New RS4 - 6 Months In

[L10LPT]

Ive now had my RS4 for 6 months which I bought new from my local Audi dealer. Thought I would share my thoughts and see if anybody else has had/have similar problems.
Constant knocking sound coming from back seat LH side, took the dealer 4 attempts to correct!
The car has only done 3,500 miles but had a transmission oil leak after just 2,500 miles, the whole gearbox had to be replaced - took 3 weeks overall to sort.
I have to mention that before this I had an E90 M3 which I had a love hate relationship with great in the summer & difficult in the wet, prior to the M3 I had a B8 S4. Got rid of the S4 because I wanted something faster hence the M3, got the M3 but during the 2 years of ownership wanted to get back into an Audi as I much prefer Audi as a brand compared to BMW. Love the looks of the car but do have a few issues with the car - I personally think the car gives up on 1st gear far too easily when driving in auto even when in dynamic mode too, kinda feel that the car is all or nothing - extremely unresponsive when just left in normal drive mode unless youre way up the rev band. The car obviously does come alive when in dynamic mode but cant help feel there needs to be an 'in between' mode. Using the paddles does make some difference but still think its all or nothing when driving. I had a S5 courtesy car whilst the gearbox was being replaced and Im convinced that the S5 is certainly a lot more nippy and responsive low down. Do overall like the RS4 but cant help feeling there is something missing.

[lengster1]

You have hit the nail on the head from my experiences in b8's.An in between setting would be the sweet spot,and the power delivery is all or nothing for me too,you really have to make it sing to get it shifting.I wonder if maybe aftermarket springs may adjust the feel of the car to get the correct feel in one of the various settings?

[RIV]

It's missing the supercharger

[will1981]

I've had mine 4 months covering 5600 miles.

It's noise that it was missing for me, a Milltek non res has cured this. I initially thought it was a little too loud with the flaps open but now it's settled in it sounds amazing. Having just done a road trip to the Mull of Kintyre on some amazing roads the car has really grown on me, when your on it then it all makes sense and actually feels pretty quick.

All in all I'm happy, the suspension does need a tweak and I have spoken to KW about various options but I may just try the H&R 15/20mm and some spacers first.

Find some proper roads and go drive it....

[RIV]

To all the b7 stick in the MUDs its a great Car, you need one for a while to appreciate it, gearbox is a gem
Since lowering it with the h&R's it drives even better, I'm well pleased with mine, no cars perfect not even the b7

[Noyjatat]

I'll second what Silas has said even though mines an RS5 as the engine and the gearbox are the same. Setting the individual mode does give you a mixed balance. I am not a flappy paddle fan and still find them more of a hindrance than a help but I just push the gearstick over and use the sequential if I want total control of the cars gears It does take a little while to see the differences as they are many and it now would be difficult for me to pick between the two if I had the choice. With an exhaust and springs I imagine the car would change again as mine has, amazes me that the coupe is heavier than the avant though.

[drybeer]

I'm on 8000 miles now in 4 months.

I do see what people mean about the torque in the low revs - when I drive my C5 (rarely) I'm always taken aback by the shove at very little revs or throttle openings, BUT the chassis tautness leading to immense agility, the gearbox being a quick thing to drive (in manual - in auto I find it annoyingly drops too many cogs when going to overtake), means I love it.

I still think Audi has this corner of the market stitched up - all wheel drive, quality, pace, styling. Can't think of another single car which does all of these things in one package.

[carsarecool]

I still think Audi has this corner of the market stitched up - all wheel drive, quality, pace, styling. Can't think of another single car which does all of these things in one package.

Amen..it's not perfect but is a great package. I agree with mr 1981 too...the millet no-res makes it sound "proper".

[nickpieman]

Totally agree that this post hits the nail on the head in relation to drive select. I've had mine from since new in December 2012 and have been love/hate all the way through for this very reason - ie it never feels quite right. My least worst solution is to leave it in DYNAMIC, knock the gearbox into D, accept the harsh ride, and enjoy the throttle response.

I read somewhere that the best RS4 B8 is one with standard non-DRC suspension, and with hindsight this would have been the way to go.

Unlike L10LPT I have had no problem at all with faults in 22,000 miles. I must say though that the engine has improved massively with a few miles under its belt - although it still seems flat low down.

[Macdaddy]

Unlike L10LPT I have had no problem at all with faults in 22,000 miles. I must say though that the engine has improved massively with a few miles under its belt - although it still seems flat low down.

Thats normal for the V8 though, You had to rev the nuts of the B7 to get it going.

[nickpieman]

Thats normal for the V8 though, You had to rev the nuts of the B7 to get it going.

Interesting, I have never driven the B7 and assumed with it being lighter and stick shift it wouldn't be so flat...

My RS replaced a 2009 Merc C63 AMG - be assured that car never felt flat! it liked its drink, and tyres though...

[adsgreen]

The merc had a 6.2l v8 and quite lazy tune at about 80hp/litre.
With the rs4 it's just a bout 100hp/litre and the only way to do this with an n/a engine is with revs.
Both engines have the same torque/litre so it just highlights how good the rs4 engine is for its size.

In theory the b8 should be a bit more lively with the extra gear... (although I haven't looked at the specific ratios)

[adsgreen]

I think this is a problem with the trend to adjustable electronic everything.
With the B7 the engineers had to design a mechanical non adjustable solution that had to be comfortable, not crash but also pin sharp in handling. This was the B7 ' s real party piece that set it out from the rest.
Now it almost feels as if they don't bother as much - Almost all the electronic systems I have driven have been too hard in sport modes and too soft in comfort.

[Tay56]

That's not good news about the gearbox but at least it's all sorted, pretty sure I saw your car at the dealers when my S4 was in just over a month ago. Warrington Audi?

[StaffsNick]

Do you know what was causing the rattle on the rear near side seat? I think I have the same noise, but haven't been bothered to go back to the stealer with it yet...