B5 RS4 magic

[IchBautAuto]

My RS4 competes for road time these days. Today was an excdellent time to give it and me a present and put some miles under the tyres. While short of the tech bling that takes over new cars by design and regulation, the B5 still gives a fantastic raw drive experience.Over the 11-12 years I've had this one, it has been the beneficiarty of most every aftermarket upgrade available so it isn't a bog standards experience. Drives / corners like a go kart with all the suspension and brake upgrades and still has an urgency in the drive train.

The interior is generally far better than a 25 year old should be and by all accounts it is good for another 25 years, regulations permitting.

 

[jnrdavo]

but it wasn't Sunday, isn't that breaking the rules??

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[IchBautAuto]

Hmmm, what should I say? Was it a tongue in cheek or an Historic rego suggestion?

On full rego of course, can never let a chance go by. What may be less obvious is that every day is a Sunday so full observance of the "Rules".

A bit of an unsaid observation on car character. The RS4 is such a go kart. limited ground clearance so all the speed humps are a real issue. Perfect for billiard smooth roads.

The RS6 has more clearance than it seems, slightly better ride on our suburban roads and such a great drive overall.

The Porsche has pneumatic suspension so it really copes with the potholes that are found far more frequently these days. Great car, handles far better than it should and has adequate power. It's the practical choice for lots of miles in the country.

If I could only have one! it would have to be the RS6. Doesn't quite have the thrills of the RS4 or the practicality of the Porsche but it's close and what I would call an inspired design by Audi.

 

[jnrdavo]

was tongue in cheek mate

A lot of people have a 'second car' for Sunday drives only... I've got two (three including the family car), but mix them up for driving..

Seems like you have the magic three combination.

I sometimes think about swapping out the S5 for a B7 RS4 wagon... maybe if the right one comes along...



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[Pickles]

The cars you speak of are far above our pay grade!,....but one inresting "quality" mentioned is ground clearance, which we found could be an issue sometimes in our RS3, but not in its replacement, an RSQ3, in which it's one real missing feature, along with many cars these days, is the inclusion of a spare wheel. In the event of a puncture, damaged tire, wheel etc in a remote location, I don't know how that could be resolved,...21" wheel & tire etc.

 

[IchBautAuto]

I couldn't disagree with you more. It's a bit of badge blindness. All three combined cost less than one new Audi.

The caveat is that you either have reasonable mechanical and electrical skills plus all the special tools OR you pay a lot for specialist servicing and repairs. So cheap to buy but expensive to own for most.

The interesting out take is that so many lambast them as maintenance problems or unreliable. Not my experience at all. It is unclear if those claims are examples of reality or signs of engineering ineptitude.

Ground clearance is one huge benefit in a car. I have to creep over shopping centre speed humps and the RS4 is at standard height. The Porsche is obviously a dream on that front. I have fiull size spares in the RS4 and I purchased a spare wheel carrier for the Porsche. It is used as an off roader so the look suits. The RS6 has the blow up spare but I have spare factory wheels so can put a spare in the enormous boot as needed. I'd certainly recommend the mirack from WA if you needed a spare carrier for trips.

 

[IchBautAuto]

was tongue in cheek mate

A lot of people have a 'second car' for Sunday drives only... I've got two (three including the family car), but mix them up for driving..

Seems like you have the magic three combination.

I sometimes think about swapping out the S5 for a B7 RS4 wagon... maybe if the right one comes along...



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It is said that if you own an older German car then you should have a Lexus or Toyota as a backup because you'll surely need it. With three, you SHOULD always have one going spare. The world is your oyster when it comes to toys. Just choosing the right one. In my area night driving is a recipe for wild life collisions and as the RS Audi panels include unavailable bespoke parts, it does limit when you can realistically drive them without inviting a write off.

 

[smit2100]

The cars you speak of are far above our pay grade!,....but one inresting "quality" mentioned is ground clearance, which we found could be an issue sometimes in our RS3, but not in its replacement, an RSQ3, in which it's one real missing feature, along with many cars these days, is the inclusion of a spare wheel. In the event of a puncture, damaged tire, wheel etc in a remote location, I don't know how that could be resolved,...21" wheel & tire etc.

+ 1 with @IchBautAuto . I find it it amusing how many look at your cars and think you paid big bucks. Being a tight arse and a gen X , I don’t need to have a toy straight away and set myself a strict cash only budget and research the crap out of cars before purchasing. Plus I negotiate hard and for my last few purchases, have never driven the model let alone the actual car prior to purchasing. I brought my bmw m3 e90 for less than a new Camry back in the day and brought my 996 turbo for the equivalent of a new highly spec’d rs3 /rsq3. ( negotiated a 25% discount on initial asking over two months . It also helps when you buy at the bottom of the depreciation cycle. I view a new rs3 / Rsq3 as a money pit, eg drop 20% once you drive off the dealers floor. That 20 is about 5 years of maintenance on my 996 turbo. I’m up about 40% on my 996 turbo if I was to sell. That said it took 2 years to land if on my strict budget. Also spent 6 years on the hunt for a r8 which ticked my boxes and budget. Have to be pretty sharp on jumping on something super quick eg ppi as soon as possible and found that offering slightly more than asking very early helps. Also I reckon I spend at least 25 to 30 hours detailing the cars I purchase. Eg Look much better than when purchased.

 

[IchBautAuto]

The sobering thought with the C5 RS6 is that new (in todays money), they were some $340,000. A few took massive hits to get it down to current values.
It really helps if you don't mind being seen in a car older than what many P Platers drive. We're talking quarter of a century here.
For me the circa 2000 models are the cream with the best compromise of attributes. That is also when some of the best (to my mind) cars were on the scene.
And for most of us, it was the similar hard slog although I did make a few impulsive purchases along the way.

 

[jnrdavo]

I just watched a repeat of the Grand Tour, where Clarkson had a B7 RS4 sedan... He loved it!
Always makes me get on to marketplace and carsales to see what is out there.

I did see an immaculate yellow one for sale some time ago, but I think it's gone now..

I'd probably go with a manual, avant....

 

[IchBautAuto]

It's good going for enthusiasts while models of interest are still appearing in the various market places. When they stop appearing is when the FOMO arrives.

 

[smit2100]

The sobering thought with the C5 RS6 is that new (in todays money), they were some $340,000. A few took massive hits to get it down to current values.
It really helps if you don't mind being seen in a car older than what many P Platers drive. We're talking quarter of a century here.
For me the circa 2000 models are the cream with the best compromise of attributes. That is also when some of the best (to my mind) cars were on the scene.
And for most of us, it was the similar hard slog although I did make a few impulsive purchases along the way.

In reflecting on your post and sobering thoughts, and parking the few misguided purchases influenced by my environment last century ( 3 commodores 2.8l 4.2l and 5.0) the last 5 cars I brought were circa naughties models or engineering around turning of thecentury. My98 wrx, 2001 b5s4, 2003 996 turbo, 2010 bmw m3. With reference to the circa 300k audi cost comparison, when buying my b5s4 in 2008 when I reckon ozaudi was in its golden years ( eg 2008 to 2010) and when I was addicted to it, never in my wildest dreams nearly 20 years later would I envisage returning to the 4 ring fold in the form of a 2009 Audi v10 gated manual that did cost over 300k back in the day. The common thing for me on the above cars is they are what I would term as turn of the century sports classics with sheer analogue driving pleasure. The only drivers aids are basically in the form of traction control /abs and first gen sat nav discs. The other very interesting stat is that from factory a gen1 v8 r8 = 420hp, e90m3 =420hp. And 996 turbo = 420hp off show room floor. I still have access to each of those cars ( although went bigger boys toys with a v10 for another 100hp). Eg round out a trifecta of 6cyl twin turbo ( boost junky for life) 8cyl / 10cyln. Would have been bored s$&@less with a v8 r8 from a butt dyno perspective having already owned 420hp factory examples. I reckon I also picked up these cars at nears bottom of depreciation cycle. Yes they can be are expensive to maintain, but they are great drivers cars. The other thing in my mind is they absolutely need a tune and exhaust. I don’t understand if you are into driving and outplayed the dollars how you can own these cars stock. Eg Tune and exhaust a must. However most say enough power with stock. I say, I don’t do a tune and exhaust for more power, it’s all about improved throttle response and the engine note symphony. Each of the above cars react so much better with an exhaust whereby you can get to addiction status with certain engine notes are certain rpm by modulation of your right foot. Looks like I an drawn to scratching car purchase itches based on iconic motors eg Porsche flat 6 mezger, bmw s65 na v8. and Lamborghini 5.2l na v10. Classic turn of the century motors. I probably have 2 scratch’s to itch in the the next few years and the common denominators are classic engines and bottoms of depreciation cycle AKA great bang for buck at that price budget. Eg. Would love a 8cyl twin turbo Ferrari motor with 2 cyl lopped off in the form of a Alfa quad. Speaking of Clarkson look at his Alfa quad first review. Second is a 3.8 v8 twin turbo. Never thought I would go for a convertible but a McLaren 650S got to be the best bang for buck if you have a budget circa 250k. Ok not 2000 engineering, but once again these cars have iconic engines that punch well above their weight. I Jane little interest in newer cars or electric. Also I never test drove any of my last 5 cars that’s both the car purchased and the model. I will continue with that same process into the future eg don’t want to contaminate my ownership experience by driving one before purchasing. Also if disappointed with the first driving experience, nothing that a tune and exhuast won’t fix