Anyone own a 2006+ Audi RS4?

[alkemyst]

Trying to get some unbiased 'audi forum' opinions and esp. if any owners compared it to the 2009+ CTS-V.

Both are about $10k more than I was thinking of spending on a car, but that may be money well spent.

I am not digging a 4 door, but it's definitely a more practical choice...the Charger SRT8 is still a contender, but I am not sure the perceptions with every hoodrat in a standard model on ridiculous wheels. The 2006 M3 is still a thought.

Still on the fence on the S5 as well.

 

[CraigRT]

RS-4 is the nicest car by far you've added to your list of cars.
I love them to death, but I don't own one and can not comment on longevity. I love the high RPM V8 and overall looks of the RS-4 a lot.

 

[SearchMaster]

My brother-in-law has a '10 I think. He hasn't had any problems or complaints with it but doesn't really drive it that much - he also has a R8 and a BMW X5M.

I think the S5 looks better personally but I'd take the RS4 over the M3 or Charger.

 

[PricklyPete]

I do not own one and have not driven one. One thing that I would be slightly worried about with that engine is carbon build up. It has been especially pronounced in that car from what I have read...likely because it is rarely driven at full bore in parts of the USA where people generally can afford them (like South Florida). Instead it putters around town and builds up carbon deposits in its intake valves.

http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/06/direct-injection-fouls-some-early-adopters.html


I'd stick with a E92 M3 or a CTS-V instead if you want a "super sedan".

 

[vshah]

didn't halik have one? or was that an S4?

 

[PricklyPete]

didn't halik have one? or was that an S4?

S4...and I believe it was a B6.

 

[ayabe]

This one?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...e=b&num_records=25&cardist=269&standard=false

I would want a certified warranty regardless, parts on a pretty rare car like that are expensive.

 

[Jumpem]

AWD > 2WD. I wouldn't consider the other options listed.

 

[satyajitmenon]

RWD > AWD > FWD. I wouldn't consider the other options listed.

ftfy

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

AWD > 2WD. I wouldn't consider the other options listed.

The OP lives in Florida. In warmer climes RWD is preferable over AWD for performance driving in my view.

I've shopped RS4s myself. For my money the E90/92 M3 is a more appealing performance package, though the RS4 is certainly the better-looking car. The RS4 is also supposedly not a great track car, which would matter to me even if it didn't matter to most. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504388

 

[Jumpem]

ftfy

Nope. RWD doesn't do that well in deep snow. Which we get enough of where I live.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Nope. RWD doesn't do that well in deep snow. Which we get enough of where I live.

So? OP lives in SoFla

 

[sdifox]

Thought RS4s have cooling issues? Florida is hot too so that might be a concern.

 

[overst33r]

Oil build up on intake valves. Enough said.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1325647

 

[halik]

Carbon buildup issues from what I hear, since the DI doesn't wash away crap off the intake valves.

Can't compare the rs4, but e46 m3 is far more of a performance machine than the s4.

 

[alkemyst]

This one?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...e=b&num_records=25&cardist=269&standard=false

I would want a certified warranty regardless, parts on a pretty rare car like that are expensive.

That's the car. Parts aren't that bad compared to others in the class.

However, that carbon issue I didn't know about and seems unavoidable unless you can blow it out with some major highway runs (or probably just keeping it in high rpms) every few drives...don't know if I want to deal with that.

The fit and finish are so nice on the Audis.

 

[ayabe]

That's the car. Parts aren't that bad compared to others in the class.

However, that carbon issue I didn't know about and seems unavoidable unless you can blow it out with some major highway runs (or probably just keeping it in high rpms) every few drives...don't know if I want to deal with that.

The fit and finish are so nice on the Audis.

I would definitely do as much research as you can on that issue, maybe there's a remedy or a way to minimize it.

F&F is epic and the color is great on that particular car, if you can get a better feeling for the issue and could possibly talk them down 3-4K, I think you'd be making a fine purchase.

 

[PricklyPete]

The OP lives in Florida. In warmer climes RWD is preferable over AWD for performance driving in my view.

I've shopped RS4s myself. For my money the E90/92 M3 is a more appealing performance package, though the RS4 is certainly the better-looking car. The RS4 is also supposedly not a great track car, which would matter to me even if it didn't matter to most. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504388

I believe the current S4 beat the RS4 in Car & Drivers Lightening Lap. If I were looking at Audi's...the new S4 or upcoming S5 with the 3.0"T" is what I would get.

 

[ViviTheMage]

My brother-in-law has a '10 I think. He hasn't had any problems or complaints with it but doesn't really drive it that much - he also has a R8 and a BMW X5M.

I think the S5 looks better personally but I'd take the RS4 over the M3 or Charger.

No,

B5: 2000–2001,
B7: 2006–2008

RS4's are nice cars. I test drove a few, definitely out of my price range at the time, but they're slowly coming down.

They looks slick stock, and sounds great...interior of a luxury car, handles nicely too.

 

[CraigRT]

I believe the current S4 beat the RS4 in Car & Drivers Lightening Lap. If I were looking at Audi's...the new S4 or upcoming S5 with the 3.0"T" is what I would get.

Srsly? No way... The 4.2 high revving V8 is godlike. I love that engine...
I've watched all the RS-4 clips, exhaust sound, flyby videos I can find, I can't get enough of that car, its so badass.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Srsly? No way... The 4.2 high revving V8 is godlike. I love that engine...
I've watched all the RS-4 clips, exhaust sound, flyby videos I can find, I can't get enough of that car, its so badass.

Agreed, isn't it the A4 chassis too? Just much bigger engine

 

[PricklyPete]

Srsly? No way... The 4.2 high revving V8 is godlike. I love that engine...
I've watched all the RS-4 clips, exhaust sound, flyby videos I can find, I can't get enough of that car, its so badass.

I don't know if you read some of the links in the previous posts, but the DI 4.2 in the RS4 has common issues with carbon build up on the intake valves that result in power issues and is costly to fix. While I agree it sounds great (as well as the "regular" 4.2 in the older S4 and S5) I'd rather take my chances with the supercharged V6. It sounds decent, has smooth power, and has plenty of room for tuning. I'm all for high revving engines (I daily drive an S54), but some engines I'd rather avoid no mater how glorious they are in perfect condition.

 

[PricklyPete]

Agreed, isn't it the A4 chassis too? Just much bigger engine

It is on the old A4 chassis (B7)...and there is a lot more than just a bigger engine. Other than suspension tuning, etc...it also has updates to the Quattro system that made it into the new B8 S4. Some of these changes result in a more neutral car with less understeer even with the forward weight bias.

 

[CraigRT]

I don't know if you read some of the links in the previous posts, but the DI 4.2 in the RS4 has common issues with carbon build up on the intake valves that result in power issues and is costly to fix. While I agree it sounds great (as well as the "regular" 4.2 in the older S4 and S5) I'd rather take my chances with the supercharged V6. It sounds decent, has smooth power, and has plenty of room for tuning. I'm all for high revving engines (I daily drive an S54), but some engines I'd rather avoid no mater how glorious they are in perfect condition.

If I have the money for a car like an RS-4. I'm getting the RS-4.
I buy other cars because they are reliable and less expensive. That car has to have the 4.2 monster V8.

 

[Aharami]

i recall reading a while ago on the vwvortex forums about some guy bitching that his RS-4 feeling as fast as a S4 because of carbon buildup. He tore down the motor and posted detailed pictures of how bad the carbon buildup really was. Can't find the post anymore...