Wanted RS4 Avant B7 & what about this one?

[HerbBerb]

Hi,
Thankfully the time has finally come to get an RS4 Avant and it seems that this is the place to be. I had been a member here a million years ago when I was the proud owner of a nice black 8L(?) S3 - remapped of course, which was stolen in about 2004/5.

Since then three children have arrived, but despite this slight distraction and delay, I'm back where I want to be looking for an RS4.

I hope to buy asap, and have the funds available for a quick transaction, and would love to know of any cars that members may be looking to sell.

I've seen this one (http://www.sarahcoxcars.co.uk/used-cars ... 0139259162) which sounds reasonable and is not too far away from where I live. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you have about it or if any one knows of the car. Apparently it needs two new front tyres and the tax is due in December 2013, so that's an additional £1000 to the price. The service is complete but not all with Audi (some MDM Technik and one at 'Unit 20'), the spec looks okay but I'm not sure if I'm missing some important options as I'm still trying to fully understand what the best spec is. It's just had new front brake pads and the discs were 'skimmed', which makes me think it may need new discs soon.

If you do have a car for sale I'd ideally like Daytona Grey or Mugello blue (I think). I generally always buy black cars and am trying to do something different this this time so please do try me if you've something available. Mileage around 60,000 max, but good service and consumables is important so again try me if you're mileage a bit over. My budget is around £20,000 - give or take.
I live in Stamford, Lincolnshire so anything near by would be a bonus.

Thanks for any help you are able to give me and I look forward to chatting over the coming years.

[Ian_C]

Advert says tax due 1st Feb 2014. Thats a good price for an Avant with 56k on the clock.

[HerbBerb]

Thanks for your reply, the dealer seemed to think it was due at the end of November and was going to double check and update the advert if necessary.
I thought the price was good, my only concern price wise was the possible addition of front discs and tyres/tax.

[Ian_C]

Yeah the dealers view on 'tyres are fine / need replacing' is probably very different to yours or mine. Its might well be on a matching set of rubber and the rears are only marginally better than the fronts. Definitely a car to replace all four tyres together as a set

Dealers will have trade contacts for tyres, so if you are viewing the car and it does have four low tyres, I don't think it would be unreasonable to negotiate hard for your choice of brand, when you pay the deposit and sign, I'd probably write on the paperwork the minimum speed and load ratings though! Asymmetrics for my dads Audi (A3 Sportback - not RS4!) have numerous tyre loadings for just the one tyre size

[HerbBerb]

That's a good point on the tyres thanks. I think I'll try and roll it into the deal if it looks good after tomorrow's test drive.

I have just noticed a potential problem and that is the phone cradle (cunningly hidden from view in the pictures). How can I get this removed, I assume someone on here has some idea of who can do this / the costs? I did have a look around the site but couldn't find a definitive answer. Thanks for any help with this.

[Ian_C]

You can't. Our A3 came with loads of options and sadly the cradle was the unwanted addition, I asked when buying it, but its a no-go as there are holes in the dash. Doesn't bother me, although to be fair its higher and out the way on the A3 (acutally mounts on the face of the dash just above the top corner of the glove box) compared to the B7 where it sits beside the Nav

There's a Phantom Avant just in at Fontain is a good price with Ceramics, Buckets, Super Sport Suspension, Tech pack, RNSE, 6CD, BOSE, front and rear parking, fbsw in alcantara plus gearknob. 53,500 miles asking £21,950

http://www.fontain.co.uk/audi-rs4-avant ... ck-3221206

[Reevesy]

What about this which has just been reduced to £17995 as he has purchased a new car:

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=106198

[rocket1]

phone cradles can be removed. you can remove the glove box and dismantle the cradle wiring and just pull it back thru the holes and tie it out the way. it will leave 2 holes in the console but a replacement console section new is not as pricey as you might think from audi. thee link to the daytona car looks very nice and the colour to have, good luck with your search!!

[brn7y]

I like the cradle as my phone has camera detection and it sits at a nice angle and is charged so can stay on. No need for sticking anything on the window.

[HerbBerb]

Thanks for the advise on the cradle and the other cars. I particularly like the spec on the Fontain car but have decided to hold out for a colour other than black.
I took the RS4 out for a test drive this morning and have to say that it was magnificent and to my eyes in very good condition. Slight drawbacks was the sport button, which didn't seem to engage at idle and that cradle, which despite the option mentioned above would drive me mad. I figure that I've waited this long so a bit longer is worth it to get the right car - still annoying though as it's a good price.

[Ian_C]

What were the tyres and brakes like in the flesh?

[HerbBerb]

Pretty much as you guessed they would be. Legally I think the fronts were okay for a thousand miles and the rears a bit more, but I've never run an RS4 before so I could be being optimistic. The brake discs looked okay but I'd be replacing them had I bought it, again a few thousand miles on them.

[rocket1]

the only things that happens in sport mode at idle is the drivers seat bolsters tighten (although this can be turned off in dis) and the exhaust note changing (but could either have the flaps disconnected or could be seized which is common but relatively easy to sort). the cradle could be gone for under £100 and a few hours basic labour. if it were me and they were the only 2 niggles and the rest is great and it has a great mileage, history and price i,d find it very hard to walk away.

[Ian_C]

There's a Phantom Avant just in at Fontain is a good price with Ceramics, Buckets, Super Sport Suspension, Tech pack, RNSE, 6CD, BOSE, front and rear parking, fbsw in alcantara plus gearknob. 53,500 miles asking £21,950

http://www.fontain.co.uk/audi-rs4-avant ... ck-3221206

Pics now up. Spec includes black optics, privacy glass and heated seats.

[andre3k]

There's a Phantom Avant just in at Fontain is a good price with Ceramics, Buckets, Super Sport Suspension, Tech pack, RNSE, 6CD, BOSE, front and rear parking, fbsw in alcantara plus gearknob. 53,500 miles asking £21,950

http://www.fontain.co.uk/audi-rs4-avant ... ck-3221206

Pics now up. Spec includes black optics, privacy glass and heated seats.

Very nice price & spec