Help me decide

4.2 V8 32v FSI - 444 bhp
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phoots
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Help me decide

Post by phoots » Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:24 pm

Hello there!
I was wondering if you guys could help me make a decision.

I'm an ex B7 Rs4 owner, which I've owned for 4 years. It was quite a love/hate relationship, but now I do realize how much it meant for me. Although it did turn out to be quite unreliable (especially after the warranty ended), but I do miss the thing occasionally .
The point is that I might be seriously in for the new one, but I do have quite a few worries about it (based on my previous experience) .

As far as I know, I can easily get rid of the DRC misery by not ticking that box in the price list, also the stupid eclectic steering is also an option, right?
But the main thing that worries me is the DSG. I think it is known worldwide as one of the least reliable boxes out there. Most of the B8 S4's at some point of their lives had DSG problems, according to some US forums. I couldn't find anything about Rs5 DSG reliability as well, but still quite afraid of it going wrong constantly. Will it be able to cope with everyday stop-start driving in jams and occasional b-road spirited driving?

Or should I just go with the C63 or even wait to see whether that Volvo Polestar thing sees production?
Thanks in advance!

Nickyboy
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Re: Help me decide

Post by Nickyboy » Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:30 pm

Obviously go for the RS4 over the C63. C63 interior and styling just isn't as nice as well as RWD. Also the C63 gearbox in manaul mode (which is how I like to drive) is awful. Not quite as refined as the Audi gearbox.

If you're buying an RS4 then get an extended warranty for five years then who cares what happens as it's covered. Then after five years move on to something else.

I'm pretty confident it won't go wrong constantly but I'm also sure it won't be fault free either.
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

535dboy
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Re: Help me decide

Post by 535dboy » Tue Mar 26, 2013 10:50 pm

As above the RS box is so much better than the merc one, in any mood

Yes you can avoid both drc and dynamic steering but I thought steering was electric what ever you ordered.

I prefer this box to the one in my mrs new Porsche which tells you something

Also as stated if have a warranty what really matters

We did c35k of hard miles in mrs TT and no probs.
Currently :
Porsche 992S
Porsche Cayenne GTS
Porsche GT4 RS
Lotus Exige V6 ( tuned to c430bhp)
Seat Ibiza excellence Lux!
1987 Porsche 928S4
1967 Jaaag Mk2 3.4

Ex
2017 AMG E class wagon
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)

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pDkALO
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Re: Help me decide

Post by pDkALO » Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:01 am

535dboy wrote:I prefer this box to the one in my mrs new Porsche which tells you something
That's high praise indeed - in my experience after 3+ years of PDK ownership I'd say it's the best gearbox I've ever experienced both on road and on track. From the track sessions and recent road test drive I'd say that the B8 RS4 s-tronic is the best Audi dsg I've seen yet, but I've not had the benefit of living with it for a few months. I wasn't aware of any major reliability issues?
Current: Macan Turbo, Boxster 987 S
Gone: RS6 C6 Avant, RS4 B7 Avant, Tamora Speed Six

535dboy
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Re: Help me decide

Post by 535dboy » Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:30 am

The only thing that frustrates me about her car is the box

Even in manual mode and sport plus, I will still kick down or change up which I hate

If it is manual it should be in manual and the rs4 will bounce off the limiter or refuse to kick down when you mash the throttle

This as an owner of a manual track car is what I want!
Currently :
Porsche 992S
Porsche Cayenne GTS
Porsche GT4 RS
Lotus Exige V6 ( tuned to c430bhp)
Seat Ibiza excellence Lux!
1987 Porsche 928S4
1967 Jaaag Mk2 3.4

Ex
2017 AMG E class wagon
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)

phoots
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Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:16 am

Re: Help me decide

Post by phoots » Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:25 am

535dboy wrote:The only thing that frustrates me about her car is the box

Even in manual mode and sport plus, I will still kick down or change up which I hate

If it is manual it should be in manual and the rs4 will bounce off the limiter or refuse to kick down when you mash the throttle

This as an owner of a manual track car is what I want!
Glad to hear about it being a proper manual when you want it to be that way! Hate automatics in general, much preferred the manual in the B7. It is sad actually, that they dropped the manual option in the B8, but I guess it all has to do with the market demands, probably trying to steal some of the BMW and Merc customers?
Btw, why is merc's box inferior to audi's?

Also, how are you finding your Rs so far? Do you drive it on a day to day basis? Any faults?

Nickyboy
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Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:38 am

Re: Help me decide

Post by Nickyboy » Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:29 am

the Merc box isnt as refined and seems very clunky on the shifts when pressing on. Even in normal driving it didn't seem to shift as smoothly as an Audi box. When I was driving it hard the dealer advised to put in it S+ only; well when I'm pushing on I want to use manua mode to be fair. Therefore the gearbox was just not good enough for me.

However, the noise of the Merc! That alone made me want to buy it right there and then.

Other than that RS4 in every other department for me.
2014: 8V S3, Scirocco (mistake)
2013: B8 RS 5, 3.0T S5 coupe, B8 S5 cab - temp, B8 S4 avant
2011: 2.0T FL Octavia VRS
2010: 1.8T Octavia VRS

535dboy
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Posts: 2314
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:35 pm

Re: Help me decide

Post by 535dboy » Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:01 am

phoots wrote:
535dboy wrote:The only thing that frustrates me about her car is the box

Even in manual mode and sport plus, I will still kick down or change up which I hate

If it is manual it should be in manual and the rs4 will bounce off the limiter or refuse to kick down when you mash the throttle

This as an owner of a manual track car is what I want!
Glad to hear about it being a proper manual when you want it to be that way! Hate automatics in general, much preferred the manual in the B7. It is sad actually, that they dropped the manual option in the B8, but I guess it all has to do with the market demands, probably trying to steal some of the BMW and Merc customers?
Btw, why is merc's box inferior to audi's?

Also, how are you finding your Rs so far? Do you drive it on a day to day basis? Any faults?
Yes it is my DD although office only 3 miles away. So I get to use to go to clients and at the weekend

I am very happy with it and done 4k in it now.

Nothing particular to note as being wrong with it

Will be nice to get to drive it in some proper warm weather to see how the handling is then.
Currently :
Porsche 992S
Porsche Cayenne GTS
Porsche GT4 RS
Lotus Exige V6 ( tuned to c430bhp)
Seat Ibiza excellence Lux!
1987 Porsche 928S4
1967 Jaaag Mk2 3.4

Ex
2017 AMG E class wagon
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)

535dboy
Top Gear
Posts: 2314
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:35 pm

Re: Help me decide

Post by 535dboy » Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:03 am

Nickyboy wrote:the Merc box isnt as refined and seems very clunky on the shifts when pressing on. Even in normal driving it didn't seem to shift as smoothly as an Audi box. When I was driving it hard the dealer advised to put in it S+ only; well when I'm pushing on I want to use manua mode to be fair. Therefore the gearbox was just not good enough for me.

However, the noise of the Merc! That alone made me want to buy it right there and then.

Other than that RS4 in every other department for me.

Yes this was my exact same experience with the merc box

The merc noise is nice but not far behind the RS with sports exhaust. In fact I think mine sounds nicer on the inside which is what matters to me!
Currently :
Porsche 992S
Porsche Cayenne GTS
Porsche GT4 RS
Lotus Exige V6 ( tuned to c430bhp)
Seat Ibiza excellence Lux!
1987 Porsche 928S4
1967 Jaaag Mk2 3.4

Ex
2017 AMG E class wagon
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)

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