Buying and general RS4 questions… please help

[Franzino]

Hello,

I’m looking to buy a used Audi RS4 and I have a couple of questions about this car. I will use this car as my daily car on highways and also in slow city traffic.

*Are there any differences between models 2000-2001-2002?

*When I read tests of the RS4 there are a couple of bad points on the car. A bit to heavy clutch and a really slow, bad gearbox. What about those so-called bad points??? What are RS4 drivers-owners views on these things?

*Sometimes I read about weak RS4 wheels. What do people exactly mean with this? Are the original RS4 wheels quickly damaged or even worse broken? Are the original RS4 wheels unsafe?

*I reed a lot about remapping a RS4 engine. What’s does this exactly mean???
Does this mean putting a performance chip (MTM, ABT, Sportec) in the car instead of the original chip and so increasing the HP? So why do they call it remapping? In my country they just call it chiptuning…

*Are there any special things I need to look for on a used RS4?

*How is the maintenance, garage costs?

Thanks for helping me out….

Wouter

[PhilT]

*Are there any differences between models 2000-2001-2002?

Visually, not really. There were some changes, most notable would be the early RS4s seem to break gearboxes and have to be replaced with the later one. To be on the safe side, get a later one.

*When I read tests of the RS4 there are a couple of bad points on the car. A bit to heavy clutch and a really slow, bad gearbox. What about those so-called bad points??? What are RS4 drivers-owners views on these things?

Clutch is fine. The only bad point is that it doesn't handle like a Porsche round the track, but then you can't get a lot in the back of a Porsche...

*Sometimes I read about weak RS4 wheels. What do people exactly mean with this? Are the original RS4 wheels quickly damaged or even worse broken? Are the original RS4 wheels unsafe?

There is a video that covers this in the Downloads section, suggest you download it.... http://www.rs246.com/modules.php?op=mod ... tit&lid=13

[/i]*I reed a lot about remapping a RS4 engine. What’s does this exactly mean???
Does this mean putting a performance chip (MTM, ABT, Sportec) in the car instead of the original chip and so increasing the HP? So why do they call it remapping? In my country they just call it chiptuning…[/i]

The code on a chip is called a map, therefore the term remap. It's the same thing as chiptuning.

*Are there any special things I need to look for on a used RS4?

See the buyer's guide at the top of the RS4 forum.

*How is the maintenance, garage costs?

Again, this is covered in the buyer's guide.

[Franzino]

Visually, not really. There were some changes, most notable would be the early RS4s seem to break gearboxes and have to be replaced with the later one. To be on the safe side, get a later one.

From what year and month are the better gearboxes fitted in the RS4?

Clutch is fine. The only bad point is that it doesn't handle like a Porsche round the track, but then you can't get a lot in the back of a Porsche...

That are two different cars with a different set-up. If I want a pure sporscar, indeed I will buy a Porsche. But my car also needs to be practical in everyday use. I thought the only really bad thing on the RS4 was the gearbox.

[PhilT]

From what year and month are the better gearboxes fitted in the RS4?

If only it was that simple.... I would think that if you find the posts relating to bad gearboxes, you should be able to find out from the VIN or equipment sticker...

[RS4ever]

Clutch is fine. The only bad point is that it doesn't handle like a Porsche round the track, but then you can't get a lot in the back of a Porsche...

That are two different cars with a different set-up. If I want a pure sporscar, indeed I will buy a Porsche. But my car also needs to be practical in everyday use. I thought the only really bad thing on the RS4 was the gearbox.

Many a Porsche has got the shock of its life on the track when up against an RS4. Its a sportscar, no two ways about it

[Golich]

I don't believe the gearbox issue is as bad as it appears. Forums like this tend to attract people with problems looking for help. There were/are a number of cars with gearbox probs but not all. I have an early RS and no probs. I know guys with later ones who have had probs.

In short all A4/A3 era Audi gearsboxes are pretty slow shifters and generally unsatisfactory. If you try to shift fast and agressive they don't like it. My S4 was the same but worse sometimes it baulked while sitting still and you had to clutch and try again.

As for the soft wheel issue. I too have soft wheels and I've never buckled one yet. I've hit some nasty pot holes and bumbs at speed and thought to myself well that's got to have damaged something and still they are fine. But a load of guys have had endless replacements over apparently nothing. I don't know what the answer is to that? Just make sure you check that they are ok before you buy.

Good luck.

PS the RS is a great alround car even in stock ECU form. Its no Porsche, but it has more torque than most of them and every other main stream car for the money. Once chipped, its even more of an animal.

[Franzino]

I don't believe the gearbox issue is as bad as it appears. Forums like this tend to attract people with problems looking for help. There were/are a number of cars with gearbox probs but not all. I have an early RS and no probs. I know guys with later ones who have had probs.

Did you have any problems with your turbo?

[bakerdcb]

Have been following your two threads for a while here and have to agree with some previous comments the tendency is to raise problems on forums like this not to talk about 9 months trouble free motoring which is what I have enjoyed with mine. I bought the RS4 because it was what I wanted and knew that if problems came along they were likely to be pricey and awkward. However, it has been faultless and I have have also tracked it enthusiastically twice in that time as well. The basic principles of car buying apply to any performance car like this. Buy the best you can. Best condition, mileage, warranty etc. There are no guarantees in life if we didn't like risks we would hardly be driving RS4's