Living with an RS4 - comments please

[Madelvic]

Thanks all. There is another car locally that I would buy subject to a test drive

The S4 is not long sold. I did go from a squidgy rental Mazda 6 to the RS the day I drove it, might have had some bearing.

Grateful for all the replies. I'll give it another go

[Macdaddy]

Just echoing the other comments really, I find the RS4's ride really good.

Yes dynamic is harder than the majority and bloody awful on the rough roads with 20"s but driven in Auto daily its really good.

[N13LXC]

I leave mine in dynamic all the time...it's fine, actually, better than an S-line a5 I had.

Give it time and you will not regret it... Or, get an s6...all the pace with a bit more comfort...

[kmpowell]

Family man here who uses his car for three main purposes..,

1. Fully loaded with kids a dog and luggage, covering long motorway/A road journeys
2. Days out with the family
3. On my own razzing around

When I first came on here asking questions I was told that a lack of 'sports pack' would be stupid considering what's in it, especially the DRC 'comfort' mode. I was sceptical, but after test driving back to back I was totally sold. Comfort mode is perfect for 1 and a bit of 2, it turns the car into a calm usable soft cruiser. A quick pull back of the gear lever and the car changes into S, making acceleration and a bit more stiffness in the dampers. Dynamic mode for me never gets used because I don't like the dynamic steering, so I use 'individual' set with everything in dynamic except steering.

I spent a considerable amount of time in the car yesterday doing 2 and 3 and It made me realise once again how glad I am for ticking the 'sports pack' option.

[Golich]

I find there's a massive difference between the settings. I only use comfort when transporting my granny! The Dynamic mode, while stiff, isn't harsh, I've only used it occasionally if going for a particular spirited drive on a relatively smooth road. I find the standard setting is pretty much spot on for 100% of the A and B roads I regularly drive on and they range from smooth to rough and undulating. That said, I have mine set on Auto in the individual mode. So its probably constantly adapting. There's no doubt in my mind, the combination of suspension, Quattro system, sport diff and stability program of the RS4, has taken leaps forward with each new model. The B8 is an incredibly flattering car to drive quickly. You can make all manner of mistakes and it just sorts itself out. It really is quite incredible.

It was interesting to hear a mates response a couple of weeks back. As a passenger, he was really impressed with how compliant, yet composed the suspension is for such a big car over a very undulating and at times rough road.

I find tyre wear has a MASSIVE affect on the feel of the car. When they get to circa 3-4mm you can REALLY feel a marked decrease in the handling. The car will tramline badly, it feels harsh over manhole covers. This is true of all 3 RS4s and S4 I've owned. Clearly a function of the tyre width and profile.

[Noyjatat]

Couple of expensive jobs if your thinking of keeping long term. The cats have a tendency to disintegrate which is an engine out job costing around 5''k at a stealer and currently starting to go at around 50k miles get a good warranty, clutch is another engine out job costing around 4 k but I haven't heard any going yet or being replaced.

[Madelvic]

Thanks. Warranty sounds like a good idea !

[rspj]

Would you get warranty on them

[Noyjatat]

Probably. Audi gave me a 50% of the cost for the cats as they are supposed to last around 100,000 miles. Clutch from what I have been told is even more so either going a long time before that would give you good grounds.

[rspj]

How did you know cats was going any signs to look out for

[Noyjatat]

I noticed a white plume in my rear view mirror. Pulled in and the back of diffuser had a cream coloured powder on one side. Also the exhaust note gained a permanent rasp under load that really annoyed the crap out of me. Eventually it raised the emissions amber light on as well.

I will say this was on a 2011 RS5 and I am not sure if the cats have been changed or upgraded on the RS4.