S4 vs RS6

[gladders1]

Currently have an S3, but need something that'll fit a kid or two in the back comfortably and is a good deal quicker. I've narrowed it down to these two, and have to admit I've wanted an RS6 ever since they were launched, but a little concerned about all the stories of DRC and huge maintenance costs. What would you guys advise?
Some additional information:
* I do about 6k miles pa.
* I don't mind spending a bit on maintenance - just not much more than £1.5k pa.
* I do a lot of m'way driving, but country roads feature too
* I'd like to trade in the S3 (black, Vreg & 116k) and add in another £10-11k.
Would be great to know which you'd recommend & anything I should look for. Chances of getting a reliable RS6 for sub-£15k?

[Pete.S]

Don't know anythng about RS6 prices I'm afraid, but what I can tell you is that for under £15k you'll get a very decent S4, and if you find one that's just had new tyres and been serviced (on variable), with your mileage I doubt you'd spend a penny in 3 years...

[MOR8A]

Hi there

This is my 1st post on this site, but I have been doing a fair bit of reading and research myself on excatly the dilema you have (only I don't have an s3). I really had set my heart on an RS6 Avant but having done quite a bit of homework I think its way too potentially frightening for the depths of my pockets.

I thought I had found a way round it by buying a warranty for it through Audi (which is in fact through Mondial Assistance). 2 problems with that, 1st it costs nearly £1800 for 12 months 2nd it does not cover cats. I am told that cats are another one of the many 'Engine out' jobs which seem to be a pretty common issue with this car. Engine out is 24hrs labour before they even start to fix the problem, which could be as simple as a Lambda sensor. Discs and pads £1000 etc etc.

I am no expert on these particular cars and I hope that perhaps someone else comes along to prove me wrong. But as far as I can make out the S4 is a far safer option.

Feedback welcome as you will be doing me a favor too. Good luck.

[ShaneyB]

Guys,
I had an brand new 225 S3, upgraded to B5 S4 and now own a B6 S4. I also was considering an RS6 as you can pick them up very cheap at the moment. My B5 S4 was also twin turbo and pretty much any 'major' works that were needed on the engine resulted in the engine out. Cam, Water Pump etc. and it can get costly but if you look after them and get all of that stuff done in one hit then it's not too bad. The DRC does seem to be the major issue with the RS6 but what a bloody car! Sod the issues and buy one!! I like my B6 S4 but it doesn't make me grin like the B5, you can't beat a nice pair of turbos. Have you looked into insurance quotes for both?

[MOR8A]

Insurance for me on the rs6 is £454 fully comp. I have 3 points and I'm 35. Have not yet had quote on S4.

Shagga, whats the S4 like to own, mpg, servicing etc etc? I hate to say it but is it a bit boring? Have you ever driven an E46 M3? If so how does it compare?

[ShaneyB]

S4 is nice and I went for the TIP box which I regret. It just feels slow compared to my B5 (which was remapped). Everyone keeps saying it's because it's naturally aspirated, smoother power delivery and nice just about sums it up. Great looking car, fantastic inside and drives superbly. I'll be heading to MRC soon to get the engine & gearbox remapped as well as a Milltek.
I have been in (not driven) an E46 and a lot of things make it feel faster when in reality it has been proven there's very little in it. For example the SMG gearbox is much better than the Audi as well as the harsher ride and lack of refinement in comparison. I loved the E46 but would never buy one for a couple of reasons. Every wannabee boy racer has one on his Dad's insurance or as a company car and they are now two a penny and lost their 'desirable' status (my opinion only). Also my insurance quotes when I looked at the E46 were nearly double that of the S4 and just didn't justify the change. 2 dooe etc. etc. They also get stolen a whole lot more.....

[MOR8A]

Thanks for that Shagga. If I go for an S4 it would have to be manual and an Avant. I really would like a yellow one but I can only find one! And its half leather (would prefer full) and not local so I can't just pop and see it. I fully understand what you are saying about the M3 and I think you are right................... but for me there is still something about them that I'm not sure the Audi has. I have not yet driven the S4 but am going to try to do that this weekend. I have driven the RS6 and that was very nice although a little understeery! Must get an insurance quote on the S4!

PS: Sorry gladders1 for hijacking your thread, but I thought we would get more out of it working together rather than me asking exactly the same question!.

1991 Mercedes Benz 500E
2003 VW Golf GTI 150 PD

[GardinerG]

Whilst the RS6 is a barge of a car the understeer is often caused/exacerbated by failing DRC and crap tyres (like Sport Contact 2s). I've had the back step out round a 'bout. HTH

[ShaneyB]

Sorry,
MPG averaging around the 20mpg mark with little motorway work. With loads of long haul stuff I'll get over 300 miles per tank driven sensibly. Last service from Fontain was £263.00inc which was a basic service. The famous Aux rads are leaking, discs are lipped but apart from that all good.

[gladders1]

Cheers to all for the feedback.

MOR8A, I dropped the same question to the RS6 forum and you'd be very interested in the replies. Very helpful, including some from guys who've had both motors.

Long and short is everyone seems to say that it costs a darn fortune, but it's worth it!! Of course I share that advice with you on the condition that you please don't go outbidding me on the cheap RS6's on the net at the moment.

[MOR8A]

Cheers Gladders1. I'll have a look and read. Best of luck.

[marctwo]

I was in exactly the same position as you. I had an S3 and needed something that would fit a couple of kids in. I do around 6k per year, mostly motorway miles. The RS6 is very tempting for the money, but I bought a B6 S4 Avant instead. My mechanic used to own a RS4 (B5) and loved it but said it cost a fortune to run and he eventually sold it. His advice was that a B6 S4 did not cost that much more to service than the S3 and was generally very reliable.

I bought a Tiptronic S4 and am very happy with it. The auto box seems to suit the large torquey engine and makes it a great cruiser. It's fast enough when it needs to be and sounds good too. The MPG round town is rather shocking but it seems to improve a great deal at 40mph+. The thing that really struck me when I first drove one was how much more comfortable it was than the S3, much smoother over bumps.

I have no experience of an RS6, and I can imagine that if I had driven one, I would want one. However, I am happy with the S4 and feel like it's a good balance of head and heart.

[MOR8A]

Nice one marctwo. This seems to be the same story as most. I just don't want loads of grief, so its looking like S4 for me. I have driven the RS6 and yes you are right.............. when you have driven it .............. you want it!

P.S : have you had any trouble with yours, I see a few people talking about Aux radiators, whats the score with those. What mpg are you getting, I'm guessing 14-18 round town? 20-24 motorway?

[stumpyrs4]

Nice one marctwo. This seems to be the same story as most. I just don't want loads of grief, so its looking like S4 for me. I have driven the RS6 and yes you are right.............. when you have driven it .............. you want it!

P.S : have you had any trouble with yours, I see a few people talking about Aux radiators, whats the score with those. What mpg are you getting, I'm guessing 14-18 round town? 20-24 motorway?

Mpg :

Around town c19
M/ways anything from 19-20 up to 27 on one occasion (driving miss daisy through roadworks)...

[marctwo]

I've had no trouble with mine apart from a brake light bulb going out, but then I haven't had it long at all. I had it inspected before I bought it and specifically asked them to check the radiators.

MPG-wise, I haven't had a chance to get it out of town so far so currently it is very poor indeed (London traffic) at around 12mpg. The couple of times I have got it up to 60mph though it was showing more like mid 20's and for a brief period on cruise control it showed 31mpg.