B7 RS4/RS5 Dilemma

[seech]

Going to start with the fact that I've not historically been a big Audi fan. Culminating in a horrendous ownership experience of the V8 TDI SQ7. Normally stick within the M or AMG families. Saying that, I've always had an emotional connection to the B7 RS4. I was in Le Mans in the year they launched the car and the way that V8 echoed through the village of La Chartre when we were drinking outside the Hotel de France is etched in my memory permanently.

Fast forward a lot of years, I'm currently on the hunt for one. Only problem being, within the same sub £20k budget I can buy a 2014 RS5 with the same engine.

Speaking to a specialist, they tell me that parts for the B7 are becoming hard to get hold of and I should go for the newer RS5. I just don't think it looks very good if I'm honest.

The RS5 will no doubt be a better daily to live with - DCT, creature comforts etc. But could be a tech-fest of problems like the SQ7.

Truly sat on the fence and no idea what to go for.

Any owners of one or both, please help!

[FMOB]

seech said:

Going to start with the fact that I've not historically been a big Audi fan. Culminating in a horrendous ownership experience of the V8 TDI SQ7. Normally stick within the M or AMG families. Saying that, I've always had an emotional connection to the B7 RS4. I was in Le Mans in the year they launched the car and the way that V8 echoed through the village of La Chartre when we were drinking outside the Hotel de France is etched in my memory permanently.

Fast forward a lot of years, I'm currently on the hunt for one. Only problem being, within the same sub £20k budget I can buy a 2014 RS5 with the same engine.

Speaking to a specialist, they tell me that parts for the B7 are becoming hard to get hold of and I should go for the newer RS5. I just don't think it looks very good if I'm honest.

The RS5 will no doubt be a better daily to live with - DCT, creature comforts etc. But could be a tech-fest of problems like the SQ7.

Truly sat on the fence and no idea what to go for.

Any owners of one or both, please help!

Have just purchased a B7 RS4 Avant last month so still in the getting to know it stage, primary reason was to get away from the tech and bong fest that is the modern Audi.

I would echo the part availability concerns but they are 15+ year old cars, most stuff is standard A4 so there are options out there, for RS4 specific bits you are in the realm of 2nd hand parts.

No idea on the RS5 but never really liked the shape of it.

[Dr G]

If you want a B7 RS4 then buy one. RS5 really isn't the same thing.

They're a bit of a pain in the arse, but you probably already know that. Have you got a decent specialist within reach? If you manage to find one that someone has cherished (difficult, not impossible) and stay on top of it yourself you'll be fine. If you don't buy a total pooper you'll be fixing niggles and staying on top of things rather than sitting at the side of the road.

[OPOGTS]

I bought a B7 RS4 Avant in Feb…. My god I should have done this years ago… do it.

I also have a cayman gts 4.0 and I’ve got to tell you I’m just as excited taking out the RS4 as the cayman…… and the GTS is epic!

I’ve been lucky that mine has turned out to be an absolute peach (occasional not-startin-first-time issues aside), I think you really need to be picky to make sure all the big stuff is upto date as the bills can be huge.

I also updated the Nav to an Apple carplay unit in the same style as the original - and you don’t need anymore !

[phumy]

I have owned my green B7 RS4 for 4 years now and it has been no trouble what-so-ever, when i bought it i knew there was quite a bit of work to do to keep it on the road, complete DRC pipework re-newal, oil cooler and pipes,plus i had all the calipers re-furbed, once that was done its been as good as gold, no issues at all and no break-downs. It did however cost me a small fortune to have done all at the same time but at least i know i have a very good original car. If you want a B7 RS4 go get one now.

[Dr G]

Colour is outstanding; Deep Green pearl?

[phumy]

Dr G said:

Colour is outstanding; Deep Green pearl?

Correct, the pearl is amazing and really pops in the sun. There were only 4 green avants supplied the UK

[Dr G]

I've had a couple through the doors; one as yours, another in grandad spec with electric Recaros and walnut trim!

Deep Green is a nicer colour than any of Audi's other greens before or since.

[phumy]

Dr G said:

I've had a couple through the doors; one as yours, another in grandad spec with electric Recaros and walnut trim!

Deep Green is a nicer colour than any of Audi's other greens before or since.

Yes it has quite a heavy metallic fleck in it.

[OPOGTS]

phumy said:

I have owned my green B7 RS4 for 4 years now and it has been no trouble what-so-ever, when i bought it i knew there was quite a bit of work to do to keep it on the road, complete DRC pipework re-newal, oil cooler and pipes,plus i had all the calipers re-furbed, once that was done its been as good as gold, no issues at all and no break-downs. It did however cost me a small fortune to have done all at the same time but at least i know i have a very good original car. If you want a B7 RS4 go get one now.

Have you done, or looked into, a carbon clean? Mine runs really sweetly but I can't believe it's putting out 420bhp...... although I can't say i'm motivated to eek out more power i don't really need.

I've also just fitted Bridgestone Potenza Sports all-round (Evo's 19" tyre of the year) and the car just feels on top form at the moment!

[phumy]

OPOGTS said:

phumy said:

I have owned my green B7 RS4 for 4 years now and it has been no trouble what-so-ever, when i bought it i knew there was quite a bit of work to do to keep it on the road, complete DRC pipework re-newal, oil cooler and pipes,plus i had all the calipers re-furbed, once that was done its been as good as gold, no issues at all and no break-downs. It did however cost me a small fortune to have done all at the same time but at least i know i have a very good original car. If you want a B7 RS4 go get one now.

Have you done, or looked into, a carbon clean? Mine runs really sweetly but I can't believe it's putting out 420bhp...... although I can't say i'm motivated to eek out more power i don't really need.

I've also just fitted Bridgestone Potenza Sports all-round (Evo's 19" tyre of the year) and the car just feels on top form at the moment!

I havent done a carbon clean but i have looked into it and thinking of having it done over this winter, as for tyres i fittes Michelin Pilot Sports last year and theyre fantastic.

[Dr G]

High 300s for a healthy car; I think the 414 figure was always a smidge optimistic.

Unless really bad a carbon clean on its own doesn't make a night and day difference (it needs to be bad enough to affect valve sealing or inlet flap operation), but is one of a few things that will hurt overall performance. Power flap not opening (vacuum only so no warning light) is another one. If you feel engine idle is slightly rough this is an indicator you're overdue a carbon clean. In most cases you can think of it as part of a "tune up" rather than fixing something that is broken.

[seech]

Thanks for the responses folks.

I have come to the conclusion that it has to be the RS4 or I just won’t be happy.

Found one that’s had a lot of money lavished on it so going to see it tomorrow. Hopefully new car day soon.

[FMOB]

seech said:

Thanks for the responses folks.

I have come to the conclusion that it has to be the RS4 or I just won’t be happy.

Found one that’s had a lot of money lavished on it so going to see it tomorrow. Hopefully new car day soon.

It has got to be an Avant

[Dr G]

seech said:

Thanks for the responses folks.

I have come to the conclusion that it has to be the RS4 or I just won’t be happy.

Found one that’s had a lot of money lavished on it so going to see it tomorrow. Hopefully new car day soon.

He's not next door to you (not a million miles away either) but Unit 20 know these cars well. The owner Martin is a nice guy and won't pull your pants down on price.

[HB17]

I got a avant in last July and have done 10k miles and have loved every second.
Wanted one for years and it such a fantastic car.
A lot of the big jobs (brakes, clutch, suspension) had been done so relatively easy motoring

[HB17]

OPOGTS said:

I bought a B7 RS4 Avant in Feb…. My god I should have done this years ago… do it.

I also have a cayman gts 4.0 and I’ve got to tell you I’m just as excited taking out the RS4 as the cayman…… and the GTS is epic!

I’ve been lucky that mine has turned out to be an absolute peach (occasional not-startin-first-time issues aside), I think you really need to be picky to make sure all the big stuff is upto date as the bills can be huge.

I also updated the Nav to an Apple carplay unit in the same style as the original - and you don’t need anymore !

Do you have details of the head unit since looking to do same on mine

thanks

[seech]

So got the one I was after.

It’s had coil overs, Milltek, clutch, brakes, carbon clean etc. Pulls really well. Sounds glorious.

Also planning to daily this so want to change the head unit. Please do let me know of any CarPlay recommendations!

[seech]

The +/- buttons on the steering wheel - are these just for the menu or can they do the volume too?

[OPOGTS]

HB17 said:

Do you have details of the head unit since looking to do same on mine

thanks

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004342441656.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.2.3147f19cTtAABQ

I got the 8gb 128g version, with CarPlay, works and looks a treat. Easy fit once you work out which wires go where. Unbeatable value for £200. I then run the USB charger out the back and out through the glovebox (into a wireless magnetic charger which you can just about see attached to the old mobile phone holder)

Edited by OPOGTS on Saturday 28th September 09:40

Edited by OPOGTS on Saturday 28th September 09:45

Edited by OPOGTS on Saturday 28th September 09:53