Merc AMG C63 Estate

[S4Player]

Stock b7 is about as fast as a weekend in the jail

[22B]

I think ppl are using the term fast when delivery would explain their frustration better. IMO the car is plenty fast; sure there's not the drama that comes with a turbo shove but that's what you get with a linear NA car.

Thats probably a bit closer to being right, like Bill above, I remember being massively disappointed with the performance when I drove one the first time having come from a 350bhp turbo (modified Impreza 22B)car with virtually no lag, the RS felt like a big slug till it hit 5500 then there was a wee bit of oomph ,- I still bought it though!
It depends what you are used to and what you expect I suppose, and also what you determine to be 'fast'.

[nial335]

I have a BMW 335i and, having recently driven an RS4, I can say that the power delivery is very similar to an RS4 even though the 335i has twin turbos - it is extremely linear. Main difference is that the 335i is not quite as responsive to the throttle or quite as fast - but it is very fast so, as already mentioned, it is all relative to what you are used to.

My slight concern is that things need to be kept in perspective. Anyone reading a thread like this would be put off from buying an RS4 because it sounds like a complete disappointment. For the speed addicts at the extreme end of the forum, that might be the case, but, in reality, that is not true. The RS4, in its standard form, is one of the best cars of its type in recent years. If it wasn't, the B7 RS4 forum would not exist because the B7 RS4 would not have the considerable following that it still has - after 6 years. That alone says a lot about how good it must be, even in standard form.

[bam_bam]

...the B7 RS4 forum would not exist because the B7 RS4 would not have the considerable following that it still has - after 6 years. That alone says a lot about how good it must be, even in standard form.

It is mass produced compared to other RS models, ergo, more owners. Also, having a forum following after 6 years isn't the litmus test of a good car. It might be a characterful car with loads of problems, so therefore, as a subject it produces a lot of forum content.

[RIV]

My old chipped c32 would have smashed my b7 no probs at all, b7 sounds great handles well, but over rated performance wise

[nial335]

It is mass produced compared to other RS models, ergo, more owners. Also, having a forum following after 6 years isn't the litmus test of a good car. It might be a characterful car with loads of problems, so therefore, as a subject it produces a lot of forum content.[/quote]

There are very few threads that criticise it and many that praise it so that must be a good indication of a good car. If you need anything else, there are always the road tests, owners reviews and long term tests such as Evo magazine - their road test described it as "instantly responsive" amongst many other complimentary remarks. I've spoken to several garages, both audi and independents, who all rate the RS4 highly. The only problem they all highlighted was the DRC suspension, nothing else. So not a car with "loads of problems" in the experience of those that mend them.

I looked at the performance figures for a C63 and I can't see what the fuss is about - only a few tenths of a second different from an RS4. If it had the same gearbox as the Mercedes, the RS4 might well be the faster of the two. And doesn't Mercedes have a reputation for being an elderly persons car? Don't most of them look that way? Big and porky?

[ROY]

Christ ive started something here

The B7 is plenty quick enough don't kid yourself, those who say it isn't are probably used to power delivery in turbo'd cars which I quite understand
I had an E46 M3 and was pretty disappointed in the power compared to my mates Shnitzer 330d but get the M3 in the sweet spot and the 330d had no chance and on the track the M3 was right at home all the power was available and where you wanted it. Even when I bought a 535d I thought wow this thing is damn fast for a diesel which it was but on a track it was bloody useless all the power was in the wrong places.
I've had a s*** load of cars and i mean a sh** load of cars which I'm pretty embarrassed about, all that money blown trying to get the best.
I found it in the RS4
The RS4 in Avant guise is about the best seriously fast, reliable, safe, well made, family, all weather car available.
You ask anyone who's tried to keep up with a B7, they have an immense reputation and it ain't for being slow quite the opposite
Oh and how often do you see another RS ? They're like rocking horse S*** which only adds to the prestige of owning an RS.

I too miss that turbo power delivery and need a bit of extra space cause of the family needs which is why I'll probably change to a C6 RS6 next year at the expense of the RS4's better handling but in the meantime I'm thrilled to bits with my RS4 as I expect most of you are too

[bam_bam]

There are very few threads that criticise it and many that praise it so that must be a good indication of a good car. If you need anything else, there are always the road tests, owners reviews and long term tests such as Evo magazine - their road test described it as "instantly responsive" amongst many other complimentary remarks. I've spoken to several garages, both audi and independents, who all rate the RS4 highly. The only problem they all highlighted was the DRC suspension, nothing else. So not a car with "loads of problems" in the experience of those that mend them.

I looked at the performance figures for a C63 and I can't see what the fuss is about - only a few tenths of a second different from an RS4. If it had the same gearbox as the Mercedes, the RS4 might well be the faster of the two. And doesn't Mercedes have a reputation for being an elderly persons car? Don't most of them look that way? Big and porky?

I didn't say there weren't any forum threads supporting the B7's prowess, nor did I say that it isn't a great car. I said, and I quote verbatim: "...having a forum following after 6 years isn't the litmus test of a good car". Your point on road tests, owner reviews and an Evo longterm test is a million times more poignant than "The RS4, in its standard form, is one of the best cars of its type in recent years. If it wasn't, the B7 RS4 forum would not exist".
...and my Internet missive about "It might be a characterful car with loads of problems, so therefore..." is an example of how this:

...the B7 RS4 forum would not exist because the B7 RS4 would not have the considerable following that it still has - after 6 years. That alone says a lot about how good it must be, even in standard form.

can be explained.

Also, the B7 doesn't have the same gearbox as the C63 so it might not well be faster, playing the 'if it had the same [insert car part here]' is best left for your fantasy garage.

I'm seeing a pattern forming here.

[dominic1]

if you want proper fast do what i did, GTR

[sonny]

If you want proper proper fast get a Caterham R500, went for a pax in one at Spa... First time i have ever been in a car thats overtaken a Radical SR3! Anyway.. Moving on

[ROY]

GTR would be first choice if I didn't have a family to lug about.
Caterham can't even be compared its a balls out track car- even with my Mrs driving the RS would see one off in the wet through a few roundabouts.
The amount of gear and luggage my RS avant has to move and cope with - the GTR and Caterham can only dream of doing.

[bam_bam]

Cars don't dream.



...yeah, I'm having a bad day. Shut up.

[Noyjatat]

My old busa turbo mini was hilarious and the funniest car to beat people off the mark in. I think there's something very right about pulling up to a set of lights next to something considered quick in a very nice mini and then demolishing them from the lights, that is when I managed to get the launch right. By second gear change though it had normally caught up, revving to 10,800 revs has its advantages along with a six speed sequential gearbox. Overshot in the petrol station when I first got it though and nearer killed myself when I just stamped on the centre button for the electric motor powered reverse.

I can see myself getting another in a few years. It was a 400bhp old shaped mini with a 1.0 automatic badge on the boot, weighing 660kg that was the noisiest thing I have ever owned even after I sound proofed the boot where the engine was.

Sigh! Need to stop now or I will be hunting the Internet to check for prices at Z Cars again! Hehe

[wrekka]

I also feel the rs4 isn't as fast as it should be. However, i do like a lot about it. Will be doing a few further mods in the future to see how that makes it feel. One avenue i am considering is possibly a shot of nitrous for that low down shove - as there's no way at the moment can i afford a supercharger - especially when the wife is after a new house!

[Qman]

Surely if you don't think your RS is fast enough then you should buy something else? Last time I checked a limited top speed of 155.3mph is pretty quick for a road car.

Speed is relative anyway. 120mph might not seem that fast in the cabin of your car but try doing the same speed with nothing but a parachute strapped to your back, all of a sudden that 120mph is around the terminal velocity mark - quite fast. Do the same speed in a fighter jet and it feels like you could get out and walk faster.

Just saying.......