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Hi all, first time poster, but long time petrolhead here, looking for a bit of advice from people who know a lot more than me about this car.

I’m thinking of changing my daily car, and an RS4 seems to fit a lot of the bills, (albeit hopefully only metaphorically…). I need a car with a lot of stowage space, and I’m thinking that in a few years’ time we may all be driving Milk Floats, so it would be nice to go out with a bit of a bang, and it’s the combination of practicality and performance that’s flagged up the RS4. My current car is a 2005 Subaru 3.0 Outback, and I’ve had this from nearly new, and racked up about 130K trouble free miles. The current Outback however, holds no attraction.

An RS4 has almost exactly the same external dimensions as the Subaru, so it should do the job. It’ll be interesting to compare the driving experience.

My usual protocol with a daily driver is to buy nearly new for cash, put +100K miles on it, and then repeat, so this is going to be a proper change of form. With retirement getting close, my yearly mileage has dropped a lot now, so this is something else in the RS4’s favour.

In my price range, and my perfect car, would be something like a low mileage 2013/14 B8. I’ve scanned through a lot of the threads here, so I think I’ve picked up a few tips, but it’s easy to end up cross eyed after spending a few hours jumping from topic to topic.

If anyone can give me any tips on what to look for when considering potential cars, I’d be grateful. The Sport Pack seems to be worth having, and a FSH a must have, - any other suggestions on what to have and have not would be most appreciated!

Don't buy from ASM in Milton Keynes

Welcome and good luck, I love mine but the above bunch of shista's spoilt the process.

Yeh, thanks....
I read your post, it sounds 'orrible. Good luck with getting things sorted, and sorted in your favour. It's a real shame when something like that spoils what should be a great experience.
I'm south of London, so although MK isn't miles away, it's probably not in my search radius of convenience.

FWIW I think it's a great all-round choice for practicality and performance.

Presumably you are fully aware of the fuel and ongoing service / maintenance costs? I wouldn't own one without some form of warranty, but the costs are certainly made up for with the positives!

I'm just coming up to one year with my 2014 car.

Sidicks

Problems I can think of are a knocking from the suspension at slow speeds and jerky gear change, especially 2nd to 1st. I'd recommend a car with full Audi service history as in my experience they might cover out of warranty repairs if the car has been maintained by them.

Front discs and pads don't last (30k miles?) and £1300 to change (though a bit can be saved if you Shop around). 32.4mm min thickness on discs

Most cars have 20inch wheels but ride is better on 19s. 90% of cars have B&O. I wouldn't (and didn't) buy one without. Otherwise but the spec you'd like, the more the better

Madelvic wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 25, 2019 11:37 pm

Problems I can think of are a knocking from the suspension at slow speeds and jerky gear change, especially 2nd to 1st. I'd recommend a car with full Audi service history as in my experience they might cover out of warranty repairs if the car has been maintained by them.

Front discs and pads don't last (30k miles?) and £1300 to change (though a bit can be saved if you Shop around). 32.4mm min thickness on discs

Most cars have 20inch wheels but ride is better on 19s. 90% of cars have B&O. I wouldn't (and didn't) buy one without. Otherwise but the spec you'd like, the more the better

I've just clocked the user name change.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Re running costs, I average 20mpg with the Subaru, so I'm guessing fuel costs will be similar. Are the Audi services particularly expensive? - the Subaru ones weren't cheap, and neither were any replacement parts. Does an RS4 require a lot of maintenance?

19" wheels sounds like good advice, and also the ICE choice, - that's a big factor, I like to play my own music and the Subaru system is pretty rubbish (it has a cassette player!), so the B&O sounds like a great upgrade.

Is a purchase from an Audi dealer very preferable, or only just? That would limit the choice a bit, but it sounds like the Audi Warranty is probably a must?

My car has averaged a bit over 20mpg in its life. Audi has fixed price servicing but RS prices are higher just because they can get away with it. However you can buy a no-downside service plan (refundable or transferable) for £600 for two services and intervals can be 18 months apart so £200 a year seems quite reasonable

A lot of chat on here about extended warranty costs. Don't understand how it works, but I and others have been offered extended warranty at half the quoted prices. £660 a year for all comp cover, 10k miles and £250 excess

Cars look better with 20 inch wheels and the sports pack is desirable with sports exhaust and switchable suspension.

I wouldn't be fussed about buying from an Audi dealer. Buy on condition and history, then price

Good luck!

Madelvic wrote:My car has averaged a bit over 20mpg in its life. Audi has fixed price servicing but RS prices are higher just because they can get away with it. However you can buy a no-downside service plan (refundable or transferable) for £600 for two services and intervals can be 18 months apart so £200 a year seems quite reasonable

A lot of chat on here about extended warranty costs. Don't understand how it works, but I and others have been offered extended warranty at half the quoted prices. £660 a year for all comp cover, 10k miles and £250 excess

Cars look better with 20 inch wheels and the sports pack is desirable with sports exhaust and switchable suspension.

I wouldn't be fussed about buying from an Audi dealer. Buy on condition and history, then price

Good luck!

Agree 20 inch look the part, decent exhaust always helps the sound of V8, I’m not too fussed about dealership purchase either, history & condition is where it makes sense.


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The service plan you mention Madelvic, is that available from non Audi dealers, or is it a separate purchase from an Audi dealer?
This one has just popped up, and looks very good, not local but maybe worth an enquiry. Non Audi dealer with only 12 months company history though...

https://www.pre5tigecars.co.uk/used-car ... 2265314319

Service plan through the Audi Dealer. Car doesn't need to be bought from them though

https://www.lookers.co.uk/audi/servicin ... vice-plan/

Black car looks to be especially good value

Black car advertised as Cat S on AT.

After waiting some time one has popped up with the spec I've been looking for. Low mileage, with only 3K covered in the last two years. I've checked out the Audi extended Warranty, and it seems crazily expensive, - £1400 pa, if anyone can recommend a better deal I'd definitely be interested in checking it out!

My old one is at Bath Audi

Job done, deposit paid, and should pick up later this week. 30k miles, and pretty well all options apart from a sunroof.
Garage Warranty is with Momentum Warranties Ltd, only 3 month though, but it'll give me a little time to research extended warranties a little more.
Misted up headlights were a concern (it was lashing down at the time), my understanding is that they're sealed units and shouldn't mist up? Anyone experienced this?
Thanks for help and tips so far guys.