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The first time I saw an RS4 in the flesh, I knew I had to have one, one day. After 4 years in an S3 and scrimping and saving I am nearly there financially. I appreciate that all RS4s are something special, but having read nearly all the posts on this site I am starting to get cold feet. There seems to be a trend of costly and negative issues mentioned and somewhat 'dodgy' declarations by, of all people, main dealers. Am I worried over nothing? All coments welcome.

In a word, yes.

I think it's a case of the juicy story gets more people talking....no-one is going to post about their RS4 that they bought from a dealer X years ago that hasn't had a problem and is an awesome car, whereas the stolen/recovered RS4 that a dealer is trying to sell on his forecourt is bound to get people talking...

You could always buy from an enthusiastic owner via this forum...that way you at least know that the owner has shown a decent interest in the car he/she owns and will have perhaps looked after it a bit more...

As with any purchase of this size...take your time and get the one thats right for you. People here will help out where they can..

Good luck!

Thanks for the prompt reply, nicely reassuring to hear my fears were basically unfounded.

Can tell you a horror story and one with a happy ending, it proves that you have to do your research, dont be rushed by a pushy salesman and find the car you want, with the correct spec, colour and bolt-ons..... the fact that there are realitively few means that most of the cars are known on the forum, and ones that aren't can have their identity and history checked in seconds. Don't be put off by what you read, dave is correct is stating that bad news always travels faster than good.............be wise and tread carefully and if you are not sure, come back here and ask....

tell me of another car that looks this good (and unique), carries 5 people and a dog, and goes this damm fast !

just find a nice straight one thats been looked after and serviced, and you'll be smiling.

I've had mine for 18 months, and no regrets. The problem i have is even trying to contenplate what i can replace it with in a year or two ...? There aren't allot of options on the horizon. I simply hate the look of the new RS4 spy shots. The RS6 is pricey and looks plain...(bloody auto too ! ).............

Yeah, I started to doubt before I took the plunge - after reading so many things on here about wheels and dodgy details. But I agree with all the above. I'm no mechanical car expert but the car just felt and looked right, all the details checked out. 3 months on with no regrets, infact it's even better than I imagined.
Wife, 3 kids and luggage one day
Me and 380bhp the next
Go for it.

.... and of course it's got 4WD
Snow here today - how are the new 996/997 boys doing with the winter weather???

No issues with 996 and snow and ice............it stays in the garage

No issues either with 964 in snow & ice - put snow sport tyres on it.

With standard rubber on RS4 it goes really well in snow, but you need to remember stopping and steering are going to be on par (at best) with other traffic, so be very careful. It's deceiving and nearly caught me out last winter.

...Paul.

simple1 wrote:No issues with 996 and snow and ice............it stays in the garage

what are you talking about. it was 26c and sunny as today.

.... and of course it's got 4WD
Snow here today - how are the new 996/997 boys doing with the winter weather???

The GT3 is doing fine thanks very much, but no snow here yet! and my driving skills are improving
day by day, theres no doubt that the Quattro system rules in wet conditions, and snow too, i do miss that sense of
well the weather isnt gonna stop me! But i was just getting fed up with all the GT3 and GT2 passing me on the track:lol:
Cheers
jr

I think we definitely only tend to hear about the problems and not the trouble free driving that 'most' people have.

Thomson has already proven the RS4 is good for 250 000 km of trouble free driving.. I'm sure he can say more, but I figure by the sounds of it my RS4 will be good for 20 years.

And webchris 135 000 km without a clutch replacement!

I too would agree with all of the the above. But you do need to consider a healthy budget for servicing these beasts, particularly if you are consider the replacement of all 4 disks and pads i.e. in the order of £1100, and a 40K service between £600-£900. As you already know dealers service costs are quite frankly taking the piss. But as these babies are getting older a 3rd party warranty will let you take them to a specialist. Who can do 90% of the work and in some cases 100% of the work and better than dealers. Definitely try as many cars as you can supposing you have no intention of buying it. Just brass neck a test drive and give the sales team some BS you'll soon get a feel for a good and bad one. Hopefully all you'll find are good ones Good luck.

I always say its the ultimate practical super car. With huge scope for upgrading from power to handling if you get a little stale and it looks great but stealthy-ish too

I have to say, before I got mine, I was always of the mind set that I change car once a year - want to try them all while I'm young and don't have to worry about spending money on things such as family . But having had mine now for about 7 months i'm beginning to realise that there isn't really anything that I can change it for. Nothing much else will match up for the money - 996TT is still to far out of reach, and something like a skyline is just far too flash, everything about the car is just right and I'm thinking now that I might well keep it for quite a while.

Time to get out the cheque book for mods then!!!