Change my B7 RS4 for another B7 RS4??

[Surrey Sam]

is there a big benefit of using Ceramics unless you track the car? other than them looking the nuts!

Less unsprung weight, so suspension will work better improving the handling and steering feel. Not that the B7 RS4 was ever lacking in those departments and the improvement would be small.

[iluvmercs]

Thank you everyone. Exactly the kind of comments and replies I am after from fellow enthusiasts, giving me additional causes for thought and arguments for both cases

I am still awaiting email reply from the owner, even after initial telephone calls went unanswered - perhaps that's a sign!
I never really considered selling my current car, but do like to keep an eye on the market for some reason (I'm sure many of us do!), and just seeing this particular one has made me think. Perhaps having missed out on a Ceramic brake'd car before finding mine has something to do with it!
Despite sounding like I am (almost) definitely in favour of the change, I am still genuinely unsure.
As and when I speak with the owner will be the big deciding factor, as I have MANY questions, like any nerd -I mean enthusiast (I'm an enthusiast not a nerd, honest! ) - would have. Indeed this thread has made me add a couple of questions.

Re: the S4. I have driven one, and while very quick and a bit softer than my RS4's SS plus - particularly beneficial on Norfolk's bumpy roads - an 8,000rpm V8 is addictive
In the past I have tried TT RS, gen 1 B8 RS5 Coupe, RS5 Cabrio & B8 RS4. Even though they are more modern, faster and bit more comfortable with the adjustable suspension (TT had mag ride), I just found they didn't handle as well as my car, nor felt as special. That is also ignoring the increased cost.

Re: brakes. A few of you may have seen I posted about upgraded brakes, and with my current car I would continue to experiment. I do track my car, and drive enthusiastically where Ceramics would come in to their own. Having sampled Ceramics from other brands, as well as those on the R8, they are immense and wonderful!

Re: Ceramic prices. An RS4 customer at my local main dealer had a new ceramic system supplied and fitted by the dealer, cost amounting to around £9k. This would be about right going by Sam's recent parts quotation.
It might sound bizarre, but I would spend that chunk of money on a different (well, same) car, but wouldn't spend it all on a ceramic upgrade for my existing car.

I remember buying my car, which at 2 and a half years old, only had 6,300 miles on the clock. Coincidentally that works out to not far off the per annum mileage of this 2007 car.
Once I have spoken with the seller, I shall ultimately decide what to do.

Thank you again for all the comments
Darren

[marc1]

A risk either way really. Low miles don't mean trouble free motoring though. Example thread just recently:

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?ui ... 31&start=0

[PetrolDave]

Basically, I am seeing a lower mileage car a potential to extend my general B7 RS4 ownership and this route as a cheaper version of "upgrading" my daily driver

Better "the devil you know" high miler than an unknown quantity of a low miler - which might turn out great but might just have hidden "issues".

Stick with the one you have, and love it & maintain it well.

[marc1]

It's not even a high miler it's just about run in

Is the one with ceramics a different colour to yours or a different body shape? Any differences other than the miles and brakes? Any items coming up on yours that you know will be costly or nasty noises that are making you nervous?

[jaysrs4]

For me the only point in changing to a lower mileage one would be to concourse it and keep it as a queen.

If you're going to use it everyday I'd 100% keep yours, i'm not saying yours is rough by any means, but you're simply not going have the same residuals or desirability in yours as a B7 with miniscule mileage on it that is absolutely minted/factory condition. There will always be someone willing to pay silly money for that in many years time - certainly when it gets to collector age. That's more of an investment (if you could ever call it that!).

Seems like there's nothing wrong with yours, keep driving it and you'll loose far less money on it than this one in question. If the number on the dash is bothering you, clock it, as that's not the illegal bit, its the selling of it and passing it off as genuine that is!

[iluvmercs]

There's nothing on my car I am worried about, other than the risk of natural wear and tear as the mileage increases further.
She is freshly serviced and MOT'd and is still lovely to drive.

I have now spoken to the owner and done my own checks on the car.

It has been Audi main dealer serviced every year, regardless of mileage (1500-2000 miles per annum). Any recalls have been attended to and the oil cooler was replaced under warranty. The owner appears to be an enthusiast, claiming to have almost every receipt in the 6 years he's owned it. He's the 2nd owner.
Paint, wheels and interior are described as spotless.
On paper is looks to be a great example.

It also has a couple more toys than mine, above the Ceramics.
I have been honest about my position with the seller.

I'm not going to rush and think on it thoroughly over the next few days. If it goes in that time, then fair enough.

But all you fellow enthusiasts have given me much to think about and for that I further thank you

Darren

[Surrey Sam]

More toys the better...go on

[marc1]

Do the C6 ceramics fit? Worth a call into a unit 20 / MRC to check possibly:

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=105463

[iluvmercs]

I don't believe the C6 Ceramics fit - bigger discs, different mounts and calipers I believe.

The extra toys aren't too exciting. Just rear electric blind, side window blinds and heated rear seats in addition to what mine has. I have learned a front centre arm rest is missing from the spec, so a retro fit would be in order.

Mechanical-wise the car is completely stock, as per mine.

Also 10mm lowered suspension without DRC has been mentioned as a GMBH special suspension option (I assume Quatto GmbH, there).
Nothing is mentioned in the full options list I obtained from Audi, so does anyone please have any idea as to what this is?
I've only heard of standard RS4 suspension and the Sport Suspension Plus on my car, which I believe is acutally a 10mm drop also.

As for ownership, it wouldn't be kept as a concourse queen. I like my cars looking great, but also like to use them as intended. 23k miles isn't silly low that is priced with a huge premium - one would pay about the same for a main dealer B7 RS4 with double that mileage. That is sort of the appealing thing.
I remember an immensely low mileage one from a year or so ago which was knocking on the door of £40k IIRC.

Thanks again,
Darren

[sar]

i think he has his wires crossed re the suspension, there were only two options ss and ss+ both drc.
and yes ss+ is 10mm lower.

[iluvmercs]

Thanks for confirming that

The last couple of years I have had two friends wishing for first refusal on my car, one of whom seems very keen, should I proceed.

That is another factor in this process, but as I said I shall think on it and of course will let you guys know the outcome.

Thank you again for all the opinions and comments

Darren

[stevoRS4]

is there a big benefit of using Ceramics unless you track the car? other than them looking the nuts!

No brake dust for starters!

[coffey555]

Centre arm rest gets in the way when changing gear plus if it is not there you can't break the clip!

[stu]

I'm in the 'better the devil you know' camp on this one. Is that 10k burning a hole in your pocket? You're more than half way to a TTS supercharger...