Thinking of chaging from an '07 Leon Cupra to an '06 RS4

[RickyD]

Good Afternoon All,

I'm new to forum and currently own a Seat Leon Cupra 2.0 TFSI. I bought the car as an ex-demo dack in 2007 and I will have had it 3 years in December.

I love the Cupra and I've had no problems or concerns with it what so ever. Someone's going to get a cracking car which will have around 26,000 miles on the clock come December time when I change cars.

I fancy someone more special and have the itch to change and the B7 RS4 is a serious contender.

Would buying an older car be a wise move? I know it's probably a silly question, however I would appreciate comments from current owners of RS4's and what cars they previously had which made them consider changing for an older car.

I currently only do around 7,000 miles per year, therefore the fuel costs wouldn't cause a problem. Insurance shouldn't be too bad as I'm in my mid 30's.

I've read a lot on here regarding issues such as the suspension DRC, Carbon Build up (this is common of most VAG TFSI engines) and active bucket seats. Is there anythings else I should be warry of or consider as 'high' maintence costs.

My budget will be between £25K - £30K and I would like warranty with the right car. Do most people go for thrid party warranties for cars purchased away from the main dealers?

What is the best advice for going to look at these specialist beasts.

P.s. I've also thought about a two year old 335i M-Sport Couple, however I do appeciate this is an Audi Forum and will probably get flamed

Many Thanks

RickyD

[RickyD]

I forgot to ask another question, when purchasing from a main dealer can you opt for as many years warranty as you like or only to a maximum of 36 months?

Cheers

RickyD

[PetrolDave]

I forgot to ask another question, when purchasing from a main dealer can you opt for as many years warranty as you like or only to a maximum of 36 months?

The 36 month warranty was on UK supplied cars from the date of purchase.

Before the warranty expires you can buy an extended warranty, but at £1600+ [per year it's a bit pricy!

[RS6chris!]

Do it fella....i,ve been a VAG man most of my driving life.....and this baby by far is the best yet.

I traded in a younger R32 for my older RS4.....had a few thoughts about getting a slightly older car but these soon disapperared after a day in the RS4!!!!

Dont forget forums tend to indentify issues that are only suffered by the minority...do your homework get a car with full Audi history and in good nick and you wont regret it.

If mines got carbon it sure doesnt show it and is as quick now if not quicker as its ever been.

Ive had no DRC issues.

The way prices are you may get an 07 for your budget in Dec..


I dont do intergalatic mileage in mine either and find the running costs ok..for a 4.2 V8.

Do it my friend you wont de sorry...as for the BMW....Well you,ll be able to leave him for dead...in ANY WEATHER may i add....food for thought!!

[P_G]

I have had my RS4 for over three years now and 56,000 miles and touch wood whilst I write no major problems. DRC was diagnosed and replaced with little inconvenience and the modified parts have no issues at all.

Major costs on an RS4 will be tyres ranging from £650 to £1300 for a set of four, discs are circa £500 for fronts or rears per pair and oil given it take 9.6litres, a bit more than your Cupra.

Carbon build up has been sensationalised by somewith little fact behind it, all DI cars made by every manufacturer have it to a degree and if all were to be believed on the internet the 335i DI engine suffers from it more than even the RS4!

Warranty, well I'll be brave and say I don't have one but do have my warranty slush find at the ready and a year on and no warrantable issues have occured. Nice if it has one from Audi for 12 months, if not haggle a bit more off the car and keep it in an account somewhere just in case.

It is not a purchase you will regret and ther are few other cars out there that I can think of replacing it with.

[AndrewP]

I'm a long time lurker on here and this thread is precisely what I was going to post in a few weeks. I'm in an almost identical position as I've a Cupra R (mk1) and have always fancied an RS4 ... even more than a 911 which is also in my "to consider" list.

I've reservations about spending 30k on a 3 year old car in a few months but these sound like they are pretty robust and if low mileage should not be a problem. I'm not a car flipper (had my LCR for 7 years now and I love it - so practical) so the RS4, should I get one, will be a long term keeper that I'll aim to put no more than 5k a year on.

[scottie1979]

A few of us have gone down the 3rd party warranty route - £750 - you can read up here
http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... c&start=75

[crown62]

I purchased a brand new Focus RS last June 09, I have just sold that and gone for a black 07 RS4 Avant, so yes two years older but far better in quality and image.

I drive an 08 Clio 1.5 D as my daily drive, so dont mind the fuel the Audi uses, mind in 6th taking it easy its 24/25 mpg, not bad.

My two previous cars to the Focus were an M3 CSL 03 and M3 02.
The quality of the Audi beats them as well!

Will only be changing in a few years for either an R8 or 997 911 turbo in white. These are the only two cars I think for me will better it.

[RS6chris!]

Intresting "crown62" that you traded in a new RS FOCUS for an older RS4!!! and saying its a better car than the CSL!!!

Good positive comments....testament at how good the RS4 is at many things!!!

[neckarsulm]

I'm a long time lurker on here and this thread is precisely what I was going to post in a few weeks. I'm in an almost identical position as I've a Cupra R (mk1) and have always fancied an RS4 ... even more than a 911 which is also in my "to consider" list.

I've reservations about spending 30k on a 3 year old car in a few months but these sound like they are pretty robust and if low mileage should not be a problem. I'm not a car flipper (had my LCR for 7 years now and I love it - so practical) so the RS4, should I get one, will be a long term keeper that I'll aim to put no more than 5k a year on.

If you have reservations about 30k on a 3 year old car then you wont be buying a 911 as you'd be looking at 5 year old min for an early 997

[crown62]

Intresting "crown62" that you traded in a new RS FOCUS for an older RS4!!! and saying its a better car than the CSL!!!

Good positive comments....testament at how good the RS4 is at many things!!!

The CSL was good but at only one thing track days!

For general road use it was very uncomfortable, and it actually felt a little highly strung. The Focus was good fun, but I had owned too many German cars in the past , and in the end was just not as good, but still fun.

The RS4 feels more solid compared.

The RS4 will be a hard act to follow

[mark758]

Ricky/Steve,

We currently have a 2.0TFSI Cupra as a second car and previously a LCR 225.
Both fantastic cars.

Forget about the age of the RS4 - it feels like it's hewn out of granite and every contact with it just oozes quality.

Be warned the RS4 is an addiction...the driver communication, power, grip, sound....and the way its sits on the drive post waxing looking plain lethal lol

[neckarsulm]

Be warned the RS4 is an addiction...the driver communication, power, grip, sound

Find the right road and you'll be amazed (like Mickleton to Ilmington in north cotswolds) and I am not just saying that as a biased owner, a Mk5 GTI which is a class leader would be in a hedge long before the RS and yet the RS feels just as crisp and sharp, the noise is so much better too!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=i ... 8&t=h&z=14

[AndrewP]

"If you have reservations about 30k on a 3 year old car then you wont be buying a 911 as you'd be looking at 5 year old min for an early 997"

Well therein lies an example of my odd previous logic- I don't know why but always thought buying a 5 year old 997 would be ok and that a 3 year old RS4 wasn't. Doesn't have any logic to it at all, but the fact the RS is hewn from granite (so I read) then this goes away.

[RickyD]

I forgot to ask another question, when purchasing from a main dealer can you opt for as many years warranty as you like or only to a maximum of 36 months?

The 36 month warranty was on UK supplied cars from the date of purchase.

Before the warranty expires you can buy an extended warranty, but at £1600+ [per year it's a bit pricy!

To be fair I think I would opt for the WD cover as I doubt I will be able to afford the dealers prices for a used RS4.

Would the Specialist Traders offer a years comprehensive warranty?

Many Thanks

RickyD