Going the distance/high mileage/proper keeper.

[12th]

I'm starting to wonder about the very long term, so any comments from high mileage owners/heavy duty users would be appreciated. Back story is this:

I'm 58 later this year, and bought my car as a sort of 40th birthday present, arriving about three months after. I have used it as a daily driver, but really only drive 2-3 times a week normally. Car's done 101k miles now, and is only adding 2.5-3k to that a year. It's had the DRC replaced, and the oil cooler, engine breathed upon by MRC, bodywork has had some small bits of corrosion, but these have been addressed. Have a great indy that I trust completely. In short, it's in great nick for a car of 18 years of age.

My plan would be (ideally) to keep the car forever. I don't want a paddleshift, a turbo etc etc - love the car and it's engine - they genuinely don't make them like this anymore. I'll have the exhaust replaced with a Milltek or somesuch at some point. Assuming I'm driving until I am 80, that would mean it needs another 22 years, though probably only another 60-70k miles over that time - and I do always run it properly when I use it - all fluids get up to proper operating temperature etc.

There obviously isn't a 40-y/o B7 around, but does anyone have any views on how workable this all sounds? Not expecting a crystal ball, just thoughts, particularly from those who have even higher mileages or who've had cars that have had demanding lives.

I actually had a dream that I was considering chopping it in for a current RS3 saloon, and realised on waking up that I'd actually been looking at a V5 VW Bora. Cold sweat time!

[QuRace]

There obviously isn't a 40-y/o B7 around, but does anyone have any views on how workable this all sounds? Not expecting a crystal ball, just thoughts, particularly from those who have even higher mileages or who've had cars that have had demanding lives.

I'm exactly in the same boat, albeit with a little higher mileage on myself (turned 60 this year) and a little less mileage on the car (35k).

I'm pretty sure, while not being the original owner, that my car likely didn't have an easy life until I bought it, but, having said that, it still is in excellent, almost mint shape. So, it seems a very good base for long term keep. Esp. when, as in your case, I'm only putting one or two k miles on it per year.

Having said that, the big issue is availability of spare parts, which already isn't good for several items. And stuff will break, even without abusing the car, simply due to ageing. Think rubber parts. I'm starting to stack up on likely suspects, but of course, once you have them on the shelf, they will never break. A slight plus wrt the parts issue is the overlap with standard A4/B7s, of which there are still many driving around, and therefore, a parts aftermarket does exist. And, the RS4 being an enthusiasts car, certain items might be/become available through dedicated specialists.

So, in short, I don't know either .

But, mine isn't going anywhere, ever!

[And should the car become undriveable, e.g. due to some electronics issue, I'll just leave her standing in the garage and pat her shapely rear quarterpanels once in a while... ]

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[12th]

There obviously isn't a 40-y/o B7 around, but does anyone have any views on how workable this all sounds? Not expecting a crystal ball, just thoughts, particularly from those who have even higher mileages or who've had cars that have had demanding lives.

Having said that, the big issue is availability of spare parts, which already isn't good for several items. And stuff will break, even without abusing the car, simply due to ageing. Think rubber parts. I'm starting to stack up on likely suspects, but of course, once you have them on the shelf, they will never break. A slight plus wrt the parts issue is the overlap with standard A4/B7s, of which there are still many driving around, and therefore, a parts aftermarket does exist. And, the RS4 being an enthusiasts car, certain items might be/become available through dedicated specialists.

Thanks for that - glad I'm not the only one. Any rubber parts in particular?

Cheers, 12th.

[QuRace]

Thanks for that - glad I'm not the only one. Any rubber parts in particular?

No. That was more of a general remark, but based on other money pits I own, the oldest of which is going on 55 years...

.

[Lenine666]

My plan would be (ideally) to keep the car forever. I don't want a paddleshift, a turbo etc etc - love the car and it's engine - they genuinely don't make them like this anymore. I'll have the exhaust replaced with a Milltek or somesuch at some point. Assuming I'm driving until I am 80, that would mean it needs another 22 years, though probably only another 60-70k miles over that time - and I do always run it properly when I use it - all fluids get up to proper operating temperature etc.

Exactly my plan and for exactly the same reasons. When there's a will, there's a way... (and some cost). Mine's on 178k and still going strong.

[12th]

My plan would be (ideally) to keep the car forever. I don't want a paddleshift, a turbo etc etc - love the car and it's engine - they genuinely don't make them like this anymore. I'll have the exhaust replaced with a Milltek or somesuch at some point. Assuming I'm driving until I am 80, that would mean it needs another 22 years, though probably only another 60-70k miles over that time - and I do always run it properly when I use it - all fluids get up to proper operating temperature etc.

Exactly my plan and for exactly the same reasons. When there's a will, there's a way... (and some cost). Mine's on 178k and still going strong.

Mileage is encouraging, thanks for the response. Get under your skin, don't they?

[kerraddoo01]

Yep - they certainly do get under your skin. Same intentions with mine. 2007 black saloon. Bought it on 31k in 2016. 46k now. Apart from weekly golf run I try to do one long trip a year, plus North Wales and Isle of Man trips. Best car I’ve had (although I miss my old R32) and it runs superbly. Look after it well and sails through the MOT. Top Gear S7 E2 well worth a watch if you haven’t already . I’m 74 and I’m pretty sure I’ll still be driving it past 80. Enjoy it.

[12th]

Yep - they certainly do get under your skin. Same intentions with mine. 2007 black saloon. Bought it on 31k in 2016. 46k now. Apart from weekly golf run I try to do one long trip a year, plus North Wales and Isle of Man trips. Best car I’ve had (although I miss my old R32) and it runs superbly. Look after it well and sails through the MOT. Top Gear S7 E2 well worth a watch if you haven’t already . I’m 74 and I’m pretty sure I’ll still be driving it past 80. Enjoy it.

Thanks - if you're referring to the race against the climbers, that was a part of my decision to buy. Must have seen it twenty times and always raises a smile. Just started going through all the old TGs on iPlayer, so looking forward to seeing it (yet) again.

[lugars4]

I have also watched that race against the climers many time.

This is a rare great video in french that i watched before buying mine and really enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2iF2Sw ... alThoughts

[kerraddoo01]

Yes - the TG one was the one. There’s also one on The Grand Tour. I think it’s the first episode of the most recent series. They do The Arctic Circle. Another great endorsement by Clarkson!

[taylora]

i'm on my second one having regretted a winter or two without one and got the second one about 6 years ago making about 12 years in total - guess that makes me long term.
i am lucky enough to drive more modern stuff as well, some of it fairly pokey as well but nothing much floats my boat. we have as the alternative family wagon an x1-30e with 320hp of electric + petrol, goes well enough up a sliproad but you never take it out for the interesting roads - dull as, spent a couple of weeks over the summer in an a6 allroad - awful. binging and bonging, slow gearbox. avoid. so like you the rs4 is a keeper.

i think the oily bits are relatively speaking the easy bit, keeping the v8 going will be not cheap but possible, same with suspension and brake.

but long term you need to be thinking about the dreaded rust on these cars.
mine is on about 50k now, but like many of us its used all year round and the mud and kak gets everywhere and sits in the gaps behind the bodykit, up by the wheel liners and the read subframe. apparently - and i'm not an expert on this - in the 2000's my german manufactures moved to a single stage underbody treatment and this is not as long lived as the older paints, so now its flaking off and needing tlc, there are bits of steel under there and this will be the weakness when exposed to the winter salt and badness.

i'm local to classic heros who happened to put this vid out around the time they fixed up my car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53JIA0DVmwA

some before and after - i got a load of these pics, and i dont think its particularly unusual what was going on. nothing that needed any structural work, but it would of done at some points. anyway hopefully this is dealt now for the foreseeable future.

your mileage may vary but would recommend getting someone to have a really good look underneath.

[12th]

I had some small corrosion (and I do mean small) at the rear of the front arches - all dealt with now. Car's in for service in a couple of weeks, so I'll ask them to have good poke around!