Potential Purchase Advice

[ashleyman]

Hi all,

New to this Audi forum and looking at buying an B7 RS4. I’ve always loved the B7’s but have never had the opportunity to own one. For the last few years I’ve been running a MK7 Golf R which was lovely, I’d very much like to replace that with an RS3 8V but I can’t stretch that far right now. That’s led me to think about getting an RS4.

I don’t do many miles per year, a few longer trips here and there plus a maximum of 50 per week on average.

I’ll be the first to admit my budget is not huge but I’m wondering if that would get me something reasonably tidy with all the big bits done. Ideally I’d like a saloon in black or blue. I don’t want anything highly modified, just something that’s been maintained nicely.

I’ve bene looking at this one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-06-Audi ... SwojJbosvr

I like the body and wheel colour, it seems to have a decent spec list and looks like it’s had an exhaust replaced. I can’t see anything about any carbon cleaning or servicing but I can find out from the seller I’m sure. I really like the look of but this but it says CAT V because it had the seats stolen. Do you think that’s one to steer clear of?

These are some others I’ve seen:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-AUDI-RS ... SwaY9bo6Fh

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-Rs4-Qua ... SwrORblt8u

There are some lovely examples for sale on here but they seem to be much more expensive. Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on these cars and perhaps tell me some of the things to watch out for when purchasing - research tells me look for dampers, exhaust, carbon clean and if possible brakes, clutch and a remap… Anything else?

[FrazerD]

Welcome.

First one has been written off, looks good but I wouldn’t entertain it. The third one has still got drc which would be a fairly big expense to sort/replace. The second one sounds the best out of the three with coil overs, Milltek, new clutch and ceramics but no sign of oil cooler or auxiliary radiators. I would be checking who the stage 1 remap is from too. In all honesty, there’s a reason why all three cars are at the cheaper end of the scale.

Cheers

[PinkPineapple44]

When I was looking for B7s this time last year I quickly learned the cheaper RS's just weren't worth the trouble - they were cheap for a reason! That or they weren't well specced.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a DRC car though (which is what I was after) as its so much better for road use than coilovers. Not to mention coilovers don't last forever either, probably a lesser amount of time if anything.

I don't believe carbon cleaning matters all that much as unless you have it done every year you'll be right back to where you started in no time. Just make sure the engine is smooth, responsive, well serviced, pulls throughout the rev range and gives you the 5.5k kick and I'd say you're golden.

[Andyevo]

Hi there,

There is also other issues that need sorting on these motors as they get older, I’m reading more and more issues with HP fuel pumps, injectors and in-tank pump/filter. These amount up to fair few grand, I have the receipts to prove.

Buy a cheap one and be prepared for some big bills.

Andy

[ashleyman]

Welcome.

First one has been written off, looks good but I wouldn’t entertain it. The third one has still got drc which would be a fairly big expense to sort/replace. The second one sounds the best out of the three with coil overs, Milltek, new clutch and ceramics but no sign of oil cooler or auxiliary radiators. I would be checking who the stage 1 remap is from too. In all honesty, there’s a reason why all three cars are at the cheaper end of the scale.

Cheers

Thanks for the reply. I understand the car was written off but the ad says it was written off because it had the seats stolen. To me that seems pretty insignificant so long as nothing mechanical was affected. I'd usually steer well clear of CAT cars but just not sure if it's 'that bad' when it comes to that specific RS.

I'd be happy to do bits myself and I am fully anticipating the running costs. Just wondering if there's a specific reason cars are priced with £10k+ between them!

When I was looking for B7s this time last year I quickly learned the cheaper RS's just weren't worth the trouble - they were cheap for a reason! That or they weren't well specced.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a DRC car though (which is what I was after) as its so much better for road use than coilovers. Not to mention coilovers don't last forever either, probably a lesser amount of time if anything.

I don't believe carbon cleaning matters all that much as unless you have it done every year you'll be right back to where you started in no time. Just make sure the engine is smooth, responsive, well serviced, pulls throughout the rev range and gives you the 5.5k kick and I'd say you're golden.

The research I've done suggests carbon cleaning is not a yearly maintenance thing and more something to do every few years. Is that correct or am I mis-informed? I'm hesitant to get a car on coilers purely because I think they sit too low and I'm not sure if they'd be adjustable or not - I guess I'd need to ask the sellers.

Hi there,

There is also other issues that need sorting on these motors as they get older, I’m reading more and more issues with HP fuel pumps, injectors and in-tank pump/filter. These amount up to fair few grand, I have the receipts to prove.

Buy a cheap one and be prepared for some big bills.

Andy

I think I'll end up with reasonably big bills regardless of what I spend!

[MikeFish]

I think people look for a carbon clean to be done but don't really look to see if it was recent. A car that had it done 3 years ago to me is no better than one that has never had it done. Even still, I don't think it's worth doing at all unless you are looking for max power on the dyno. I say accept the car is about 390ps and enjoy rather than keep getting it cleaned.

[RS4LAD]

Hi all,

New to this Audi forum and looking at buying an B7 RS4. I’ve always loved the B7’s but have never had the opportunity to own one. For the last few years I’ve been running a MK7 Golf R which was lovely, I’d very much like to replace that with an RS3 8V but I can’t stretch that far right now. That’s led me to think about getting an RS4.

I don’t do many miles per year, a few longer trips here and there plus a maximum of 50 per week on average.

I’ll be the first to admit my budget is not huge but I’m wondering if that would get me something reasonably tidy with all the big bits done. Ideally I’d like a saloon in black or blue. I don’t want anything highly modified, just something that’s been maintained nicely.

I’ve bene looking at this one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-06-Audi ... SwojJbosvr

I like the body and wheel colour, it seems to have a decent spec list and looks like it’s had an exhaust replaced. I can’t see anything about any carbon cleaning or servicing but I can find out from the seller I’m sure. I really like the look of but this but it says CAT V because it had the seats stolen. Do you think that’s one to steer clear of?

These are some others I’ve seen:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-AUDI-RS ... SwaY9bo6Fh

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-Rs4-Qua ... SwrORblt8u

There are some lovely examples for sale on here but they seem to be much more expensive. Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on these cars and perhaps tell me some of the things to watch out for when purchasing - research tells me look for dampers, exhaust, carbon clean and if possible brakes, clutch and a remap… Anything else?

Is this the same ash off vwroc who had a wheel off me?

[James1984]

Unless there is proof that the seats were stolen how do you know it hasnt been in a smash? the seller could be saying it was written off due to the seats so you think it has never been in a accident

[Andyevo]

Unless there is proof that the seats were stolen how do you know it hasnt been in a smash? the seller could be saying it was written off due to the seats so you think it has never been in a accident

I would agree with you there mate, so many sellers of written off B7 RS4 use this excuse with no proof to cover up a smash and sugar coat the fact it a insurance write off

[FrazerD]

Thanks for the reply. I understand the car was written off but the ad says it was written off because it had the seats stolen. To me that seems pretty insignificant so long as nothing mechanical was affected. I'd usually steer well clear of CAT cars but just not sure if it's 'that bad' when it comes to that specific RS.

It depends which way you look at it, either way it makes the car a CAT car which if you’re happy with, doesn’t matter but as said, I would be getting proof it was for the seats and not a cover up.

Even still, I don't think it's worth doing at all unless you are looking for max power on the dyno. I say accept the car is about 390ps and enjoy rather than keep getting it cleaned.

I was on the mrc website the other night adding up what I was planning to get done and I think you have just saved me about a grand

Cheers

[rs user]

as said cheap cars are priced low for a reason-however the easiest way to get a financial headache with an rs4 is to buy one that has lowish[sub 100k miles] pay a premium for a big spec[optics,heated rears,tech pack etc] and is on drc etc.the pitfalls here are it will need a clutch if no evidence,drc will fail-so quality coilovers needed,front pinch bolts seize if any upper arms need replaced requiring 2x uprights,w/bearings and all the labour-watch out for seized front caliper pins[major ballache] and obviously the well lamented cost of brake consumables...oil cooler and pipes...its those cars which havent had all that work
i"ve done all the above with my own labour with exception of clutch and its still expensive for bits alone

[neil_f]

as said cheap cars are priced low for a reason-however the easiest way to get a financial headache with an rs4 is to buy one that has lowish[sub 100k miles] pay a premium for a big spec[optics,heated rears,tech pack etc] and is on drc etc.the pitfalls here are it will need a clutch if no evidence,drc will fail-so quality coilovers needed,front pinch bolts seize if any upper arms need replaced requiring 2x uprights,w/bearings and all the labour-watch out for seized front caliper pins[major ballache] and obviously the well lamented cost of brake consumables...oil cooler and pipes...its those cars which havent had all that work
i"ve done all the above with my own labour with exception of clutch and its still expensive for bits alone

Totally agree. So many folk say don't touch one over 100k miles . Why not if it's had work done? If drc fails fit koni dampers....600 quid as opposed to well over 1k for coilovers and work better for road use. I would say go on history and how it drives and don't get hung up on mileage unless your wanting to buy one as investment. A lot of rs4 for sale list they've had the common issues addressed but when you then check it's usually been about five or six years ago so chances are you'll be looking to do it all again. I've done a lot of work myself on mine ( including a few hours dealing with seized front caliper pins!) and also used a local garage with far lower labour rates than audi or any local vag specialist. Not sure I'd buy one with ceramic brakes as I dread to think the cost of replacing them !

[rs user]

i wont have another but for a mature owner i should have gone the koni shock route as mentioned above-less labour [just the shocks on the rear instead of dropping rear beam] and decent height...my b14 i fitted looked like scrap within a few months of being fitted,poor poor finish for a product approaching 1k now,the b16 are no better in that respect

[mister_g]

So many folk say don't touch one over 100k miles .

You're right, which means that if you do buy one over 100k miles, you may have a hard time selling it on again in future, because "so many folk say don't touch one over 100k miles'

[dhali]

as said cheap cars are priced low for a reason-however the easiest way to get a financial headache with an rs4 is to buy one that has lowish[sub 100k miles] pay a premium for a big spec[optics,heated rears,tech pack etc] and is on drc etc.the pitfalls here are it will need a clutch if no evidence,drc will fail-so quality coilovers needed,front pinch bolts seize if any upper arms need replaced requiring 2x uprights,w/bearings and all the labour-watch out for seized front caliper pins[major ballache] and obviously the well lamented cost of brake consumables...oil cooler and pipes...its those cars which havent had all that work
i"ve done all the above with my own labour with exception of clutch and its still expensive for bits alone

Totally agree. So many folk say don't touch one over 100k miles . Why not if it's had work done? If drc fails fit koni dampers....600 quid as opposed to well over 1k for coilovers and work better for road use. I would say go on history and how it drives and don't get hung up on mileage unless your wanting to buy one as investment. A lot of rs4 for sale list they've had the common issues addressed but when you then check it's usually been about five or six years ago so chances are you'll be looking to do it all again. I've done a lot of work myself on mine ( including a few hours dealing with seized front caliper pins!) and also used a local garage with far lower labour rates than audi or any local vag specialist. Not sure I'd buy one with ceramic brakes as I dread to think the cost of replacing them !

Agree with this as mine had the oil cooler pipes done in 2012 and needed doing again earlier this year and only two weeks ago DRC hard lines failed . So don't overlook the fact it might be on the latest DRC shocks other components of the system are still likely to fail . As mentioned these cars are approaching 12/13 years old .