Newbie

[Nico1970]

Hello everyone.

I have just recently (<1 month) joined the B7 RS 4 club and am excited at the prospect of ownership of an 06 62k saloon in Mugello blue. Having spent some time reviewing this forum, I can clearly see that ownership of this superb driver's car does not come without its risks. That said, you pays yer money...

I bought the car from a franchised (non-Audi) dealer with a 2 year warranty as part of the deal. Now, I am not so naive as to think the warranty will cover absolutely everything but, in theory, it should give some piece of mind in the event of major surgery.

The following have been the first problems that I have come across:

1) flickering passenger headlamp - query ballast control until
2) leaking washer bottle - looks like a rubber seal is gone
3) clutch pedal switch - cruise control not working, slight over-rev when changing gear at start-up
4) reversing lights staying on - query reversing light switch
5) parking sensor lighting up on dash (an chirping) when no object near
6) TPMS malfunction - could be the system doesn't like the big wheels

No show-stoppers there and should be easily repaired under warranty all being well.

The car certainly drives well (the secondary kick at circa 5.5k rpm is clearly felt), sounds awesome (Milltek Sport) and looks incredible (20" alloys) and, notwithstanding the few irritations noted above, I am delighted with it so far...

I have some questions for the experienced owners as follows:

1) How often should you change oil i.e. is it worth doing it well before the recommended service intervals?
2) Is Castrol Edge 5W-30 OK for top up?
3) What about Castrol Magnetec (I have loads of it from a previous life!)?
3) Can anyone recommend a good independent specialist in N. Ireland for servicing?
4) Is the de-coke job an urban myth / placebo or are there measureable gains to be had?
5) Are there any symptoms showing a good carbon clean is indicated?

That's all for now. Forgive me I have gone over old ground, but I presume that's what this forum is all about - shared knowledge!?

Thanks for reading.

[TimDogg]

I use Castrol Edge 5W-30 and not Magnetec, others will advise. All your problems are solvable - the TMPS might just need a reset through the DIS (Drivers Information System). The de-coke is something that some guys love and some guys think is not worth the money - I'd say if your car is making less than 370 bhp then 'think' about a de-coke, personally mine makes 389 bhp and I'm happy to not de-coke. Good to get a car with a Milltek. I service every 10k miles and use Castrol Edge 5W-30, it just makes me feel better but you can use this oil for the long-life service. Find a good specialist and stay clear from Audi (except Camberley and maybe the odd other).

Find a good specialist - I had to say it twice.

If you have to 'hold' in the starter button to start then that could be indicative of clutch problems apparently - others will advise.

Also FON.

Also - if you don't post a picture then your car doesn't officially exist and all my time spent writing will have been in waste, thus I will launch my nest of dragons at you and my anger will know no bounds

This might help... http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=90255

[Nico1970]

Thanks for your post and the ubiquitous FON welcome.
Cheers.

I have reset the 2nr settings under Tyre Pressure on the DIS but the TPMS warning keeps coming back every day or two. There's no loss of pressure though.

It is interesting to hear your advise on the engine start button. Are you suggesting that it is 'normal' to only have to give it a brief press and let go? I find that I do have to 'hold' it until the engine fires. Hmmm...

Photo included below for good order.

[PJC]

FON, BEST COLOUR TOO

[Spaceman_RS4]

Change the clutch switch and that will sort the start button to a push and starts itself will drive better too and cheap

[TimDogg]

Beautiful colour - awesome.

Clutch switch failure - cheap to replace but BE CAREFUL with fitting... (will sort the cruise control also)

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=97748

http://audisrs.com/archive/rs4-push-but ... 36753.html

http://www.ozaudi.com/forums/a4-s4-rs4/ ... 7-rs4.html

Your car IS awesome and these are MINOR problems - damn that colour is great!

[Nico1970]

Thanks guys. Great advice on the clutch pedal switch!

Slightly Off Topic, but TimDogg I see from your signature that you used to have an ST220. So did I!
I did over 100k miles in it. It was a great car, quick (not fast per se) with foolproof solid handling. I always thought it was hugely underated car and a victim of badge snobbery. Cheap to run and service, although mine liked to drink oil (hence the gallons of leftover Magnetec!?!) Would be interested in your thoughts on the ST220 some time.... That said, RS 4 in a different league though.

[Surrey Sam]

Welcome aboard.

As suggested, get a clutch switch and that should sort out the cruise control problem. I press my starter button until it clicks and then let go; the car will then fire and start all by itself.

The TPMS warning is possibly down to the wheels. Looking at the picture you've posted, the rims are fitted with standard rubber valves whereas the TPMS valves stems are made from metal, so it's probable that the rims don't have any sensors fitted and the car will throw the TPMS light because of that. You can deactivate the TPMS warning system using VCDS software and a suitable cable, although if you plan on keeping those rims I'd suggest doing that, and adding some spacers which it's in dire need of as the wheel offset looks wrong.

Anyway there is a great depth of knowledge on here, so search and ask away

[RIV]

Those wheels look like after market copies?

[TimDogg]

Nico - the ST220 was oily but also only returned 27 mpg and didn't 'feel' fast exactly - I bought mine brand new. I figured going from 27 mpg to 20 mpg wasn't too bad - it was the ST24 that I missed most to be honest, that was a great drive for a 170 bhp car.

You have a really great car there and this forum can help you sort the small probs you have with it - the post from Surrey Sam is quite insightful actually, look into that or disable via VCDS.

Peeps on here are real helpful - you've found a good place to reside. (Still jealous of the colour though!)

This is mine last week in Bavaria...

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

[PeteS4]

Hi Nico,

Congrats on the new car. Do you have access to VCDS? Where are you based? I have VCDS and could possibly meet up. I am in Comber.

I sold my RS4 8 months ago. Currently in a B8 S4. I so miss that V8 roar.

I never did manage to find a good indy to look after the RS.

[adsgreen]

I had the predecessor to st24 for my first car... Good 'ole Probe. Generally ok car, but the engine felt like it was filled with Imac is was so smooth. tick over at 500 rpm and silky. Eventually turbocharged it and basically ruined it - the chassis was so poor that it would wheelspin to much.

[vestax32]

Detango.

[coffey555]

Silver nappa works really well with Mugello!

I had the same problem with my parking sensors, check the car for error codes using a VCDS cable and you should be able to find the one that is faulty and replace it.

If it is one of the outside pair you will need to buy some spray paint to match it to the bumper.

My bumper came off to do this so that front bumper gap can be adjusted at the same time.

Seeing as you need to turn off your TPMS system anyway, it might be an idea to buy a genuine VCDS cable if you are planning on keeping the car a while. Not cheap, but probably the best single investment you can make for the car.

[rs4Mav]

It is interesting to hear your advise on the engine start button. Are you suggesting that it is 'normal' to only have to give it a brief press and let go? I find that I do have to 'hold' it until the engine fires. Hmmm...



Defiantly the clutch switch, just changed mine this week, don’t have to hold the start button any more, just a quick press and of she goes.
Cruise control works again.
Gear changes are smoother making the car nicer to drive.
Only took me 15 mins to install from start to finish.
Switch only 17 pounds including VAT from main stealers.
Look up on the forums and you will find a detailed guide of how to install it, just make sure you don’t push the plunger in on the switch whilst fitting.

Nice looking car by the way, nearly as fast as an Avant