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Just dropping in from Australia - and the 45 degree heat - to do some research on a potential B7 RS4 purchase. Life’s been pretty rough for me the last couple of years but I look to have been given a literal stay of execution for another couple of years so it’s time to spoil myself with a fun car for a bit.

I’ve been turning Golf Rs over every 3 years for the last while but I’ve always hankered after a B7. That said, any of you who frequent R32OC will note I’m also looking at a Mk5 R32 manual as an option too (I had one DSG mk 7.5 Wolfsburg wagon but didn’t click with the DSG - swapped it for a V6 Amarok for camping).

My R journey also started at Mk 6 so I never had the VR6 and it’s the noise that I want over speed. Otherwise I’d just get an RS3 sedan.

Heart says the Audi, brain says the R32. May the best car win.

Hi,

I had a Mk5 R32 (3 door manual with Recaro Buckets) for 2 years before I sold it and bought the RS4 Avant.

The Mk5 R32 is a great car, handles well given the big lump of engine at the front, wonderful noise (plug the vacuum line to the exhaust valve) and reasonable maintenance costs. The downsides are, the brake servo feels over assisted making it trickier to heel toe, the steering is a bit light on feel and although it is quick, it always felt slightly under powered due to the weight and relative lack of torque. It is still plenty fast enough to have fun in though.

The RS4 for me was the better car, handles well (although the lighter Golf was more chuckable) and also sounds amazing (centre res removed, vacuum lines plugged). The maintenance costs are higher with more expensive common faults. That said, it feels more special to drive. Better steering feel, gear shift is much more precise, pedal weighting much better matched. With the bucket seats and the flat bottom steering wheel, it is a really nice cabin environment.

Both cars will give you more enjoyment and involvement from their NA engines and manual boxes over the Golf R/RS3. Slower yes, but more fun.

Had the RS4 for 9 years now and that says it all really.

I would argue that the RS3 5 pot sounds better than both of these engines, especially with a factory sports or aftermarket exhaust.

Appreciate the feed back guys
Very valid point on the RS3 Nige...