B6 S4 or B5 RS4

[SimonS4MTM]

Hi people

I am after your thoughts on the following two cars, B5 RS4 and B6 S4. Please can you indicate in the poll what your preferred choice would be, and post you positive and negative points for both.

B5 RS4

+ve’s

Depreciation less that B6 S4
More tuneable and better in standard form
Special car
MPG

-ve’s

Some might say it is getting on a bit, maybe not so now, but more after 3 years of ownership.
May not feel like much of a new car after a B5 S4

B6 S4

+ve’s

Newer model, updated interior
Drives quite well
Nice sound

-ve’s

High MPG
No turbo’s
Not many options for tuning
Not as special as an RS4
Looks dated compared with B6
Depreciation higher than RS4

[MarkB]

It's a hard one. I would buy a B5 RS4 over a B6 S4 but would rather go for a B7 S4

[SimonS4MTM]

Mark

So you would prefer a B7 S4 to a B5 RS4?

I would always be thinking that a B7 S4 is not quite a B7 RS4.

[Alps]

B5 RS4, No doubts, second thoughts, questions The RS4 is just... ... ... ... well an RS4

[MarkB]

Mark

So you would prefer a B7 S4 to a B5 RS4?

I would always be thinking that a B7 S4 is not quite a B7 RS4.

For the money the RS4's are getting that little bit too old now. I'd love a B7 RS4 but the extra £20K is too rich for me. I'd rather do some mods to the S4

[ZeroK66]

RS4... the B6 S4 is in no-mans land. if the vote was against a B7 then maybe you could argue new over old. The B6 I think would be very nice to Mr Joe Soap who is not interested in modding, the performance scene etc. He just wants a quick nice sounding runaround. For any of us here... all enthusiasts the RS4 would win hands down I should think.

I am not a big fan of the B5 chassis and consider it getting a little dated now as I have said before - namely steering, clutch, brakes - all things that TartanRob says are vastly improved on the B6 - however... the RS4 is such a special car, it gets my vote.

[SimonS4MTM]

I guess the question is, will the B6 soon feel boring and flat.

Residuals on the B5 RS4 would provide a better stepping stone the the B7 RS4 in 2 years time.

[MarkB]

If I were to make the change now or a year ago it would have been RS4 hands down. But now and the future the B7 S4 is calling me. Theres something about the B7 RS4 I don't like, Mad, I know!

[SimonS4MTM]

I think that now is a very difficult time to change. Something about the B5 RS4 is telling me that I will feel it is too old in a year or two's time.

As you say Mark, if I was thinking 12 months ago then there would be no contest.

I recon I may hold off for 12 to 24 months until the B7 RS4 has come down a bit, and save some money in the meantime.

[MarkB]

I'm worried about the engines on the B7 RS4 lasting the distance. I think I'll stick with the S range even though we are looked down on by the RS owners.

[SimonS4MTM]

even though we are looked down on by the RS owners.

Never!

[MCB]

I think I'll stick with the S range even though we are looked down on by the RS owners.

Even if that were true(?) IMHO it isn’t what you got its how you use it...

And there are rather a lot of S cars that would leave some supposedly quick RS's for dead.



And finally to answer the question I would choose a B5RS4 in preference to a B6S4.

[CliveH]

I'm sure TartanRob will soon be along to give us his 2p...

(I voted for B5 RS4 - it's a no brainer in my book)

[buzzard]

audi only produce the RS when the S has proved the way is ok to go.

so S is the pioneer..P.S we all know that there are plenty of B5 S4's which will whip even the new RS4 on the strip!!

[LSWP]

my dad orgionally got a B6 S4 when they first came out he had it for 2 months before he handed it back for a b5 Rs4, ~
With the b6 the main compaint was its suspension as it constantly 'porpoised' and at that stage there was no aftermarket solution to this problem readily available. the linear power delivery made loads of noise but not in the same speed league as the Rs4 - there wasnt the same long wind out in any gear.
The rs4 he still has!

Rob