B7 Buying advice

[EddScott]

Currently own a B7 170TDI Avant.

I finally got a test in an RS4 last Tuesday. Arguably it wasn't the greatest example but I needed to know how it feels before making a decision. I'm still in two minds whether to get a B7 RS4 Avant or go safe and get a Black Edition B8.5 Avant oil burner.

The one I drove had a Miltek exhaust which sounded awesome on start up and when giving it some but would annoy on a long run. Is it possible to get an aftermarket example that is still switchable from quiet to loud? Is it worth it? Is there any noticeable benefit from an exhaust change?

The example I drove had 97K on the clock and was looking a little tired inside. The wing back seats bolster on the drivers side was badly cracked. Is it possible to find these without that kind of damage or is it asking too much of a car this age? (My seats (admittedly cloth) in my B7 don't look too bad at all having done 140K.

How should the gearstick feel? The one I drove felt a little loose out of gear. There wasn't as much firm spring action as there is in my B7 - again, I know they are completely different but I was surprised it didn't feel tighter. In gear it was fine and didn't do anything weird. The CEL kept coming on once off idle but let it go as I wasn't buying this particular example.

Understeer - should it understeer "that" noticeably. I was kinda pressing on, odd camber roundabout and the front did seem to wash out a bit. Perhaps it was just a bit unsettled and they are a bit nose heavy.

I asked about whether it had the DRC looked at recently or whether it had been de-coked (these things you read about on forums such as this!) and they said it's got full Audi history - I guess Audi, hopefully, would pick up on DRC issues but probably wouldn't go into the de-coke business.

How much of a differences is there between Sport and Sport Plus suspension?

Ceramics - a worthy addition or a bit of a liability around the 80-100K miles? How long can the discs before they need replacing?

[eliano]

Was it black with the reg rs04chr by any chance ?

[MikeFish]

Sounds like a dog, I'd stear clear.

PS, I'll answer some of your questions later when I have more time unless someone else answers first.

[rs user]

mine has done 99k on drc and fresh eagles-you would have to be pressing on far too much for the road to make it understeer,or perhaps on a very greasy surface
i have resonated non flap[ie open all the time] miltek-its just nice
the gear selection to me seems slightly agricultural- mechanical,perhaps lacking a little finesse compared to newer cars-but the cars /design are 10 plus years old now
mine also shows a ittle wear on the drivers bolster-common with the wing backs on near 100k mile cars
main thing is to buy a straight car-lots of damaged repaired out there-recorded and non recorded-plus have a decent contingency fund for the repairs that arise

if you buy one with worn brakes all round,perhaps needing an oil cooler,clutch soon,drc repair[or coilover swap] and a few bits and pieces it could be hugely expensive-on the plus side they are rewarding to drive and bot bad on fuel for a 4.2v8-plus seem to hold value well

i bought mine in june-looked a while for cheap tax model-with sunroof,seats,fbsw in a decent color under 120k

i dont mind fixing bits and pieces as i go-mine had fairly fresh brakes and new tyres on freshly coated rims-i checked the oil cooler pipework and whilst not new-its oil tight,clutch and suspension feel fine-was caught in traffic jam for over an hour the other day and car was very docile and managable

realistically when buying you need to weigh up the spends via overall price and condition-very few of them are perfect-and those that are good command incredibly strong money-for a reason

[EddScott]

Was it black with the reg rs04chr by any chance ?

No, it was silver/grey with a private plate and smoked rear lights.

One thing - I didn't know some were in a cheaper tax bracket. Aren't they all £500+ or something? If I could find one with cheaper tax that would be good but not essential. It is a joke how the system works and is irksome but it's how it is. Would rather go for condition really.

Examples that have attracted me, I've tended to go for low 80s to under 80K really. I'd rather pay a bit more for a well looked after low miler. I did think just buy a cheap one that's had lots of recent stuff - they come up with new clutch, DRC done etc etc and just run it for a year and then get shot but then it could throw any other bill my way. It's hard to know which way to go as prices are £15K for long legged examples to £25k+ for low milers. It seems with these it's more about condition that age.

Think I'll need to try another one or two to get a good feel of them. It hasn't put me off that's for sure

[rs user]

would go for condition rather than milage
milage isnt always an indicator of condition-these cars love to be used

[John Johnson]

The cheaper tax bracket ones are loons , you will find a proper looked after car is very rewarding to drive as with any though a snotter will be dire and there are many out there

[Audi Pardner]

Was it black with the reg rs04chr by any chance ?

No, it was silver/grey with a private plate and smoked rear lights.

One thing - I didn't know some were in a cheaper tax bracket. Aren't they all £500+ or something? If I could find one with cheaper tax that would be good but not essential. It is a joke how the system works and is irksome but it's how it is. Would rather go for condition really.

Examples that have attracted me, I've tended to go for low 80s to under 80K really. I'd rather pay a bit more for a well looked after low miler. I did think just buy a cheap one that's had lots of recent stuff - they come up with new clutch, DRC done etc etc and just run it for a year and then get shot but then it could throw any other bill my way. It's hard to know which way to go as prices are £15K for long legged examples to £25k+ for low milers. It seems with these it's more about condition that age.

Think I'll need to try another one or two to get a good feel of them. It hasn't put me off that's for sure

Keep looking and be patient, if you can If I was buying again I'd probably go for a forum member's car as they tend to be better specced, have decent mods and have been looked after.

The tax renewal for mine ('07 plate) has just arrived. £515 pa (cheaper for '06 platers).

[EddScott]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

One thing - is Sport Plus that much different over Sport?

I've been offered one particular example which I quite like but it is over 100K miles and was really wanting something well under 80K. However, it's had a reasonable amount of work - clutch+slave, DRC checked 2 shocks and lines replaced, intake manifold replaced - all Audi service history.

Another question - why would the intake manifold be changed?

It also has the phone cradle (My mother and I both have vanilla B7s and hers has the cradle and it looks naff) can I just remove it and replace the centre console? Does it matter that the wires will be disconnected.

[rs user]

the phone kit is shocking-yes you can replace the plastic bit
manifolds hmm-reciept with my car for a replacement early on in its life
as for ss plus-i dunno if its a big difference-reviews say no,but budding racing drivers on here may say different

[eliano]

I have the ss plus and it does sit lower han normal, im happy with it ...but coming from a slammed b5 that i couldnt drive over bumps i prefer it now, you want lows then coilovers it is, in sure others have just used decent aftermarket springs on the drc but unsure if thats a good idea or not

Thanks for all the replies guys.

One thing - is Sport Plus that much different over Sport?

I've been offered one particular example which I quite like but it is over 100K miles and was really wanting something well under 80K. However, it's had a reasonable amount of work - clutch+slave, DRC checked 2 shocks and lines replaced, intake manifold replaced - all Audi service history.

Another question - why would the intake manifold be changed?

It also has the phone cradle (My mother and I both have vanilla B7s and hers has the cradle and it looks naff) can I just remove it and replace the centre console? Does it matter that the wires will be disconnected.

[SuperNik]

I'd say definitely choose condition over mileage and be patient looking for the right car. Buying the wrong car could cost you extra £????'s very very quickly. Try to buy from an enthusiast. It should be fairly obvious when you speak to the seller.