Times Are Bad

[PaulF]

Just frightened myself using the Used Car Valuation facility on Autotrader. Apparently my 90,000 mile B5 RS4 is worth £6,690 to a private buyer. No I didn't miss a one off at the front of that number. Feeling lucky? Give it a try.

[grizz]

Came up with £16k for my rs6 , did say that the "manual" gearbox was poor !!!!!

[Jarv]

I don't think Autotrader has ever really been that accurate at predicting values for rarer cars like the B5 RS4. Having said that, I have been wondering whether these cars are approaching an age where a lot of the larger (read 'more expensive') componants are requiring replacement and I reckon that may affect values.

For example, I've been a bit unlucky with having to replace a steering rack and a clutch in the last 6 weeks. I'm not complaining, it's just the way it is, and at just under 100k on the clock, they lasted pretty well (well, definitey the clutch, maybe the rack could have lasted a bit longer!).

It would appear that my cam-shaft seals may have gone as well, whcih will require replacing. Doug maintains my car and as he see's so many RS4's, he's seeing trends on the componants that are failing. I'm no expert, but it's obvious that these cars are quite complicated to work on and therefor the labour costs are quite high. Case in point; the steering rack took about 7 0r 8 hours to replace (IIRC), and that's only because Doug knew how to do it with most things in place. Several other people advised me it was an engine out jobby. And then there's the price of the parts, probably on average twice the price I'd guess.

So, if I was after an RS4 today, knowing what I know, I think I'd be asking about what major items have been replaced, but I'm sure as these cars get older, the cost of maintaining them will affect the resale value.

It's just something that concerns me, but I'd love to hear I'm talking out my arse (with alternative views to back it up of course )

Mike

[Doug_S2]

What would you buy if you sold it to give you the same feeling when driving?

[Jarv]

What would you buy if you sold it to give you the same feeling when driving?

Nothing I can think of, but that's not in debate Doug, and that's why I'm not selling. Just interested to know if maintenance costs are increasing and wheher they are affecting resale values. We can talk the price of these cars up as much as we like, but we've seen a few up for bargain money recently (case in point, Tom's for £13k).

I, like quite a few others, have decided that mine's no longer my daily hack, which makes driving it even more special.

[Dr_G]

A favourite little phrase of mine "It's Glasses guide not Glasses gospel"

Quite often the book has nothing in common with what you can actually buy/sell one for. CAP and glasses are rarely within a grand of each other and Parkers is just fairy tales

[Nige_RS4]

Best to go by what they actually sell for on autotrader or pistonheads IMHO.

[jimbo1234567]

never selling

[grizz]

What would you buy if you sold it to give you the same feeling when driving?

Your s4


Tbh i don't think I'll ever sell mine... I think by the time I'm finished it'll be unsellable....

[Doug_S2]

if audi start making a 3.x litre twin turbo now then i can see what car i would want in a few years - but there is not much to move onto.

[dace]

never selling

Me neither. Over two and half years and it still puts a huge smile on my face!

I hear what Mike is saying, however there really is nothing out there in the same league, unless you want to pay over 80 grand.

[Contigo]

Amazed that fontain have a Y reg with 70k on and sat plus tv for under 18k. Compared to Nick J that's a very competitive price and I have to ask myself what they paid for that, it must have been a billy bargain or there's something wrong with them both at that price.

If they are both clean cars then it's pretty worrying for the future RS prices.

[flashyg]

Metal prices and inflation will see cars get dearer in the future this current position is simply a low point in car prices, 5 years from now you will be paying far more for cars I expect, enjoy them while you can. just my twopence worth. Who said motoring would be cheap, G

[jimbo1234567]

wise words gordon

[neckarsulm]

Amazed that Fontain have a Y reg with 70k on and sat plus tv for under 18k. Compared to Nick J that's a very competitive price and I have to ask myself what they paid for that, it must have been a billy bargain or there's something wrong with them both at that price.

It's green with silver leather, I wouldn't have one with either of those colour options let alone both and I am confident this would be true for most RS4 buyers unless it was cheap - Fontain will know this from years of experience and price it accordingly. It's also got body coloured mirror covers.
It's actually under £17k (£16950) according to PH.
It's still really dead in the motor trade and I suspect Fontain are pricing their new stock to sell as quickly as possible and presumably paying a lot less for them too.
Prices may be softening but I have to say I haven't seen many of these cheaper cars that I'd actually have considered buying if I was in the market as they've either been bad colour combos, high miles or looked iffy.
How much would a sub 70k mile Misano or Noggy car be with black interior?
Looking at PH anything in a decent colour is not looking that cheap at all but most have been on sale for weeks inc a private sale ex Nick J car with 69k in Red for £19k...