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The age old issue of "Does it make it's claimed power?" seems to be dominating the forum once again and quite frankly is becoming

Maybe some reflection on why we bought our cars in the first place can add some context and understanding of just who an RS4 owner is and what makes him/her tick?

I had been through a number of cars (Lotus, Porsche etc) all with sub 5.0 seconds 0-60 times but none felt right. Either not practical, too flashy, unreliable etc....you get the picture. Once I realised what exactly I needed from a car the choice was limited but obvious. I wanted:

- 0-60 times less than 5.0 seconds (the closer to 4.0 the better!)
- V6 or V8 engine for the torque and noise
- 4 doors (too young for an Avant )
- Top notch build quality (had to be German then)
- Reliable (German again although the Japs have a call here)
- 4 wheel drive to cope with the best of British weather!
- Sublime looks as oppose to obvious sporty
- Individuality, the less on the road the better

But most importantly a car that I could drive every day, practical to use and one that continually keeps me smiling. On my prescribed budget there was only one choice - an RS4 saloon - and even with a higher budget I kept coming back to the RS4. So I bought one and it has lived up to my expectations on all of the above plus some more.

TBH I didn't buy it to implement extensive modifications to eek every last HP out of the engine or to worry excessively about whether or not the car pulls 415HP or not (I'll leave that to the boy racers and the B5 brigade ) - although I do have a building desire for a full Milltek and remap plus a GruppeM intake plus maybe coilovers and sway bars once the warranty runs out so I guess I still have a little bit of the mod bug! My theory is that if it feels right then it is right. Pretty simple but effective in keeping me worry free.

Intake carbon deposits don't worry me - engines get dirty and lose efficiency over time regardless of the fuel system. DRC issues don't worry me - the 5Y extended warranty is a bonus but suspension will fail on all cars regardless of the type (I have a Disco 3 with air suspension so trust me on this - the RS4 DRC system is bullet proof compared to that). When the 5Y runs out I'll stcik the coilovers etc on and be done with the issue.

In summary and taking into account all of the above I still rate the car as the best I have owned/driven and I treat the failures as part and parcel of owning a relatively high cost sports car (when something breaks it probably ain't gonna be cheap to fix).

What's your story?

[steps down off soapbox]

perfect blend of performance and all season practicality
very high build quality
very good looking car
solid as a block of granite

as far as DRC/deposits, never had a car of this complexity and performance without a problem...my e46 M3 blew up...rod thru the block wall...now THAT will get your attention, lol
deposits, no appreciable impact
DRC, fix it when it breaks...they have revised parts for the RS6 and did a service action in the States, I'm sure the RS4 will soon follow...
til then, I'll enjoy it...

From the time the adverts appeared on TV the RS4 was a dream car for me... worked long and hard and finally got my hands on one 2 years ago.. even with the issues of poor power figures, DRC failings and the current brake issues, still do not regret ownership at all. I love its looks, the power, the practicality, and I STILL get told how nice it is by people when filling up, going to cinema, neighbours, infact anyone that sees it

I've liked them for a while and with an impending child on the way needed a sensible car. I like my cars with a bit of power so the RS4 avant was ideal. As above it is understated which suits me well. I have a 996 turbo which I cannot drive to work and park outside as customers will think I must be charging too much. Unless you are a car enthusiast the audi looks like a normal run of the mill car so customers pay little or no attention.

The few that do know about cars appreciate it and don't have a problem.

I also rate it above my 996 and feel far more stable at speed in the twisties in it.

I am not phased by the power issues. i like way it drives and it feels comparable to my porsche. All is good in my personal garage at the moment.

Northern par.....you just about summed up it all for me in your first post!!!!! lol.


People mentioned brake issues??? What brake issues?? i drive my car as it should be driven and have NEVER had any issues with the brakes.

Also DRC problems...what DRC mine has been fine 06 plate.

Ok some say it may be down on power but all i know is its a quick now as its ever been.does 60 in under 5 etc etc etc.

As ive mentioned before if people are ging to constantly question the cars ability(and theres plenty on this forum who do) sell the ebloody thing and buy a BMW!!!


As i said your original post sums up my sentiments exactly.

Had a long line of Porsches before, but with my last 997 all I was using it for was to and from work most of the time. Weekends shopping, or going away, we'd take the wife's estate car because of the space.
I got the RS4 becaue I could have a similar driving experience to the Porsche, but use it more of the time. The wife then swapped to the small car (SLK) for occasional cross-country trips.

So, similar to the OP, really. Fast (sub 5 0-60), good handling with decent feedback, manual 'box, comfortable for long journeys (I've got Recaros!), four doors, good load capacity, reliable and well built. The RS4 was the only car I could find that ticked those boxes.
Unfortunately, it still is, so quite what I'll replace it with when the time comes, I really don't know.
With recent winters I've appreciated having the four wheel drive as well, putting a (virtual) two fingers up at the BMW drivers slaloming along in the snow!

klauster wrote:From the time the adverts appeared on TV the RS4 was a dream car for me...

I love its looks, the power, the practicality, and

I STILL get told how nice it is by people when filling up, going to cinema, neighbours, infact anyone that sees it

What he said!

Maybe we should start a B7 RS4 sub-section for people who actually love their cars and driving them, as opposed to those who are hung up on pub figures and possibly best suited to a BMW

.....Back into the garage to finish waxing

I went in to the showroom with my girlfriend to order a new TT for her. She got her TT and I came out with an RS4. The ceramic brakes swung the deal.......plus all the things that have been said above

mark758 wrote: What he said!

Maybe we should start a B7 RS4 sub-section for people who actually love their cars and driving them, as opposed to those who are hung up on pub figures and possibly best suited to a BMW

.....Back into the garage to finish waxing

I second that motion

I love the Audi brand ever since i got a mk1 TT and still have it, then when the B7 A4s came out i bought one and thought they were one of the best looking cars on the road untill..... the RS4, i was blown away by its looks, stance, arches, brakes and huge 4.2 V8, though never thought i'd get one.
Pleased as Punch to say i own one and not worried about the so called "issues"

I went in to buy a new S4, had been back 3 times but it did not feel right

Last time i went in saw my RS4 sitting there, took it for a spin, bought it after i covered about 100yrds

Love it - problems.........no simply issues that need to be solved.

Don't start me on my 535d that had zillions of issues, or the X3 that i got a complete refund on because they could not fix it, or the gear box issue on my 335d - BMW Rant over

Jon

marcr wrote:.. Unless you are a car enthusiast the audi looks like a normal run of the mill car so customers pay little or no attention.

The few that do know about cars appreciate it and don't have a problem.

.

That's why I have owned RS Avants for 15 years...

Went to Silverstone for the launch of the R8

Drove the RS4, as said LOVED the aggresive low slung stance, the looks from all angles, the flared arches, the alloys, the acceleration, the brakes, the interior, the driving position, the fabulous comfy recaros, the exhaust noise, the fabulous Sprint blue paint finish, a car you can drive at 30 mph or 120 mph and the engine is always as smooth as silk, the safety features and as for me, i'm very, very happy with the car's performance in standard form, i hope i'm not tempting fate, but i've had no problems at all and i honestly can't fault anything with this car. Wish i'd bought 2 and put one in air conditioned storage to use when my current one arrives at the scrapyard.

I bought my RS4 because I'd wanted an RS4 ever since I saw a B5 RS4 (AVant of course) in the showroom when I went to order my 8L S3 in 2000.

I swapped that for a couple of B6 S4's because Ive loved the sound of V8's since I was a small boy.

So when the B7 RS4 came out as a V8 I just had to swap my B6 S4 for a B7 RS4 ... and it had to be a "real" RS, an Avant.

I placed my order over 4 years ago, and I still love every moment I'm driving it - it makes SO much more power than the B6 S4 that I have no doubt it's making at least 400bhp.

I won't be selling this car for many years... I'll be buying a run-around and using my RS4 as a "high days and holidays car" rather than selling it.

victor2vt wrote:.. Wish i'd bought 2 and put one in air conditioned storage to use when my current one arrives at the scrapyard

That's a good plan

It's still achievable and at less cost.

There are quite a few very low mileage cars around (around10k) and they cost about £36k. You have saved £20k, and the storage costs.