to throw gearbox and related issues and you naturally can’t trust AUC cars.....do you own diligence work:
https://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=1...
I sold mine a couple of months ago, it had just about everything (cos I'm soft) on it but I would say the options that made the car better were the Sports Pack and Tech Pack High, including ACC. I didn't take to the dynamic steering but it was part of the package, I left it in comfort as dynamic added weight and reduced feel even further, I also left suspension and engine in comfort but the exhaust in dynamic.
It is a good car but lacks low down punch and can be quite frustrating if you just want to overtake without paddle shifting, they're quite tyre sensitive as well (see RS246) and lack the poise of the brilliant B7. I would check out the C63 if I were you, lacks 4WD but a nicer drive with similar economy and capacity.
It is a good car but lacks low down punch and can be quite frustrating if you just want to overtake without paddle shifting, they're quite tyre sensitive as well (see RS246) and lack the poise of the brilliant B7. I would check out the C63 if I were you, lacks 4WD but a nicer drive with similar economy and capacity.
All sounds interesting. As mentioned above, I'm not normally a spec tart (the ACC is nice on the GTI but if I didn't have it I wouldn't mind as I don't spend all that much time of motorway for example) so on the one hand a standard car would make sense to avoid the potential expense of more complicated damping and steering, neither of which seems to be essential to ride quality/enjoyment.
But then the standard 19" cars just don't look half as good as a nice V-spoke equipped car with the black pack (which I think make the car look less dated). Since everyone just seems to have added the packs when buying new, it's basically all or nothing.
Will definitely be fussy if going for an RS4 as there are plenty around, so I'll be particular about servicing and condition. I've had a chat with Stirling Audi who seem quite good thus far (not pushy, will call me next year) and will possibly be looking for a good indy for servicing if I buy.
Re the C63, I have considered it but realistically it would need to be on winter tyres, which the other (currently FWD) will be for 5-6mths a year. The advantaged of 4WD or FWD for this car is that it will still be usable by me on the days that my wife needs the winter tyre shod car (she has a remote, hilly commute in rural Perthshire). For that reason I had pretty much narrowed down my choice to a 3yr old RS4 or potentially a C43. Polestar V60 appealed but was just too small. I find the S4 a bit plain although it makes sense on paper and the 340i similarly a bit uninspiring.
But then the standard 19" cars just don't look half as good as a nice V-spoke equipped car with the black pack (which I think make the car look less dated). Since everyone just seems to have added the packs when buying new, it's basically all or nothing.
Will definitely be fussy if going for an RS4 as there are plenty around, so I'll be particular about servicing and condition. I've had a chat with Stirling Audi who seem quite good thus far (not pushy, will call me next year) and will possibly be looking for a good indy for servicing if I buy.
Re the C63, I have considered it but realistically it would need to be on winter tyres, which the other (currently FWD) will be for 5-6mths a year. The advantaged of 4WD or FWD for this car is that it will still be usable by me on the days that my wife needs the winter tyre shod car (she has a remote, hilly commute in rural Perthshire). For that reason I had pretty much narrowed down my choice to a 3yr old RS4 or potentially a C43. Polestar V60 appealed but was just too small. I find the S4 a bit plain although it makes sense on paper and the 340i similarly a bit uninspiring.
I can pull Audi service history if you need anything double checked; you can also do it yourself (with the chassis number) using my.audi.com (or the My Audi app).
Oil every 10 (but up to 20 on longlife, I'd do it every 10 personally)
Front final drive oil at 20
Gearbox oil, front final drive oil, rear final drive oil, rear diff oil at 40 (big one, expensive, important)
...then the whole thing starts again
Front discs last 30-40 generally and are well over a grand to replace.
If you're looking at a car that's done 30 something it's well worth doing your homework on service history and maintenance. A car needing a 40k, brakes, and tyres could easily give you a £4k bill (and I've seen plenty of people sell up or part exchange when quoted for this).
Oil every 10 (but up to 20 on longlife, I'd do it every 10 personally)
Front final drive oil at 20
Gearbox oil, front final drive oil, rear final drive oil, rear diff oil at 40 (big one, expensive, important)
...then the whole thing starts again
Front discs last 30-40 generally and are well over a grand to replace.
If you're looking at a car that's done 30 something it's well worth doing your homework on service history and maintenance. A car needing a 40k, brakes, and tyres could easily give you a £4k bill (and I've seen plenty of people sell up or part exchange when quoted for this).
I've been keeping an eye on prices for a while.
20s, B&O, Sports pack and Pano roof would be musts for me. ACC handy. Heated seats would be good. There's a end S4 near me with rotors and the combo looks good to my eyes. Sepang or red would be my preferred choices.
However I have a B7 at present and am hearing too often that the B8, whilst a good car, possibly isn't as good for my use (b roads mostly).
I'm now erring towards a 997 (C4). Or possibly just running the B7 until it dies
I wouldn't pay over 35k for a B8, and that would be one with a strong spec and not needing a 40k service for a while too. Prices have been very mixed in the last 10mths and I reckon will continue well downward for at least another 18mths.
20s, B&O, Sports pack and Pano roof would be musts for me. ACC handy. Heated seats would be good. There's a end S4 near me with rotors and the combo looks good to my eyes. Sepang or red would be my preferred choices.
However I have a B7 at present and am hearing too often that the B8, whilst a good car, possibly isn't as good for my use (b roads mostly).
I'm now erring towards a 997 (C4). Or possibly just running the B7 until it dies
I wouldn't pay over 35k for a B8, and that would be one with a strong spec and not needing a 40k service for a while too. Prices have been very mixed in the last 10mths and I reckon will continue well downward for at least another 18mths.
Perhaps a wee bit of a resurrection, but hey!
You need the sports pack (for the exhaust and diff), I run the exhaust in comfort on motorway trips but otherwise it's always on dynamic, sounds a little uninspiring otherwise for my ears.
I went for the bucket seats too, I think they look better but that's personal. Worth noting that they do make it much more difficult to get in and out the car as the bolsters are high and firm, the driver can hang on the steering wheel but could be an issue for less mobile passengers... I had to pick my mum up out the seat to get her out the car! They were a mega expensive option, so not too many cars have them.
I wouldn't be without the heated seats! Thought it was a fad but they're excellent!
For resale you must have B&O and DAB.
I went sepang blue but the red is actually really nice in the flesh (but not so in pics).
Agree on the V-spokes, to my eye much more appealing than the rotors.
Avoid the silver leather!
While on the silver theme, I hated the cars with the 'aluminum' accents on bumper, it's just painted silver and looks a bit tacky.
Only thing I'd like extra is the auto cruise, but again not too many cars have this so difficult to find.
Brakes as mentioned cost a fortune! Over £2k all round at Audi dealer prices!!!
I have recent experience at Stirling Audi if you want to PM me.
You need the sports pack (for the exhaust and diff), I run the exhaust in comfort on motorway trips but otherwise it's always on dynamic, sounds a little uninspiring otherwise for my ears.
I went for the bucket seats too, I think they look better but that's personal. Worth noting that they do make it much more difficult to get in and out the car as the bolsters are high and firm, the driver can hang on the steering wheel but could be an issue for less mobile passengers... I had to pick my mum up out the seat to get her out the car! They were a mega expensive option, so not too many cars have them.
I wouldn't be without the heated seats! Thought it was a fad but they're excellent!
For resale you must have B&O and DAB.
I went sepang blue but the red is actually really nice in the flesh (but not so in pics).
Agree on the V-spokes, to my eye much more appealing than the rotors.
Avoid the silver leather!
While on the silver theme, I hated the cars with the 'aluminum' accents on bumper, it's just painted silver and looks a bit tacky.
Only thing I'd like extra is the auto cruise, but again not too many cars have this so difficult to find.
Brakes as mentioned cost a fortune! Over £2k all round at Audi dealer prices!!!
I have recent experience at Stirling Audi if you want to PM me.
chels said:
I have found a rs4 b8 that looks good to me but I really wanted one with the B&O sound system but this one doesn't have it.
What are your other preferences?chels said:
Options are down to the individual there are 2 options that I don`t wont, tyre pressure monitoring and the sun roof is a no no for me.
I can understand not wanting a sunroof, but why would you not want tyre pressure monitoring?wide1 said:
Perhaps a wee bit of a resurrection, but hey!
[...]
Brakes as mentioned cost a fortune! Over £2k all round at Audi dealer prices!!!
I have recent experience at Stirling Audi if you want to PM me.
It came to decision time and I bottled it. £35k is a lot to spend on a 3 year old car with huge running costs for ferrying bikes and kids around, so I've bought a Caravelle instead! Much less fun to drive but much more useful and maybe this will let me buy a cheap 2 seater "fun" car in future too. That V8 itch will remain unscratched though. [...]
Brakes as mentioned cost a fortune! Over £2k all round at Audi dealer prices!!!
I have recent experience at Stirling Audi if you want to PM me.
sidicks said:
chels said:
I have found a rs4 b8 that looks good to me but I really wanted one with the B&O sound system but this one doesn't have it.
What are your other preferences?White is the basic colour if you want another colour you will have to pay over £600 that's why so many of them are white, i would like a grey or maybe a black.
Half leather seats would be a nice option, as with most German cars the option list is quiet long.
chels said:
Options are down to the individual there are 2 options that I don`t wont, tyre pressure monitoring and the sun roof is a no no for me.
I can understand not wanting a sunroof, but why would you not want tyre pressure monitoring?chels said:
White is the basic colour if you want another colour you will have to pay over £600 that's why so many of them are white, i would like a grey or maybe a black.
Where are you looking? Most of the ones on the Audi website are dark colours - I test drove a black one on Saturday!chels said:
Half leather seats would be a nice option, as with most German cars the option list is quiet long.
Didn’t the RS4 have full leather as standard?chels said:
I had tyre pressure monitoring on my 911 you really don't need it and they are expensive to replace when the battery in them gives out.
I have the TPM in my GT3 and also had it on my C4S and wouldn’t be without it. It doesn’t replace the need for normal regular (manual) checking of pressures, but is an easy way of checking pressures more frequently and adds security.Replacing the batteries every 6 years ago isn’t cheap, but in the context of overall running cost isn’t significant. I’ve just bought a car that doesn’t have it, but I certainly wouldn’t have been put off buying a car where it was included. You don’t have to replace the batteries when they expire!!
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