The sensible choice? S, or RS

[TrackBiker]

Afternoon all, looking for a little advice.

Currently have an S3 which is about 3.5 years old and due for the change. After looking around and pricing up a fair few cars, it looks like we'll stick with Audi, as as a road car for daily use, its still one of the best out there (far better than a Merc imo).

We narrowed it down to 3, the SQ5, the S4, and at a financial stretch, the RS4. It looks like we're binning the SQ5 idea though as I've already got an older 4x4 to pull my track bike around and do general stuff, dirty dog in the back, tip runs etc. Doesn't make much sense to have two 4x4's.

So, pricing up the S4 and RS4, theres obviously quite a difference, around £10k's worth!! We're not into remapping or anything these days so the cars would stay standard.

Clearly, the RS4 looks mean as hell, and it would need the sports exhaust fitted from factory, but given in additional insurance, fuel running costs (what do you guys really get out of the RS4, book says about 20mpg average), performance, is the RS worth that extra £10k? Is the V8 a good daily use car without silly running costs?

Its not a total stretch financially but is quite a chuck more. We're yet to book a test drive in either car to get a better opinion, but whats better than asking other owners their opinions on real life running opposed to what the dealer will try to verbally sell us with.

Cheers

[Nickyboy]

Yes the RS is worth it if you can afford it.

[HYFR]

With the RS discounts surely its comparable to the S4

[Nickyboy]

To add a bit more.

Get the RS for:

The looks
The occasion
The wow factor
The brakes
Handling and most importantly the V8 soundtrack and huge redline.

It's going to be the last NA V8 in an RS4/5 and maybe the last NA V8 altogether excluding R8.

I used my RS 5 as a daily drive doing 12k miles a year and fuel costs were big. Averaged 15mpg. Best was around 30 and worst was 5.

[Rick_RS4]

fuel is baaaaad in the rs4 its not a daily really, id go s4 after reading your comments,

BUT the RS will blow the S4s pants clean off

[TrackBiker]

With the RS discounts surely its comparable to the S4

Discounts? Any more info or links? Current spec I've done is around £63k, where-as the S4 comes in just under £50k, actually, thats nearly £15k different, owch.

15mpg does not sound good, especially when the S3 is doing 30mpg haha.

But it looks so much better. We'd have it for 4 years, also the re-sale on the RS range seems to hold its value so much better than the S range as well, which is good for the future.

I guess I need to arrange a decent test drive in both, see how they both run/drink in real world driving.

Does the RS suffer many mechanical issues? What kind of average servicing costs do you all fork out? Also, how long are the tyres lasting (just so we've got a real world idea)?

Thanks

[HYFR]

Wow! If you are not aware of the discount on the RS 4 have you been living in a cave?!

It's on the Audi website FFS!

Aim for 18% discount all in, but you need to order this month

[TrackBiker]

Not spotted it, and can't order for a few months anyway.

So just after more info about living with an RS4 then really.

[longdog]

It all comes down to whether or not you're comfortable with the running costs of the RS4. For me the the gap between the two (S4 and RS4) isn't large enough to warrant the extra cost to run it. My S4 is well spec'd and the RS (which was not available at the time) wouldn't have cost me much more to buy but having run a V8 S4, which was drinking £600 each month in super unleaded, put me off.
They are both great cars, an S is definitely not an RS but for me it was the better and more sensible option. Also if you want to make the S4 a bit quicker just have a trip down to MRC and they'll sort it out for you.

[Golfather]

S4 is sh!t. No presense or pose, with a weedy 6 pot charged.
Yes you can make it go fast, but looks like a TDi.
Save up and get the RS. Purposeful. Exclusive. Top of the range.

You only live once...

[doodlebug]

S4 is sh!t. No presense or pose, with a weedy 6 pot charged.
Yes you can make it go fast, but looks like a TDi.
Save up and get the RS. Purposeful. Exclusive. Top of the range.

You only live once...

+1

Sell a kidney and get a 6.

[Nickyboy]

S4 is sh!t. No presense or pose, with a weedy 6 pot charged.
Yes you can make it go fast, but looks like a TDi.
Save up and get the RS. Purposeful. Exclusive. Top of the range.

You only live once...

Your RS is ridiculous though.

[TrackBiker]

Can anyone help with the information about the discounts as I cannot find anything on the Audi site or by googling.

It may vastly help our situation. After searching on here I have seen people mention it, and if we can get a £62k car down to the low £50k region that would be superb.

I'm away for a week next week, so if the discount deal finishes at the end of March, then it only gives us a small window to take advantage, so if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great.


Oh, I get what your saying about the S and RS in terms of looks and styling. Plus the colour choices on the S are pretty poor and would require the custom paint, and after spec'd up, it comes to around £50k anyway, hence why another reason the deal on the RS would make all the difference.

[HYFR]

Audi.co.uk > Latest Offers > A4 > RS 4 ... Ta daaaaaar

[S4WON]

And try carwow.com