Do I, don't I, help I'm new and probably in the wrong place

[Baggins]

Good morning. Brief outline then some questions if I may? I have the pleasure of turning 40 next February, I'm single (due to divorce but now have a nice lump sum of cash to spend on a motor), love my cars and now think it's about time to treat, why not eh? Current ride is Ford Focus ST3 Turbo (it was bought as a little run-about) but I think now is the time to upgrade.

Been reading reviews on many differnt cars that I would love to own but it falls down to just 2. 997 Carrera S, RS4. Both have that gorgeous appeal and both have some good and bad points.

Can I just start off with a few questions? This shock absorber thing, am I at some stage going to fall foul of this unless already sorted by a dealer? Should it definately be purchased from an Audi dealer (proper dealer, not fanchise?) and of course the all important question, does it play mp3 disks?

I'm sure there will be plenty more coming your way but thought I'd test the water first.

Thanks for your help, looking forward to replies, or not.

Simon.

[SR71]

Not all cars have experienced the DRC failure. In fact Audi claim its only a minority. The impression you get from this site is to the contrary. Thats unfortunate. You may well find a car that has not been blighted by the issue. Depending on its age, you may feel that this means it is probably unlikely to suffer the failure.

Still even if it has, you should be able to extract a further guarantee from Audi that the system will be covered to 5 years or 75K miles as that precedent has already been set.

I wouldn't bother purchasing from a main dealer myself as long as the car is still covered by warranty.

The car has two slots for SD cards. Not SDHC cards, merely 4Gb SD cards. There are some limitations to the system regards how the track names display on the DIS and how many tracks the system will see on the stick but it works for most of us. This works in conjunction with a 6 CD changer in the glovebox.

The iPod conversion gets rid of the CD changer unless you buy a XCarlink or some other such system. Some people buy the "dock" as well and just swap and change as they feel so inclined. You'll need a set of radio keys for this.

As for the Audi/Porsche debate, for me the B7 RS4 won out over a 996TT, but it depends what you want to do with the car.

For most of us, the car is obliged to meet some functional requirement, and the Porsche is woefully outgunned in that respect. Its really a sports car.

Performance wise, the facelifted 997 2S with 380hp is probably slightly quicker than the RS4 but you're talking tenths. In reality, on the street, nothing in it.

IMHO.

[Baggins]

Hiya, thanks for your reply, nice to hear about the shock stuff (I'm used to forums worrying the hell out of me, one of the reasons why I bought the Focus rather than a Mazda RX). MP3 format and stick sound fine and at least there's a 6 disk changer anyway.

997 vs RS4. Well, as you say, it's about what you want from a car. Yep, the Porsche is a great looking and performing car with all the gadgets on it that I want but there's just something that let's it down a bit for me. Maybe build quality or the fact that it's built to do just one thing, get you from a to b in the fastest time. The Audi offers all that and so much more (plus, you just can't beat a V8 growl). Like I said, Im' single but loads of friends and I think a car as a treat seems pretty pointless when you are the only one who can enjoy it, things like that are meant for sharing and the RS scores heavily in that area.

Cheers for help, more than likely chip in with other questions as and when I think of them so please excuse repetition.

Simon.

[drcarrera]

I traded in a 997S for my RS4. Part of the reason was the need for an estate car in our household, and the fact that when visiting clients a Porsche tends to give out a bit of a "flash git" vibe!
TBH, performance wise I found nothing between them, at least driving up to 9/10ths. If anything, I find the RS4 more satisfying as it has a slightly more planted feel and weightier steering (I has a 2S, the difference with the 4S may have been less in this respect). Sounds much better too.
In other respects there's not much to chosoe between them, really, Running costs are similar - the Porsche cost a bit more in servicing but a bit less in fuel. Build quality on a par, I'd say, but perhaps the RS4 just edges it. The 997 still feels a bit more "special" in some respects, though.

Having had several Porsches it wasn't that hard a decision for me to move to the RS4 - and it still puts a smile on my face everyday. It's a fantastic car. However, if I was single and had never owned a Porker before, everything else being equal I'd definitely go for the 997.

[Baggins]

No no no no no!!!! You're not supposed to put ideas in my head of getting a Porsche, I'd more or less decided on the RS4 and now this!!! Mate of mine is in love with his old 993 and says I've got to have one before I die as it's something to behold. I get the being 'special' bit, probably got the edge over the Audi in that respect and I don't visit clients it's just me most of the time pootling here and there so the Porsche would satisfy my needs but there really is something I like, a lot about the Audi. Maybe it's the noise, that V8 certainly puts a chill up you spine doesn't it? Oh I don't know, maybe get the Audi now and if still single by the time I get to to 50 then I'll get a Porsche. Actually, putting my sensible head on, best to go test drive one of each as actually haven't sat in either.

Thanks for the comments though, really interesting, cheers Chaps.

Simon.

[dom888]

The Porsche is too damn common. Get an RS4 and enjoy the admiration....

[gmk666]

My RS4 replaced a 997S for the same reason as most I suppose. Got married. Had a baby. Needed the room.

However, that is doing the RS4 a dis-service. It's just as well-built as the 997. It's just as much fun as the 997. If anything, the engine note means day-to-day, it's more special to drive than the 997 (mine didn't have the vital sports exhaust). And I love the reaction it gets. Non-car loving mates think I've sold out and been forced to drive a boring old estate car. While those in the know, know.

One day, I'll get another 911, but to be honest I think it'll be along the same lines as your mate's - a 993 or even older - something special. So that'll mean owning a more practical car as well. For the time being though, I'm very happy because the RS4 does both.

[dace]

The Porsche is too damn common. Get an RS4 and enjoy the admiration....

Well said. If you really want a "no comparison Audi" get a B5. now that will blow your socks off!

[Baggins]

The RS4 still has it for me, that engine note, the looks, equipment, the performance, and yet I can still share the entire experience with 3 friends, which is kind of the point.

I think I feel a leaning. Plus, if you get a chance, go play on youtube watching the RS4 with the Milltek valve-free exhausts and tell me that doesn't make you feel a bit, hmmm, naughty.

Cheers everyone.

Simon.

[scoobyc]

don't know if i would go for a 997 over the rs4 but would be a very hard to choose an rs4 over a late 996 turbo. Bit more special than the "normal" 911's but with the way warrantys are now on all porsches not the easy choice it was 12 months ago imho

[pippyrips]

I love my rs4, as well as build quality, it also has one of the best looking cabins available and its gorgeous on the outside too. I also fell in love with it a little bit more when I added the milltek exhaust!!

[scoobyc]

agree with pippyrips about the interior, has to be one of the classiest and most special interiors if fitted with "proper" rs4 wheel and to an extent carbon interior too
Like the exterior too, but its maybe just a bit muted for the money it costs but probably suits as many as it doesn't, i would think.

[al'srs4]

About 3 months ago I was seriuosly temped out of my RS4 by an 07 carrera 4s - car looked awesome sports exhaust the lot. So I decided to take it for a spin, fortunately the guy sitting next to me was a petrol head and understood that experiencing the full power range was important, vital infact for me to even consider the change. Here is the rub, I've goy to say in terms of performance the RS4 seemed better or at least comparable, which was a shame. I was genuinely dissapointed that the porker was not quicker. The rep asked me excitedly after the t drive what I thought of it, I simply said hmmmm, do you want to take mine for a spin and see - he looked gutted, poor sod. So I decided to fit a Milltek non res cat back on my RS4 and have been smiling ever since. Audi all the way mate, unless it was against a proper turbo, then no contest. Alex

[SR71]

don't know if i would go for a 997 over the rs4 but would be a very hard to choose an rs4 over a late 996 turbo

I already mentioned what worked for me but if and when I change the RS4, one of the cars I would change it for would be a 996 GT2.

There is one on PH which cost £150K new for sub £50K, just serviced with Camtune, pushing out 520hp & 600ftlbs.

Looks like it has been run hard judging from the interior but....

[pippyrips]

agree with pippyrips about the interior, has to be one of the classiest and most special interiors if fitted with "proper" rs4 wheel and to an extent carbon interior too
Like the exterior too, but its maybe just a bit muted for the money it costs but probably suits as many as it doesn't, i would think.

Good points well made scoobyc, the flat bottomed wheel is must as is the carbon fibre trim, the silver trim looks very poor in comparison.