RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community

Hi everybody. I'm new to posting but have been lurking around for a while. Finally looking to get myself into a B7 RS4 but had some questions about buying a higher mileage car and running costs in comparison with my old cars.

I've never really owned anything too expensive and new. Previous car include numerous e46/e90 3 series, 1 series, VW Golfs. My only performance car has been my Lotus Elise that I'd be looking to sell to get into an RS4. Truthfully, the BMWs have not been that reliable at all. We've had them from new and second hand and have replaced gear boxes and engines before so god knows why I've been such a diehard for so long. Now moving on to an RS4 - for the first time I'm not looking to finance my car - its a long story but between a mix of starting a business and some bad decisions I'm having to be more careful with my spending.

I've read the forums about problems etc but what are peoples views about buying an RS4 at the lower end of the spectrum. This car seems ideal to me but I've missed that opportunity now.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 06/1939639
My Elise would only net me about 9/10k and as far as maintenance etc nothing really major went wrong on it that I wouldn't expect of a car like that so it was affordable for me. How would a well looked after high mileage RS4 compare in terms of maintenance? Am I getting in way over my head expecting a high mileage RS4 to be similar priced in maintenance costs to a Rover engined Elise.

Another question is how often do cars at the lower end of the spectrum come about from forum people. I keep looking and keep kicking myself at not having made more of an effort to view the Daytona Grey RS4 above. Am I better off spending 2/3k more on a 70K ish mileage car?

Lastly, any ideas of what I need to look out for would be great.

Thanks

FON !!



Welcome to the forum.

That WAS a forum car !!!

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=107330

Personally, from reading your post thoroughly, I would say that an RS4 isn't the car for you - they are a hefty piece of kit that goes fairly quick and hence all these RS Audi's tend to go through consumables fast, which I am afraid tend to cost a lot of money thanks to Audi/RS tax as they were expensive things to begin with that sold in smaller numbers. Brakes are eye watering compared to an Elise as far as cost goes. These things eat money !!

The S4 is probably a fair bit cheaper as it runs slightly more common parts and hence the cost immediately lowers.

As for getting an RS4 then if you really have searched then you should already have your answers and the next three pages of arguing wont make much of a difference lol. Essentially older cars with more miles in your 15k budget are rare and usually cheaper to buy for a reason as obviously you will have all the usual suspects waiting to pounce - DRC, Carbon, Brakes, Clutches etc. Genuinely lower mileage cars (sub 50k) are plentiful but are alot more than 17-18k as you budget and if they are 18k then, again, there could be a reason for the price and low miles, like its already had a load of issues that havent been properly sorted, had the seats stolen and not recorded, or it will still be a 80k mile car with few upgrades and all the other hassles above but with a higher starting price and you will talk yourself into it !!

Finding a car as genuine as that last one for that budget is rare and you will still get lots of people suggesting there will be problems looming.

Good luck.

J.

Buy this...

http://forum.rs246.com/search.php?search_id=newposts

After running many many Elise's of all shapes and sizes you really are dreaming to hope the maintenance costs wil be similar.
Apart from the obvious fuel costs which will easily double, everything is more expensive. There not much that will fail and cost under 1k to resolve. Consider what would happen if the Elise's entire engine and drivetrain failed. You could have it sorted for probably 3 maybe 4k. Hell, swapping the whole thing out and replacing it with a honda type r engine and gearbox doesn't even cost 10k fully fitted. Hate to think on the rs4...

A good way to guess the repair costs is to get some warranty quotes for your Elise and an rs4. Should give you a rough indication as to what insurers would consider the risks to be

Thanks for the replies!

I even tried to quote a warranty price for an RS4 and it's not even listed as a car they work with!?! RS6 was listed though.

I'm finding it a minefield to be honest. Viewed 4 so far and all of them had their issues. Thought i had discovered a potential good one today, early 06 car, 1 owner from new, full audi service history all at the same dealer, sub 50k, got the reg made some enquiries with the dealer turns out the chap who owned it had nothing but problems with it, it had a new engine last march, it had been back in for shock absorbers, headlight sensors and anti roll bar adjustment, they had it back in again just before Christmas and they said it was there for ages.
like you i have tried to do my research so know all about DRC, brakes, carbon, clutch, tyres, auxiliary radiators, oil cooler, vacuum problems etc etc, ill be honest im starting to doubt if it's worth it, so many horror stories but they look so awesome and it just seems to be an itch i can't scratch until i have one

i craved one for years and bought one almost a year ago now. bought a lower end higher mileage car but it has been great so far. i did throw £900 at it last week for new cooler and pipes. yes they are dear to run but if you,ve done all your research then you should be fine with it. history and condton is key though..

Jas wrote:I'm finding it a minefield to be honest. Viewed 4 so far and all of them had their issues. Thought i had discovered a potential good one today, early 06 car, 1 owner from new, full audi service history all at the same dealer, sub 50k, got the reg made some enquiries with the dealer turns out the chap who owned it had nothing but problems with it, it had a new engine last march, it had been back in for shock absorbers, headlight sensors and anti roll bar adjustment, they had it back in again just before Christmas and they said it was there for ages.
like you i have tried to do my research so know all about DRC, brakes, carbon, clutch, tyres, auxiliary radiators, oil cooler, vacuum problems etc etc, ill be honest im starting to doubt if it's worth it, so many horror stories but they look so awesome and it just seems to be an itch i can't scratch until i have one

Jas - what do you ask when you call dealers about a car that you don't own. I've had mixed responses from hitting lucky and picking the right garage who said it was a local car and ran me through all the work its had done to other garages wanting to take all my details and not giving out an ounce of information.

Still in two minds over what to do. Toying with the idea of just going all out, selling all the cars and leasing something circa 50k for a few years. I know if I don't do it now, I never will!

Ask when it was serviced last , all keys there and has it had any warranty work or even ask if the drc has been done ... One I phoned asked me what the drc was so that car got binned off . If you don't know what you are looking at of for you will soon wise up or take some one that does . You will be looking at approx 800 -1200 for a years warranty mileage dependant

Jas - what do u ask when you call dealers about a car that you don't own. I've had mixed responses from hitting lucky and picking the right garage who said it was a local car and ran me through all the work its had done to other garages wanting to take all my details and not giving out an ounce of information.

Still in two minds over what to do. Toying with the idea of just going all out, selling all the cars and leasing something circa 50k for a few years. I know if I don't do it now, I never will![/quote]

I just ask the dealer where the car has been serviced and to email me pictures of the service book so i can see for myself where the stamp is from, the date, mileage and whether it has had a longlife or inspection service etc, call the dealer who has serviced the car and supply them the registration number (if the car has been on a private plate you will need the chassis number) explain to them the car is for sale at a dealers and you are seeking any kind of history such as any work carried out apart from routine servicing, advisories, warranty work etc and then its down to who has picked up the phone. I have had some who were really helpful and some who just say we cant divulge information regarding warranty work.
Im sure there are good cars out there but it's finding them, ive been looking now for coming upto 3mths and am on the verge of giving up. E90 M3 maybe...