New owner - a few questions

[zorbs]

Hi all,

I've always wanted an RS4 ever since watching Jeremy Clarkson drive one through the mountains on Top Gear years a go. Now I've just got one I can understand why he was so bowled over - what a phonemenal car it is. I did test drive other cars but couldn't find anything able do what the RS does - well, not in my price bracket anyway. I was lucky enough to drive 3 RS4's almost back to back and there were definitely differences between them so I just picked the one that felt the best...

Obviously I want the car to be running just as it should so I have a few new owner questions for the collective knowledge here:


1. On very cold start it's a bit lumpy to drive smoothly for a minute or two - is that normal?

2. I've also noticed that if I just leave it to tick over rather than drive straight away it smells a but rich / of petrol for a bit. Anything to worry about?

3. I don't think there's any unusual slack in the transmission but the car can be tricky to hold on steady throttle over bumps in low gears without being jerky. Quite a light throttle for such a powerful car... Is there anything I should check for or is it just a case of getting used to the car? I must say I am already much smoother after a week of driving.


Thanks in advance. I'm off for another drive now

[sonny]

1) Software Update cured this; SW0090.
2) The cabin filter may need changing.
3) Do you have SS+ or a after market coilover kit fitted? if so, then this creates a harsher ride. you will have to come off throttle when going over bumps. it maybe related to question 1 if you are not running SS+ or coilovers.

Enjoy your car, you have good taste.

[ArthurPE]

1) mine's the same, high compression, cold engine, direct injection
2) mine's the same, they run rich until warmed up
3) mine's the same, it has veeeeery low gearing, the diffs are 4.11:1, just normal back lash, the flip side, you can put around in 3rd, lol
sometimes when you hit the bump, it makes the pedal jerk a bit

[sckrs4]

Hi
welcome. Yes all 3 questions are normal. All are very similar to r8 v8 version.

Best driven when outside temp is around 3.5 to 7 c.


Aditional rollover is the best to get the v8 coming to life

by the way which year is yours and what where the other cars you tested?

~s

[sonny]

Well I must say I dont get the smell of fumes in my car on start up. so how can it be normal?

[APM]

Well I must say I dont get the smell of fumes in my car on start up. so how can it be normal?

He doesn't say it smells IN the car.

[guffy]

Hi all,

I've always wanted an RS4 ever since watching Jeremy Clarkson drive one through the mountains on Top Gear years a go.

That's exactly what happened to me Swore i'd have one at some point.

[zorbs]

Many thanks for all the replies, much appreciated! Good to know the car is fairly normal - even if the driver isn't

I started the car today and no smell at all so if it's periodic and nothing to worry about then I'm fine with that. I'll persuade Audi to do the latest ECU update when I get them to sort my seatbelt rattle. Does it up the power too? I must admit that when funds permit I'd also like MRC to give it a once over so it's humming like new...

Had a good drive today and it's becoming second nature to be more precise with the throttle. It is a bit of a beast to drive after my last car so it's to be expected I guess, but for a performance car it's a doddle to drive by comparison to many others. I tried an M3 V8, Porsche 997s, Audi TTS, Jaguar XKR 5.0. Strange combination I know but I wanted a car that was fast and refined on our crappy roads and had four seats so excluded the Boxsters, Caymans, Subaru's etc. Nothing came even close to the RS4 for me - even without being swayed by Mr Clarkson!!

Mines a 2006 registered just before the tax robbery kicked in and has done 30,000 miles. I think it's standard but have to say it felt a bit faster than the other two RS's I drove so who knows.... The car had previous lady owner so needless to day the wheels are in a shocking state - when I've grovelled around on my knees cleaning them I'll post some pics

[matthew.lewis2]

Hi all,

I've always wanted an RS4 ever since watching Jeremy Clarkson drive one through the mountains on Top Gear years a go.

That's exactly what happened to me Swore i'd have one at some point.

Me too!

[zorbs]

Hi all,

I've always wanted an RS4 ever since watching Jeremy Clarkson drive one through the mountains on Top Gear years a go.

That's exactly what happened to me Swore i'd have one at some point.

Me too!

I just watched the video again on YouTube. Clarkson must have sold thousands of RS4's for Audi with that advertisement / sorry, review... God, the sound of that V8 thundering through the mountains had me reaching for the keys again and pressing the "S" button - I bet the neighbours love me

[oscawhite]

I bought one too, recently and the issues you mention are just the same as with mine. The jerkiness you mention was particularly annoying and manifested itself in transmission shunt, particularly while attempting to drive the car using slight throttle openings – I found I was having to dip the clutch and then reapply the throttle. I decided I needed to have the car serviced, despite a long service schedule and a dealership who insisted it wasn’t necessary. Similar mileage to yours, and spark plugs with nearly 30,000 miles on them. I insisted on having them replaced as part of the service and now the problem is completely cured.

I too find that on some cold starts the car does have what appears to have a misfire for a few minutes, sort of a fueling/ too rich mixture/ petrol problem. Clearly this is related to the smell you refer to. I’ve read all these issues on here, so you are not alone.

Anyway, welcome!

[zorbs]

I bought one too, recently and the issues you mention are just the same as with mine. The jerkiness you mention was particularly annoying and manifested itself in transmission shunt, particularly while attempting to drive the car using slight throttle openings – I found I was having to dip the clutch and then reapply the throttle. I decided I needed to have the car serviced, despite a long service schedule and a dealership who insisted it wasn’t necessary. Similar mileage to yours, and spark plugs with nearly 30,000 miles on them. I insisted on having them replaced as part of the service and now the problem is completely cured.

I too find that on some cold starts the car does have what appears to have a misfire for a few minutes, sort of a fueling/ too rich mixture/ petrol problem. Clearly this is related to the smell you refer to. I’ve read all these issues on here, so you are not alone.

Anyway, welcome!

Thank for the response Oscawhite, that's really interesting about the spark plugs - for what they cost I might change them. The car had a lady owner before me so I'm guessing (sorry to be sexist) that she didn't run it that hard so the plugs might not be that clean... In fact, I might visit MRC for a port job and they could do it at the same time Anyone know how difficult or otherwise it is to change the plugs myself though??

Part throttle can be tricky with these cars and I'm pretty smooth now but it does require some concentration so yours must be a joy to drive now! I have to say though that the more I drive mine the more I love it (apart from the crap Avon tyres I have).

What ECU software are you on by the way? I'm considering going to 0090 but am worried this might affect performance in other ways so I'll put up with the dodgy cold running for a few minutes until other members confirm it's okay.

[oscawhite]

.. sorry Zorbs - I'm afarid I don't know