Buying an RS4

Post by **timfk** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 4:49 pm

I am determined to buy an RS4, the question is do I go for a sandard car or a modified one? I am currently swaying towards Iain Marsh's R55BYE or there is a standard car at Poole Audi, Azure Blue Y168BKV.

Does anybody know this Y reg car?

Seeing as I know nothing about upgrades, or mechanics in general (I struggle to change a wheel!) is it wise to go for a modified car, or is there no difference with the standard car. Added to this I will be doing about 20k miles a year, amd I intend to keep the car for at least 3 years.

So please, give me your advice.

Post by **bjacks** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 8:37 am

Hi and Welcome

Tough one. If you plan on modding at some point then a modded car is a good way to start as it will save you a lot of time and cash in the long run. As you know nothing about mechanics and RS4 modifications, the car you mention has been modified with well reputed and good quality parts. As long as you strike up a relationship with a sympathetic main dealer, or a reputed tuner then you should have no problems looking after and keeping a modded car in good servicable condition.
On the other hand, if you just want a car to drive and forget about then a standard car may be for you. I don't know anything about the Azure car in Poole, apart from at £40k it's the most expensive in the UK at the moment.
Swifts have had a few very low milage RS4's around this price and they've pretty much been specced to the eyeballs, and have less miles.

All the best,

Ben

Post by **timfk** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:41 am

Thanks for the advice.

Swifts still have a car: Misano Red, 1.8k miles, all the extras, £44k! What a bargain!!!

I agree, the car at Poole is over priced, but what do you expect from a main dealer?

Cheers,

Tim

Post by **bjacks** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 11:55 am

Swifts had a car the same spec as mine (dark blue, nav+ etc etc) for 40k with 6k miles on recently, I agree, £44k is not cheap

I don’t expect anything sensible from dealers after the fun I’ve been having this morning getting cam belt service prices out of them.

What are you really looking to get the car for? Belting up and down the motorway or going on the track etc?

Post by **timfk** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 12:51 pm

I cannot see myself going on the track, I intend to look after the car as carefully as possible because I hope to have it for a long time to come. Most of the miles I do will be on the motorway, probably 60%, and 40% A road driving.

Post by **DaveP** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 1:53 pm

I agree with Ben, it really does depend on what you see yourself doing with the car, and how hard you intend to drive it.

Don't get me wrong, a standard RS4 is quick, but does lack in certain areas if you want to get the most out of it (I suppose if you never drive a modded car, you'll never know the difference, and won't miss it).

Maybe try and drive a few standard and modded ones and see the difference for yourself?

Post by **timfk** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 4:24 pm

I have driven a standard car and Iain Marsh's modified car. I do not think I drive cars too hard, the real question is will a modified car be good for 20k miles on the motorway for the next 3 years. I intend to look after it, probably caring too much. I would like to go for the modified car (in for a penny in for a pound) but I have that nagging doubt about brakedowns, warranty etc.

Iain's car is fantastic, and he has been more than sympathatic with my cautious approach, I suppose I am just scared about taking the plunge

Please will somebody tell me what the major cost downside will be if I buy the modded car, and it all goes wrong.

Post by **johneroberts** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:07 pm

Please will somebody tell me what the major cost downside will be if I buy the modded car, and it all goes wrong.

Yes its easy
you will enjoy yourself far too much and become a real RS4 freak

Thats all

Cheers
jr

Post by **timfk** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 8:16 pm

you will enjoy yourself far too much and become a real RS4 freak

I like the sound of that

That's not a downside though!

My car finance man keeps telling me not to buy a modded car, the running costs will be too high! But my conscience keeps egging me on to go for it.

Aaahhh!

Post by **johneroberts** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 8:37 pm

Were all in the same boat timfk so its your choice it cant be that mapped out for you, all i can say that the benefits are worth the uncertainy you feel.
As for your finance man "Fech him what does he know, and who money is it anyway once you sign on the dotted"
Cheers
jr

Post by **Bushy** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 3:54 pm

ok, So I have had my Rs for a couple of years, bought it at 6k miles 3 months old. I modded it inititally at 12k miles as the low end pick up wasnt as good as my previous S4. I do a similar proportion of mileage as you, 60% motorway etc only done around 4 track days

On standard motorway driving, who cares, could be a diesel, but the joy you have from 10% of the time driving A roads, you wil have to have a modded car, especially brakes and suspension

No question

As for whether the car has had a good hard thrashing, I think there will be no difference between a standard car or a modded one. And if you meet the owner you will tell if they have looked after it

Additionally make sure any tuning has been carried out by a reputable one, AmD or MTM etc

Good luck in your search

BTW mine is for sale, look in the for sale section

Cheers

Bushy

Post by **timfk** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 4:18 pm

Bushy,

Thanks for the advice. Iain (the owner) seems a good guy, I do not know about the 2 previous owners.

Timfk

Post by **DaveP** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 4:52 pm

I'd go for the modded one too...I think Iain bought it off another owner on here ??

Get yourself to the Northern meet when you've decided either way !

Post by **Iain** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:11 pm

I am in 2 minds as to whether to sell it........arggghhhhh!! I love this car more than my wife.....doesnt argue with me, always does what I want and costs less to run.

But this is against the car sitting in the garage doing no more than 6k miles in the next 12months and only being driven once/month, oh and the small point in costing me the best part of 600 squid/month.

Went for a test drive today in a 996 C4. Talk about underwhelmed by a car! RS eats it for breakfast in every way. All the salesman could say was, but Sir, it is a Porsche!!!! your Audi is an estate car.... w*nker! shows how little he knows cars! he thought the boost gauge was for nitros???????

Post by **TarmacTerrorist** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:59 pm

timfk wrote:Bushy,

Thanks for the advice. Iain (the owner) seems a good guy, I do not know about the 2 previous owners.

Timfk

After reading posts on the forums from both Iain and JohnH and also meeting the very first owner of the car, all I can say it that the car desperately needs to be bought by someone and driven as it was deisned and modified for, it's probably never seen the other side of 7,000rpm in it's life. Enjoy!

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