Life after your RS4

[rjkflyer]

During the Bleak Period of DRC repair, i considered seriously (to the point of negotiating prices and specs) what to do.

Am with Oli-F - specc'd a 335d M sport coupe, with prospect of tweaking. All the same reasons - grunt, great grip, goodish looks (so long as you spec out the rubbish brushed trim), well made, and maybe 30mpg. Somehow diesels never deliver for me the mpg if you cane them.

There was an M3 in the showroom (took a while to sell too) but again it's just not special enough following an RS4 following an E46 M3.

Was at Silverstone on Sunday and the LOOKS you get from people in the RS4 confirm it really is special. Think this is one to keep till it drops. And probably makes financial sense too.

[OliF-H]

Olif-h, you got the Cayman yet? I can guarantee it will be a comletely differernt experience to the RS4.

I am in an even bigger dilema in that I've got an RS4 (for the family) and a Cayman S for me, and I can't think what to replace either with. R8s and 911s just aren't THAT much better cars than the CS to warrant the huge uplift from one to the other, and as you all realise, there is little in the family-lugging arena quite like the RS4. What to do?

Hi mate

Yep I've got my Cayman S now

You're right - it is a completely different experience from the RS4 - which was exactly what I was looking for. Don't get me wrong, the RS4 is a brilliantly capable car, and stunningly fast, but just not what I want at the moment (and I don't need the practicality)

It sounds to me like you have the perfect combination! Why are you looking to change?

[OliF-H]

During the Bleak Period of DRC repair, i considered seriously (to the point of negotiating prices and specs) what to do.

Am with Oli-F - specc'd a 335d M sport coupe, with prospect of tweaking. All the same reasons - grunt, great grip, goodish looks (so long as you spec out the rubbish brushed trim), well made, and maybe 30mpg. Somehow diesels never deliver for me the mpg if you cane them.

There was an M3 in the showroom (took a while to sell too) but again it's just not special enough following an RS4 following an E46 M3.

Was at Silverstone on Sunday and the LOOKS you get from people in the RS4 confirm it really is special. Think this is one to keep till it drops. And probably makes financial sense too.

Couldn't agree with you more - but I do think that there are plenty of people out there who will go over to the dark side as cars like the 335d (particularly when DMS'd) provide 90% of the speed and cruising ability with 50% of the running costs

Please please don't chop for an E92 M3 though - if you want a 'super saloon' you're in the best one IMHO

[jackwood]

Olif-h, you got the Cayman yet? I can guarantee it will be a comletely differernt experience to the RS4.

I am in an even bigger dilema in that I've got an RS4 (for the family) and a Cayman S for me, and I can't think what to replace either with. R8s and 911s just aren't THAT much better cars than the CS to warrant the huge uplift from one to the other, and as you all realise, there is little in the family-lugging arena quite like the RS4. What to do?

Hi mate

Yep I've got my Cayman S now

You're right - it is a completely different experience from the RS4 - which was exactly what I was looking for. Don't get me wrong, the RS4 is a brilliantly capable car, and stunningly fast, but just not what I want at the moment (and I don't need the practicality)

It sounds to me like you have the perfect combination! Why are you looking to change?

Well I've had the Cayman over 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles now. WAY longer than I have ever kept any car, ever! Don't NEED to change it, and still cannot come up with a good enough reason/good enough car to change it. It just does everything so fantastically well, and is a blooby reasonable price for the badge, pace, handling bah blah blah. Low running costs too. Well over 20mpg average, 20k mile service intervals and DIY simplistic Brembo brakes. Only thing I've done is add an LSD for a little more rear-end fun

The RS4 is awesome in a different way. In the wet, the car is just on another planet compared to any other car I've ever driven, and the V8 noise is monumental, but it doesn't have the dynamic sparkle that the Cayman does. But then not much that isn't rear-drive mid-engined would.

And I agree, the RS4 gets all the looks, by people who know what it is.

Yea, I have said it before that I think it is a pretty much unbeatable "Real World" garage Both really great cars.

Jack

[OliF-H]

Well I've had the Cayman over 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles now. WAY longer than I have ever kept any car, ever! Don't NEED to change it, and still cannot come up with a good enough reason/good enough car to change it. It just does everything so fantastically well, and is a blooby reasonable price for the badge, pace, handling bah blah blah. Low running costs too. Well over 20mpg average, 20k mile service intervals and DIY simplistic Brembo brakes. Only thing I've done is add an LSD for a little more rear-end fun

The RS4 is awesome in a different way. In the wet, the car is just on another planet compared to any other car I've ever driven, and the V8 noise is monumental, but it doesn't have the dynamic sparkle that the Cayman does. But then not much that isn't rear-drive mid-engined would.

And I agree, the RS4 gets all the looks, by people who know what it is.

Yea, I have said it before that I think it is a pretty much unbeatable "Real World" garage Both really great cars.

Jack

Jack I couldn't agree more with all of that - just wish I could afford to run both!

Think you may have answered your own question

[hunty]

M3 saloon already at £45k with all the extras - a £10k drop!! A six month old one with DCT gear box would be nice.

Anybody else like the look of the RS focus - obviously not in kermit green, but how about a white one??

Can't change till next July anyhow, got a £28k residual so hopefully they will stay in the mid 30's??

[chris5150]

Just changing mine now...fell in love with the new Merc C65 AMG. RS4 is a fine car, but to be honest I think its me I change my cars quite often, and flavour of the month for me is the Merc. Was thinking of an m3 Saloon, but to be honest had a couple of M3's before incuding a CSL, so I quite fancied a car Ive never had before, never ever owned a Merc.
Porsches are very good cars no doubt, but I am just so bored of them now, I think the shape etc has just worn out with me. I think the boxster & Caymen and just plain ugly Im afraid, yes very good drivers cars I know, but I just couldnt admire the looks at all. Did have a 997 GT3 for a while, monstrous car, but I needed 4 seats again unfortunatley.
Anyway my car goes to trade end of next week for £37k...its a phantom black with black optics, sat nav , heated leather, suroof, recaros,electric rear blind and a few other bits I cannot remember!..11k miles 06 plate, full service 1000 miles ago when it also had 4 new tyres. Miltek valved exhaust ..yes that wasnt cheap either, Gruppe M air box, and APS remap. Anyone wants it then PM me, its a snip at £37k thats for sure

[rAudiguy]

I think if BMW can sort out the economy I would consider the next M5 once it's done it's first chunk of money, either that or the RS5/next RS4 but as fuel costs and general living cost continue to spiral out of control 535d m sport or 335d m sport coupe also get the thumbs up. Very very nearly went that route in November when I bought the RS. the only time I don't regret that decision is every time I get in the RS and press the starter button!!

Jim

[ARSEY4]

I think if BMW can sort out the economy I would consider the next M5 once it's done it's first chunk of money, either that or the RS5/next RS4 but as fuel costs and general living cost continue to spiral out of control 535d m sport or 335d m sport coupe also get the thumbs up. Very very nearly went that route in November when I bought the RS. the only time I don't regret that decision is every time I get in the RS and press the starter button!!

Jim

i hve my fahers 535d m sport at the mo until our little cooper s gets picked up at the end of the week and i dont think I could handle it full time. Its as dull as dish water, 31mpg showing at th moment and the inside is just horrible, the plastics used are crap, the silver inserts look crap, the dash layout has no flow, one binnacle for the speedo then another for the sat nav. It goes well enough but I would just feel as though I had given up. Our e53 x5 is a far nicer place to be with all the previous generation plastics that feel alot better quality and more substantial. Oh and another thing the orange peel is not acceptable. Do these manufacturers know how to finish paint, even my RS4 had orange peel.

[rAudiguy]

can't disagree with the comment about the paint finish my wife’s X3 has bas orange peel and the RS although better isn't what I would call good!

Don't get me wrong I wasn't saying for one minute that a 535d was a step forward it would of course be a step backwards but is still something to be considered and I know others have already gone done that route with I'm sure more to follow........

[ARSEY4]

Don't get me wrong I wasn't saying for one minute that a 535d was a step forward it would of course be a step backwards but is still something to be considered and I know others have already gone done that route with I'm sure more to follow........

No I know
I guess it depends on the length of journey you do. The BMW is great on long journeys but then I would imagine a ford mondeo is not far off as good if you ignore the cabin and the fact its a ford. They are supposed to be excellent cars.

[mbelle]

Ford Mondeo - great car; came out of an 03 plate from new (amongst another car) into my RS

(Oops, did I just say that out loud... )

[PatrickRS4]

Anybody else like the look of the RS focus - obviously not in kermit green, but how about a white one??

I had the First Focus RS before the RS4 - it was a great car and we only sold it because we couldn't justify keeping both cars. If the new one is as good as AUTOCAR are alluding too, it'll sell well.

Patrick

56/07 Daytona Grey Avant

[scoobyc]

Like the look of some of the photoshops i've seen in any colour other than that green but just would struggle to justify £10k more than a pre reg st with eibachs and dream science ecu flash. Also this won't be any where near as limited as the first rs so won't keep the same money as the previous imho.

[Mikeyboy]

I've just sold mine too

was a combination of quite a few reasons but ultimately it came down to a Cayman S test drive when I was at a loose end one afternoon and a sudden realisation that, having had a Mk V R32 before the RS4, I wanted something completely different for a while

I do fear slightly for cars like the RS4/ M3/ C63 though as imo due to spiraling running costs we may see a more polarised car market - sports cars and non sports cars - it's not that hard for example to get near m3 pace with a chipped 335d and 35-45 mpg into the bargain...

oh by the way if there is anyone out there looking for an RS4 and has seen the black saloon at Leeds Audi on for £48,850 PM me and I'll tell you what they paid for it - they have got a RIDICULOUS mark up on it

Hey that was the trade I was thinking of doing. How are you finding the CaymanS compared to the RS4. I have a feeling I'm going to miss the grunt and the practicality