RS4 available

[DrB]

I have just returned from a test drive of the saloon this afternoon.

I have a 'deposit' with the local dealer, on an avant, since September 2004. At that time I was driving a B5 S4 saloon. However I could not wait and in April last year I bought a 2003 RS6 avant.

I am not blown away!

I think most people have been, but the salesman could see the way I felt. Why is this?

Well it was fast. It did appear to be lighter/ better at handling, but how much can you tell on a test drive around town? It looked 'nice', but other than the alloys, not much different to the S-Line A4. Inside it felt well made. Good sturdy seats, excellent DVD navigation. It did also sound superb (most impressed).

However when getting into the car the seats were tight! (Even when deflated). They are stiff. Now I am 6 foot 2 inches, but I am slim build (34 inch waist), and I must say they were a little tighter than I expected. okay you may say they have great holding for around the track - I agree - but how often do we do that? Normally jump in drive to work/ shops etc.. Nevertheless the seats can be changed - they should not make my decision.
Okay, on the road the car feels good, quickly changing gears, more constant accelaration. I was happy, but not excited....... Thats what I mean, I was not excited after driving the car. It didn't drive as smooth as my RS6, when driving around the town. Okay, I conceed, that the gear changing when accelarating can be a little snappy in the RS6, and the Rs4 did feel better, but overall I preferred the feel of the RS6.

Now size - the RS4 is much smaller. It is like a big hatchbak rather than an estate car. Is it big enough to get my bike, golf clubs and snowboard in. I think probably not - well then, I'm back to using the roofrack then.

Cost - what would my wife think. Trade the car in, add £20 000 to cover the difference and extras - and we get a smaller, less comfortable car, which won't accelarate on the A90 any faster. Plus I will have to stop every 150 miles to fill up if I am driving hard.

Now don't let you think I don't like this car. I do, but I cannot see why I should swap my RS6 - For me it is the ideal car. If I still had the S4, there would be no discussion, but I don't.

Anyway I am sure whoever buys this car will love it. If you are struggling to find a dealer to take your deposit for the avant, I still have mine on order for the next week, until I decide for definite. I was to get one of the first avants in the North east of Scotland - maybe I can help someone out.


Mark

[Riz_RS4]

Also have been told that another is available,

Misano Red
Tech Pack
Rear Heated seats
Leather arm rest and seats, buckets!

For more info please PM me.

Riz

[harry]

Valid opinions Mark. May i ask why you overlooked the B5 RS4 on the way to RS6?

[Contigo]

Lots of cancelled orders turning up so I'm sure we will all be able to source a car if we do the right searches.

[harry]

I wonder what Audi are thinking with all the rejected orders?

[Ruical]

I wonder what Audi are thinking with all the rejected orders?

Maybe, 'should have listened to the guys from RS246.com'

[kcsun]

Maybe, 'should have listened to the guys from RS246.com'

About 10 of us from this site went to a meeting in Neckasulm in Nov 2003 where the Germans took notes of everything "we" wanted from the new RS4 - It was then promptly filed in the bin so it seems

kc

[Scotty]

It must have been around then when JR and I were "discussing" whether it would come with turbos or not.

It seems at the time someone was putting some disinformation about to put people off the scent.

[Ruical]

That's exactly what I was referring to, KC

[DrB]

Valid opinions Mark. May i ask why you overlooked the B5 RS4 on the way to RS6?

When I considered changing from my S4 last year, I was looking for a more modern car. I do love the B5 RS4 but because of the age thing it wasn't really an option.
I do find the space of the RS6 much more useful now I am used to it. With my hobbies and expectant family I would find it very difficult to move down to a smaller car. Now I cannot think of a more all round performer than the 6.

Over the last year I have been thinking about the practicalities of keeping the RS6 for an extended time (I would like to). If I keep I will no doubt spend money on upgrades etc, but I will not have to spend any lump sum buying a new car. My biggest concern is running it out of warranty. The official Audi one runs out in Oct this year. I will then have to buy another. I do feel you cannot run this type of car without one. I wonder what will happen to the value of these cars after 5 years? the running costs as you all know are not that cheap either.

I have become very fond of this car, and hope to take it touring in Europe at some time. (I now have my snow chains). I do not see changing to a new RS4 would be any better. Now a new RS6... well that is a different, but a V10, £80 000 car is not really any more sensible!

Mark

[harry]

It must have been around then when JR and I were "discussing" whether it would come with turbos or not.

It seems at the time someone was putting some disinformation about to put people off the scent.

With the Le Mans success and proving ground for FSI technology perhaps Audi are positioning themselves to break into F1 arena as that is destined to stay non-turbo for the foreseeable imo.

[harry]

Now a new RS6... well that is a different, but a V10, £80 000 car is not really any more sensible!