48 hours - the story so far

[jonp]

Hi all

I am sure many of you know me. Having had the B5 and clocked up 153,000 miles in 3 years, I have been really looking forward, after a spell in a BMW 330d Aga to getting the B7.

Well, the day arrived on friday evening, and it was with excitement that I drove my black RS4, sports supension'd car out of the dealership, albeit at the moment without my private plate.

Despite some murmurings abou tthe sport seats being uncomfortable, I find them superb. Also the sports supsension is just right for road work, not too harsh, yet nice in corners. As it's still being run in, then I have to take it easy, but like the B5, she's on rails. In fact unlike the B5, she feels well balanced, light and much more of a pleasure to drive.

Then of course you have to wind the window down, stick her into sports mode at any opportunity and she sounds like an overgrown ducatti 997 - like an animal waiting to be let loose.

Shockingly, the trip says 14.8 MPG!!! and that's being run in. God knows what will happen when its reaches 8,250, rather than the current 6,000 rpm I am restricted to.

I sort of console myself that as I do loads (50,000 miles per year) of motorway miles, then it might come down. The problem you have, is of course that keeping under 100mph is very difficult.

The torque is so amazing, that it really only needs 5th gear - you can do anything in 5th - pull away, toodle around town, or 155mph.

I have found myself waxing it, cleaning the wheels and inspecting it for any rogue insect that has decided to commit suicide on my baby. I know this wont last - I remember the last Audi Passion day at Le Mans - all the other guys filled their cars with cleaning materials and spare wheels. Me, I saved the space for the wine, and left the car dirty. At 1,000 miles a week, its a means of getting from A to B, albeit very fast.

I am conscious of the fact that every bugger wants to steal her, so the keys are hidden, and every conceivable security system is employed,but I'm not going to let that stop me having fun.

Its a 2 year car, with an R8 on order, so if anyone is looking for a nice RS4 on April 21st 2008, its yours.

First niggle of course is the lack of a UK TMC - if BMW can do it, then Audi can. The phone will be ringing at the dealers on monday morning.

I haven't yet worked out how to stop the radio coming on when you start the car, there must be an option somewhere, and the bluetooth phone connection sounds like a train horn when you stop the car.

I need to try the cool glove box out yet, although it doesn't look big enough for a bottle of champagne, but I'm sure it is.

Anyone changed tyres yet. The B5 cane on P Zero's and no one liked them and went to Bridgestones or Yoko's.

Finally, this car has been everything I thought it might be. Looks, power, handling and quality of product. Well done Audi. If its going to break, with my mileage I will break it. But with a 2 year unlimited warranty, that's Audi's problem. After 20 bent wheels last time, Audi know me well, and I expect the cringed when they saw my name on the order list.

Its spiiting with rain again, so photos later.....where did I put that chammy.

Jon P

See you at Le Mans

[kcsun]

Good write up Jon, have you booked the car in for a service yet? Audi have a habit of running out of courtesy cars if you do not give them enough warning.

I am sure Tomson will be reserving the car for purchase!!!

good luck!
kc

[jonp]

Hi K

She is on AVS, but I think the fixed 10,000 would be better, with 5,000 oil changes. Of course the B7 engine is not really as stressed as the turbo B5, so I await comment.

Not booked in for a service yet, but I hope they give me a B7 as a courtesy car - wont they? !!!

If you get a chance to have a blast, come around. You have my number

J - you wont regret it, before you go back to france. BTW, planning to come out late July / early August if that suits you?

[Merlot]

Yeh a B7 2.0Tdi.

[Merlot]

Incidently, what was a 153k B5 RS4 worth?

[RSfizzy]

What sort of service plan does Audi offer in your area? Here in the U.S., Audi of America does not offer any free scheduled maintenance. I would think that with an $80,000 car, Audi would at least throw in a quart of oil.

[jonp]

Hi Merlot

I can't answer the question on the 153k RS4, not because I don't know, but becasue its between Tomson and myself what he paid, so I don't want to break his trust. If he is happy to tell you, then no prob

Regards Jon P

[Merlot]

Thanks - nice to see that the car's can take the mileage.