RS4 Rookie - What to lok out for ?

[Bolt]

Just about to take delivery of an RS4, after selling my 997 2S.

Any advice you experienced folks can give me (other than fit a snooper!) ??

[tartan_rob]

In what regard? two very different cars...

[svassileou]

Depending on the registration/year of manufacture, you may have to check that the car's had all the updates.

[Bolt]

Tartan Rob,

have browsed this forum and a few things about the RS4 that seem to shout at me are :-

- Burns oil in early days
- clunky gear change from 1st to 2nd; switching off ?? seems to fix it.
- Can't fit a tow-bar (sod-it!!)
...

As its a Sept 07 car, i am assuming its had the updates , but will check ... ta

[alex_123_fra]

Tartan Rob,

have browsed this forum and a few things about the RS4 that seem to shout at me are :-

- Burns oil in early days
- clunky gear change from 1st to 2nd; switching off ?? seems to fix it.
- Can't fit a tow-bar (sod-it!!)
...

As its a Sept 07 car, i am assuming its had the updates , but will check ... ta

Hi Bolt,

Welcome. Regarding your points:

1. It can use up oil at the start so worth checking levels regularly, although you will get a low oil warning on the DIS.

2. Gear changes aren't clunky really. Silky smooth in my experience but the TC can butt in when doing fast shifts making the car thud a little. This is rectified by switching TC off.

3. Tow bar = ditto.

I would echo the comments on updates of ECU and also MMI updates which you can do yourself. The info is on this site. Other than that, you can get the dealer to use VAG COM to enable the RS4 splash screen on the MMI. Also to add a confirmatory beep when locking the car and auto-unlocking all doors with one fob press.

Finally, enjoy!

[Bolt]

Cheers Alex,

any idea where i can get a list of these VAG COM programmable 'options' ?

[alex_123_fra]

I've been using the following wiki:

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/Aud ... 288E/8H%29

Also, the VAG COM section on RS246.com.

Happy to help if you need a hand.

Alex

[SR71]

Bolt,

Fire the car up from cold and observe the exhausts...particularly the right bank...note any emissions and decide whether you like what you see. Check other threads on the forum regards oil smoke.

I'd suggest getting the nasty phone cradle removed from the dash by the dealer if the car also has a bluetooth module. You can just connect via bluetooth and if you need to charge your phone use a cable from the cigarette lighter. A far less offensive option.

Some owners have had issues with the car making clunking noises when the steering is at full lock (how the hell does that happen on a new car?) so check no issues when exploiting the full turn radius.

Also some instability at the rear of the car when using extreme braking from high speed appears to be normal. Some have found the SS+ option reduces/eliminates this but my car has the SS+ option and still feels light at the rear with a slight tendency to wander under extreme braking. (I really do mean extreme braking from 150+ mph)

Check the right bolster on the drivers side if the car has buckets. Again if its highly worn, you may want to try and negotiate a replacement seat before purchase.

I'm sure other owners will add their $0.02.

[sonny]

Interesting, wish i read that before I bought mine lol, but all seems OK, so I'm cool

[RS4Molar]

disconnect your exhaust valve actuators