should i buy it?

[bishop]

i have seen a dark grey rs4 avant, 56 plate 2007 model with 35k miles. it has a round steering wheel and cloth and leather trim. it looks in very good condition 1 owner etc for sale at £41000.
Does this seem good?

[Contigo]

It has a round steering wheel? Wow these new Audi's are getting more technologically advanced, what next the wheel?

Sounds like a good buy, it's got high mileage for a 57 plate though so I'd be a bit wary and want to see all history etc....

Go for it, the cars are fantastic.

[Ozrs4]

Just curious, what's the 56 plate in UK? 35K miles for a 2007 model....that's way too high imo.

[grizz]

Just curious, what's the 56 plate in UK? 35K miles for a 2007 model....that's way too high imo.

The car was registered after September 06 but before march 07.

Just looked on the auto trader site , there are 06 56 cars with 15,000 for £42k .
I don't think it's cheap with that many miles on it..

[bishop]

To be honest, the milage is a worry. I know it has the full history and had its last service at 20k(preumably it needs one now?) i am only really concerned with the trim? is the cloth and leather going to be a problem later when i try to sell it? It does have the tech pack, is this good?
Thanks

[SR71]

Why the hell should the mileage be a worry?

My previous Audi had 200K on it...still on the original turbos before I sold it on to someone for a track project. Original clutch lasted until 186K before it was changed.

It's only an issue if you're worried about depreciation or running costs.

If its the former, use it as a bargaining tool! The further down the curve you are, the less you lose the next time you sell!

I've bought my RS4 for the long haul so I expect it to last well into 6 figure mileages before major componenets start failing.

However, personally I believe getting the trim option right is going to save you when/if you re-sell. Its like buying a Q7 which doesn't have the 7 seat option...even if you don't need them. You'll take a big hit.

I'd go for 19's, full black or cream valcone or nappa leather, with the sat-nav option, carbon fibre trim, flat bottomed steering wheel, buckets (big debate on the buckets versus recaros), bluetooth, sports suspension, any colour bar misano red or imola yellow and heated front and rear seats...

The other options are less important although if the car has ceramics, that'd be a huge bonus...if they're in good nick.

Get it serviced though at dealer expense and make sure your rubber is going to last.

FWIW, I've used my Pirellis P-Zeros up in less than 7000 miles (see thread on tyre wear).

My $0.02.

[Contigo]

The Mileage on these cars kills the resale value. It's the same on the B5's. An over 100k car can be had for about 16-18k and an under 20k car will fetch up to 30k.

With miles like that on it, I reckon 41k is about right. One of the cars on here driven by John has done some serious miles and it's an early 2006 B7, will probably sell for 30k in a few months time.

[SR71]

If you've got a 1999 B5 (for arguments sake) with less than 20K on it, you're a clown...IMHO.

That means you've driven it 2.5K/year which means its probably been sat around for months at a time doing nothing, owned by nothing more than a nominal enthusiast.

I'd rather buy a car that has been used but looked after.

Nothing but my opinion but the whole "mileage determines the value" is BS. It may apply vaguely to mainstream car sales but is it applicable to enthusiasts?

I'm not saying the RS4 we're concerned with in this thread is or isn't worth that kind of money, but as previous owners have alluded to, you will find dealers trying to sell low mileage cars with kerbed alloys, basic service history (no way should a car like this be serviced according to a long-life service paradigm), swirls in the paintwork, squeaky trim etc etc for more money than a mint 35K miler which has been serviced every 5K miles.

I know which one I'd take and I'd pay a premium for it.

I sold my S2 to an enthusiast who paid 3 times what I was offered by a local garage who obviously knew nothing about S2's.

Of course, the trick is finding a buyer who knows what they're buying.

Again, just my $0.02.

PS: Before anyone mentions my comments on the Top Gear thread and how depreciation on a GT3 WILL crush residuals, it should be apparent that the absolute value of money lost on a new £100K depreciating asset far outstrips that which you will suffer on a 2 year old £41K asset. As usual common-sense applies.

[neckarsulm]

Good points SR71 on mileage vs condition with regards to rare enthusiast cars.
However with a relatively new car that is available in quite large numbers, there may be lower mileage cars that are also in good condition.
Unlike the B5 RS4 and even the S2, the B7 doesn't appear to be a rare car and there are many for sale at the moment.

I agree "mileage determines value" is BS but the majority of buyers do not, probably because it takes skill for someone to determine what makes a good car with regards to condition but anyone can understand mileage so the market revolves around it - if everybody was Quentin Willson then that wouldn't be the case

[55JWB]

Was cloth & leather even a UK spec?? sure its not an import... sounds like you will get a much better deal than that on a new car with less miles...

[jonp]

My old B5 did 156,000 miles and raun sweet as a nut. My B7 now has 73,000 on it and it has worked perfectly from new. Of course it affects the residuals, however if your budget doesn't run to big bucks, then a well looked after (FSH) higher mileage car is definately a great buy.

We are not driving old fords and vauxhalls about - these cars easily do 200,000 miles without serious costs. In my opinion, you are far better to buy a late, but high mileage car, that to have one that has sat around doing nothing, but is older.

My B7 will be up for sale in a couple of months, fully spec'ed it will definatley fetch £35,000 - which is a bargain for someone, especially as its done not much more than sit on motorways most of its life.

Jon P

[4wheeldrift]

Mate of mine has just brought a late '06 Avant in Black with 12,000miles from an Audi Dealer for 43K. It has Technology Pack, RS Steering Wheel, Headed Seats F & R, Sun Roof, TV, Tracker etc Trade price for this car would be 38 - 39K

[Adam]

To be honest, the milage is a worry. I know it has the full history and had its last service at 20k(preumably it needs one now?) i am only really concerned with the trim? is the cloth and leather going to be a problem later when i try to sell it? It does have the tech pack, is this good?
Thanks

cloth and leather - if by cloth you mean alcantara, there was a (very expensive £2350) upholstery option called package 2 which had the centre section of the seats and door inserts in alcantara. This would not detract from the value but would not add anything despite cost IMHO - I would prefer all leather and suspect many might. If it is really cloth then this is not good (not even UK spec unless an Audi exclusive spec) so avoid like the plague.

Is the tech pack good? Well its the only real must-have option on an RS4 so yes it is good.

[davers4]

If you've got a 1999 B5 (for arguments sake) with less than 20K on it, you're a clown...IMHO.

That means you've driven it 2.5K/year which means its probably been sat around for months at a time doing nothing, owned by nothing more than a nominal enthusiast.

Whats is the point of buying a car if your not going to drive it as you are worried about residuals due to high mileage. You should just get out there and enjoy the car.


As regards the price of the car as with everything it is only worth what someone is prepared to pay. If its not the right car at the right prive for you then keep looking and good luck.

[bishop]

Just to update...I am not buying this car . the seller has been quite evasive as per the options and as many of you have said, it isnt that cheap. Looking a little harder, i have just missed a 2006,56 avant , tech pack in black with 14k miles for £44k.
I am still a little confused with the seats however...it turns out the centre section was like an impressed mottled leather with a smooth outer leather? what are the normal seat options? Some have manual seat adjustment and others have electric, which is best. Is there a section on this site showing all the options and/or which are the best options?
Thanks