B8.5 RS4 as a one car garage?
Discussion
Currently looking to downsize from a F20 M140i, E46 M3 and B9 S4 to one car.
The B8.5 RS4 is intriguing. The prices have started to bottom out on these and feel these will only start going up in price.
Will these be a maintenance nightmare or will it be reasonable?
Given my current mix of cars, will the RS4 meet the requirements of a spacious daily while being special enough to be a weekend car?
I really like the interior and comfort of the B9 S4 over the bimmers, so wonder if I will miss this by going to an older B8.5. I know that the S4 can be made to go a lot faster, but the sound of a V8 can't be beat.
The B8.5 RS4 is intriguing. The prices have started to bottom out on these and feel these will only start going up in price.
Will these be a maintenance nightmare or will it be reasonable?
Given my current mix of cars, will the RS4 meet the requirements of a spacious daily while being special enough to be a weekend car?
I really like the interior and comfort of the B9 S4 over the bimmers, so wonder if I will miss this by going to an older B8.5. I know that the S4 can be made to go a lot faster, but the sound of a V8 can't be beat.
They were fairly maintenance-hungry when new, and now that they're getting on you can add in age-related works to that. With values relatively low we're also seeing quite a bit of reluctance (naivety?) to continue maintaining them properly, which is an expensive exercise. Many today are "MOT standard" at best.
There's a joke with these that there's no job on the car that costs less than a grand. The problem with this joke is that it's not a joke.
If you can find one that someone has put the time and money in to keep nice, and are yourself willing put money into it they are wonderful cars. Life will be easier if you have access to a garage that knows and works on them.
There's a joke with these that there's no job on the car that costs less than a grand. The problem with this joke is that it's not a joke.
If you can find one that someone has put the time and money in to keep nice, and are yourself willing put money into it they are wonderful cars. Life will be easier if you have access to a garage that knows and works on them.
I'd agree with Dr G.
I've had mine about 7 years now, always serviced on the button and any job that gets advised gets done. No problems outside of regular maintainance items (oh gawd, I've gone and done it now...)
It really is a great do-it-all car and I use it for work, short blasts and long hauls. It looks, sounds and goes fantastically well. The interior is understated and a nice place to be. Very few bongs and warnings, which is becoming more of a plus these days when I'm thinking what the next car might be.
I've had mine about 7 years now, always serviced on the button and any job that gets advised gets done. No problems outside of regular maintainance items (oh gawd, I've gone and done it now...)
It really is a great do-it-all car and I use it for work, short blasts and long hauls. It looks, sounds and goes fantastically well. The interior is understated and a nice place to be. Very few bongs and warnings, which is becoming more of a plus these days when I'm thinking what the next car might be.
Custerdome said:
I'd agree with Dr G.
I've had mine about 7 years now, always serviced on the button and any job that gets advised gets done. No problems outside of regular maintainance items (oh gawd, I've gone and done it now...)
It really is a great do-it-all car and I use it for work, short blasts and long hauls. It looks, sounds and goes fantastically well. The interior is understated and a nice place to be. Very few bongs and warnings, which is becoming more of a plus these days when I'm thinking what the next car might be.
Had mine from new - late 2014. 63,000 miles. Only issues in that time are two replacement DRS shocks - expensive but hopefully will see me through.I've had mine about 7 years now, always serviced on the button and any job that gets advised gets done. No problems outside of regular maintainance items (oh gawd, I've gone and done it now...)
It really is a great do-it-all car and I use it for work, short blasts and long hauls. It looks, sounds and goes fantastically well. The interior is understated and a nice place to be. Very few bongs and warnings, which is becoming more of a plus these days when I'm thinking what the next car might be.
As above, always serviced on time, including the very important gearbox and two differential oil changes.
I'm fortunate to have a decent set of cars - the RS4 will be the last I ever sell!
JohnnyUK said:
Had mine from new - late 2014.
Interesting! Were you given the opportunity to specify yours, or was it an "as is" delivery? I was told by a chap at Audi City London back in the day that the Nogaros were all delivered to the dealers exactly the same, but always wondered how true it was. Specification on them is quite strange for what was an expensive car.Dr G said:
JohnnyUK said:
Had mine from new - late 2014.
Interesting! Were you given the opportunity to specify yours, or was it an "as is" delivery? I was told by a chap at Audi City London back in the day that the Nogaros were all delivered to the dealers exactly the same, but always wondered how true it was. Specification on them is quite strange for what was an expensive car.They seem to be on the rise...
https://collectingcars.com/buy?query=nogaro&re...
Blue62 said:
I enjoyed mine but my B7 was much better. Personally think there are better options out there, not a care if want to take into its dotage, but I m a bit chicken.
Hello and as its an interesting question my 5 Cents.Have now a B8 RS5, which is interesting enough for me as a weekend/special car.
The combo of one of the greatest engines(sounds so good and for me so much better than the B9)
and still high build quality. Everything you touch feels right.
But they are expensive to run and and my advice would be, buy the best you can find
Dont think that RS4 and RS5 are that different in this regard.
As you have already an high spec Audi, you will know that the official dealers are asking for a rough premium
on any price/part you pay. This can be handled lighter with an older version as we discuss here.
Found a good independent, who goes all the work now for more or less half the price!
Just the regular services are for the stamp and peace of mind in the official dealer.
So from my side its a clear yes, with one small area, where I m also a chicken.
Dont run it as a daily, as the use in the city, short runs, are the one thing that scares me,
but also does not make any sense. Engine does not like those really short runs, every day.. :-(
That s why I bought an I3s for anything shorter than 15 Miles.
Very happy with that combo! If you dont like small fun EVs, you will find easy something low cost
to replace the I3 with.
Or you are brave and go for the having a great daily....
jjdw33 said:
Blue62 said:
I enjoyed mine but my B7 was much better. Personally think there are better options out there, not a care if want to take into its dotage, but I m a bit chicken.
Hello and as its an interesting question my 5 Cents.Have now a B8 RS5, which is interesting enough for me as a weekend/special car.
The combo of one of the greatest engines(sounds so good and for me so much better than the B9)
and still high build quality. Everything you touch feels right.
But they are expensive to run and and my advice would be, buy the best you can find
Dont think that RS4 and RS5 are that different in this regard.
As you have already an high spec Audi, you will know that the official dealers are asking for a rough premium
on any price/part you pay. This can be handled lighter with an older version as we discuss here.
Found a good independent, who goes all the work now for more or less half the price!
Just the regular services are for the stamp and peace of mind in the official dealer.
So from my side its a clear yes, with one small area, where I m also a chicken.
Dont run it as a daily, as the use in the city, short runs, are the one thing that scares me,
but also does not make any sense. Engine does not like those really short runs, every day.. :-(
That s why I bought an I3s for anything shorter than 15 Miles.
Very happy with that combo! If you dont like small fun EVs, you will find easy something low cost
to replace the I3 with.
Or you are brave and go for the having a great daily....
Edited by JohnnyUK on Thursday 5th February 19:53
JohnnyUK said:
Been my daily for 11 years. Perfect.
I spoke to soon - hit a pothole on the way to work today and discovered a flat tyre after work.Edited by JohnnyUK on Thursday 5th February 19:53
Then the tyre canister decided to explode due to my ineptitude!
Here's a very kind colleague clearing up!
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