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About to start the search for a B7 RS4 Avant. I've read the buyer's guide and many discussions about various known issues. Going to see a forum member's car next week, which will give me first hand knowledge of how the car should be.

So, going into this with my eyes open and I'm used to high running costs associated with performance cars.

I'm still a bit confused by the sticking clutch issues. Clutches wear out and need replacing, so there are plenty of stories linked to the issue that are just a worn out clutch.

1. From what I can gather, the issue arises when you rev above 7000 rpm (whether moving of stationary), but how long does it take to "recover" and operate normally again.
2. Does it mean that if it does it once, it will always be prone to it?
3. Does the clutch operate normally at lower revs i.e. when I test drive one, I won't know it has the problem unless I rev it? If I never rev the nuts off it, it'll never stick?
4. I also gather that there is no definitive identification of the root cause, but does changing the clutch and flywheel (plus the other bits and pieces) always resolve it? Cost around £2k from a good indy such as MRC.
5. There is no point in changing it until for non OEM unless I intend to take it on a track (which I don't).

Cheers,
Bryan

There's plenty of info on the forum that a quick search should throw up, but I'll answer the below as per my experience

1. From what I can gather, the issue arises when you rev above 7000 rpm (whether moving of stationary), but how long does it take to "recover" and operate normally again. - Not always, can happen at lower revs, you "Recover" by pulling the clutch back up with your toe, it may happen again straight away, it may not.
2. Does it mean that if it does it once, it will always be prone to it? - Generally gets worse over time after it starts, but can be long periods between when it happens.
3. Does the clutch operate normally at lower revs i.e. when I test drive one, I won't know it has the problem unless I rev it? If I never rev the nuts off it, it'll never stick? - It may stick at lower revs, but a lot more common at higher revs. The test I used was to rev to 7k and put the clutch in and out quickly a few times.
4. I also gather that there is no definitive identification of the root cause, but does changing the clutch and flywheel (plus the other bits and pieces) always resolve it? Cost around £2k from a good indy such as MRC. - Not Always, there is a hydraulic pipe that may need replacing also
5. There is no point in changing it until for non OEM unless I intend to take it on a track (which I don't). - Correct, imo

Everyone has had different experiences with these clutches ill give you mine.

I only got it to happen above 7000rpm in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear (never went above 7000rpm in 4-5-6 as that's licence losing territory)

I always had to lift the clutch up with my foot but the clutch would function fine straight after it as long as I kept it under 7krpm (it would stick when changing from 1st gear to 2nd gear @ 7000rpm, use my foot to bring it back and then it would work faultlessly changing from 2nd to 3rd @ 6000rpm and again 3rd to 4th @ 6000rpm)

I never had any slipping or clutch burning smell

I had mines doing this all through my ownership and was still doing it when I traded it in, I even read on here someone had this problem on his RS4 for 40k miles and it still worked fine.