New member with a question - B7 RS4 suitable as family car?

[mondie]

Hi forum,

Looks like a good place full of car nuts, I feel right at home

For a good few years now I have admired the Rs4 and got very close to buying one several times. We are in an F10 M5 which goes back at the end of the year and I am very tempted to buy a nice low mileage RS4, get a decent exhaust and tune on it and enjoy it as our family car for a year or two. What I am not sure if is whether the car would be large enough for 3 teenage kids? Anybody use one as a family daily and able to comment? I expect it will be slightly smaller and the boot too but in the real world I don't know how much the difference matters.

Cheers,
mondie

[NJMAudiRS4]

Are you looking to get an Avant or a Saloon? Might be a squeeze with 3 Teenagers and the boot is smaller by a mile.
I have two small children with big car seats and you'd struggle to sit In between for a long distance, popping to the shops you'd put up with it.
However, down some twisties it is still a devastatingly accomplished car.

[mondie]

Should have mentioned that. Saloon only unfortunately, my wife refuses to consider an Avant because 'they look like sausage dogs'

I would consider an RS6 but not sure I want an auto.

[NJMAudiRS4]

I've never heard or considered the shape of an Avant to be shaped like a sausage dog !!

RS6 maybe better suited, not as nimble but has more space inside. Autos aren't that bad, makes for a relaxing drive.

[RS4eddie]

personally I feel the saloon will be too tight. there really isn't much space in the back seats unfortunately. HUGE boot though!!

[jonicox]

It will depend a little on whether you want to have the bucket seats or not, as they do eat in to the rear leg room. I have a 10 and 7 year old and the RS4 is now getting too tight for a daily family car (avant) and we are just about to move to an RS6. I'm 6'3" which doesn't help TBH and when my wife drives (5'4") then there is no problem, but I drive most. BTW, it is a well known fact here that Avants are always fast

[RS6chris!]

The B7 is going to feel dated and slow against your M5.

RS6 FTW.

[FaisalJ]

I had the same debate for my wife, I got an avant regardless. She refers to it as a dog owners car, and "butt ugly". Although she does now say she likes driving it!

To echo what others have said, it's not the most generous for rear legroom. I think you need to sit in one, get the seat in your driving position, and have a look at the rear legroom.

I can carry 3 adults fine, or 2 adults and my 2 year old in his car seat, but 3 teenagers in the back and your wife up front will be tight.

[PetrolDave]

3 teenagers in the back and your wife up front will be tight.

Only once have my sister-in-law (5'3") and 2 sons (both 6'2") all sat on the back seat of my Avant, and they were all glad it was only a short journey. Not only is there the limited legroom to consider but also the shaping of the rear seat makes the centre "seat" pretty uncomfortable for anyone other than a young child (<10).

Just my 2p worth...

[neilparf]

Ahhh, the wife hateth the Bread Van

Frankly, taxi or bread van variety are epic vehicles and as everyday family cars they are great, but against the M5 and the RS6 choice it'll score less on the dated/spacious categories.

As all above mentioned, there's pros and cons that need considering - but sit in one and I gurantee the heart will rule the head and the cons will gradually fade largely owing to the V8 and the overall 'drive'...

[FaisalJ]

I suggest you just buy the widest family member a nice pair of walking shoes, or a bus pass if you're feeling generous

[Rick_RS4]

personally I feel the saloon will be too tight. there really isn't much space in the back seats unfortunately. HUGE boot though!!

this, 2 kids max, 3 across the back seat will be tight

[mustdash]

Sell children, buy RS4.

End thread.

[Stairs]

Sadly, unless you are a family of hobbits then its too small, I have the bucket seats and no one can really sit behind me without me pushing my seat forward. I am 6'2 but even so, it is not ideal. Three adults in the back is only for short trips, as has been said.

Buy the car and pick your favourite kid to take out each day.

[docurley]

If you had the M5 then the RS6 is it's equal in size and power, RS4 is to small i'm afraid for your needs.