Buying a B5 RS4 - what do I need to know?

[Timmilne]

I'm thinking about buying a B5 RS4 at some point in the next few months. I'm quite new to them and Audis for that matter. I'm looking for an Avant (are they all wagons?).

I've seen cars in the sub-£15K range, which is where I'd be comfortable.

Are they reliable with up to 100K miles?

How often do they get serviced?

Longfile Service and soggy wheels–what's that all about?

What's Noggy blue and why does everyone get so excited about it? Should I?

What are must-have extras / upgrades?

I see quite a few are tuned. Is this reliable or are they like Skylines and go bang with alarming frequency? I had a couple of wild Skylines years ago–I don't mind tuned cars, but it can come with a price.

I see there's a 137K miler on PH for 11K and a 460 bhp (MRC) one for £15K. Without inviting libelous comments, does anyone have any thoughts on either of these?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom.

[Blue_Thunder]

Welcome to the forum. Below is a 'noobs guide' to questions such as these....

1) Read the RS4 Buyers Guide in the 'stickies' at the top of the B5 RS4 forum.
2) Have a play with the much underused 'search' button for answers to specific questions.
3) If you still don't have the answers to all your questions, ask away!

[rhunter203]

...You need lots of spare cash!!!

The 137k cars looks very tempting indeed!! It would of had everything it needed except Audi never seem to replace the DVs – which is crazy!!!

[Timmilne]

DV's? What are they?

Why would it have had everything done?

Am I being slow?

[frazered]

Diverter Valves - a cheap and key component to the turbo system that is often overlooked by audi - only £40-50 each

the one in question appears to have FASH and a new clutch - this does not necessarily mean it has had all the necessary maintenance and looking after that may be required.

in answer to some of your queries:

Longlife servicing is not good for these cars - to look after them properly it should be on the fixed life service schedule 10k (lower figure with a higher state of tune and if track days are involved)

soft OE alloys was a pretty common thing a while a go, still hear of the 'softer' RS4 B5 alloy now and again. have a search there is plenty on this

Nogaro Blue is a popular colour for the RS4 as is black, avus silver. different tastes and views on this as you would expect - i personally quite like the green ones, others would jump at the yellows.

that should help for now.

[quattrokid1]

I'm thinking about buying a B5 RS4 at some point in the next few months. I'm quite new to them and Audis for that matter. I'm looking for an Avant (are they all wagons?).

ANS yes they are. You may see the ocassional saloon but this has been made to RS4 spec from an S4 donor car

I've seen cars in the sub-£15K range, which is where I'd be comfortable.

Are they reliable with up to 100K miles?

ANS and a hell of a lot more, these engines are an Audi gem HOWEVER get it checked over first by someone who KNOWS these cars such as MRC in Banbury or Grizz in Cheshire.



How often do they get serviced?

every 10k miles for oil, well I do that with ours, 40k miles for a timing belt I think

Longfile Service and soggy wheels–what's that all about? already explained.

What's Noggy blue and why does everyone get so excited about it? Should I?

no.... misano red is what you want

What are must-have extras / upgrades?

upgrades would be RS6 front brakes, milltec exhaust, MRC ecu remaps,

I see quite a few are tuned. Is this reliable or are they like Skylines and go bang with alarming frequency? I had a couple of wild Skylines years ago–I don't mind tuned cars, but it can come with a price.

YES this is reliable so long as its done properly by MRC or Grizz.

I see there's a 137K miler on PH for 11K and a 460 bhp (MRC) one for £15K. Without inviting libelous comments, does anyone have any thoughts on either of these?

oh YES PLEASE

Anything else I should know?

Great cars, and very well catered for by the tuning comanies and also a hell of a load of expertise on here and AudiSRS.com

Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom.

so when are you getting yours from and where?

have you tried Fontain in London?

welcome to the forum by the way

[rhunter203]

DV's? What are they?

Why would it have had everything done?

Am I being slow?

...he says he's Head of Business at Lincoln Audi therefore would of been looked after by the mechanics, plus sounds as though he replaces items without hesitation or regardless of cost (he paid £6000 on new turbos and cambelt!) You can check all the receipts and cross check these with Audi's customer service database.

You could also try and get a warranty if you're interested

It's a buyers market at the moment so haggle on price – he's just reduced the car so obviously keen to sell!!!

Best of luck
Rob

[rtd]

in my opinion it dosen't matter what price range you buy your car from - it will need some money spending on it - i got mine for just under £20k at the end of october and even though recently it had a service and cambelt i still had these items re-done (as some things were missed out) also had to replace a few sensors and few other bits and not taking into account the brake modification which i also had done at the same time my bill for maintenance was £1.5k. but if u keep on top of things and to it right first time i think these cars are very reliable. the fundamental thing is to find a good mechanic to look after it for you and you won't go far wrong with either MRC or Unit 20. good luck in your hunt.........

[mikeyquattro]

15k one is Mariocee's

http://rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB ... ic&t=73848

[Timmilne]

Phew! Just read the tale of Mario's car. I think I'd be scared to ask anything.

[Contigo]

They are a niche car for a niche market and niche buyer.

It's a quite difficult car to buy though all said and done, there are alot of high mileage example out there now that you might want to write off.

How much have you got to spend? You mention the sub 15k mark but these cars wil certainly be more of a liability than a lower mileage model as the mileage is what depreciates these cars.

Expect to pay 20k for a circa 50k miler in good/mint condition
17k for one with circa 80k miler in good/mint
15k for one circa 100k miler in average/good condition

That's the trend with these cars, the more mileage the lower the price and 10k miles can easily knock a k off the list.

As for the cars mentioned some are good buys the others I can't comment on but get an inspection and also agree to take the car to MRC in Banbury for a healthcheck at the sellers cost as this will show any major issues.

If these cars are looked after right they are a joy to drive and own, neglected they are expensive and a pain so it pays to get one that has been looked after especially at the mileage you mention.

PM me if you want to talk more about this.

[Ransom]

I managed to get hold of a low mileage one for a bit of a steal so expected to spend out on it.
The list so far-
Replaced 2 of the 4 soft wheels, gratis from Audi
Repainted the tailgate because of a Zinc Inclusion, gratis from Audi
A trip to MRC which included-
Milltek Exhaust System
1 Lambda Sensor
2 DV's
1 MAF
Custom remap

A service is due in a coupe of thousand miles so it'll be heading back to MRC for that and to check for the dreaded rocker cover oil leak (I smell oil every now and then after a run)

[ollys]

Repainted the tailgate because of a Zinc Inclusion, gratis from Audi

How did you manage that? which Audi dealer was it and when? I assume that it was the number plate plinth that had the zinc inclusion? I only ask because most dealers, it seems, wriggle out of doing this saying the plinth is not part of the body work and so not covered by the corrosion warranty.

Olly

[Ransom]

Nope, mine had a Zinc bubble about the size of a 10p on the actual tailgate so they prep'd and painted the whole thing.

Done a good job too

[Matt_H]

Phew! Just read the tale of Mario's car. I think I'd be scared to ask anything.

This is sold on Pistonheads now - I was really hoping he still had it in the spring as thats when I'll be able to afford this much

On the 130000 miler, I spoke to the guy, he seems genuine and the email he sent me came from a Lincoln Audi email account, plus if you google his name you get loads of references to Lincoln Audi and also something like the Institute of Directors (though it wasn't that) and such like. Seems this would be a bargain for someone, the turbo's and clutch have been done, recent brakes and also the suspension bushes and arms have all been done. I just can't bring myself to buy one with such high mileage.

Matt