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I'm looking for a B7 RS4 saloon and have been lurking on the forum for a while. I have a few questions and also wanted to confirm some things I think I've learned. I hope some forum members can help.

First question - I'm struggling to find a good buying guide. There is an excellent B5 guide on this site and there are bits and pieces elsewhere. However I can't find a comprehensive used guide for the B7.

Where to buy?

Having read about frequent poor service from franchised dealers, it seems the premium they charge often isn't justified. The consensus seems to be: buying from an enthusiast (especially someone known on the forums) with a rigorous inspection and a warranty seems the ideal way to go. Anyone disagree?

Spec?

I prefer the sports seats as opposed to the buckets. The sports seats give better rear leg room right?

I am pretty indifferent to everything else although it would be unusual to find one without Sat Nav. Of course I have preferred colours.

I am not technically minded so I'm very wary of aftermarket mods. Can anyone summarise the typical increase in insurance premium and any warranty issues for common mods (Milltek exhausts, ECU remaps etc)?

Stuff that can go wrong?

DRC - Obviously I've read a lot about this. Given the apparent high failure rate of the early shock absorbers do you think it's actually better to find a car that _has_ had problems and has has the shocks replaced by the latest generation rather than a car that's had to problems at all?

I understand there is a 5 year/75k warranty on DRC although some dealers pretend they don't know about it. A full Audi service history is required for this right? So I should avoid cars with early shocks that have been serviced by other people (even respected people like MRC)?

Warped brake discs - simple enough to check I suppose.

Of course all the generic checks are important too (evidence of crash damage especially). I would pay for an AA/RAC inspection unless anyone thinks they are a waste of time.

Any other advice for a potential new owner?

Many thanks for any help,

Chris

Hi Chris

First of all you wont regret buying an RS4. I bought a 2006 saloon 5 months ago after owning various other Audi's and performance cars. It really is the perfect day to day car if MPG doesnt worry you to much. As for maintenance I dont have any experience of main dealer servicing as I own two garages but certainly my techs report its straightforward to work on and I have to say I did rely on this forum for lots of info.

I am an Evo magazine subscriber and they did a buyers guide to the car but I cant exactly remember which issue but maybe you could order a copy ? give them a call.

From personal experience reference the bucket seats I have two young children both with bulky seats and have to say with hindsight would have chosen sports seats not buckets as rear space is compromised. But the buckets do add to the driving experience. So depends on the age of your children I would say assuming thats why you are worried about rear space.
Good luck.

Neil

it's a great all around car, don't have unrealistic performance expectations, it does weigh close to 4000 lbs

the good news is the car has been out for 4+ years now so all issues are known and publicized
there is an abundance of information on this forum (and others)


I love mine, best car I've owned to date and I've been driving since <1980
my first 'good' car was a 911 in the late 70's and have >500k miles in hipo cars
I've have 3 M3's (e30, 36, 46) among other hipo sedans
they are relatively complicated vehicles, so don't expect 0 issues, that is not realistic, but if you maintain it properly, you should have no regrets
the best part? imho the engine, it is a jewel!
followed by the quattro, makes for secure driving in any weather, 365 day utility, which really increases the value of the car imo, you can use it year round