Are RS4 running costs really that scarey ?

[JohnW]

Hello people.

Reading through some of the posts, I'm getting concerned that while I could afford to buy an RS4, I'd be getting into big bills to use it as a daily driver.

I've found out servicing costs now from the dealer, but wondered if you guys (any gals ?) can enlighten me to real world running costs.
I'd be using the car most days for a round trip of 110 miles, about 70 of which is cruising at 95ish on the Mway.


So, on to the questions [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
1) what sort of mpg do you guys average ?
or put another way, how many miles to a fill-up ?

2) I've read that someone got through a set of tyres in 4k miles !
Is this normal ?
(I was hoping for nearer 12k-15k)

3) Any other reliability issues I should know about ?
(like turbos need rebuilding/swapping at 50k or something)

Thanks people.
I hope to join the fold soon [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Cheers,
John.

[ianw]

Hmmm In my experience the petrol and tyre wear will depend upon how you drive it, I know some will argue that why buy a car like this if you are going to drive it slowly but you could if you wanted to I drive quite sympathetic to the car because i want it to last and not cost me too much so no mega fast takeoffs unless provoked [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] but i don't hang around when it is moving and my tyres I reckon will be good for around 10K miles - but this depends upon the tyres, some are better when part worn and some are useless and need to be changed with more tread depth left.

As for petrol well its thirsty compared to run around cars, but for a super car it is very economical, I think I average around 22 - 25 mpg on a run BUT your average cruising speed makes a huge difference and I am sure you could do much better than that and tootling around town its much worse.

Servicing I haven't found to be too bad and as for Turbo's etc well again if you thrash it from cold they are not going to last as long as if you are sympathetic too the engine, can't comment on longevity though as have not done enough miles yet.

just my two penneth

[JohnW]

Phew ! [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
Thanks for the response.

I can live with a set of tyres every 10k/12k ish, and early 20s mpg is okay too. A set every 4k and mpg in mid teens would not be viable though, as it would cost me more to run than I am prepared to pay.

I too do not cane a car from cold, but unfortunately there is no telling what previous owners have done... [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Assuming your figures are what most people get, I just need to find the right car now [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Cheers,
John.

[JJRS4]

I am on 22K on the same set of tyres (Michelin Pilots) after a number of track days. As the man said, it depends how you drive it. If you try sideways round roundabouts then they won't last long but if you drive quick without sliding then, then are good for 30K

My mpg average is 21.5

Servicing is not expensive as its only once a year.

[Sql_PL]

You are right JJRS4! My first Michelin Pilot Sports lasted about 25k miles without any problems. As for the fuel consumption the car is great! With my driving style that consists of 75% cruising and 25% racing my average is around 14 liters per 100 km, i am usually able to do around 450 km on one full tank. I was surprised because in my previous Impreza GT i had an average of about 20 litres per 100 km! [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[JohnW]

Wehey ! it's sounding better all the time [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Just been checking official figures, and the RS4 is only around 1mpg worse than the S4 for each driving type.
Interestingly the official figures for the new S4 say it is 2mpg worse than the RS4.

I appreciate it depends on how you drive it, but if everyone said they were getting less than 10k out of a set of tyres it sort of sets the scene for what I would probably end up getting too.

Michelins do seem to wear quite well don't they. I have them on my 993 and they just don't seem to be wearing at all ! [img]images/graemlins/roundeyes.gif[/img]

Many thanks Guys, Much appreciated.

John.

[Michael]

not sure about fuel consumption as I drive it pretty hard and you can get scary figures- I've done a stretch of 170kms , started with a full tank, and warning light came on as I arrived home. The car seems very good on tyres, I have BS RE-01's and must have done 20k on them they still look almost brand new. THAT SAID my 2001 RS4 has cost me a fortune this year so far, alternator problems, new battery, servicing - I picked it up from a full year service today , full oil change, etc and the cost was about US$800- but it is Japan I'm in. Verdict was the car is in very good nick but I would have expected more reliability from a German car to be honest- especially as I treat it like the family jewels..

[kante3]

I have had my RS4 for two year now and don't find the running costs particularly outrageous.

I can't comment on mpg as I'm now "eurofied" but my overall average is around 13.1 to 13.3 litres per 100 km. Most of my driving is fast autobahn driving [img]images/graemlins/tung2.gif[/img] and I tend to driver between 190 - 220 kmh on average, anything faster and the fuel consumption does get a bit scary. I have the occasional blast at 250 - 280 kmh but only when I know I'm not far from a garage [img]images/graemlins/033102scull_1_prv.gif[/img]

Generally I'm quite cautious and tend to fill up after 300 - 350 km but never get more than 50 litres in the tank.

I've covered about 65,000 km now split equally between my winter and summer tyres and have just bought a full set of summer tyres which suggests about 30,000 km from the first set which tally's with the 20,000 miles quoted above.

Service intervals are quite wide but I had some major work done on the brakes at the last service as high speed driving unfortunately means quite a bit of hard braking - other than that I've had three new wheels due to bending and the armrest ratchet broke.

I think if you compare the running costs to cars with comparable performance (think big v8's) then I expect it will come up quite favourably........

........but I would still have one if it cost twice as much to run [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]