Long term costs

[AntS4]

Has anyone done a run down of the costs of ownership? i.e. showing service costs, pads, discs, tyres etc... anyone had a B7 RS4 for 2, 3 years or more and can share the detail?

Would love to know the detail.

[P_G]

Cost for me over the last three years has been little more than what it was with my S4 and I see you have had one previously. Tyres srounf the same price as is AVS1 and 2. Only additional costs for me has been brake discs which has been an additonal £1K over three years. Fuel economy much the same, drinks oil much the same.

[Nib]

Well, that depends. If you only count what needed, in 24k miles it would be 1 AVS at about 18k (IIRC), about 3l of top-up oil and 4 Eagle F1 Assys. However, if you include the other stuff that we Car People tend to do, it would have to include additional oil changes at 1,500 / 7.5k / 24k.

Still not bad over three years for a car of this type.

[sonny]

2 and half years of ownership...I dread to think!

[P_G]

In total in 3 years and 49,000 miles

AVS1 £300
AVS2 £400
AVS3 £200 (supplied own parts)
1x set 275 F1's £680
1x set 275 Vredesteins £600
1x set front discs £500
1x set rear discs £500

Intermediate 5k mile oil changes x3 £270
EBC Yellowstuff pads £220
Brake fluid change £60

I think that is it.

[HYFR]

most of that would have to be done on most decent cars over 49k unless you bought something boring, or neglected it

running costs are not that high on the RS 4 IMO, if your used to 20MPG

[TimDogg]

Real costs to me (new owner) seem to be taken up by the fuel, but I'm going from an ST220 @ 27 mpg to the RS4 at 21 mpg so not a major drama just a 'hassle'. For the extra horses though, the costs aren't as bad as I thought, the ST was still quite pricey for servicing, brakes etc. I'm getting used to garages a lot more though, oh - and I had to buy a cup holder for the arm rest - £30 OMG! (& I need to retrofit a Sat Nav - £500 and probably some other stuff - zinc dust caps 4 for £1.59 - that made me happy!)

So I've got red trimmed floor mats (RS4 ones off ebay) - my wife thinks blue would be better - do I shell another £40 for blue, am I mad? - the car is sprint blue...what do you think, I feel the car is not 'perfect' lol.

[primus2211]

In total in 3 years and 49,000 miles

AVS1 £300
AVS2 £400
AVS3 £200 (supplied own parts)
1x set 275 F1's £680
1x set 275 Vredesteins £600
1x set front discs £500
1x set rear discs £500

Intermediate 5k mile oil changes x3 £270
EBC Yellowstuff pads £220
Brake fluid change £60

I think that is it.

P_G,

The rear disc looks incredibly dear, was that from the dealership? I just got mine changed in Singapore and the front was about the same at £500 per axle but the rear was way less at ~ £300?

To add to that, clutch kit would set you back about £1,200 if the previous owner of the car does not know how to drive and drives with his foot resting on it.

[psg001]

i've had mine nearly a year and have paid for one service, one set of tyres, insurance (which was cheaper than my R32 by £40!) and fuel ( used to average 25 mpg in the R32, average about 22mpg in the RS4).

all in its a bit more expensive to run than the R32(a few hundred pounds here and there), but not as much as you would think & its SO worth it, the initial big expense was the purchase.

Also, I will prob be paying for the warranty for the next 12 months.

[P_G]

P_G,

The rear disc looks incredibly dear, was that from the dealership? I just got mine changed in Singapore and the front was about the same at £500 per axle but the rear was way less at ~ £300?

To add to that, clutch kit would set you back about £1,200 if the previous owner of the car does not know how to drive and drives with his foot resting on it.

Rear discs in the UK are as much as fronts if not more. Both prices are from independent sources, IIRC front discs from Audi are anyweher from £550-650 and rears £600. IIRC because I'm going from quoted prices since I've never bought from them.

And as for clutch kit, not sure if one would be needed? The car I have had 16.5k miles on it when I bought it and ad 49k miles. Mix in engine braking, timed standing starts with 4-5k rpm clutch dump a few times and there is (touch wood) no hint of slippage. If you are mechanically sympathetic to the car it will reward you with low running costs. Average mpg in last 8k miles is 20.7mpg.

[parlee-king]

I think all those costs are quite reasonable for the performance available. As usual the major lifetime ownership expense is depreciation. (if you bought last spring it may well have gone up in value)

I lost nearly 20k on my last car in 43 months/42k miles and actually it should have been at least 20% more. But only because I managed a good discount from new & sold privately.

so an extra fill up with 70 quids worth fuel every two week is pretty insignificant and certainly provided a more enjoyable driving experience than the dull but brisk 350bhp diesel

I suspect that If the RS5 like the RS6 is not universally lauded as a successor to the well regarded RS4 then depreciation on our cars will be fairly slow in the next few years.
Currently I can not think of a car made that I would replace my Avant with. I did consider a C63 but after last winters fun and games in RWD car that was soon crossed off.

[P_G]

Agreed. I only see a C6 RS6 saloon as a natural replacement / upgrade given most of my miles are motorway or with family and occassional hooning around but it is not a direct replacement.

If only Vauxhall had given the VXR-8 4WD or given the Insignia VXR a thumping V8....... with turbos!