RS4 Buyers Guide

2.7 V6 30v biturbo - 380 bhp
Golich
Top Gear
Posts: 1539
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:28 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Post by Golich » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:54 pm

Some more things to look out for:

1. The rear wash nozzel can seize to the wiper motor arm. Mr. Broon was charged £280 to repair. Mine has gone too. The problem reveals itself when you activate the rear washer. It should spray straight up. If it is seized to the wiper arm it will follow the wiper.

2. Despite being galvanised - the body can suffer from what is technically termed "zinc inclusions" i.e. the zinc blisters under the paint. Looks like small rust bubbles but thankfully it isn't. Audi 12year corrosion warranty should cover this.

3. The underneath of the rear doors can rub on the plastic sill - in some cases eventually wearing through the black plastic sill with RS4 written on it. In other cases, it removes the paint from the bottom of the door and can cause any disbonding of the paint and in some cases the inevitable rust.

Golich
Top Gear
Posts: 1539
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:28 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Post by Golich » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:12 pm

The camshaft cover gasket is prone to going and letting some oil leak onto the exhaust causing a smell of burning oil. Fairly easy and cheap fix.

Golich
Top Gear
Posts: 1539
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:28 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Post by Golich » Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:23 pm

Water can flood into the passenger footwell damaging the convenience ECU which controls the likes of the electric windows, mirrors, central locking alarm, interior lights etc. Ref Audi driver Oct 06 "Technical View pg21)

The article stated that A4's and A6s in general (no model/year mentioned) can become flooded when subject to hard rain or power washing. The water gets in via the seal betwen the pollen filter housing and the bulkhead. The pollen filter resides at the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger side under the plastic scuttle. Apparently the housing can become distorted and with the combination of leaves and grime the seal leaks and allows the water to seep ultimately into the passenger footwell. It can take some time before this is obvious due the thickness of the sound deadening and the carpet. A clue to this problem is a musty mouldy smell or a slight staining of the carpet or condensation on the inside of the windows.

Fixing the leak is a doddle. Removing and drying the carpet etc requires a fair bit of time and we all know what that means!

SlvrBulletS400
Neutral
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:34 am
Location: New York
Contact:

Post by SlvrBulletS400 » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:33 am

Im also looking to import one from euro to the states..... what excatly do you have to go threw to make it legal, and why does it cost $10-15 to legalize it? "Outstanding, thanks for the link... ill check it out.
yes its a lengthly and expensive process, about 10-15k US to legalize one but........so so so worth it" thanks for the information in advance....
Bryce

SlvrBulletS400
Neutral
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:34 am
Location: New York
Contact:

Post by SlvrBulletS400 » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:58 am

another thing... sorry to sound like a noob or not researching here, but i have done a little research believe me... but just not totally experinced in this all so much :D if you cant tell me here could you provide me a direction of where to read upon? THANKS AGAIN

User avatar
crooki
Neutral
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:33 am
Location: Newport, South Wales

Post by crooki » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:27 pm

Golich wrote:Regarding the timing belt service, I was horrified recently to discover that while my belt and one of the rollers had been replaced. The second roller and tensioner was not. It is not possible to establish this from the service book alone as they merely write timing belt change. Only the receipt or a call to an Audi service Dept can confirm the parts fitted. (assuming the belt has been changed by an Audi steelership)

If all 4 items are not changed then technically this invalidates your warranty as the service manual clearly calls for all 4 items to be replaced at 40k service. I would imagine this goes for every 40K i.e. 80K 120K etc.
I am at present in serious negotiations with an audi dealership and Audi uk who carried out a 80k belt change. At 100k the engine failed and I was looking at a potential cost of £10,000. The relay roller 078109244H failed causing the timing belt to slip causing valves thro pistons, metal in both tirbos ++++ They informed me that this item was not part of the 'fitting kit' and therefore it was down to me. Audi uk offered me 25% off parts and the dealership offered me £65 per hour labour. I was about to accept this until it was suggested that I visit this forum. Then through a related topic [possible engine rebuild] and members comments I have found out that it is a 'must replace' item as described by the Audi service manual.

The break down happened in France so there are massive associated costs and expenses also.

I have a meeting with Audi Monday 2nd July - watch this space :evil:

Alex
Neutral
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:50 pm

Post by Alex » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:05 pm

I am just about to buy an RS4 but am confused about the servicing implications: A few of you seem to have had bad experiences with Main Dealers. I live in the Chelmsford ares so my questions would be :-

1. Whom shouls I go to for servicing
2. What are the local main agents like
3. I'm I daft using an RS4 every day and is it going to be M5 expensive
4. Would I be better off with a V8 S4

I've owned many 911s and M3s so I'm used to specialist cars - I just don't want this to become a full time hobby just to keeo the beast running

Alex
Neutral
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:50 pm

Post by Alex » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:07 pm

[quote="Alex"]I am just about to buy an RS4 but am confused about the servicing implications: A few of you seem to have had bad experiences with Main Dealers. I live in the Chelmsford ares so my questions would be :-

1. Whom shouls I go to for servicing
2. What are the local main agents like
3. IWould anybody be able to give me an idea of what a typical un-tuned car costs to maintain per year (excluding tyres!!)

graney15118
1st Gear
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:38 am
Location: County Durham

Re: RS4 Buyers Guide

Post by graney15118 » Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:35 pm

Great guide, just read it, Apologies if this has already been covered but I'm not sure. I'm going to see a B5 tomorrow and I've read a lot about cam wear, are there any tell tale sings I should be aware of?

The car has FSH but it's done 130k and not sure if the cam wear affects only certain years? The guy says it has a stack of receipts like but just thought I'd ask

Cheers
'05 Golf GTI - gone but not forgotten
'10 Golf R DSG - as above
'04 B6 S4 avant - gone
'78 Golf LS auto - going to the grave with me
'00 B5 RS4 - a new chapter

User avatar
karrenstanly
Neutral
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 5:24 pm

Re: RS4 Buyers Guide

Post by karrenstanly » Wed Jan 31, 2018 4:51 pm

Hello ,
Please let me know if any link is available at the moment?

bam_bam
Cruising
Posts: 14436
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:08 pm
Location: London

Re: RS4 Buyers Guide

Post by bam_bam » Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:13 pm

karrenstanly wrote:
Wed Jan 31, 2018 4:51 pm
Hello ,
Please let me know if any link is available at the moment?
Why are you dredging up old threads?
No matter where you go, there you are.

Post Reply

Return to “RS4 (B5 Typ 8D) 1999-2001”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 156 guests