Any ex owners browsing this forum wish they had never sold ?

[victor2vt]

Just out of interest and tell us what you bought to replace it with and tell us the likes and dislikes.
What do you miss most about your B7 RS4 ?

[Dave7]

Me! I had a lovely Daytona avant but was offered a stunning low mileage 996 c4s in seal grey with full carbon interior so I had to have it. The Porsche was a great car, a few worries about big bucks engine rebuilds but that aside, an awesome car with an was one soundtrack. Evo rate it as second best to the GT3 only. Prob was that it just wasn't quick enough by modern standards and the engine, even though very torquey wasn't a screamer like modern Porsche engines. With 2 kids a more practical fast option is needed hence I'm back here and have found a lovely well cared for car.

Dave

[jaysrs4]

Dave, quick question if you don't mind.

I've had my RS4 since March and I absolutely adore it. However there is a Porsche itch I'd like to scratch one day.

I've seen some lovely 997 C4S's knocking about with Aero and even GT3 kits. In your opinion what's the power and delivery like compared to an RS4?

[Dave7]

Jay

Mine was a 996 with 320 bhp. The earlier 997's have 355, later Gen II 385.
The 385 direct injection engines are more rapid. The earlier ones are less revvy and more about the torque.
Gen 1 997 c4s' didn't have the famous red reflector strip at the back. Can be hard to move on simply due to this fact.

That's the major difference between a 997 and an rs4. The rs4 is very flexible with top end whereas the Porsches are more low down power. Amazing machines but after spending a week in a new and frankly amazing cayman S pdk, it made the 997 feel old.

Some major pitfalls with 996 and 997 gen 1 engines. Look out for bore scoring, get it scoped and also the infamous intermediate shaft bearing failure where average rebuilt cost is 6-7k sometimes 8-9k. Read about it on the Hartech website. Porsche reckon failure rate was 4-5% of all engines produced but it could be as high as 1 in 10.

If looking at a 911 go for gen 2 997 where they deleted the intermediate shaft bearing (IMS) or get a newish Cayman S. That or as I did have 10k in reserve if it blows or have a good aftermarket warranty.

Other option is gt3 or turbo. They suffered none of these issues due to having the Meztger engine.
Running costs are much higher though.



Dave

[P_G]

Everyone who knows me on here knows I traded my RS4 for an RS3, had initial doubts but now a year on I don't look back.

Easier to maintain / keep on the road
Less faults
Cheaper to run, far more fuel efficient
Cheaper to insure
Cheaper to modify
Real life quicker

Possibly still not as dynamic on the limit but for 95% of road driving and that I don't track cars the RS3 is better. The only bit I slightly miss when I hear one is the soundtrack and the slightly larger boot for the 2-3 times in a year that an Avant boot space is needed. Not even convinced to trade up for the B8 RS4 and it looks like the 8V RS3 is going to be even better. The B7 was an epic car and 5 years of ownership proves that but time to move on for me. The RS3 is great, perhaps not epic but then my priorities have slightly changed so it suits what I want. I don't drive it to the point that the chassis deficiencies or the fact it has Haldex rather than Torsen would seemingly show themselves.

If in a few years I could find a B7 cab for £5-7k that I could put a Tubi on then I would do it just for the theatrics of it in the summer

[jaysrs4]

Jay

Mine was a 996 with 320 bhp. The earlier 997's have 355, later Gen II 385.
The 385 direct injection engines are more rapid. The earlier ones are less revvy and more about the torque.
Gen 1 997 c4s' didn't have the famous red reflector strip at the back. Can be hard to move on simply due to this fact.

That's the major difference between a 997 and an rs4. The rs4 is very flexible with top end whereas the Porsches are more low down power. Amazing machines but after spending a week in a new and frankly amazing cayman S pdk, it made the 997 feel old.

Some major pitfalls with 996 and 997 gen 1 engines. Look out for bore scoring, get it scoped and also the infamous intermediate shaft bearing failure where average rebuilt cost is 6-7k sometimes 8-9k. Read about it on the Hartech website. Porsche reckon failure rate was 4-5% of all engines produced but it could be as high as 1 in 10.

If looking at a 911 go for gen 2 997 where they deleted the intermediate shaft bearing (IMS) or get a newish Cayman S. That or as I did have 10k in reserve if it blows or have a good aftermarket warranty.

Other option is gt3 or turbo. They suffered none of these issues due to having the Meztger engine.
Running costs are much higher though.



Dave

Interesting reading. Perhaps when it is time for me to move on, I'm hoping 997 Turbs will have dropped enough.

Deffo wanting the next move to be a tad more ballistic to be honest.

I have read several stories about bore scoring and intermediate shaft issues, I suppose RS4's have their horror stories too, maybe not catastrophic like that.

Thanks for the reply buddy.

[TimDogg]

Stay B7 RS4 bro.

[S4Player]

I miss my b7 but wouldn't have it back tbh. I reckon I'll go for a new rr sport or one of those macan turbos both look to be top notch.

[klauster]

I moved on to an RS3, other than the interior, which I have now rectified and the V8 soundtrack I have no regrets at all, the RS3 is more exclusive, cheaper to own/mod and with a stage 1 is faster than modded rs4 that has had a few thousand squid thrown at it

[Borgelite]

Not particularly. I thought they were starting to look outdated. Having said that everytime i see an Avant pass by i still think thats its one of the best looking rear ends about. No time for the saloons. Been wafting about in Range Rover ever since. Going for comfort rather than speed these days.

[Dave7]

Rs4 foibles fade into insignificance after the potential for a 10k 911 engine rebuild!

Rs3's seem to be great little cars but the one thing that I dislike is the wider front track and wider tyres over the rear. It just looks odd and unbalanced to me.

My choice of pocket rocket would probably be a 1M Coupe.

[P_G]

A number of the RS3 owners ditched the wider front tyres and have the same all round, 235's either as Goodyears, Michelins or Yokohamas. A better rear ARB further helps

[sakimano]

Rs4 foibles fade into insignificance after the potential for a 10k 911 engine rebuild!

Rs3's seem to be great little cars but the one thing that I dislike is the wider front track and wider tyres over the rear. It just looks odd and unbalanced to me.

My choice of pocket rocket would probably be a 1M Coupe.

That's probably because it's a FWD biased haldex awd system. Basically it's FWD unless it gets into trouble, then the rears kick in.

Rs3 is a cool car. Wish it was sold here. Hoping we get an RS3 sedan next gen. We did not get the B8 RS4, so it's tough to find a fun (not gigantic), fast, AWD car for grown ups. Especially tough to find a V8. S6 and RS7 are great but just too big.

[PetrolDave]

Dare I say this....Evo has good things to say about the RS Q3

[Dave7]

Indeed they do! I read the review in last months mag. I've seen one though in my local dealer and its just a case of 'drive through a halfords' styling with a great chassis and drivetrain. I wonder if they'll make an rsq5? Would be competing directly with the Macan then though.

I think the Macan S is going to be a cracker and decent value too.