Is a cheap RS4 a false economy??

[gmcandie]

Hi, first post and am contemplating buying my dream car, an RS4 (obviously).

This would be my once in lifetime treat (or mid-life crisis!) but I'm not rich, nor do I wish to pour more money down the drain than is necessary!

Anyway, to my point. If one was to buy one of the cheapest options on the market at around £20k (not the old-old shape), what kind of problems would this likely have? I.e. is it not worth the hassle of a "bargain"?

Would also appreciate any figures on maintenance and parts as an older one would be prone to more blips!

Cheers
G

[HYFR]

£20k will easily get you a very good RS 4

DO NOT be put off by miles if condition and history stack up.

case in point

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4010768.htm

[api330]

I am selling mine for around the £20,000 mark and it has been superb to own with no problems at all, I would say although its only around the twenty mark you would struggle to find a better condition RS4 out there even if you paid thirty grand, So in my opinion go for the twenty mark just get a proper minter,

[stu]

That's a tricky one... do you take your chances and hope for the best or do you pay a little more.

The assumption is that more expensive is better. That's not always the case most things. A lot of people (including myself) bought one from a dealership for the reassurance that it has been checked over to a high standard for faults, and if you find any soon after you can bounce it back to them for the fixes or consumables they should have refreshed to be 'Approved Used'. I'd be surprised if you could find an Approved Used example at the low prices you're currently aiming at.

So... plan B: find a car at the price you like and get it checked by a specialist garage. For a fee you'll get the best idea possible what the craic is with the potenital motor or your dreams. Some want the car on ramps, some have special gear (for DRC) to check that out too beyond visual inspections.

Unit 20 (near Liverpool) will travel.
Revolution (Newcastle/Gateshead) want the car brought to them.
MRC (near London?): I'm sure they provide a service.
Unsure of any others.

I like plan B. I'd never thought of it when I was car shopping. I bet there's quite a few diamonds out there that are fundamentally spot on but look a bit scruffy. Some independent advice is what you need to help find them.

Check out the FAQ sticky at the top of the B7 subforum. It's got a buyer's guide. If you're starting from scratch (like I was) I highly recommend getting lost in the hundreds of historical threads over the next few evenings. You'll be up to speed in no time and give you answers to questions you didn't even have. If that makes sense.

FON.

[edit: I love the way FON is now a hyperlink ]

[bam_bam]

FON.

[edit: I love the way FON is now a hyperlink ]

FON.

I love how FON is a hyperlink on "The Rules" thread! It's like Inception... or Ruleception.

[PetrolDave]

My only comment is that owning and running an RS4 isn't going to be cheap no matter how low the purchase price - fuel, insurance, servicing and repairs are all going to be toward the expensive end (even if you use an indie and not an Audi dealer). So think carefully about the cost of ownership not just the cost of purchase.

[stu]

My only comment is that owning and running an RS4 isn't going to be cheap no matter how low the purchase price - fuel, insurance, servicing and repairs are all going to be toward the expensive end (even if you use an indie and not an Audi dealer). So think carefully about the cost of ownership not just the cost of purchase.

+1

[P_G]

If servicing / road tax / insurance / petrol / maintenance doesn't make it an expensive hobby then modifying it will do!

[kidyamlo]

My only comment is that owning and running an RS4 isn't going to be cheap no matter how low the purchase price - fuel, insurance, servicing and repairs are all going to be toward the expensive end (even if you use an indie and not an Audi dealer). So think carefully about the cost of ownership not just the cost of purchase.

+2 (although stating the obvious). I paid slightly over the odds for mine (cosmetically it’s almost mint) but have *still* run into a bit of trouble. Hopefully nothing that won’t be covered by the extended warranty that came with my car (aux rads, coolant leaks elsewhere, numerous fault codes pointing to potential issues) although front shocks starting to leak within 10 days of initial inspection has *really* annoyed me (did I miss them first time round on ramp - I don’t think so) but hopefully just (typical) bad luck...

The extended Audi warranty sealed the deal. Just a case of finding the right dealer to deal with.

I saw a tatty one for £20. If you’re prepared to put the legwork in I reckon you could still bag a really good one for that money though!

[kidyamlo]

I saw a tatty one for £20. If you’re prepared to put the legwork in I reckon you could still bag a really good one for that money though!

That would be twenty grand, not £20.

[sanjx]

I purchased my car from Audi for under £20k with full warranty and during the 3 months of ownership, the warranty paid up everytime.

History and maintenance is the key, look for DRC, brake discs & pads, check the engine breathers carefully (remove oil cap while running), check everything electrical twice and finally check it has the kick at 5k RPM as previously mentioned.

With a £20k budget, you can buy a nice RS and run it without fear wither with or without a warranty.

Good luck in your search.

[gmcandie]

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies which have been really helpful. Will definitely check out the buyers guide section.

I realise that the running costs will be big and definitely 'ain't getting one to save money at the pumps! All these costs are going to be there anyway and my hope is you could save 10k to buy one and not get hit with immediates!

Reassuring about the high mileage comment as always nervous about buying something with 50k-75k on the clock.

Cheers
G

[sanjx]

Stafford Audi have a red one for sale for £22950...I am of the opinion that £20k cash would buy that car
Warranty, sensible miles, gorgeous Missano red, etc....


Theres also a high miler for sale at Volks-Wizard. 106k miles IIRC for £16k. Been for sale for a while now (3 months?) so I'm pretty sure there is a deal to be had .

HTH.

[sevy]

Reassuring about the high mileage comment as always nervous about buying something with 50k-75k on the clock.

Hi,

As mentioned above, higher mileage isn't an issue if the car has been looked after. In fact, it's a commonly held view on here that these cars are meant to be driven, and a car that has typically done longer journeys & therefore more miles may be 'healthier' than a car that's been kept parked up or only done short journeys. I bought my car with 58k on the clock, and it is now just coming up to 80k...and it hasn't let me down in 3 years of ownership.

Do you have an idea of what you want to go for? Saloon, Avant or Cab? Any preference on colour?

Reason I ask is that mine may be going on the market soon - sprint blue saloon - and will be under your £20k budget. The mileage I know will put some off, but it shouldn't!

[guffy]

Regarding running costs...I've kept a blog over the past 3 years on PH if you're interested.

http://www.pistonheads.com/members/show ... rId=107506