Known RS4 problems

2.7 V6 30v biturbo - 380 bhp
User avatar
SimonS4MTM
Top Gear
Posts: 2314
Joined: Thu May 29, 2003 2:40 pm
Location: Norfolk
Contact:

Known RS4 problems

Post by SimonS4MTM » Tue Jul 29, 2003 4:38 pm

Hi RS4 owners.

Does anyone know of any common problems with RS4's. other than bent rims.

Just trying to decide whether to go for another S4 and mod it, but a bit concerned about risks with the K03's, or go for an RS4 , [img]images/graemlins/audiS4black.gif[/img]
| RS4 - B7 | Phantom Black | Seit 2017 |
| S4 - B5 | Ebony Black | Seit 2002 |

User avatar
PhilT
RS246.com
Posts: 8715
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:03 pm
Location: South Yorkshire

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by PhilT » Tue Jul 29, 2003 6:26 pm

No major issues, just a few minor ones which have been discussed here. Check the car visually, drive it, then check it visually again, and go from there. Give us some feedback and we will se what we can do. Take a note of the mileage.
RS246 Shop - RS246 Window Stickers and RS6 Keyrings

Current : 2016 Audi SQ7 & Radical SR3 Supersport

Ex : 2010 Nissan GT-R Premium Edition, 2014 Audi S3 Sportback, 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI, Clio 172 Cup, B5 RS4, C5 RS6+ (249/999), S2 Coupe, Ex-Police Senator 3.0 24v, Ford Escort 1.3

JOSERS4
Neutral
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 12:38 am

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by JOSERS4 » Tue Jul 29, 2003 6:40 pm

Hi!
In my opinion the RS4 has a big problem.
IT´S IRREPLACEABLE!!!
UUUUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHIIIII
YELLOW IMOLA FOURCE
[img]images/graemlins/grrr.gif[/img]

JohnH
3rd Gear
Posts: 392
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 11:07 am
Location: Surrey

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by JohnH » Tue Jul 29, 2003 7:15 pm

The only real problem with the Rs4 is the amount of money you spend on mods [img]images/graemlins/jump3.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/jump3.gif[/img]
2004 X5 4.8is Le Mans Blue

User avatar
JAMES
4th Gear
Posts: 535
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 12:00 am
Location: s e london u k

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by JAMES » Tue Jul 29, 2003 9:56 pm

i was planning on an s4 avant after selling my rs2 as the rs2 is a bit heavy for everyday driving and this would be my only car.after also reading about all the s4 problems i have decided to spend the extra and go for the rs4 subject to driving and liking it(i cant see this putting me off).
should i stear clear of track day used or modified cars,as i found my rs2 fast enough and very reliable at 130,000 miles. are the standard rs4's in the same leage? [img]images/graemlins/24430-audibash.gif[/img]
previous: RS2, RS4 2.7, RS4 4.2.
Current: S8 PLUS

User avatar
Bushy
Cruising
Posts: 2662
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 2:18 pm
Location: Berkshire

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by Bushy » Tue Jul 29, 2003 10:08 pm

Now done 50k in mine and modded from 12k, no problems only failed MAF and synchromesh going on 2nd gear I have heard of a few with gearbox probs but all repaired under warranty

So I would say no probs with either stabdard or modded IMHO

The standard suspension is awefull though and definitely needs upgrading
Can't beat a bit of boost!

User avatar
JAMES
4th Gear
Posts: 535
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 12:00 am
Location: s e london u k

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by JAMES » Wed Jul 30, 2003 8:34 am

excuse me for being stupid,i have seen it mentioned but whats the maf.
is warranty 3 years,and up to what mileage.
i dont care about suspention just want the car asap.
previous: RS2, RS4 2.7, RS4 4.2.
Current: S8 PLUS

User avatar
kiwi_mtm
4th Gear
Posts: 584
Joined: Mon May 05, 2003 8:33 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by kiwi_mtm » Wed Jul 30, 2003 9:05 am

MAF = Mass Airflow Sensor.
2014 RS6 (2023 on order)
2017 Q7
1993 E36 M3 Tarmac Rally car
2001 Porsche Boxster circuit car
2017 Porsche 991.2 GT3 Clubsport

User avatar
Nige_RS4
Cruising
Posts: 3264
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2003 2:54 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by Nige_RS4 » Wed Jul 30, 2003 9:14 am

So I would say no probs with either stabdard or modded IMHO


Don't forget about the soft RS4 alloys - newbies might not know about these - if I was buying an RS4 from a dealer, I would make sure they would agree to replace these as necessary before I signed on the dotted line. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Edit - Ooops - that'll teach me not to read Simons first post !
https://www.speedcams.co.uk

B5 2.7t S4 - gone
B5 2.7t RS4 - gone
Ed 30 Golf DSG - gone
A5 3.0tdi - gone within 12 months!
S3 2.0 tfsi - 6+ years, but now sold
2018 Golf R 7.5

toasty
4th Gear
Posts: 661
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2003 3:39 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by toasty » Wed Jul 30, 2003 9:18 am

Not so much a problem, but bear in mind also that whilst the RS4 is far more powerful than an S4, it tends to work higher up the rev range and so at low engine speeds a standard RS4 may seem sluggish compared to the S4 that you are used to. (I know this is what originally got Bushy into modding his, and he too came from an S4)

Like I said, not a problem, but if you want the S4 kick in the ass type feeling that you've no doubt become acustomed to, then be prepared to shell out some Nelsons on the mods! [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
-Dan

User avatar
wazza
Top Gear
Posts: 2464
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2003 1:07 am
Location: Near the Magic Roundabout
Contact:

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by wazza » Wed Jul 30, 2003 10:27 am

Nelsons

[img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
I thought that you went to a bar for a pint of Nelson [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Paul

User avatar
JAMES
4th Gear
Posts: 535
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 12:00 am
Location: s e london u k

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by JAMES » Wed Jul 30, 2003 11:59 pm

my partner had a sensor in his 4.2 cerbera which caused his car to misfire and cat to overheat(glowing red and spitting glowing bits out of the exhaust)i think this was a mixture sensor and only affected one side of the engine.would this be the maf?
previous: RS2, RS4 2.7, RS4 4.2.
Current: S8 PLUS

User avatar
Taipan
4th Gear
Posts: 740
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2003 11:57 pm
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by Taipan » Thu Jul 31, 2003 12:10 am

That's surprising, I was told TVR are extremely reliable cars.
[img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]
Eric
- RS4 V6 Biturbo Imola Yellow (2001)
• Custom MTM 460hp manually tuned by Peter Link on MTM dyno at Ingolstadt HQ.
• Custom Full Milltek: Sport-Cats / Mid-Silencer: suppressed / End-Silencer: reduced.
• Full Mov'It upgrade: Front 380mm - 6 pistons / Rear 220mm - 4 pistons / Parking addon.

- Joined the Dark Side (aka. Darth Elon) circa 2013.

User avatar
JohnW
Top Gear
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri May 23, 2003 10:30 pm
Location: Surrey

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by JohnW » Thu Jul 31, 2003 8:46 am

I doubt it was the maf - more likely one of the lambda sensors or the knock sensor.

A bit of a long winded explanation this, and maybe uncalled for, but here goes [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Think of the maf as a replacement carburettor.
In a carburettor it meters fuel based on the amount of air being allowed to pass through, which is essentially how far open the throttle butterfly is (which is the bit the throttle pedal normally actuates).

In a car with fuel injection the engine management needs to know the amount of air flow so it can 'inject' the correct amount of fuel to maintain the correct mixture.

You could simply have a butterfly with a position sensor on it (most cars still do, unless they are drive by wire), but that only gives a throttle position, and not airflow (which changes with rpm and load), so would not meet the strict emissions.

One type of maf (Mass Air Flow meter) is a bit like a hot wire. As the air passes the hot wire it is cooled, and this cooling subtly changes its resistence. The change in resistence is proportional to the air flow, which in turn is proportional to the engine load & rpm.

If the maf fails for whatever reason the engine management will go into a 'get you home' mode, and will report a fault code.
What it does then is meters fuel based purely on engine rpms and throttle position. This can result in over or under fueling, which can destroy the cats.

The Lambda probe in the exhaust is also used to control the amount of fuel delivered, and when these fail it normally results in too much fuel being injected, especially when the engne is cold. The result of this is to allow unburnt fuel to enter the cat, which makes it overheat, and eventually melt !

Sorry guys, but work is a bit boring this morning [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/spineyes.gif[/img]

Cheers,
John.
Too many toys, not enough time

User avatar
JAMES
4th Gear
Posts: 535
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 12:00 am
Location: s e london u k

Re: Known RS4 problems

Post by JAMES » Thu Jul 31, 2003 9:08 am

thanks for the explanation.
the tvr does have 2 throttle pot sensors which are from a ford engine and go wrong regularly however the problem sensor i think was on one of the downpipes or cats.
as for reliability it doesn't use oil as they are supposed to but he only had it two days before the cats overheated and had to have it transported to tvr.and now he has found out the springs are knackered,aparently they sag and require changing [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/rs4-button.jpg[/img]
previous: RS2, RS4 2.7, RS4 4.2.
Current: S8 PLUS

Post Reply

Return to “RS4 (B5 Typ 8D) 1999-2001”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 84 guests