In support of the "stock" RS 4

[JohnFC]

This is my second Audi after a selection of many nice cars, and I've had my amazing B7 RS 4 for a year. The B7 forum is fascinating and I have found it to be an invaluable source of advice whenever I have needed to learn something ... the priceless value of information on oil consumption, sticking clutches, MRC, decoking, and many other topics is worth its weight in Momentum 99! However, I am wondering how many forum members actually appreciate the wonderful package that Audi created when this car was released. It is a natural feature of any forum to develop opinions on modifications, but I just wondered if there are any other boring individuals like me who strive to maintain the stock vehicle. My goal is to gradually return the car to showroom specification (but not to be a concours show car) because I think the balance of power, comfort, practicality, roadholding (yes, the DRC system is working and free of leaks!) is about right. This democratic forum is a great place to be but the emphasis seems overwhelmingly focused on Miltecs, coil-overs, better-than-414 bhp outputs, and the like. Don't misunderstand my point ... I would not want to change anything, but I would love to know if this forum is visited by stock fans. Having said this, I am never happier than when the 'Sport' button opens the exhaust valves and the engine screams from 5000 to 7000+ rpm! For the few who appear to have cabrios, this is an added bonus.

[HYFR]

I agree

When i got my last B7, I really appreciated the great tone and sound of the stock exhaust ... I am a sucker for noise so fell into the Milltek non res trap and yunno, I preferred the stock worst ... maybe I'm getting old ... but the B7 is pretty much spot on out of the box

[Noyjatat]

Nothing wrong with that buddy. I would say it's worth the de-coke now and again which wouldn't be modifications so much as maintenance and made a noticeable feel difference in mine giving back some of those lost horses due to carbon build up.

[The_Coat]

Mine is good as stock apart from a CAF as the aux rad was leaking.

[RIV]

Stock car is good, but MRC stage 2 makes it IMO

[neilparf]

I'm a massive fan of true OEM. Vowed I'd keep mine stock when I got it. But. The MRC stage 2 like RIV mentions is such a great addition it's starts a slippery slope... to exhaust, to Rnse upgrade etc.

[stu]

Stock car here

Mine is stock but considerably better than what rolled out of the factory. It's acquired some OEM upgrades: ceramics and Sports Suspension Plus, and I've had that gawd-awful phone cradle deleted. I bought the K&N filter in a moment of weakness - it increases the induction noise a little. That Glenn fella at Revolution wouldn't let me leave the Shop without buying something Another invisible mod was the aux-in and a bluetooth stereo receiver which lives in the glove box but that's nothing really.

It's such a complete car out of the box. I thought the ride was perfect in SS guise and the SS+ package just is the icing on the cake. I wouldn't say no to a bit more power but I'm having so much fun squeezing every last rpm out of this beaut of a V8. I wouldn't want to change it's character just for a power hike. And would I benefit much from a power hike anyway?

I like flying under the radar - cosmetic stuff like new wheels or lowering was never going feature. Same goes for the noise: it sounds just right to me, doesn't scream 'look at me!!' when I don't want it to. For every other time: S button . I do home visits for work so a tidy grey estate car with a nice rumble suits me and the image I like to (try to!) project.

Another reason for keeping it stock was a financial one - probably less talked about. As expensive as it is, I can keep this car ticking over very nicely in OEM guise. That's where I've drawn a line in the ground for now. As neilparf says, it's a slippery slope. I'm not going there...

Despite all that, I love going on here and reading about everyone's modifications. It's been a real education for me - it's the first car I ever took much effort to learn and understand.

[neilparf]

Stu, love that approach. OEM but OEM spec list additions. Ceramics very nice. That's the last on my list.

The MRC map fir me isn't just about power, it was also about delivery and the 'feel' of the car. It's almost what the sport mode should produce when mapped.

My exhaust was the result of a duff back box and valve. But being on this forum and reading everyone's experiences doesn't help the wallet either!!!

[stu]

2012 A7 SE quattro 245, Impala Beige

I had to google that. Would've thought anything beige would look so good!

[fireheed]

Mine is std from how I bought it which from what I was told is only got a K&N filter.

For now.....

....eBwerks exhaust is on its way. Far too quiet in STD form for me. Needs the note to match the package!!

[sakimano]

I used to be nicknamed stockimano on another forum because I kept my rs4 stock for two years. It's an excellent car.

I have full JHM exhaust on it and I love it. The sound is like a better version the of the stock sound. It's got many of the stock characteristics. Deep, clean, not obnoxious, not raspy. I much prefer it to the other options (awe, milltek etc) and the performance gains were significant.

Looks wise I have a tough time changing anything. Ride height can do with a bit of a lowering. I have h&r springs that I've not installed yet. Will get round to it, but changing wheels etc... Can't imagine why you would. 9x19 that weigh 26.8 lbs and look perfect... Can't beat that.

[Spectre]

Yup - I'm a stock fan - in terms of look. IMHO aftermarket wheels cheapen the look of the car and I'm not a fan of the all in black stealth look (how can it be stealthy when its the only car that looks like a lump of coal on 20" rims?) Guess I'm just old fashioned but in my mind it was the original look that drew me to the car in the first place so I really don't want to change it. Each to his own though eh? I did have mine decoked / deflapped and Stage 2'd at MRC though since non of this changes the look, only the 'go'. And like most others it certainly transforms the car's performance. Apart from that, all I have done is add LED's all round. They don't change the look but they do freshen it up a bit.

Mak.

[edge]

Stock car is good, but MRC stage 2 makes it IMO

Totally agree. IMO this is what the RS4 should have been like out of the box.

I also think that the stock exhaust note wasnt great for the V8.

[j1sgo]

Stock car is good, but MRC stage 2 makes it IMO

Completely Agree, Stock car is an amazing package for every day and sporty use, I love the standard exhaust note (once valves fixed open) and IMO it is significantly enhanced in noise by CAF and drivability from MRC Stage 2

[Surrey Sam]

Yes, I'm a standard type of person. Most modifications tend to be inferior quality to OEM items so if anything does get added to my car, then it tends to be Audi items only. Like the Ceramic brakes and mk2 RNS-e. I've seen the term OEM+ and I think that sums me up.

Yup - I'm a stock fan - in terms of look. IMHO aftermarket wheels cheapen the look of the car and I'm not a fan of the all in black stealth look (how can it be stealthy when its the only car that looks like a lump of coal on 20" rims?)

I thought I was alone in that way of thinking.