B6 S4 to B5 RS4

[graney15118]

Hi everyone,

I currently own a B6 S4 Avant and I am thinking of making the swap to a B5 RS4, I've read up quite a bit and they seem pretty reliable, just wanting to know if any of you use your B5 as a daily and do you think it would be too fragile to use everyday? The repair costs are similar between the B6 S4 and the B5 RS4. The one I'm looking at has had the cam belt and tensioners replaced in 2010 and had some cam refurbishments (tappets ect) in 2005, it has 91k on the clock

Cheers people!

[guy]

Hi graney,

I've used mine in the past as a daily and tbh they prefer it. It's not a car that sits doing nothing well. Hth.

[graney15118]

Thanks Guy, that's the kind of answer I want to hear!! Haha! Tbh I'm looking at it as a bit of an investment too, it's gonna hold its value better and the B6, just looking at the prices on pistonheads/trader. Daft question, not that I'm really too bothered as I know the performance is amazing but what was your real world MPG in it? Just since it's being used as a daily, just wondering if it's gonna be any worse than my B6!

Cheers

[coullstar]

I had a B6 a few years back and running costs were about the same as my B5 RS. All consumable are relatively similar in price other than brakes. They are very addictive if you like modding though so beware as thats where things start costing a bit. Well worth it though, a great car.

[Mav8]

The cam belt should be replaced every 40k or 4 years to my knowledge, I'm sure I will be corrected by someone if not.
I've had mine since July and love every min.Its not my daily drive so M.P.G is irrelevant,
as for parts they can be expensive, you just need to look around and avoid the stealers.
Mav8

[lynchy]

I've had mine for 8 years and have driven 117,000 miles ! Only broken down twice fuel pump and alternator !
Very reliable to be honest and a very special car ! Not faultless and not the best handling car but has so much character I love it !

[graney15118]

Thanks for the replies, coullstar, yeah I had a feeling the economy would be similar, I get about 22mpg from the S4, like I say I'm not too fussed but was just wondering! I'm wanting to keep he engine pretty stock to be honest....well, for now haha! Yeah I have read that the brakes can be expensive like, my S4 has B7 RS brakes on it at the mo and I know how much they cost!! Mav8, As for the timing belt, I have heard every 40k/4years which would mean it's due now, I was gonna use it as a bargaining tool tbh! Is it an engine out job like the S4? Or is all the timing hear accessible from the front of the car?

Lynchy, I'm glad that people are getting good use out of them as they seem to be amazing cars, I just need to find the right one! I'm thinking more and more that I should do the deed now like! Just need to sell the S4 first haha!

Cheers

[marc1]

Buy the car with the most extensive history possible showing as many big ticket items as possible like the cams you've mentioned (known failure on some cars, turbos if possible (but IMO the failure is largely down to lack of mechanical sympathy or not being on top of boost leaks). cambelt like you say is 40k/4 years and probably c.£800 from memory, alternator and fuel pump went on mine too, same as Lynchy's. Would suspect most cars would need replacing soon if not already (hence the history - ideally from an enthusiast). Suspension arms also likely at some point. Vacuum leak testing is paramount to the good health of these cars, so ideally the car will have been regularly seen by an established specialist Unit 20, JJB, MRC, etc. they leak everywhere, so need checking regularly. If there is a leak your turbos can overspool and die prematurely. Various kits about for c.£30. If you can run some VCDS logs of requested vs actual boost this wil also help, same as logging the MAF readings will give you an indication of whether you are down on over and potential boost leak issues, etc. Make sure the car comes up to temperature quickly from cold, if not then it's likely to be a sticking thermostat, which IIRC can and should be done when the cambelt is done (same for the water pump). Plenty of sensors all over the car and do fail from time to time, IIRC there are 4 lambas, generally when one goes it's not that long before the one on the other bank goes too.

They are fantastic cars though, just need to go into ownership with your eyes open. There are a fair few rough ones that haven't been maintained as well. Check for obvious signs of this along with the sellers enthusiasm and knowledge of the car as there are also some very, very well kept cars.

In terms of modding, personally I would (and did) aim straight for the handling department ether than power, although an exhaust is pretty much a must have to let is sound as it should.

Real world I found the B5 RS4 better on fuel that the B6 S4 if you enjoy it. Day to day commuting, etc will be much the same.

What colour are you thinking about?

[graney15118]

Thanks Marc,

Yeah i have read about some of the issues you mentioned also, this car appears to have had all bases covered. The cam work was done at Unit20, they also inspected for boost leaks and replaced the MAF for new. It may be work me actually phoning them and asking for the car's history with them. then only thing worrying me is the fact that the work was done some time ago like, so wondering if it will need to be done again, but i suppose i won't know until i go and see it, which i think i'm going to do in the next few days, depending on if it is still available that is! As for the other things, yeah i imagined that there would be various sensors which would go wrong, i was planning to get it checked out before purchase anyways.

It has also had the suspension mods catered for with KW coilovers and ARB's, along with a full geometery set up, new(ish) michelins, and Tar.Ox 6 pots up front (ideally i would prefer a standard car as it's less likely to have been thrashed! or at least thats what my mind tells me!) But if i was going to mod it, then the work has mostly been done! i would agree with you and stick to the handling side of things, as i think 380bhp is enough for me at the moment!

It's a silver one, not sure of the exact colour name my S4 is Misano Red and i although i like it in that colour, I fancy a change, and the silver in the RS4 has a slight blue tinge to it that I like, so probs gonna try and get one this colour if i can, basically i want to stay away from black as i like to keep my cars clean and black is a bugger!

Oh, i may be missing something but what is 'IIRC' haha!

[marc1]

It sounds like a good car on face value. Ring Martin at Unit 20 if he did the work, have a look at it and go with your gut. Don't forget to post pictures up here when you have it

IIRC = If I remember correctly

[graney15118]

Haha, i thought it would be text/forum speak, i just don't use it too much, Cheers.

Yeah i will give him a ring like, and if i do get it then i will be putting some pictures up don't you worry, did the same with my S4 when i got it, it's a really helpful forum/club this one! Thanks for all the advice.

Cheers

[coullstar]

You'll map it at least, there not overly quick as standard in my opinion.

[graney15118]

Yeah I would probably end up doing something eventually, but I really would like to start with a standard one if I could, as it happens that one I was talking about earlier in the thread has been sold.

I've found another but there are a couple of things that are an issue, not sure on the timing belt changes as I'm waiting to hear back from the seller, and also he says the height adjustment on the driver seat doesn't work, he's saying it could be fuse related, but I would imagine the whole thing wouldn't work? Or is each motor on individual fuses?

Apart from that, it seems canny like, still got my eyes peeled for a more original one!

Cheers for the replies!

[graney15118]

One more question, does mileage matter with these cars, as long as the history is sound?

I'm aware of it not being much of an issue with say a 1.9tdi, but with these cars being more delicate then just thinking of internal engine components along with the usual suspects such as bushes/bearings and the like, not sure on the life span of these components

Just found a really clean 1 owner example with full history, serviced every 10k, but it has 130k on it, it looks mint like but just don't want to buy into a money pit, well not straight away, I am aware that it's gonna cost me at some point!

Cheers

[coullstar]

They are hardy buggers so mileage isnt overly important as long as service history is there. People naturaly look for the lowest mileage but its misleading in my opinion.
Im pretty sure there are some going around with original turbo's and clutch on around 160k.