Audi RS4 Avant (B7)
Discussion
Looking for some advice - Currently running an Audi A4 Avant 3.0 V6 Sport Quattro (B6) as my daily drive and am considering purchasing a low mileage RS4 Avant (B7). Anyone got any buyers advice (what to look for or regular faults etc) or any feedback regarding owning/running one?
Any feedback greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Any feedback greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Swampy1982 said:
Also, join RS246.com. Lots of good advice, and members’ cars come up for sale and are often better cared for than the general stuff on eBay, Autotrader etc. Look for leaking oil cooler pipes, clunky dampers (DRC problem) and worn discs (v expensive to replace). Great cars otherwise. Had one (saloon) for 7 years, had one DRC issue sorted under warranty which was extended FOC by Audi UK and was fine after - they tweaked some of the components I recall - DRC is actually a pretty good system but London roads and speed bumps probably don’t help.
Excellent card though - budget on a decoke wvwry few years, mine cost £500 IIRC
Only other reliability issue I had was a faulty cigar lighter, bloody good cars with a lovely engine
Excellent card though - budget on a decoke wvwry few years, mine cost £500 IIRC
Only other reliability issue I had was a faulty cigar lighter, bloody good cars with a lovely engine
MikeyGSI said:
Thanks for feedback guys. Really appreciate it. I know the DRC issues are quite common. Would you change to coil overs or keep with the DRC? Expensive to repair issue?
Quite a lot of the guys on 246 change to coilovers (KW, Bilstein etc). I’ve stuck with the DRC for originality, but have just had all the pipes replaced. Would have been about £1800 at a main dealers but specialists (MRC, Unit 20 etc) do it for much cheaper. MRC carbon cleaned and remapped mine last year - up from 368 to 427bhp and much more responsive, though I probably wouldn’t bother with a c clean next time. They coke up again very quickly.
gottans said:
B7 RS4 is ~420 bhp as standard, not sure where you got 368 bhp from?
They are nice cars but not cheap to maintain, I ended up with an S4 of the same generation as the RS4 was £20k more expensive.
When new they were never 420, more around 400. Mine was rolling roaded last year at 368 BEFORE the cc and remap. They are nice cars but not cheap to maintain, I ended up with an S4 of the same generation as the RS4 was £20k more expensive.
Escort3500 said:
Quite a lot of the guys on 246 change to coilovers (KW, Bilstein etc). I’ve stuck with the DRC for originality, but have just had all the pipes replaced. Would have been about £1800 at a main dealers but specialists (MRC, Unit 20 etc) do it for much cheaper.
MRC carbon cleaned and remapped mine last year - up from 368 to 427bhp and much more responsive, though I probably wouldn’t bother with a c clean next time. They coke up again very quickly.
Thanks for info. Really appreciate the advice. I think I’d stick with DRC as, like you, I’d want to keep it as original as possible, and should I need work doing I’d deal with MRC as have heard good things about them. That’s also some good gains from your remap! MRC carbon cleaned and remapped mine last year - up from 368 to 427bhp and much more responsive, though I probably wouldn’t bother with a c clean next time. They coke up again very quickly.
MikeyGSI said:
You’ve convinced me to get one! If anyone knows of a low mileage, good condition, manual, B7 RS4 avant in a neutral colour like grey/silver/black around any forums do keep me posted! Cheers guys!
There are plenty around, and inevitably some dogs. Bear in mind they’re 11-12 years old now so most will be showing their age a bit. Very low mileage ones still command a premium.Also, they can be a target for front seat theft if fitted with the wingback Recaros. The factory-fitted alarm is useless and a good aftermarket one essential. Like buying any car, go in with your eyes wide open when looking for one, don’t buy the first you view (I did, but was lucky) and take a check list - oil drips at front (leaking cooler pipes), clunking from the dampers (DRC), steam (leaking auxiliary rad/s in front bumper/easy fix), excessively worn bolsters on front seats (can be refurbed) and decent tyres (Michelin, Goodyear and not Linglong). The engine and gearbox are generally bullet proof but service history is essential. Some owners insist on main dealer history, but IMO specialist servicing is fine (MRC, Unit 20).
As I said earlier, I’d take a good look at cars for sale on RS246.com, they come up often enough.
Oh, and all B7 RS4s are manual
Edited by Escort3500 on Friday 1st June 12:52
Edited by Escort3500 on Friday 1st June 12:54
MikeyGSI said:
You’ve convinced me to get one! If anyone knows of a low mileage, good condition, manual, B7 RS4 avant in a neutral colour like grey/silver/black around any forums do keep me posted! Cheers guys!
I literally just part exed mine...Got kicked in the nuts for it as well.
Keep an eye on the auctions around ascot. It will appear soon.
2006 in Avus Silver, bucket seats etc, 64,000 on the clock.
Escort3500 said:
There are plenty around, and inevitably some dogs. Bear in mind they’re 11-12 years old now so most will be showing their age a bit. Very low mileage ones still command a premium.
Also, they can be a target for front seat theft if fitted with the wingback Recaros. The factory-fitted alarm is useless and a good aftermarket one essential. Like buying any car, go in with your eyes wide open when looking for one, don’t buy the first you view (I did, but was lucky) and take a check list - oil drips at front (leaking cooler pipes), clunking from the dampers (DRC), steam (leaking auxiliary rad/s in front bumper/easy fix), excessively worn bolsters on front seats (can be refurbed) and decent tyres (Michelin, Goodyear and not Linglong). The engine and gearbox are generally bullet proof but service history is essential. Some owners insist on main dealer history, but IMO specialist servicing is fine (MRC, Unit 20).
As I said earlier, I’d take a good look at cars for sale on RS246.com, they come up often enough.
Oh, and all B7 RS4s are manual
Thanks so much for your advice. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out and am already signed up on RS246 checking the forum and following your advice! CheersAlso, they can be a target for front seat theft if fitted with the wingback Recaros. The factory-fitted alarm is useless and a good aftermarket one essential. Like buying any car, go in with your eyes wide open when looking for one, don’t buy the first you view (I did, but was lucky) and take a check list - oil drips at front (leaking cooler pipes), clunking from the dampers (DRC), steam (leaking auxiliary rad/s in front bumper/easy fix), excessively worn bolsters on front seats (can be refurbed) and decent tyres (Michelin, Goodyear and not Linglong). The engine and gearbox are generally bullet proof but service history is essential. Some owners insist on main dealer history, but IMO specialist servicing is fine (MRC, Unit 20).
As I said earlier, I’d take a good look at cars for sale on RS246.com, they come up often enough.
Oh, and all B7 RS4s are manual
Edited by Escort3500 on Friday 1st June 12:52
Edited by Escort3500 on Friday 1st June 12:54
WreckedGecko said:
MikeyGSI said:
You’ve convinced me to get one! If anyone knows of a low mileage, good condition, manual, B7 RS4 avant in a neutral colour like grey/silver/black around any forums do keep me posted! Cheers guys!
I literally just part exed mine...Got kicked in the nuts for it as well.
Keep an eye on the auctions around ascot. It will appear soon.
2006 in Avus Silver, bucket seats etc, 64,000 on the clock.
MikeyGSI said:
Escort3500 said:
There are plenty around, and inevitably some dogs. Bear in mind they’re 11-12 years old now so most will be showing their age a bit. Very low mileage ones still command a premium.
Also, they can be a target for front seat theft if fitted with the wingback Recaros. The factory-fitted alarm is useless and a good aftermarket one essential. Like buying any car, go in with your eyes wide open when looking for one, don’t buy the first you view (I did, but was lucky) and take a check list - oil drips at front (leaking cooler pipes), clunking from the dampers (DRC), steam (leaking auxiliary rad/s in front bumper/easy fix), excessively worn bolsters on front seats (can be refurbed) and decent tyres (Michelin, Goodyear and not Linglong). The engine and gearbox are generally bullet proof but service history is essential. Some owners insist on main dealer history, but IMO specialist servicing is fine (MRC, Unit 20).
As I said earlier, I’d take a good look at cars for sale on RS246.com, they come up often enough.
Oh, and all B7 RS4s are manual
Thanks so much for your advice. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out and am already signed up on RS246 checking the forum and following your advice! CheersAlso, they can be a target for front seat theft if fitted with the wingback Recaros. The factory-fitted alarm is useless and a good aftermarket one essential. Like buying any car, go in with your eyes wide open when looking for one, don’t buy the first you view (I did, but was lucky) and take a check list - oil drips at front (leaking cooler pipes), clunking from the dampers (DRC), steam (leaking auxiliary rad/s in front bumper/easy fix), excessively worn bolsters on front seats (can be refurbed) and decent tyres (Michelin, Goodyear and not Linglong). The engine and gearbox are generally bullet proof but service history is essential. Some owners insist on main dealer history, but IMO specialist servicing is fine (MRC, Unit 20).
As I said earlier, I’d take a good look at cars for sale on RS246.com, they come up often enough.
Oh, and all B7 RS4s are manual
Edited by Escort3500 on Friday 1st June 12:52
Edited by Escort3500 on Friday 1st June 12:54
crashley said:
Welshbeef said:
Would you care to share how much of a kick in the nuts it was?
Well i was just offered 10k for mine in PX against a 3yr old RS6, and i spent £3.5k last month with Ipswich Audi refreshing the suspension!Well hopefully the C7 RS6 has eased that hit somewhat.
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