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RS4 (B5) or RS6 (C5) which one do i buy
Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 11:10 pm
by craig1
guys im in need of a little help and advice. im lookin to buy my first RS and not too sure which one to buy a 4 or a 6. any advice or comments would be much appreciated
RE: RS4 (B5) or RS6 (C5) which one do i buy
Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 11:18 pm
by Cornishmoocher
Just research both very well is all i can say really. Both are awesome cars, but one is getting to be an oldish high miler, the other has known issues, and is too getting to 5-6 years old and 40-80k miles. You have to choose one that suits your personal requirments, like, do you have a family and need the space? yes, then the 6 is for you. If you just want a rocket, that will produce the same or more power wwith a lot less weight, the B5 is your poison.
Which ever you go for, the performance is great, the running costs are high buut the feeling og whipping the arse of a £100k super car is like nothing on earth.
All in my humble opinion of course!
P.S. Welcome to the forum!
Mooch
Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 11:19 pm
by RS6 Mugello
May be wrong sub forum for a balanced reply. Would suggest RS6 if you have a family and RS4 if not in need of the space. Search the forums for an idea on the costs as each have their foibles (DRC etc).
Good luck
Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 11:33 pm
by Cornishmoocher
True. I would have had a b5 or b7 if my daughter hadn't come along. Had a b6 2.4 avant and it was tiny- no room at all. So bought a sensible family car

Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 8:14 am
by deanobeano
All of the above plus:
- Manual RS4
- Auto Rs6
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 8:24 am
by Condor24
Having had a B5 and now having had a C5 for nearly 6 years, my personal opinion is that the C5 is far more fun & practical. Yes the C5 has its downsides with the DRC etc. I find the C5 sheer delight & exhilarating !
Again, purely my personal opinion & nothing against the B5 or even B7.
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 11:03 am
by Golfather
Both are great cars and I have had a number of each over the years.
B5:
Revs like a bike, fast, and nippy in traffic
Looks awesome, and stands out from the crowd with those huge arches
Gives you a grin everytime you take it out !
Standard brakes need upgrading
Small and cramped for a family car
Getting old now so big bills including cams
C5:
Massive room, practical
Not as nippy as the B5, bit heavy to chuck into the bends, more of a motorway cruiser
Standard DRC suspension needs to be changed
Awesome V8 soundtrack
Effortless power and VERY quick !
VFM right now and a lot of car for the money
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 3:12 pm
by Virdee Autos
golfather you missed the crappy auto gearbox!
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 3:37 pm
by Golfather
Virdee Autos wrote:golfather you missed the crappy auto gearbox!
Oh yes how could I !
The C5 has the most sloppiest, flimsiest box ever known to man.
Newer Audis have a much more refined almost instantaneious gearchange whereas the C5 has a slouch of a box, which is guranteed to go wrong due to the sheer tourqe of the RS6.
B5 still needs a shortshift to tighten up the gearchange though, but no transmission issues here.
It depends, if you sit in traffic all day, then the heavy clutch of the B5 can do your leg in giving the auto box on the C5 a slight edge.
But thats about the only time as the auto box detaches you from the whole driving experience...
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 8:15 pm
by craig1
thanks for the advice guys. i have family so the 6 it is then. ive heard lots about the drc and how massively unreliable it can be, should i find a car with it still in place what do i need to be lookin for.
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 8:53 pm
by RS6 Mugello
You should replace the DRC (search the forums for the different symptoms) as quickly as possible and there are enough people who have done it so you should be able to find one relatively easily. If not allow for replacement (and anti-roll-bars) in the price you offer (H&Rs, KWv3 and Bilsteins are the most popular).
Good luck as the RS6 is a great family car

Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:01 pm
by Cornishmoocher
If i were buying today, the things that would be a must for me are;
1. DRC replaved with coilovers
2. Anti roll bars replaced/upgraded
3. Gearbox serviced/replaced fairly recently
4. Cam belt AND tensioners, water pump, stat and all pulleys
5. Recent service
6. Milltek
7. Not remapped ( iwould want to choose my own rather than rely on someone elses say so- unless it was a known car)
The above for me (except 5) would be a must, it would mean that you get a bloody good start without the heartache of the usual RS6ownership.
HTH
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:05 pm
by grizz
Get a rs6 , Newer and better for family life ... Get the newest with the lowest milage you can. Just look out for all of the above .
If you need any more help feel free to call me @ unit20 on 0151 3366888
Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 4:32 am
by Doug_S2
I prefer the RS4 - handles better - feels lighter - its faster - cheaper to maintain and tune.
The missus prefers the RS6 - effortless - easy to drive - sounds awesome but definitely the next step up for maintainance costs. Sensibly driven gets better mpg than a RS4 - only 2 tanks of fuel to do 850miles to euro disney and back
I have 2 small kids and either is fine for them just now - you will not get adults or bigger kids in the back of a B5 comfortably.
Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 7:23 am
by Cornishmoocher
Did you tow it to Disney Doug?
