First drive in a RS4 today - a review

[Noyjatat]

It's been a pleasure owning an RS4, it ticks all the boxes for me without being silly in any one department.

This forum shows the community that has been built around the RS range and the B7 RS4 is probably the most driven car by members.

As an everyday car it's fantastic and can be enjoyed with three friends in the car, four at a squeeze. It's deceptively nimble for its size, it's quick without slapping the back of your head into the headrest and will go all the way to the limiter without missing a beat. The engine has a lovely kick where you would expect fade, the exhaust is a smooth noise that attracts positive looks rather than grumbled scorn at its volume and tone, it's comfortable, hugely forgiving, it blends into traffic but car lovers know one when they see one. It looks lovely as it comes without needing to flex harsh body lines, sticky out exhausts or bonnet vents. It's still a sleek predator on the road even now, it's the panther of cars. Yes there's lions and tigers out there and there always will be but it's very hard not to love the RS4 and what it is. It's a car to be enjoyed by everyone that rides in or drives one!

Just in case it wasn't obvious I LOVE mine to bits

[ShaneyB]

Who was the dealer?

Personally I'd say paying £3.5k to get the car to 440ps would be worth it if it was a permanent fix but carbon build up will always return. I'd also say the performance and sound difference between standard and modded are very noticeable and it does transform the car IMO.

Trust me - at this time of year go for the RS4 over E92.

[adsgreen]

Sync24 - tell us what other cars you're considering?

I'm moving from a bike (2009 Honda cbr1000rr) to a sports car -

I've also had a few sports bike in the past and I haven't yet driven a car that gives that king of feeling, however they are 2 totally different entities but as a car it really is a joy to drive, not to mention the looks of awe on peoples faces then it drives by them, whether slow and mean or fast and loud!!!! Recognition of "They Know What it is"

Agreed - the nearest thing I've gotten to bike experience in a car is something open cockpit such as the 211, KTM or Atom. Bonkers quick (esp when tweaked) and light enough to have the delicate feel but a little bit more safer. Unfortunately, you also get the miserable side of riding bikes - royal pita when it rains.
I've driven passengers in faster machinery (well, straight line) and yes they enjoy it... however theres something about an open cockpit that completely overloads the senses if you are not used to it. I've had people throw up after getting out of the 211 after a few laps.

[adsgreen]

I have read about the RS4 being 'limited' (torque?) in 1st-3rd gears, if this limit is removed do they feel much quicker?

No. As Arthur has pointed out, technically peak torque is below when the "limiter" is active so doesn't have much if any difference. Maybe in conjunctino iwth other modifications then great but not on it s own.
It does affect the throttle balance and I prefer it.

[spikeyboy101]

Agree with everything others have said.

Had a modded B6 S$ prior to the RS4 - at forst the S4 felt quicker and i though what have a done, but once you learn the way the car drives and the engine pulls there is a huge difference.

Also didnt help that i had a vac leak plus carbon so the RS4 was only putting out 360bhp - so with a ECU remap, K&N Airfilter, Milly Cat Back, Carbon Clean and Vac fixed she now puts out 431bhp.

If the car you test drove didnt have the kick at 5,500 then it probably has a vac leak, most common area for this is the airbox - its an easy test the dealer could do to see if it has a leak and chip to fix, unless its the valve under the manifold - but get this moved when you have the carbon clean.

Best car i have ever owned, also no one ever has a bad thing to say about an RS4 - it is a very well respected car.

Have a friends who have owned Porkers, Mazzers etc and they quite often get wanker signs pulled at them and abuse from people - never ever had this in the RS4

[sync24]

Thanks for the feedback / responses everyone - It's appreciated - I am sold on the RS4 Avant - now just need to find the right one - I am actively 'shopping'

[KernowPete]

Thanks for the feedback / responses everyone - It's appreciated - I am sold on the RS4 Avant - now just need to find the right one - I am actively 'shopping'

You won't regret it - I've had mine for two years and I still regularly go out into the garage of an evening just to walk around it and look at it. And mine's stock and not even a minter!!

[sync24]

You won't regret it - I've had mine for two years and I still regularly go out into the garage of an evening just to walk around it and look at it.

That's the kind of thing I will be doing - Better get the garage cleared out and swept and painted and heated ....

[ShaneyB]

Thanks for the feedback / responses everyone - It's appreciated - I am sold on the RS4 Avant - now just need to find the right one - I am actively 'shopping'

You won't regret it - I've had mine for two years and I still regularly go out into the garage of an evening just to walk around it and look at it. And mine's stock and not even a minter!!

Funny you say that Pete. Everytime I used to come home after a night outI always used to pause and admire the way the light looked on the curves, particularly the rear arches. That's where the E92 makes me feel a bit let down....

[KernowPete]

Yep, I love the look of the M3 but you can't beat the arches on a B7 RS4.

[scaghead]

Yep, I love the look of the M3 but you can't beat the arches on a B7 RS4.

Plus 1.....I had a 46 m3 and that has character, the b7 rs4 has it, sadly the 90/92 has not..BMW built a great engine to compete but sadly they failed with the rest of the car..

[Sc0rian]

its really hard to find a good rs4 though. And I have to buy the estate, which makes it even more harder. I'm probably living in a dream world, because I only really got the budget for around 17grand, low miles as possible, private dealer if possible and all receipts for everything, knowing it's carbon clean and drc free

[Vick]

its really hard to find a good rs4 though. And I have to buy the estate, which makes it even more harder. I'm probably living in a dream world, because I only really got the budget for around 17grand, low miles as possible, private dealer if possible and all receipts for everything, knowing it's carbon clean and drc free

Blimey, a lot of 'WANTS' for a small budget.

[Rs4mar]

Go to a main dealer and get a warranty, as solid as these cars are I'm living proof that they ain't bulletproof. Good luck

[TonyHayers]

its really hard to find a good rs4 though. And I have to buy the estate, which makes it even more harder. I'm probably living in a dream world, because I only really got the budget for around 17grand, low miles as possible, private dealer if possible and all receipts for everything, knowing it's carbon clean and drc free

Hehe, you don't want much eh?

I reckon if you want all that you're either going to have to wait a long time or spend more money