S4 vs RS4

[isb]

It looks as if the current market for a loaded 2007 S4 is ~$40k. A 2007 RS4 with premium package looks to be possible for $10-15k more.

An RS4 in this neighborhood would just be affordable for me currently.

Is it worth it to stretch?

[Lugi20]

Yes.

[emericr]

Look in the forum as this has been addressed many times.
If you can truly afford the extra 15K, top performance is a major factor, and you will keep your car for while, then RS4 is your answer. It is truly an amzing car. I lapped it at the LeMans circuit in France against the R8 and there is not that much difference.
If it is strectch financially (even a little one), then the S4 will give you 90% of what the RS4. The interior is the same and the exterior is subjectively very similar (only the fanatics like us will say "wow, this is an RS4").
Now, if money is truly not an issue and you don't need a stick, I would seriously consider the new C63. It is seriously faster than RS4 for everyday use.
Good luck and let us know what you end up with

[b00st]

if its a stretch then the answer is no. if you don't have to stretch to get there...then the answer is yes.

[NewImageS4]

I think it's more like 15 to 20k more..

I don't see many RS4's selling for less then 55k.

And yes worth every penny IMO. Some would say otherwise.

[Cargo8]

you are talking about used right? new S4's are like 60k when you get off the lot...
either way the difference is about the same when you're talking about the price between the s4 and rs4

[likewater]

It looks as if the current market for a loaded 2007 S4 is ~$40k. A 2007 RS4 with premium package looks to be possible for $10-15k more.

An RS4 in this neighborhood would just be affordable for me currently.

Is it worth it to stretch?

I think you should go for the RS4 for sure. I would do it if I could.

[CanuckRS]

Never stretch to buy a vehicle that depreciates. My rule of thumb is that a vehicle should not occupy more than 10% of your after tax income yearly. Following a strict rule like this would keep many people out of financial trouble. One of the best ways to lose money is to buy an expensive car, figure out after the fact that you can't afford it, and then take a huge loss on depreciation and fees.
If it's easily affordable, there is simply no choice. RS4.

[belinko]

Never stretch to buy a vehicle that depreciates. My rule of thumb is that a vehicle should not occupy more than 10% of your after tax income yearly. Following a strict rule like this would keep many people out of financial trouble. One of the best ways to lose money is to buy an expensive car, figure out after the fact that you can't afford it, and then take a huge loss on depreciation and fees.
If it's easily affordable, there is simply no choice. RS4.

Are you saying that you gross $700K if you bought a $70K RS4? Maybe I'm missing something

For myself, the insurance and gasoline costs are the deturances for purchasing an RS4. On the other hand if I or someone else could trully afford and RS4, insurance and gasoline should be irrelevant costs.

[snowbird]

For myself, the insurance and gasoline costs are the deturances for purchasing an RS4.

Fuel consumption is approximately the same for the S4 and RS4, thanks to FSI in the RS.

[EuroB6]

Are you saying that you gross $700K if you bought a $70K RS4? Maybe I'm missing something

For myself, the insurance and gasoline costs are the deturances for purchasing an RS4. On the other hand if I or someone else could trully afford and RS4, insurance and gasoline should be irrelevant costs.

i think he means..add up each month's payments for one year and dont exceed 10% of your income.

[isb]

Yes, I was looking at used. The year 1 depreciation hit is just too painful.

I did look for old postings, but an "S4 vs RS4" search can't be done as there's a 3 character minimum on search strings.

If someone knows where to point me, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, it appears that the consensus at this point is RS4 is worth the stretch if you can afford it. Could someone elaborate a bit?

I assume the 10% guideline is depreciation + interest + insurance + maintenance + fuel < 10% of after tax income?

If $60k were financed @ 5%, that's ~$1,200 pa interest starting out. Figuring 15% depreciation = $3,600 pa, $2,000 pa insurance, $500 pa maintenance & $2,500 fuel comes to just under $10k pa. So, income after tax >$100k & no problem?

[EuroB6]

It looks as if the current market for a loaded 2007 S4 is ~$40k. A 2007 RS4 with premium package looks to be possible for $10-15k more.

An RS4 in this neighborhood would just be affordable for me currently.

Is it worth it to stretch?

try like used 2007 S4 for 50k, maybe HIGH 40s and used RS4, low 60k and very high 50k..i saw a sweet RS4, with NO navi for 56k, 14k miles, but it was sold.. these cars depreciate a lot and within another year or two, I bet youll be able to get great deals on the RS4.

[Rossi15]

Yea, I just got a 2006 S4 18k miles CPO for 42k. These cars hold value pretty damn well. A low mileage 07 will be at least 47k or so.

[b00st]

used 07 RS4 are still listing between 62k and 68k give or take. mileage is between 4k and 20k. so nothing is really gone down on them.

and its just like i said. forget the math. if your stretching yourself to get the car. then you shouldn't be getting it. this is very simple. sure i can pay more and sacrifice "X" or multiples of "X" and then get an RS4 and be strapped down or B, get an S4 and not be strapped down and sacrifice nothing. not a hard decision here.

[JetBlue]

I see a lot of RS4's in socal for less than $60K all will less than 20K miles. With 20K miles you should be able to get $55K

[b00st]

then i need to buy things in socal cuz in chicagoland area...i see some at 68k USED!!!

[Matth13]

lol belinko shure stuped him.. that 10% factor is retarded.. people making a million a year have like 5 cars sitting in their drive way if not more- USUALLY not saying they should.. in my viewing experience

[S4str]

your stretchin' the budget, the RS4, isn't worth the extra $10-15K. In day-to-day driving, you won't notice that much of a difference. That said, if you're willing to pay the price of entry for a very exclusive car, go for it.

[EuroB6]

buy a Cayman S, you can enjoy that for day to day driving :) I just love those cars...sorry.

[bhvrdr]

then i need to buy things in socal cuz in chicagoland area...i see some at 68k USED!!!

Yikes, you could pay to have one transported to you for cheaper...

I've seen some 2007 Audi RS4 cars for the mid 50s ($53,000 to $55,00) with less then 20K on them. I see McKenna Audi has a CPO one for 55 grand so you'd get a longer warranty then buying one new (6 year and 100K miles). Hmm, ok, ok, I have to stop myself from buying one :)

[CanuckRS]

Are you saying that you gross $700K if you bought a $70K RS4? Maybe I'm missing something

For myself, the insurance and gasoline costs are the deturances for purchasing an RS4. On the other hand if I or someone else could trully afford and RS4, insurance and gasoline should be irrelevant costs.

I was assuming he was leasing/financing the purchase. A straight out cash buy depends on your situation of course. If you have 60K cash in the bank waiting to be used, and it's not needed for living/savings etc...then i think you can easily afford the car and should go for it.

[RAudi Driver]

I actually looked at almost all the preowned Audi's in the Los angeles area and gotta say that they were worked. Two at the Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills which were priced below $60k were not worth it. The white one had bubbling paint on the valve covers and the salesman said that it had been run real hard. The other Daytona Gray one had the transmission out and they were working on it even though they advertised it on the net as "For Sale".

McKenna here in L.A. had a blue one that had 29k on the clock and they wanted 59k. It was ok but still had some wear and a scratch on the front bumper.

Rusnak in Pasadena had a black one that had a ton of scuff marks on the drivers side rocker and a scratch on the drivers door that isn't coming out, asking 66k.

The seats on all of them had wrinkled driver's side bolsters.

I was so picky that I just bit the bullet and got a new one.

[Stevelev]

I was so picky that I just bit the bullet and got a new one.

So why no pics anywhere ?

[channad]

The seats on all of them had wrinkled driver's side bolsters.

I notice mine has some wrinkles, how do you avoid that? Jump in the car?

[EuroB6]

I notice mine has some wrinkles, how do you avoid that? Jump in the car?

climb in through the sunroof, unless you have the sunroof delete option, you'll have to crawl from the trunk and jump in front..

[Stevelev]

climb in through the sunroof, unless you have the sunroof delete option, you'll have to crawl from the trunk and jump in front..

No, no no ! You have to remove the seats and put those really nice A4 seats in until you're ready to sell the car OR if you're fortunate enough to be tall just use the rear seat

[Speedymon]

I prefer just to enjoy the comfy seats. but yeah those wrinkles suck.

No, no no ! You have to remove the seats and put those really nice A4 seats in until you're ready to sell the car OR if you're fortunate enough to be tall just use the rear seat

[Stevelev]

I prefer just to enjoy the comfy seats. but yeah those wrinkles suck.

LOL ! I was kidding ... after looking for over a year for S4 seats for my BT A4, I switched gears and bought my S4.

[Speedymon]

Oh i know you were kidding lol.

[wkornfeld]

We bought a warranty called perma-plate. I can get the wrinkles out fo free...

[SoCalRS4]

here is mine

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ice=&cardist=0

[belinko]

i think he means..add up each month's payments for one year and dont exceed 10% of your income.

Thanks for clarifing.

So basically you'd need to be making in and around $100K+ to afford a new RS4. That makes more sense

[ChronicTeutonic]

The wrinkles are called patina some would say that it's an indication of "real" leather as opposed to faux leathers. My CPO car has some, but after using leather treatment I was able to clean out the wrinkles and they stand out less than they used to.

[JMG]

The wrinkles are called patina some would say that it's an indication of "real" leather as opposed to faux leathers. My CPO car has some, but after using leather treatment I was able to clean out the wrinkles and they stand out less than they used to.

Sorry for the thread jack, but what leather treatment did you use? I'm noticing it too on the driver's side.

[ChronicTeutonic]

I used 1Z Lederpflege : http://www.1z-usa.com/leather_care.html

I tried Lexol and it left the seats feeling sticky and dull. The 1Z feels smooth and appears have more sheen, but nothing excessive.

I got mine from Super Autobacs in West Covina they carry most of 1Zs products, think there's a store in OC too...

[RAudi Driver]

I'm using the Zymol leather conditioner with really good results. I'll take a pic of my seats at 2k miles and post how they have been holding up.

As far as getting in the car, I like to go with the Dukes of hazard style.