RS4 Avant - Buying Advice Please

[DoctorD]

Hi Everyone, some of you may already know me (Gareth certainly does), I am considering an RS4 Avant to replace one of my cars and need a little sage-like advice from existing owners.

I have a few nice cars (AMG ML63, M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe, Mk2 TT, plus an R8 on the way and KTM X-Bow coming next year). Yes, I know...lucky sod.

I contribute now and again to a few magazines, mostly EVO and it was me that drove the RS4 down to Marbella last month as we ran the comparison test with the new E92 M3.

I am still progressing with my order for a new M3 (although I may forgo the plain M3 and wait for the E92 CSL), but I really enjoyed driving the RS4 the 1500 miles down to Southern Spain, and have been trying to figure out a way of adding it to the fold.

Anyway, enough of the intro. I drove my second RS4 today, this time an Avant with lowered Sports Suspension, and wondered what the considered view on this option was. It looked very low at the rear (almost as if something were broken), but it did seem to address one of my criticisms of the RS4, namely the squirrely instability under hard braking. It still rode nicely and seemed a no-pain (excuse the pun) option. Most of the cars I can see on the Audi website seem to be standard - why?

Are there any more essential options that you would generally recommend? The car I drove did not have adaptive lights (which I'm used to on my ML) and also lacked Rain Sensor, otherwise I don't feel a burning need for many more options. I'm going for the Sports Buckets since they fared well during my 1500 mile trek, and obviously I would want DVD Nav.

Also that prickly subject of prices. EVO's long-termer was a 55 plate with 26k miles and was actually in pretty nice condition, not much difference between that and the 2k mile car I drove today, so I'm debating just going for a 'cheapish' used Avant.

I know how unpalatable it is to discuss actual prices on a forum with existing owners worrying about their own retained values, so I would appreciate if someone was kind enough to PM me and let me know what kind of discount I should expect on unsold stock (there is a £53k delivery miles RS4 Avant at my local Audi dealer). I am hurting from the toasting I'm getting on my ML at the moment, so am feeling prudent at the moment and would like to buy 'sensibly' if possible. Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Andyuk911]

Don't read evo

Some have SS some don't .. I don't although some people think my car has ...

If you are a real car handling nut andwant to use on track, than you can gat a spring set and switch off the DRC

Prices vary depending on the dealer, you can get a deal over the phone and confirm a meeting, it's whats called buyers power.... they need to sell it

hope that helps

[DoctorD]

Thanks Andy. I would not intend to drive the RS4 on track (although I suppose I did with my ML63, so who knows..), basically I never knowingly choose the 'soft' option, although what appeals to me about the RS4 is how its one of the best all-rounder cars on the market, so would not want to spoil that roundedness (if you know what I mean).

[avant545]

i have owned both,had an avant for 3 months with standard suspension and it was great except people felt sick whilst riding in it,the new car has the ss kit fitted and it feels a different car,much more sure footed and the family do not feel sick in the car.i like you have owned plenty of amg cars and i lose a fortune on them everytime,dont think the audi is going to be anywhere near as bad,personally try a dealer that has new ones available and get a discount as you will pay a similar amount for a second hand car im sure.Hope this helps,by the way have you ever managed to get more than 15 mpg out of the 63 as i never did on mine and when i sold the beast lost 25k.


cheers simon

[DoctorD]

Hi Simon, I actually have managed more than 15mpg on my ML63. I averaged 16.5mpg on the 600 mile trip down to the Alps recently, and on a decent cruise I could achieve 18mpg. I never managed worse than 12.5-14 if driven spiritedly. I have a 'SprintBooster' fitted to mine, which helps and stops me putting my foot down to find those 500+ horses.

When I was driving down to Marbella in the RS4 Saloon (sans-SS) I remembered it bottoming out slighltly on some of the lumpy spanish motorways, and don't remember it riding much better than the SS Avant I drove today. It sounds like I should go for the sports suspension then.

Is there any difference between model years (i.e. does it matter if I found an 56 or 07 reg car?). I care more about mileage and condition than age.

Also what is the 'Technology Pack'? I see it on some of the ads but cannot find it in the brochure.

[55JWB]

Tech pack includes the Adaptive Zenons, 6 CD in the glove box and DVD NAV, if you see a car with auto dipping mirrors I am pretty sure it also comes with rain sensing wipers... I think the only differences with 07 cars is clear, not orange indicator bulbs, I know, contain your excitement

Jason

[Jezzer]

Hi Steve
Jerry here from the old CSL/4.8is days. Now got the RS Avant and can give you most of the advise you'll need. I've sent you a PM

[Adam]

Tech pack includes the Adaptive Zenons, 6 CD in the glove box and DVD NAV, if you see a car with auto dipping mirrors I am pretty sure it also comes with rain sensing wipers... I think the only differences with 07 cars is clear, not orange indicator bulbs, I know, contain your excitement

Jason

to clarify, tech pack = adpative lights (the xenons are std), 6cd changer, and DVD nav and is the only must have option. You do not see it in the brochure now as the A4 range gets DVD NAV for £500, making the £2300 tech pack look silly so the 3 options are available separately for about £1250.

the dipping mirror option comes as a package with auto wipers and auto lights - a no-brainer tick for £200 IMO

good to hear a road tester put their wallet where their mouth is if yo not what I mean , especially as Evo had the M3 pipping the RS4 as it has more oversteer on deserted Welsh roads and you are going for the RS4 and possibly skipping the M3.

[55JWB]

Tech pack includes the Adaptive Zenons, 6 CD in the glove box and DVD NAV, if you see a car with auto dipping mirrors I am pretty sure it also comes with rain sensing wipers... I think the only differences with 07 cars is clear, not orange indicator bulbs, I know, contain your excitement

Jason

to clarify, tech pack = adpative lights (the xenons are std), 6cd changer, and DVD nav and is the only must have option. You do not see it in the brochure now as the A4 range gets DVD NAV for £500, making the £2300 tech pack look silly so the 3 options are available separately for about £1250.

the dipping mirror option comes as a package with auto wipers and auto lights - a no-brainer tick for £200 IMO

good to hear a road tester put their wallet where their mouth is if yo not what I mean , especially as Evo had the M3 pipping the RS4 as it has more oversteer on deserted Welsh roads and you are going for the RS4 and possibly skipping the M3.

Tech pack was sold as those options and often referred to in ads, you are right the new deal at £500 for Nav replaces what the Tech Pack was, hence why DoctorD could not find it anymore...

[DoctorD]

Hi Steve
Jerry here from the old CSL/4.8is days. Now got the RS Avant and can give you most of the advise you'll need. I've sent you a PM

Hi Jerry, I forgot that you'd gone for an RS4 Avant. I took out another RS4 for an extended test session yesterday, this time with the family on board, and you'll laugh but I didn't realised they came with their own police escort..



Believe it or not, but someone had made up some ghost plates for an identical RS4 and was committing crimes all across Cambridgeshire, so I ended up being collared for an hour whilst we were questioned. Needless to say my local dealer apologised for the hassle.

I was going to ask if Sprint Blue was a good colour to choose, but maybe I've answered my own question..

[DoctorD]

Thanks to everyone that sent me advice and shared their personal experiences of buying an RS4, without your insight I wouldn't have been as well prepared.

I decided on a stealthier colour of RS4 after my recent experiences with Sprint Blue. I will pick it up in a few weeks time. I went for Mugello Blue with Black Leather, Black Optics, Bucket Seats and Carbon Trim. I couldn't find one to my spec with SS+, but otherwise I got pretty close.

My car has the GSM Phone Prep with the unfortunate mount attached to the side of the dashboard. I don't suppose there is any way to remove this without leaving unslightly holes?

[simple1]

My car has the GSM Phone Prep with the unfortunate mount attached to the side of the dashboard. I don't suppose there is any way to remove this without leaving unslightly holes?

There is, ask your dealer to fit non bluetooth centre console, parts will cost £68 and labour about the same again.....

[I-want-an-RS]

DoctorD is that car in Nottingham Audi?

If so it's one that I looked at as it's the only other colour that I was going to go for besides Sprint or Daytona.

Sales done their best to get me into it and I nearly went for it because of the price they went down too but the seats had the last say, I'm looking for recaros

[DoctorD]

It was actually Northampton Audi (did you mean Northampton rather than Nott'm?).

[I-want-an-RS]

Think so, just off a round-a-bout and was the car down stairs and did they have a black R8?