RS4 Avant But need advice

[Vasco993]

Hi new here but have read a lot of the posts about the RS4 and I would like to get your view/comments on my dilema

My heart is set on an RS4 Avant, but then I look at the options which in my case is BMW.

With the RS4 I could get a '56 '57 plate with between 16000 and 35000 miles. Alternatively, basis prices currently asked for the RS4 I could get a BMW 335i on an 09 plate with delivery mileage. Or put another way, I could get a '57 plate BMW 335i with 25000 miles, for £10,000 less than an RS4.

I think the RS is a better looking car and perhaps more exciting to drive as well a being more exclusive and special, not so many about. But I am sure would be more expensive to run than the BM and I expect more expensive to maintain.

I know it is a personal choice, but what do people here think? Comments and views much appreciated.

Michael.

[booski]

Are you kidding? There is no comparison between a 335i and an rs4!

This is an RS4 forum ( we might be a little bit biased ).

[Gazzer68]

Test drive both, bet you'll pick the RS4, whatever the cost difference.

[approved]

disagree with above...rs4 emotive choice..suspect 335i will be more refined and mapped will be as quick if not quicker.

i'd have the rs4, but its not as cut and dry as somepeople might think..

go have a blast in both and see what you think....

rs4 might be too in your face..who knows?

not the worst problem in the world to have eh!

[rAudiguy]

Test drive both, bet you'll pick the RS4, whatever the cost difference.

I picked the RS4 over the New M3 and M5 so would imagine it would be better than the 335i in lots of ways.

Running an RS4 isn't a cheap hobby! My dad always used to say to me "if you can afford to run a Bentley you can afford to buy a new one!" that saying does have some relevance to the RS4. Servicing, tyres, brakes and insurance are all hundreds of pounds so you are right to think with a sensible head on. Problem is I'm a petrol head so if you are like me you will find it hard to resist what is a truly awesome car! If you love it you will somehow find the extra cash as Gazzer says!!

good luck pal

[lengster1]

335 is a nice car for an older gentleman who wants a bit of oomph.It would never even be on the list for me as interior is bland and the old rear wheel drive in britain issue means its useless much of the time.They have good performance but often seen as a poor mans m3,the relative cheapness may tell you something about there residuals/popularity.Its a fine car but not really in the same league as an rs4

[aarghesfore]

I think it depends on how ‘special’ you want to feel.

I am sure from what is written in the magazines that the 335i is a great car and probably nearly as quick as an RS4 in the real (dry) world. Plus it would be cheaper to run and very anonymous if you want that. However, it looks just like a 320i, has the same interior and wouldn’t sound anything like as good as the RS.

I picked up my grey Avant a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. It is nice to have a car I look back at once I have parked, it is gorgeous! The day I picked it up I went to see a car nut mate of mine. The journey was notable for 2 reasons, firstly that I was even making it – do you think I would have driven an 80 mile round trip to show off a 335i to a mate? Secondly, because on the way a random bloke on the M6 who was a passenger in a Citroen gave me the thumbs up. You wouldn’t get that in a 335i unless you had a ‘Gordon Brown is a tw@t’ bumper sticker. By the way my mate loved the car and he is picky – he couldn’t get over the V8 NASCAR howl when really going for it with sport mode on!

It is a pity they don’t do an M3 touring but even then I doubt it would have the presence of the RS.

[Acquiesce]

Go for the RS4. I am new to the scene also and was absolutely gutted a few weeks ago when I had to part with my beloved Cayman S which I owned from new and took a proper kick in the bollocks when selling. However I am now the proud owner of Misano Red RS4 and it more than fills the gap the Porsche left!! I have had my eye on RS4's for about 8 months knowing the Cayman had to go due to new baby and it was just a case of waiting for the right one at the right price to come along. You need to be quick though as they do tend to get snapped up!! V10 M5 is worth considering as you can now pick a decent milage one up for low 30's. But go with the RS!!

[Vasco993]

335 is a nice car for an older gentleman who wants a bit of oomph.I

Oh dear first post and sussed out already. Although some might question the gentleman part.

Seriously though, thank you all for the great replies, which generally sum up my thoughts.

I am know the RS4 will be an emotive purchase but I know that if I decide to go down that route I will have a great car, which is not so common, although since I started looking it is amazing how many I have seen about.

I do need to consider carefully though as I already have a Porsche 993 which I will not sell, and I can see my annual motoring costs rising a little.

Like "aarghesfore" says it is that good feeling when you have parked and look back and say to yourself, thats my car isn't great and its the only one in the car park.

I have had one test drive and thought it was a great car although this particular one had a cluch problem, with the pedal not returning properly,which would probably have been fixed, but the car gave the impression of having been unloved, kerbed wheels etc.

Will continue looking and thanks again for all the useful advice.

Michael

[Les]

Like Acquiesce, I moved from a Cayman S. Porsche know pretty much everything about building quality, fast cars and the Cayman was something very special........ in the dry Don't get me wrong it was pretty clever in the wet as well but given it was easy to push the tail out in the dry you can imagine what it was like when it was damp or worse
The balance of the 335i will be very similar and if I remember rightly, like the gen 1 Cayman, the 335 has no limited slip diff.

As said above the car you should be considering verus the RS4 is a M3 as the 335i is a lesser car (still very good though).

Test both, as well as a M3............ then buy the RS4

The RS4 is much rarer and the strength of it's residuals tells you all you need to know and regardless of what Clarkson says, Beemers are seen as being driver by complete t*ats who only buy cars for vanity and badge snobbery......... can you live with that

Let us know when you have bought the RS

[PetrolDave]

335 is a nice car for an older gentleman who wants a bit of oomph.I

Oh dear first post and sussed out already. Although some might question the gentleman part.

There's several RS4 owners, including me, that are the "wrong" side of their half century - so you'll be in good company WHEN you get your RS4 Avant.

Take your time and find one that's been looked after and you'll find it will be a great drive that's also a practical car. Last winter when he had all the snow and ice was a laugh - I had no problems getting to work, unlike the 3 series owner over the road who couldn't get past his house as the rear wheel drive pirouetted him round in circles.

The RS4 is the first car I've ever owned that has kept me smiling for more than a few months - I'm still smiling after 3 years.

[P_G]

I will say the 335i is a rapid car. One of the businesses where I work has two M-DCT 335i convertibles as company cars and in the dry they are equally as quick as an RS4 (well with an RS4 in my hands anyway).

However all said although the BM is good in the wet, better than most Audi Quattro people will subscribe to, it isn't as sure footed. That and BMW residuals are not the best in the world, even for the 335i which I believe you can get in Touring guise. M3's are even worse, the 'M' fraternity apparently not taking well to their beloved M3 not being straight six anymore and the finish is defintely not as good inside.

I wouldn't swap my RS4 for one TBH, a M-B C63 Touring perhaps, but not a 335i/M3

[PetrolDave]

M3's are even worse, the 'M' fraternity apparently not taking well to their beloved M3 not being straight six anymore and the finish is defintely not as good inside.

And due to an idiotic marketing decision by BMW GB you can't get an M3 Touring in the UK...

[toomuch]

M3's are even worse, the 'M' fraternity apparently not taking well to their beloved M3 not being straight six anymore and the finish is defintely not as good inside.

And due to an idiotic marketing decision by BMW GB you can't get an M3 Touring in the UK...

You can t get an M3 Touring anywhere as they dont make one.


I have just bought a RS4 last saturday and currently also have a BMW M6. The audi is making me smile more than the BMW, and the M6 is BMWs finest creation to date (bar maybe CSL)

The M6 is more plush with leather everywhere the RS4 less so, However ive also owned a 335d for 14 months an TBH it feels very low rent inside, compared to the RS4.

The 335i/d remapped is a very fast car make no mistake, but it doesnt have the sense of occasion the RS4 does and the RS4 to drive is brilliant, in all weathers, and that cant be uderestimated in this country.

It just depends on what you want from a car? if you're like me im sure the AUDI will win.

[P_G]

Wasn't there BMW GmbH marketing flying around that they were going to make an M3 Touring for the US and German markets?