Hello - New member looking for a B7

[ol.]

Hi chaps,

I've been lurking for the past month or so while I have been researching RS4s.

I currently have the RS4s little brother - a Golf R32. It's been a great car, made even better with a non-res Milly and a few other bits and bobs, but I've had it for 2 years now and have got an itch to change.

After test driving a LOT of other cars, the only thing I feel will do everything the R32 did (but much better) would be the RS4 - I do track days and Europe trips and like going over to the Nurburgring, but then I need to be able to park it on a council estate, but then also at 5* hotels for work. This rules out things like 911's, and BMWs and Mercs just don't appeal to me. I've always been into VW's, and had more Golfs over the years than I care to remember.

So...

I'm looking to trade the R32 if I can get a good deal, if not then will be selling privately. We've got a 'Ring trip planned for the end of April, so I would definitely like to have changed by then.

I am currently looking at B7 RS4's under 25k, and ideally trying to find one with a few mods on it, like a Milltek, coilovers and a map (in an ideal world). Not bothered about colour really, but I definitely want the Recaro bucket seats, sat nav and the flat bottom steering wheel. Not too bothered about mileage so long as it's not astronomical, as the car has been looked after, ie good history. I've been told it's better to get one at around 50k miles with less owners, than one with 30k miles and more owners. Also, I guess if it hasn't been used 'properly' they can suffer from the carbon build up. I will be doing about 20-30k miles per year in it.

I have found one that looks interesting, but haven't phoned up for more information yet. It's for sale at 'AK Performance' in Bradford. Are they well know on here? Are they OK to deal with?

Also, I have been looking into GAP insurance, is this generally recommended? I can't decide if i should purchase one privately on a cash deal, (which I believe means I cant take the return to invoice Gap insurance) or if I should finance the car from a dealer (not nescessarily a main dealer) take the GAP insurance, and then pay off the finance early, therefore still having the security of gap insurance. I'm a bit confused at all of this as I've never financed a car before...

Any advice would be much apreciated -what to look out for when test driving, and good cars for sale that you know of etc? I know I should be feeling a 'second wind' at 5500 rpm, but want to make sure I dont buy a dog.

Thanks in advance.

Ol

[ol.]

...Just found that the car I was interested in has done 90,000 miles, which seems like a lot... It's up for £21,500 but had got:

'MILLTEK CAT BACK EXHAUST, KW COILOVERS ALL ROUND, HR ANTI ROLL BARS AND AND STEERING ARMS, ECU REMAP AND TUNED BY AUTOGRAPH .'

Would I be better off buying a standard car and doing the modifications myself? I'm guessing I would be looking at about £2-3,000 for the above modifications?

[ol.]

Hmm, found a better looking car, with far fewer miles and still has a Milltek. Is this car known to anyone one here?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Thanks

[blelock]

I am also in the market for an RS4 - need to sell my 2010 Octavia VRS first

[Macdaddy]

Hi and welcome,

I had both mk4 and mk5 R32's and as quick as they appear at the time the RS blows them away tbh on all levels!

I opted for a car from Audi with warranty and GAP for peace of mind.

Miltecks are expensive on the RS (£1,000+) so if you find one with then it's a big bonus. Mines completely stock and will be staying that way for a bit, plus with only 12k on the clock it's not run in lol

[ol.]

Thanks Macdaddy- I recognise your username from the r32oc - I'm 'ol' on there too- I help organise a few of the North East get togethers. So I take it you've no regrets about moving from an R32 to RS4?

[Macdaddy]

Thanks Macdaddy- I recognise your username from the r32oc - I'm 'ol' on there too- I help organise a few of the North East get togethers. So I take it you've no regrets about moving from an R32 to RS4?

Definatley not! Wish I'd bought one years ago.

I went to a 350z then a range rover and finally the 3.0tdi A5 that I chopped in for the RS.

Myself and Wayne started the R32 forum a few years bk.

[RS6chris!]

I too came from a MK5 R32 to the RS4..actually i had two R32,s over a couple of years,,with a E46 M3 bewteen...

The RS4 is a different league to the R32 although i take nothing away from the Golf they are great cars.

I used to change my cars every 6 to 8 months. ..but ive had this baby 3 years... and nthing else comes close IMO.

Theres plenty too choose from these days..do your homework and dont rush in. You will find out all you need to know from this forum believe me...

Of course they aint cheap to run...but i personally dont think they are MEGA expensive...look after it...get it serviced etc and you,l b fine.

Get one with all recalls done and FASH.

I,d make sure it has Audi history or Audi may get funny ifyou claim for any DRC issues now covered up to 5 years 75k.

I notice you are from the North East..me too..where abouts???

[scottie1979]

Hello, welcome

Small point regarding the buckets - they arent Recaro. The full electric, more comfort orientated ones, are the Recaros. Not what you would expect i know but might save you confusion when phoning up enquiring.

Best of luck with the search

[Steve_C]

Small point regarding the buckets - they arent Recaro. The full electric, more comfort orientated ones, are the Recaros. Not what you would expect i know but might save you confusion when phoning up enquiring.

Also, the multi-function steering wheel is not the same thing as the Flat Bottom steering wheel (FBSW).

[HYFR]

Hi Ol,

welcome, you wont regret the RS 4

1, when are you going to the ring ? there are about 10 of us S / RS owners from here and audisrs.com going on Easter wkend (22-24th April) ? its gonna be an awesome show to metal so do join if that when your heading out

2. dont buy a car from Bradford (no offence to anyone from Bradford)

3. RS 4 ... dont be put off by miles, but above all else, you need to gain some comfort that its been looked after ...

as an experienced RS man, here is my 2 pence ...

The below link is my old car. I sold it to a guy on here last May 2010, he has just traded it in about a month ago against an R32 (missed a trick there!) ... I think the dealer gave him £20k for the RS but loaded the Golf ... so I recon there's plenty of negotiating.

The car had 1 owner up to 60k / 3 yrs. I then bought it from Stafford Audi as an approved used car, then sold it to the last owner. Audi warranty expired in Dec.

The car was MINT in every way. The colour is stunning in the flesh, really shows off the curves.

If you could get it for £21.5k / £22k, you're quids in for mods ... you can get a non res milltek for c.£800-£900 new without valves, or 2nd hand ones do pop up

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

[Adam]

Hello, welcome

Small point regarding the buckets - they arent Recaro. The full electric, more comfort orientated ones, are the Recaros. Not what you would expect i know but might save you confusion when phoning up enquiring.

Best of luck with the search

although I think the buckets are also made by Recaro, but yesthe standard name convention is RS buckets or Recaro sport seats

[Steve_C]

... dont be put off by miles

The colour is stunning in the flesh, really shows off the curves.

+1 for high miles and Avus! As long as the price reflects it and its got FSH high miles shouldn't be a worry. Personally I'd be more worried if it had ridiculously low miles.

[HYFR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC7KUEkr9bE

[Steve_C]

DK, I'm assuming it is Avus (looks it to me) although just noticed the adverts reads metallic silver which is a lighter shade?