Breadvan RS4

[RossDagley]

Hi. Thought I'd better post given I've now had my Audi for a couple of weeks and hadn't actually said hello!

I'm Ross, from Bedford. Now the proud owner of a 2007 B7 RS4 avant, in black - my first Audi of any kind. She's a high miler (120k) so the price was what I'd consider to be very reasonable, but I work from home so over the next few years I expect the mileage to 'level out'. Came with a full Audi stealer service history so put my mind at ease a little. Seems to have been maintained well although has a few scuffs etc I plan to sort eventually!

So far it's been to VRS in Northampton for an inspection after purchase and has a few niggles, but other than these few things was given a clean bill of health. It needed a NSR cv boot, and NSF top suspension arms. Wanted it's vacuum system checked as was/is down on power a lot (actually felt slow). VRS sorted the vacuum leak and restored about 30bhp or so I'd guess, but I've trawled the receipts for a carbon clean and it looks like it's not been done - and it still doesn't feel quick. So, with this mileage and no clean, I suspect it looks like satans coal bunker in there. That'll be a priority then!

On a visual side, it's paint isn't in the best condition (suspect it's been washed with a bucket/sponge or [shudder] a car wash). So I've started to sort the paint with my DA machine, but there's a lot more to do still...

It's in Audi today as it's developed a nasty clunk from the suspension (rear area "under rear seats", MUCH worse when cold) so suspect DRC issue. One shock (OSR) is weeping a little so I expect a painful bill from the stealers this afternoon...

I've come from 500bhp/ton hot hatches so am used to quick cars - just looking for something quick with a touch of class/comfort too!

Mods to come are optic pack styling, refurb the wheels (and colour change to anthracite obviously), trups DRL's (already fitted but not in these pics), RNSE VIM and ipod setup (god that's confusing!). That's about it. It's got to make it to the 'ring in August for a trip I go on every year so I'm just hoping to enjoy it now really!

The car:




The poor paint:


The same panel with a single pass correction:



Thanks for the help you guys have given me so far on the forum elsewhere!

[Davelincs]

Hi Ross, welcome to the forum,
I hope you get her problems sorted out, how can anyone let the paint work get in that condition

[longman h]

Wow, that's a real improvement. What sort of equipment/cutting compound did you use for that?

[longman h]

Oh and welcome.

[RossDagley]

Thanks for the welcome!

the paint didn't look that bad when I picked her up - but I knew under direct lighting it would be this bad if it's never been detailed properly!

I'm not a detailer (or anything close) but I have a Dual Action Meguiars G220 with Menzerna products just for this kind of thing. In fact, it was hardly used until recently :p

This is the kit I have: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/meguiars- ... d_414.html

I used a single pass of Fast Gloss on a compound pad - quite an aggressive combo but the audi paint is the toughest I've ever touched (only done a few cars mind!). The above photo is not even polished etc. There's still some random scratches visible but if I can get the car to the standard I've got that panel to then I can live with it until I can get it to a professional detailer!

[longman h]

Thanks for the info.

I purchased a rotary early last year and haven't used it properly yet. I did however manage to get hold of a spare bonnet to work on and I was impressed with the results.
Before I sell the 535d I was thinking about giving it a quick going over so I can be ready for when I get the RS6.

There are so many different pads, compounds and polishes that it makes it nearly impossible to make decisions.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing the entire car like that one panel.

[Kiergrills]

Just bought one of those kits, look forward to trying it out

[RossDagley]

Just wanted to thank those who helped in my other thread(s) about my DRC issue and my (poor) experience with Bedford Audi.

I ended up going to Hitchin Audi who's help was exceptional. They had the car a few days longer than planned as the parts needed were on backorder. However, even though I didn't complain they chucked in an RS keyring as a little sorry. But more importantly, did my rear shock, a DRC recharge, a brake fluid change, and a rear inner CV boot all for £800. Remember Bedford Audi wanted almost £2400 for the same job. Madness.

Anyway! The car is now absolutely staggering to drive - what a difference to even before the shock gave up. Just having the DRC setup correctly has transformed the car and it is really awesome now!

Performance wise, I've got her booked in with AmD for the first week in May for a decoke (not ever been done) - if I have the funds I'll get her remapped at the same time but that's going to double the cost :S

Only other thing I've done recently is invest in some wispabar roof racks. I know it's a bit sad to get excited over a roofrack, but these are silent when driving (I've never had this make before) and they're good enough looking to leave on all the time.





That's all for now - until payday anyway!

Cheers again for all the support guys

[R55ENS]

What was the cost on the roof rack? I'm looking at getting one soon and this looks like it would be ideal!!

[Ian_C]

Thought this was a mates old car for a moment, he lives in MK and works in Bedford and MK, just checked and his plate was WG****X, same letters, different order!

Hitchin have been superb to me, very happy with the service, much MUCH better than Bedford! I work a few minutes from Bedford Audi but none of the family Audis will be going back there......

Anyway, if you see some goon waving from a grey S4 Avant around Bedford that will be me!

[RossDagley]

Haha ok! This one has come down from Scotland so I'd be surprised if anyone local knew it!

The roof rack was £105 all in - snapped it up on eBay. I saw a thread here about low roof racks (euro tunnel friendly) and saw someone with one.

[R1RS4]

Good to see you have gone for the Avant, good choice, great job on the panel

Will look the biz when done

[RossDagley]

Jut a quick post to leave the data here more than anything so I can compare to after a decoke and remap (if I can afford both!).

Just took her out for a few runs with my Race technology AX22 data logger.

I view 30-130 as "real world" performance so use that where I can as a benchmark rather than standing 1/4 or 0-60 etc (although I meant to get some 0-60's today but forgot!)

I managed a best 30-130 of 19.7 seconds.
Compared it to the only other source I can find for a standard RS4 (here: http://www.lancerregister.com/showpost. ... ostcount=7) I'm only 1 second down on a remapped 450+bhp RS4 - and I presume that's a saloon).

30-90 came around in 8.1 seconds - how does that compare to the Arthur test?

[RossDagley]

Looking for front caliper refurb/repaint. Does anyone have any suggestions before I randomly google?

Ta!

[Ian_C]

DIY or for someone else to do it for you? TT Shop offer this caliper refurb / paint