Can I afford a B7 RS4

[Henribrad]

Hi guys, new to the forum but looking for some advice

Currently I finance a BMW 430d Xdrive, yes mock me being a BMW douche
36 monthly payments of £357
Insurance of £95
I’m 23 years old

However my finance is nearly finished in March

With a Barclays loan of £20,000 I’m looking at Audi RS4 B7
4.2 V8 bombastic soundtrack aha

I work on the Raikway ans I commute on the train so don’t have any running costs regarding petrol

I earn £1300 4 weekly
Living with my parents
Don’t smoke
Don’t drink
So have a fair bit of cash to spend on a car a month

My Question is “Can I afford to run and maintain an RS4”

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks
Henry

[PinkPineapple44]

I'm going to say yes it is possible...but I wouldn't in your situation.

Petrol is the biggest killer for me but that's because i'm doing about 700 miles a month, but if you're not commuting you shouldn't have an issue. You may have a problem if a number of things <beep> themselves in a short time frame such as DRC/oil cooler/aux rad/clutch etc but that's probably unlikely. Servicing isn't too bad if you do it yourself but the tax is quite pricey and insurance can be on the high side too.

Also...beemers ftw!

[MartayMcFly]

This might seem a little backwards, but a B7 won't be as exciting as you think compared to a 430d. They're a 15 year-old model, with an easy revving but not very gutsy V8 which will be out-shown by most modern hot hatches. I also don't think an RS4 is a good idea to loan/finance. Having said that, I think everyone should have an RS4 once in their life.

[Covkiller]

This might seem a little backwards, but a B7 won't be as exciting as you think compared to a 430d. They're a 15 year-old model, with an easy revving but not very gutsy V8 which will be out-shown by most modern hot hatches.

Bolx


Henribrad
You need to be aware that the RS4 B7 may be old but is a true performance car and needs plenty of money spending on it. You can wave £3500 for a clutch replacement, over £1200 to have your oil cooler changed, over £500 to get your wheels refurbed, over £1200 for brakes and discs, etc.

If you're prepared for this sort of cost and not penny pinching on poor quality parts then do it.

[Markwes]

This might seem a little backwards, but a B7 won't be as exciting as you think compared to a 430d. They're a 15 year-old model, with an easy revving but not very gutsy V8 which will be out-shown by most modern hot hatches.

Bolx


Henribrad
You need to be aware that the RS4 B7 may be old but is a true performance car and needs plenty of money spending on it. You can wave £3500 for a clutch replacement, over £1200 to have your oil cooler changed, over £500 to get your wheels refurbed, over £1200 for brakes and discs, etc.

If you're prepared for this sort of cost and not penny pinching on poor quality parts then do it.

£3500 for a clutch and & £1200 to fix a leaking oil cooler hose seems a bit steep!


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[Covkiller]

These prices are accurate and I scan my invoices if you like.

[Lady Penelope]

Hmmm. Call me 'Mumsie' as a woman owner on here but no, you can't afford it. The running costs and proper maintenance will kill your budget. I'm with Covkiller that proper maintenance is in the £000's.

Sorry. My honest view..

[MartayMcFly]

These prices are accurate and I scan my invoices if you like.

Agree entirely - from a very old Top Gear piece (I think) about old 911s... if you can't afford to run/maintain a new one you won't be able to afford an old one. Part and labour don't get cheaper as the car price falls over time. It's not exactly unheard of that a £15k car could cost you another £15k in the first year if it's not been maintained properly or is coming up on a big service/parts overhaul.

[jamiej]

I have literally just done the maths on mine as I put some money aside every month in lieu of getting a warranty.

Tax £550
Insurance £500 (31, no claims)
Service assuming nothing needed £500-£700.

So that's £1,550 - £1,750 just to keep it on the road without fuel.

Brakes £1,100 per axle (estimate)

Tyres £185 per corner.

Clutch at £3,500 seems steep. £2,000 probably closer from my research. Forum member Markwes broke down the cost to £1,200 a couple of months ago. (fly £500 from USA, clutch £200 from ECP, labour £500.

Aux Rads for the pair, fitted. £650 (estimate).

Suspension woes? £1,600 - £1,900. Plus 4/5 hours labour to fit.

Oil cooler - £1,000 plus, especially if you get the JHM pipes from the USA.

I save £200 a month on the basis that covers most it needs, some years I'll be over, but then I'll need some big work (clutch or brakes etc.) and it will balance out. Some years I'll need to find money elsewhere to top it up... Its the price you pay for owning a car like this.

Unsure if this helps, but I always like to see some numbers. I know I searched high and low for the same info before buying mine!

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[Covkiller]

Let's not start splitting hairs over the price of things. It will costs £000's to maintain, simple

[Markwes]

These prices are accurate and I scan my invoices if you like.

I’m not insinuating that you was lying, just amazed that you paid £3500 for a clutch replacement.



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[Covkiller]

No problem. That was the Audi price including a new fly wheel. It subsequently went pop and they changed the lot free of charge.

[Fatneck73]

Yes yes yes. Do it.

BUT be sure to ‘buy well’ - do your research and get help where needed and test drive a few.....then buy buy buy.

Then, if the bills get too much...sell up, lose only ‘a little’ and remember the good times. You won’t look back with regret.

[Rs4.]

My ropey man maths has it at over £1k month with just loan insurance tax fuel & service

Nothing worse than all your hard earned going on a motor you will soon get fed up of paying for

[Rw@@dy]

I think if you make sure the car you buy has been well maintained and don’t use Audi for servicing/repairs you I’ll be ok. Just put some money aside each month to make sure.



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