Some good news about camshaft wear...

[S4INT]

Reading this forum, it almost sounds like people enjoy spending all this money.

I've always enjoyed spending money on the mods and feeling the benefit of doing so, but believe me, there was no enjoyment in shelling out £2.5k on new cams!

[Contigo]

Oh, misunderstanding... I thought you meant 964 RS (doh!)

Yes, I've ummed and erred about the RS4. I really like them as a concept–a car that does everything and looks fantastic–but everytime I've been in one, it hasn't grabbed me by the throat like it does for many people here. I have the feeling that I'd be really pissed off if i had to fork out several £££ for some the stuff people talk about here.

I do get the feeling that they're unrealiable from this forum–and in some quite scary ways (camshafts, wheels)–but people here clearly love them so much that they forgive them all that stuff, and i guess that's what makes the difference. It's not the car, it's the person.

Reading this forum, it almost sounds like people enjoy spending all this money.

I guess I'd be the same about the 964 RS, even though paradoxically, it seems to be the one car that–in my experience of having two of them–didn't miss a beat.

Not at all, believe me, I had to bite real hard when I needed a new clutch and flywheel fitted at 1800 notes when I first got the motor over 2 yrs ago.

The fact of the matter is that these cars are basically supercars and have the assosciated running costs too.

To replace the clutch it's a good 1K at a specialist and more like 2k at the dealer

To replace pads and discs all around it's well over 1K

If the turbo's fail it's a good sum (maybe 2-3k?)

Tyres are a good 800 notes all around.

If you think you can buy one of the high mileage cars for sub 13k and not have to worry about it then it's not going to happen I'm afraid. These cars are expensive to maintain and as they are running 140bhp/litre they are highly stressed. I've owned Evo's that need the same amount of care too and are less rewarding to own but equally as expensive.

If you have any doubt don't buy one or if you do think maybe about getting a warranty for that extra piece of mind.

[Timmilne]

. The fact of the matter is that these cars are basically supercars and have the assosciated running costs too.

But I can't square a Supercar with cams that wear out.

I've had 600 hp Skylines, a 400hp EVO and while they needed (more) regular servicing and some mechanical sympathy, they were basically strong (though the EVO blew up after i decided to see what would happen if I just held it on the rev limiter in fifth; I found out after a couple of minutes).

This cam shaft problem, like the wheels seems like a design flaw. That's what i can't accept from a brand like Audi.

[Contigo]

Well then don't buy one then if you don't have the confidence in it. As said no car is infalable.

[S4INT]

. The fact of the matter is that these cars are basically supercars and have the assosciated running costs too.

But I can't square a Supercar with cams that wear out.

I've had 600 hp Skylines, a 400hp EVO and while they needed (more) regular servicing and some mechanical sympathy, they were basically strong (though the EVO blew up after i decided to see what would happen if I just held it on the rev limiter in fifth; I found out after a couple of minutes).

This cam shaft problem, like the wheels seems like a design flaw. That's what i can't accept from a brand like Audi.

Do remember that this hasn't affected all RS4's (yet!) There is still only a relatively small percentage of cars that have needed to have the cams replaced. The odds are in favour of you being lucky and not having camshaft issues, like Neckarsulm.

[audiboy]

You could spend all day moaning about it and discussing the issue of cam wear, but the fact is it will happen one day to your car, why dont you save yourselves a load of cash on followers and get them done BEFORE they destroy themselves??

Surely that makes more sense? Preventative maintainence is better, thats why you have your car serviced every year right?

Yes Audi have messed up with the cams, but they wont give a damn about it on a 8-9 year old car IMO.

[S4INT]

You could spend all day moaning about it and discussing the issue of cam wear, but the fact is it will happen one day to your car, why dont you save yourselves a load of cash on followers and get them done BEFORE they destroy themselves??

Surely that makes more sense? Preventative maintainence is better, thats why you have your car serviced every year right?

Yes Audi have messed up with the cams, but they wont give a damn about it on a 8-9 year old car IMO.

I agree with your sentiment Tom, however no-one is going to shell out for new cams on the basis that they "might" wear out.

Mine only needed one new follower out of 30 anyway!

[audiboy]

If you only needed one follower then you were lucky. Personally, i would spend the 2k, but then i dont need to as the previous owner spent out for me. If timing belt is every 40k, then on 2nd change do cams! LOL F**k that. What a rubbish bit of engineering when you think about it. Ah well, life goes on, more important things to worry about than my camshafts

[jay1974]

So are me right in thinking that if you've had your your cams replaced,they have been replaced with the same shitty material that the original ones where made from? because Audi dont know or couldnt give a ferk about it?ie making harder material ones so no further issues.By the the way i was the unfortunate person to have my cams just replaced by Grizz(top fella).80k miles,longlife service,original maf,FASH,no knocking or ticking noises was just caught by a leaking rocker cover!!so much for my remap,gutted precats and milltek.Just have to wait.

[TopBear]

So are me right in thinking that if you've had your your cams replaced,they have been replaced with the same shitty material that the original ones where made from? because Audi dont know or couldnt give a ferk about it?

Very possibly, so another 70-80k miles (or 2 cambelt services), before renewing them again

[audiboy]

When I only do about 3-5k miles a year in the car, its unlikely that i will need to replace them again!

[gareth215]

For what it is worth due to the paranoia caused be reading this thread I had my cam covers whipped off and the cams checked on my November 2000 ASJ engined RS4 with 116500 miles on the clock and the cams are absolutely fine and it was mainly serviced on the long life schedule with upto 15,000 between changes before I got it. It has not been remapped though but will now the cams have the all clear!

[rhunter203]

As most of you know i've had my cams recently replaced over 3K!!!
Q. Will the new cams be as prone to wear as my previous 1s?
Cheers
Rob

[Contigo]

Already been asked Rob in this thread I believe and I'm not sure anyone actually knows for sure. Read above!

[rhunter203]

That will teach me for not bothering to read the whole thread!!!