Swapping my RS4 b7 for a S4 b8?

[DUR]

Hi:

With the summer holidays I've been doing some thinking...

Is it worth to trade in my RS4 b7 for a S4 b8? What do you guys think? Is the RS4 that much of a better car?

Cheers.

[psg001]

check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkHnH2xs7wE



PS. what are your reasons for changing? I wouldnt do it, i've never found S cars as good as RS cars!

[P_G]

The S4 is a good car and I have driven one in thinking I may change, but to be honest I had the same dilema I had when I first thought of trading my B6 S4 for an RS4; that is the S4 is not currently £10-15k better than the RS4.

Don't be fooled by fuel economy, they are pretty much on a par and a personal perspective, I don't like the S4's looks as much (particularly those barn door wing mirrors) and I'd always miss my V8. The only two things for me going for the S4 are the extra space in the rear and the MMI over the RS4's RNS-E. That said, I wouldn't pay £10-15k for that.

When S4's drop in price and used examples with warranty come on the market then it will be a far more interesting proposition. That said, for me I'll hopefully either be in an R8 or and C6 RS6 saloon.

[neckarsulm]

What's the benefit?
The supposed MPG improvement seems a bit fictional in the real world according to EVO with low twenties the norm.
B8 S4s look very plain, a TDI S line looks almost identical.
They have the stupid electric handbrake.
They will depreciate more rapidly and keep on going.
However they are quite rare, haven't seen one for weeks now unlike B7 RS4s but then good cars sell in large numbers when not limited by the manufacturer.
Check out the long term tests at www.evo.co.uk as it wasn't totally reliable either

[DUR]

Thank you all for the replies!!

As I have also written on another forum, the thing is that my RS4 has almost 80.000 km on the clock, which means it will soon be needing a clutch replacement, front brake discs and pads, etc. Plus, my car does not have a sunroof (which for me is a must) and has light grey interior, which I don't like at all (you're probably thinking why I bought it... It is in mint engine condition and the previous owner is a friend, which means absolute reliability on the previous usage of the car).

Therefore, to have an almost perfect RS4 to my taste (almost perfect since I would, in all cases, have to live without the sunroof) I would have to spend a lot of money on clutch, brakes, new leather, etc.

Is it worth it? Even though I absolutely love the RS, is it worth spending so much money on the car? Isn't it better to go for a new taylor made S4?

Cheers.

NOTE: I haven't driven the b8 S4...

[P_G]

Is it worth saving the money and trading your RS4 for another RS4? Get one with the spec you want. BTW clutch change at 80,000km? I just recently passed 120,000km and still on the same clutch. Shop around a bit for non Audi sellers of discs and pads and in the UK fron a front change that would only cost you £6-700 including pads. Far less than £10K. And if you trade for another RS4 it may have this done already!

[klauster]

Sorry yo hi-jack but my car is at 62000 miles, I know I will need a clutch at some point... what kind of money we talking?

[P_G]

I'm sure Grizz said he would do an OEM clutch replacement for circa £850.

Or fit a Sachs kit for more....

[RS4KILLA]

i drove the new s4 recently no comparision to th rs4

[JonRS4]

I've done just that, ordered a 2011 S4 and sold my '07 RS4. Spent a good amount of time at the wheel before deciding and am very happy with the S4. There is just less of a hard edge on the S4 without giving up anything in handling and acceleration. I always felt with the RS that you had to "drive it like you stole it" to really enjoy the car and that got tiring after a while. The wife will actually drive the S4 (she would not drive the RS) which is a good thing when I want to use her van for business.

I'd say the fit and finish of the RS4 is superior as are the subtle items like fit of the gas cover, trunk lid mechanism and the interior overall. The technology package in the S4 is light years ahead especially if you go with the Sports Diff and DSG transmission (I did 6MT) and of course the tune-ability of the S4 is huge.

The RS body and looks & braking is far superior as is the incredible Milltek assisted V8 sound track and of course exclusivity but as far as just day to day driving and enjoying the thing, I'm happy with the S4.

[DUR]

Thank you all for the replies.

After driving the car yesterday for a big while, I enjoyed it so much that, for the time being, it's a keeper. The sound, the drivability and the looks... What the hec, I love the car!!!!

Btw, here go some pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25947251@N ... 1228/show/

Since I'm keeping it, there are a couple of changes I might want to do:

First, I'm thinking of installing some 19" BBS CH rims. Does anyone have such combo? Any pics?

On second place, I'd like to install the memory function for the electric seats. Would that seem possible?

Finally, what exhaust would you recommend? I see most of the people go for the Milltek option...

Cheers.

[JonRS4]

Finally, what exhaust would you recommend? I see most of the people go for the Milltek option...

I went with the Milltek resonated option, non valved. If I had to do it again, I'd go valved resonated. Never found it intrusive around town but on long highway trips with people in the car, it was a bit much.

I actually bought the non-resonated version first and it was entirely not in keeping with the car's character. Sure, it sounded great tearing up and down the street a few times but it was just too much. Interesting point, I installed the stock system to sell the car and actually enjoyed the peace and quiet for about an hour and then promptly moved on to pining for the Milltek! The sound of that engine is one of the real treats of the RS.

[Dom81]

I'd like to install the memory function for the electric seats. Would that seem possible?

Memory was never an option in the UK, so I did a special factory order when speccing mine. The codes were

Drivers Seat with Memory 3L4
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror PU9
Door Mirrors Heated - Auto Dimming - With Memory in Standard RS4 Design 6XM

All up it cost £600, which was £400 on top of the basic price for the auto-dim + light & rain package