Supercharged Audi RS4 Convertible (B7) for sale
Not the RS4 for purists, but then it does have almost 550hp...
Not so long ago, the idea of turning a sports saloon into a sports car - or taking the roof away, at least - seemed a little silly. Not only would a relatively torque-light, rev happy engine be tasked with hauling even more weight around, the finely honed handling would inevitably be compromised as well. It could even be said that the message gets muddied a little: see E30 M3 Convertible, for example. That one wasn’t required for homologation.
Now the prospect of an 8,000rpm engine, inside a smart looking car with a great interior - potentially with a manual gearbox as well - seems quite appealing. Especially if friends can come along for the ride and enjoy the sound. Any used, unmodified car will obviously feel less sharp to drive than a new alternative, too, so it becomes easier to overlook any less desirable handling traits. If it really matters that much, buy a Lotus. But if you want one of this century’s great V8s, right this way…
We all know why the B7 RS4 is regarded as an icon, though even the casual observer could see plenty to like in one. It hails from that Audi design era that still looks good to this day, almost demure by modern standards but handsome with it. The interior, complete with those amazing wingback seats, chunky buttons and classically styled instruments, is equally great. Plus this one benefits from some chassis modifications, hopefully bringing the cabrio experience a little closer to the four-door: there are huge 396mm carbon ceramic brakes on the front axle, plus Bilstein B16 PSS9 adjustable coilovers in place of the Dynamic Ride Control. Certainly they’re not going to make an RS4 worse to drive, and both modifications could be said to make the Audi look even better, ride height slashed and giant yellow calipers working perfectly against the Sprint Blue paint.
But none of those are the main points of interest with the RS4, because what you’re really paying for is under the bonnet. The 420hp, 8,500rpm, 4.2-litre V8 was always a thing of wonder; this one will be even more so thanks to the fitment of an MTM supercharger. Apparently just four B7s were treated to the upgrade in period, this being the only convertible; alongside a downpipe, sports cat and stainless steel exhaust system from the famed Audi tuner as well, it now produces 515hp and 413lb ft, putting both numbers around a hundred up on the standard car. Apparently a recent dyno run has put the power nearer 540hp, too.
It should make for a mighty RS4. A supercharger will retain the immediate nature of the engine (and that thrilling redline) as well as introduce some additional torque. The MTM parts were installed when the car was 23,000 miles old (it now sits on a little more than 50k), with the car now being sold from a car collector with ‘a no-expense-spared approach to ownership’. They have had the car serviced every 5,000 miles during their five years with the car. It’s a beautifully presented RS4 cabrio before even thinking about more than 500hp.
That makes it one of the more expensive V8 RS4s out there at £34,000, though not the most valuable - these B7s really are very collectable nowadays, with the very best for sale at £40k. Interestingly there’s another convertible at similar money, standard but with 30,000 fewer miles. Perhaps this era is now old enough and revered enough as a modern classic that you wouldn’t want to invest so much in MTM modifying in 2024. But one this good with the work already done looks nothing if not rather good fun. And we could all do with a bit more of that.
They just arent that sought after, can get one from 10 grand up, obviously more miles. Saloon or Avant are a bit more desirable, but the convertibles seem to be a hard sell.
Supercharger conversion doesnt add any value, or I am always told modifications dont, or actually devalue the car vs a standard one.
This isnt far off ages and mileage wise and its 13 and a bit grand, not sure how people are paying almost three times that some ? Its the white backgrounds isnt it ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408172...
They just arent that sought after, can get one from 10 grand up, obviously more miles. Saloon or Avant are a bit more desirable, but the convertibles seem to be a hard sell.
Supercharger conversion doesnt add any value, or I am always told modifications dont, or actually devalue the car vs a standard one.
This isnt far off ages and mileage wise and its 13 and a bit grand, not sure how people are paying almost three times that some ? Its the white backgrounds isnt it ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408172...
Remind me to take photos of my car against a white background when it comes time to sell....
Almost enough to make me reconsider my impending R8 purchase.... Almost
They just arent that sought after, can get one from 10 grand up, obviously more miles. Saloon or Avant are a bit more desirable, but the convertibles seem to be a hard sell.
Supercharger conversion doesnt add any value, or I am always told modifications dont, or actually devalue the car vs a standard one.
This isnt far off ages and mileage wise and its 13 and a bit grand, not sure how people are paying almost three times that some ? Its the white backgrounds isnt it ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408172...
Asd stated above, this will be a hard sell mostly as it's a cabrio. If it were in the Saloon or Avant body it would be more desirable.
As others have said it is a £10-15k car tops without the supercharger but RS4's just aren't selling at the moment.
There are a lot of unrealistic RS4 owners out there trying to sell their cars.
Asd stated above, this will be a hard sell mostly as it's a cabrio. If it were in the Saloon or Avant body it would be more desirable.
My Son bought a highly modified car (Monaro) circa 25k spent on mods, including a supercharger and not really any more expensive than a standard one.
Coilovers arent a bad thing if they are Say Bilstein B16s and not some eBay stuff.
It is interesting, and as you say, more substance than a generic remap but mods put off more than they attract in a lot of cases, these engines can be a little problematic as standard anyway, so adding a sueprcharger does complicate matters as well.
The AT price history for that silver one,
AT Price Tracker
Advertised 17/08/2024
Change
06/10/2024
03/09/2024
24/08/2024
17/08/2024
-£1,400 (-9%)
£13,500
£13,900
£14,400
£14,900
So, minus £1400 in a few weeks, still there, cars like that are hard to place, lots would love one but the costs and potential issues are real, £735 VED, V8 fuel costs, a budget coming up and engine issues on these are not unheard of and very potentially very expensive to sort.
This are such great looking things to my eyes too, and I do like this a lot to be honest.
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