Whos come from a b7 rs4

[rocket1]

Hi guys,
Ive owned a b7 rs4 for nearly 5 years that i sold before xmas. I,m really missing it and want another. Not sure whether to buy a real good low mileage b7 again or try and stretch to the b8. How do they compare and whos made the switch and whats your thoughts. I,ve never owned an auto so that i,m unsure off but would like the newer interior and pan roof etc that the b7 lacked. . Absolutely loved my b7 so sure its the next step forward. The c63 is in the back of my mind but i,m not a fan of the looks and the brand to be fair but the noise is appealing. Hoping to be able to buy mid june time with about 28-30k max. Thanks all

[Covkiller]

I had a 2007 RS4 B7 Misano Red with 10k miles and less than 2 years old, basically new, had it for 4 years and loved it. Sold it as it kept going wrong and bought a C63 AMG 207mph rocket and did not like it. It looks so ordinary and sold it. I missed my RS4 so much I bought a Mugello Blue, spent a fortune on it and will keep it forever. Audi or some one else will have bring out something really special for me to make a move. But I cannot see it happening the way new cars are going.

[sfl993t4]

I ran a B7 saloon for a few years and 80k miles. Fantastic car and very little went wrong apart from the well known DRC issues (two new shocks needed).
Have had a B8 now for 15 months. So what's the difference.
Well my biggest issue with the B8 was the steering, whichever way you look at it the electric steering simply isn't as good as the B7's hydraulic steering and always feels slightly stiff. That said I've now got used to it and its fine. Other issue was the gearbox as I prefer a manual, but again have got used to it.
I think in every other way the B8 is a better car. It actually handles better, and is more agile over the limit (sport diff etc. probably helps), is a fraction faster and is more modern everywhere. Fuel consumption is a little better (maybe the auto keeping revs lower), but range seems slightly less (not sure if the tank is smaller). For the first weeks I would have gone back to the B7 because of the steering, now definitely wouldn't.
Only other issue is that I've already bent one of the wheels and the DRC is still slightly fragile (have had two new shocks on the B8 as well), but hopefully I'll buy some spare wheels from another forum member if he calls me back......

Steve

[Surrey Sam]

My thoughts cut and pasted from another thread.

Having owned both and done over 50k across two B7's and now 20k in a B8. I like to think of the B7 as - The first of the proper RS4's.

The B7 is a great all around car and has aged very very well. But overall. My verdict is that the B8 is a better car, and performs better for its market position/target audience.

B7 Positives:
Hydraulic steering rack - Steering feel is better.
A good manual gearbox - If that's what you really want.
Body shape options - Avant, Saloon and Hairdresser.
Cheaper - almost half the price.

B8 Positives:
Faster - more power and faster S-Tronic gearbox .
Sounds even better - Twin intakes and sports exhaust.
Handles better - Better weight distribution, larger track width & tyres, torque vectoring and Audi Sport differential.
Looks meaner - A subjective aspect, but the boxed arches look better and the bumpers are sportier.
Greater Technology - But less included as standard.
Comfort - Changeable damper rates, gives far greater range of ability.
Seats - Sport Seats are much better than the B7's comforts and Buckets for the die hards were still available.
Gearbox - 7 speed S-Tronic suits the engine better. Lazy auto around town and then bangs through the gears when pushing on.
Economy - Returns around 5-8 mpg more and therefore increases the fuel tank range to just about acceptable.

Moving to the B8. I thought that I would really miss the manual gearbox, bucket seats and steering feel from the B7. Looking back, I can honestly say that I only miss the steering feel but that said. You can still place the B8 perfectly well on the road.

The satisfying part is that both examples turn heads, attract positive comments and appreciation from the public. All that whilst being practical and a hoot to own in my experience.

[Covkiller]

sfl993t4 & Sam, a fair summary fellas. The only reason I haven't bought a B8 is there is no saloon and I simply love the look of the B7.

[RIV]

Well my thoughts are the following, the handling on the b8 is better, helped by the sports diff.. gearbox is great
Takes time to adjust from the b7... steering is numb as hell.. something I never ever got to like.
Stock b8 is about on a level with a tuned MRC stage 2 car.
I loved my b8 as it was so different. Ie spec and colour!!
Is it worth the extra over a good B7.. I have to say I don’t think so... b7 is a better drivers car to me.
Right now I’m just loving my M2 has to be my favourite car to drive to date.

[johnnydog]

I had my B7 Avant from 2009 to 2015, when I bought my B8.
I loved the B7, the looks were more distinctive in its day possibly more than the B8 is now, although I think the B8 knocks spots off the B9.....
I loved the whine of the engine of the B7 under normal driving that could be heard in the cabin, which the B8 lacks, but the exhaust note of both is beautiful, especially under power.
On the B8, I believe carbon fouling is not anywhere near the issue it was with the B7.
My B8 is far better spec'd than my B7, with far more toys, but it would be unfair to compare the equipment levels of the two.
As said the sport seats of the B8 are far better than the comfort seats on the B7.
I miss the aluminium flat bottomed steering wheel from the B7, which was a lot more individual than the one on the B8, but it lacked steering wheel controls.
Sports mode in the B7 gave the exhaust a wonderful note, whereas sport / dynamic mode in the B8 gives that false throttle blipping noise on down changes, which I don't like. I very rarely use dynamic as a consequence.
The B7 only had standard and sports modes, but the B8 can be more finely tuned to your individual driving style.
Which do I prefer? I like different aspects of both, although the B7 now looks its age, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, as I personally like older classic cars.
A good B7 should now hold its value better than the B8, which are still falling, but I think good B8's will soon level out and become more desirable relative to the new B9.
Am I glad I made the change? Yes, but I do miss the B7. I'd love to have both, but unfortunately, not an option!
All my own opinions, of course......