Potential new RS4 owner - few Qs

[Ash_s3]

Hi all,
I'm looking to purchase an RS4 at long last and one has popped up local to me.
unfortunately it's a Cat D stolen recovered, I've done a HPI check to confirm.

It's a 56 plate cabriolet, in phantom black being sold by a small independent dealer.
Wing back recaros, heated front and rear seats, flat bottom wheel, nav, front and rear parking sensors, 65,000 on the clock, 4 new tyres, bodywork is all straight and seems in good overall condition, just needs a bit of love as it's not been polished or cleaned particularly well.

It's up for £12k and I'm fairly confident I could get it for £11k with a bit of haggling, does this seem a good deal? I've researched eBay, auto trader etc.. And can't find many that have sold for much less than £14k

I'd need a new Key from Audi - what do they cost roughly? £200?
Wheels need a refurb, someone's painted the chrome grille satin black and it's chipped so that needs sorting, and just a generally good clean and polish.

I've read the buyers guide on here which is very useful, doesn't seem to have any coolant leaks, no knocks from suspension, exhaust note changes when warmed up and sport button is hit, but it does seem a little down on power, maybe carbon build up? No engine management lights on but I will get my mate to plug his laptop in before I were to buy it.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated, thank you

[mikep99]

Hi,

Not sure I can comment on the price as I've not been following the value of cabs...
However, im currently waiting on an additional key from my local Audi dealer.
I bought a cat d so only have one key at the moment.
Price - £210ish supplied and coded etc. I was advised by local auto locksmiths to bite the bullet and get it from Audi as some independents can (and have) properly messed up A4s / RS4s.
How true this is I don't know.
Hope this helps..
Mike

[Ash_s3]

Thanks Mike, how did the Cat D price affect your car?

The one thing that worries me is there's possibly someone else out there with a key to my car, will Audi delete this from the cars memory?

Cheers bud

[mikep99]

I'd say that because it was a cat D, I managed to get it approx. £7k less than a 'straight' car. Mine was a Cat D as the front seats had been stolen, the car itself wasn't stolen so doesn't show up as 'stolen/recovered' on the register.

And yes, Audi will be able to delete any keys you don't have from the cars security - good job you mentioned this as I would have probably forgotten to ask for this when I go to the dealers

thanks

[Grandadg90]

Hi Ash and welcone, common things to look out for are the normal consumables, tyres, disc's/pads...
Also get underneath and check suspension leaks as to replace a shock it will be £500 minimum, check oil cooler as they will be around £500-£800 to get done. Also check on screen display and check for which warning lights appear.

If there is a member here local to you maybe worth asking them to check for you. These can be very expensive cars to put right. Be cautious.

All the best. Great cars.

[Ash_s3]

Thank you very much, the only warning on the DIS was rear centre brake light, which the seller tells me is a loose connection, not the end of the world id imagine.
I'll definitely be pluging the car into my friend laptop to check for faults, couldn't see any leaks but everything is shoehorned into place to quite difficult to see!

Discs are a little wavy which I'm thinking can be skimmed?

Cheers

[RichieRS]

Welcome Ash

Grandad90 has highlighted the common problem areas already and has rightly commented on how expensive these can be to sort.

I would definelty try and check disc thickness as these seem to be the biggest cost to replace and based on Audis recommended minimum thickness they really don't need to have much of a lip to be below it, especially if you think they might need a skim!!.

It is really difficult to visually check the oil cooler and suspension with the bumper and wheels on but just see if you can get in there with a torch and do your best. My DRC is fine at the moment but it has a slight weep so it's a bit of a time bomb. I bought it like that not know as there was no knocks. It wasn't until I had the tyres changed I spotted it.

To be fair 12k is a good price and I've yet to see one of that mileage at anywhere near that price, cat D or not.

Good luck if you go for it and get some pics up

[Ash_s3]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

Anyone reccomend anywhere for a wheel refurb? I want them stripped down and re-powder coated to get them back to new condition. Are they any different to normal alloy wheels are they titanium or something?

[RichieRS]

Do a few searches Ash. There are numerous threads relating to wheel refurbs on this forum.

As for who is the best. I guess it would possibly depend on what part of the country you are in or whether you are happy to pay for P+P to ship them. Lepsons seem to get good reviews but there are many other quality refurbishers.

[Ash_s3]

Thanks Richie, I've never had any wheels fully refurbished before, heard good things about the wheel specialist in Birmingham though.

Just found out the service history is a tad vague on the Cab, phoned Audi UK and they said they could only see one service at a main dealer.. I'm still interested, but want to get it as cheap as possible now!

[MikeFish]

I've used the wheel specialist in Birmingham before but I think Prestige Wheels did a better job. They are also in Birmingham and are a site Sponsor here.

[RichieRS]

Thanks Richie, I've never had any wheels fully refurbished before, heard good things about the wheel specialist in Birmingham though.

Just found out the service history is a tad vague on the Cab, phoned Audi UK and they said they could only see one service at a main dealer.. I'm still interested, but want to get it as cheap as possible now!

Are there any other independent service stamps in the book?. Any receipts for work or parts?.

I

[Ash_s3]

As far as I know there's no history, apparently it was lost when the car was stolen??

Explains the price a little more I guess!

Thanks for the info on the wheels Mike, I'll look them up

[irishmike]

I'd be wary of the lack of service history, a lot of big jobs may well need doing soon.
Try to get it checked by a good independent, or Audi if possible.

It's very cheap in fairness, but you could blow the difference on replacing DRC/Clutch/Oil Cooler/Brakes very quickly!!

I had the option of one with no documented Service history when I got mine, it was cheap, but I just walked away tbh.
It's risky and will be harder to sell on in the future.

[rocket1]

i,d probably walk away on this as the wrong car could cost you £kk,s to put right then your upto the money of a good straight car with a history. even if the history was stolen it should all be on audis database if it had dealer servicing.