RS4 to ...?

[JustinM]

There is no alternative to the B5 RS4, that's the problem. Audi could have provided it with a B7 but they failed miserably. To start with you need, turbos and 4WD. Then you need something that looks special and I don't mean a few S-line body kits.

Face it, there is nothing to replace the car with so we will keep them. Its an amazing tourer, phenominal on the track. Sure it needs some better brakes and suspension upgrade but thats it.

[TWH]

I toy with the idea of a change every so often, but it's pretty much impossible to replace. I was thinking about it driving home the other day, then I had a gap in traffic, pulled out past a couple of cars on a short straight section and had the most inanely huge grin on my face. "What am I thinking???" was the only thing on my mind after that.

I've been contemplating switching to an exige while sharing a daily driver with the missus but I think in the end it just won't sway me away from the RS4

[timba]

I was thinking of getting rid of my RS4 after 4 months as hav'nt been driving it much (as have to commute 2000miles a month got a 306 dturbo to do it in) some bugger put a small scratch on it yesterday parked outside my flat so thought I would take it for a spin to get my frustrations out !

had a great 40 min drive, raced a motorbike and laughed out loud as he went into the tuck and I kept up with him. So definitely gonna keep the beast now as I won't be able to get anything that will touch it for 25K with the practicality that the RS4 offers.

[VST]

I went from RS4 to CSL for similar reasons to Dave P........wanted to improve my driving skills,had got to the stage where I had the RS on the ragged edge a lot of the time and it was beginning to frustrate more than thrill,absolutely fantastic car,supercar fast (mine had all the sensible mods) supreme overtaking ability,unreal wet weather pace,comfortable,nice interior and great at 8 tenths(which was also how the new B7 RS I test drove felt), but push past its comfort zone on the road and things tended to get a bit scrabbly and messy and take it to a trackday and push hard and it was even worse.I thought seriously about going Ohlins and semi slicks,with 500bhp+ but what put me off was the fact that those mods would have improved the car certainly,but nothing is going to change where the engine(and therefore the weight) is in the car,or how far forward it is,so I'd have most likely ended up going 20% quicker,but having just pushed up the speed at which the car displayed all the attributes I was beginning to hate.

So I took a chance and after over six years in turbocharged Audis, I bought a CSL and like Dave P, I dont think I will be going back to quattro......the BM is like a scalpel compared to even a modified RS4,sharp,poised,responsive,informative....all the things that the RS4 was lacking in and after a few months on the road, I'm not even sure if the RS4 has as much of a straight line advantage as I'd have originally thought, the CSL is well rapid above 100mph,surprisingly so.

It has also brought into sharp focus two things, my abilities as a driver and the RS4's abilities as an overall package.I hadnt fully realised just how big a part the RS4's safe,flattering nature had been playing and how much my meagre skills needed to improve,until I jumped into a CSL on Irish roads that I used to have the RS on regularly....push too hard in the RS,it took it in its stride,let you know it was getting a bit unsettled and then you got it all straightend up and gave it another gear to munch.....push too hard in the CSL and you're ordering a new quarter panel.

But thats what I wanted,something more full on,more challenging,demanding,rewarding, call it what you will,but also take note of the fact that I have no kids,can bring the dog in the van,walk to work and have no real need of a practical car.

If you need all year round usability,a practical family car,wet weather pace and serious performance, in a reasonably subtle package, then the RS4 is king.

However if you want a car that my not be as practical,or be as capable in poor weather,or as discrete but turns every drive into an experience,can make the hairs stand on the back of your neck with that fantastic engine noise and only comes into its own where an RS4 starts wheezing and looking for an inhaler, then go for a CSL.

[DaveP]

Nice write up Tom...Sounds like you're enjoying it then matey ?

[VST]

I am Dave,

Not getting to drive it much,its crazy busy with work at the moment, but when I do its the business.

Miltek centre section and cats just landed here this morning, so I'll be interested to see what thats like,have Movits on in front and H&R spacers all round, drop of decent brake fluid and camber rest and thats it.
No real plans to change the cars spec any further, as I'm nowhere near drving the car to its full potential yet. I'll pick up a second set of wheels and cups at some stage though.

Hows yours treating you?

[Prawn]

I went from tuned RS4 to Landrover D3 TDV6 !!!!

Personally I needed the extra space/seats and towing ability but I do miss the RS,
slightly tempered by use of the Radical though.

Would I make the same change again, yes.

[Paulm]

I am in the same boat. I am looking for a replacement for my S4 avant. I was going for the B5 RS4 but they are just too small.

3 kids, started golfing again ( father and son thing ) boot in the S4 is just to small for all the clubs.

I need it to tow also.

I still want speed so my thoughts are


RS6? But I just think they will be too expensive to buy and run
Bm 535 diesel chipped 313bhp
Bm 530 diesel chipped 270bhp
Merc E320cdi chipped 250bhp
M5 400bhp
A4 3.0tdi avant chipped 260bhp ?? should be bigger than the b5