RS4 questions...Help!

[Hamann]

Just got the RS4 yesterday..did some searches...but, still have a few questions.

1. I find that first and third gear are kind of hard to get into...like, you have to really push it...especially first. Sometimes it will slide right in, but other times it's harder (that's what she said). So...anything I should be concerned about?

2. 5w 40 I image...fully synthetic...but, I noticed it's about a qt low...do RS4's burn a little oil? Oil change was done a few months ago....and, it was driven 1200 straight miles for delivery...already bought the oil, just wondering if that's something I should be aware of.

3. Lithium battery. Is it true you can use a lithium battery and save ~40lbs? Just curious...saw one comment on it...

4. Brake Dust...Holy shit. Anyone recommend some good pads? FUCK.

5. Sprint Blue..considering powder coating black...I think it will look hot..any thoughts?

6. Headlights...should you always use "auto?" lol..didn't seem to turn on unless I used that.

7. K&N filter...considering...recommended by anyone?

Thanks...I feel like a newb again...

[kloover]

Some answers for you:

1. That's just the gearbox...get used to it. I've found that (at a stoplight), putting the car into 2nd before shifting into 1st seems to help quite a bit (with the clutch in).

6. Auto headlights are good for normal driving...but if you want the fogs or rear fog, you have to twist it all the way to the right and pull it out a notch (front fogs) or two (front + rear fogs).

[jerrym]

Just got the RS4 yesterday..did some searches...but, still have a few questions.

1. I find that first and third gear are kind of hard to get into...like, you have to really push it...especially first. Sometimes it will slide right in, but other times it's harder (that's what she said). So...anything I should be concerned about?

2. 5w 40 I image...fully synthetic...but, I noticed it's about a qt low...do RS4's burn a little oil? Oil change was done a few months ago....and, it was driven 1200 straight miles for delivery...already bought the oil, just wondering if that's something I should be aware of.

3. Lithium battery. Is it true you can use a lithium battery and save ~40lbs? Just curious...saw one comment on it...

4. Brake Dust...Holy shit. Anyone recommend some good pads? FUCK.

5. Sprint Blue..considering powder coating black...I think it will look hot..any thoughts?

6. Headlights...should you always use "auto?" lol..didn't seem to turn on unless I used that.

7. K&N filter...considering...recommended by anyone?

Thanks...I feel like a newb again...

1. Try getting into 2nd gear before 1st.

2. Yes, the RS4 burns oil .. i add a quart every now and then. I use 5w-40 Motul 300V oil

3. I dont know about that lithium battery... The car already weighs 4000 lbs.. wont make a difference losing 40

4. Every Brake pad will dust. I hear Ferodo or Carbotech has some good pads that dont dust as much as stock

7. I use the k&n filter works fine. you will need to de-flap. remove charcoal filter and tube.

[whartung]

not to split hairs, but I read in road and track today that the curb weight of the RS4 is actually around 3800lbs. also, 40 lbs wont be noticeable, but its 1% of the weight, and it'll add up.

Sprint blue pearl looks great no matter what, but as one sprint blue to another, i think powdercoated black will be too black, and definitely too glossy. I feel like a gunmetal would look best on our cars.

K&N was worthwhile I suppose. Again, nothing really noticeable. And unless the RS4's intake is different that my S4's, you don't have to deflap. All I did was stick the K&N in there and that was that.

To fix the brake dust, your plan to get black (or just darker) rims will probably solve your problem.

[Hamann]

awesome...good advice...I'll try the 2nd to 1st gear thing....and look into the lithium battery...still not sure on the rims as of yet...

[KryptoniK]

I have the lithium ion batter in my RS4. It weighs 5 lbs... the OEM battery weighed in at 60 lbs... thats 55 lbs saved. Sure you can consider it not worth it if you do it alone. But coupled with lightweight wheels, seats, exhaust, suspension... i'm at - 250 lbs total off the car. Clocked in at 3,700 lbs from the stock 3,950 (I had the car weighed when I first purchased it).

so worth it to me ;)

I'll have more info on the battery shortly... just doing some final touches to the car to post up a big mod thread.

BTW, congrats on the RS4!!

[STALKER]

I would not bother with the K&N air filter.

I think black wheels would not look great on Sprint Blue either, anthracite or gun metal would look great though.

[jerrym]

I would not bother with the K&N air filter.

I think black wheels would not look great on Sprint Blue either, anthracite or gun metal would look great though.

You wont get any power with just bolt-on parts. ECU tune is needed

[VVG]

1. I find that first and third gear are kind of hard to get into...like, you have to really push it...especially first. Sometimes it will slide right in, but other times it's harder (that's what she said). So...anything I should be concerned about?

This gets smoother with time, but I can't say I ever thought the problem was significant.

2. 5w 40 I image...fully synthetic...but, I noticed it's about a qt low...do RS4's burn a little oil? Oil change was done a few months ago....and, it was driven 1200 straight miles for delivery...already bought the oil, just wondering if that's something I should be aware of.

My RS4 has never burned oil. Part of this is the break-in. You need to really let the car experience higher rpms (within the recommended limits) and then allow a lot of engine braking from high rpms. This will allow the piston rings to properly seal.

3. Lithium battery. Is it true you can use a lithium battery and save ~40lbs? Just curious...saw one comment on it...

Not sure about this, but there is a downside. The heavy battery placed low and in the rear does a lot to help weight distribution in the car to aid handling. On the other hand, saving 40lbs in a 4000lb car makes very little change in power-to-weight ratio.

4. Brake Dust...Holy shit. Anyone recommend some good pads? FUCK.


Yes. Ferrodo and Porterfield are popular aftermarket choices

5. Sprint Blue..considering powder coating black...I think it will look hot..any thoughts?

I assume you are talking about the wheels. It may look acceptable if you also paint the mirrors and trim, otherwise don't do it. Won't look as "put together". The painted wheels will look like an obvious afterthought and not like part of an integrated package. With Sprint Blue, will look a little ricey IMO.

6. Headlights...should you always use "auto?" lol..didn't seem to turn on unless I used that.

Not sure what you are talking about. My headlights work fine in all modes. Auto won't allow fog light use.

7. K&N filter...considering...recommended by anyone?

You can do it, but why. You risk getting oil on the MAF, and there is no power to be gained whatsoever. Spend the money on a nice Audi sweatshirt from the Audi Collection catalog.

Thanks...I feel like a newb again...

You're welcome, and you are, aren't you?

[Hamann]

newb to the RS4 world...been on this site for 2 years.

Thanks for the inputs...car is broken in...it's a 2007 with 19k miles...

[PESAPC]

CURIOUS ... What did you pay for the rig and congrats!

[A4ringedONE8T]

Ill be up there on Saturday, we need to run!

[Hamann]

Ill be up there on Saturday, we need to run!

You need to check it out man...not sure I'll be racing your beast though...but, definitely go for a ride...

[gjc]

This is thread is worthless w/o pics of your new beauty!!!! Make us S4 owners jealous!

+1 on gunmetal

[RAudi Driver]

Hamann, welcome and congrats. Your transmission should be a little notchy in first gear when cold. As far as third gear, I never have any issues whatsoever with this gear, cold or hot. You may want to have that looked into.
As far as oil, don't fill your oil level to the top of the dipstick. You should only go to the halfway mark. I use Motul Excess 5/40 which carries the Vw 502. blah blah blah.

Don't do the K&N filter.

As far a coating the wheels black, are yo trying to go for this look?

[8ZERO8]

2nd that....NO K&N, will not do anything but cost you money, if you are lucky, just the cost of the filter element. The MAF is likely, as is diagnostic time trying to figure out why our air/fuel mixture is off. These are NOT recommended. BUT....if you want one, I have a near new one in the box :)

[Hamann]

cant see pics at work..so, I'll check those when I get home.

I threw a cel today...2 days after I got it..have no idea why..I smell a little oil...burning...something right after I get on it...then, slow down or stop. The "oil pressure" had an "x" thru the symbol too. I have an appointment at the dealer for Monday...should be covered in warranty...but, pisses me off!

I'll post pics tonight...for sure.

[sammyrusso]

I Agree With Raudidriver...i Find The Gear Changes To Be Soooo Smooth With This Tranny...you Can Litteraly Flick The Shifter And It Will Go Into Gear...several Car Mags Have Stated One Of Best Made..next Best To A Porsche..which I Love

[Hamann]

Hmmmm...the guy who sold it to me said...and, I quote "Sometimes I don't even use the clutch, I just shift and it works..."

wtf...Is this why it's a little hard to get in some gears?

It's going to the dealer on monday...and, I'm telling them about this...it's warrantied! should be goooood to go.

Oh, pics:

[Hamann]

Have I said recently how much I FUCKING LOVE DRIVING THIS CAR???!!

[sammyrusso]

love what the guy said...hahah...powershifting?!!!! cars love that ; (

[PESAPC]

CURIOUS ... What did you pay for the rig ...

So ... mums the word?!?

[Beelzeebub]

looks great! congrats!

[Hamann]

So ... mums the word?!?

The guy dropped it 5k to 44,900 after losing his job. I offered $44,000 plus transportation costs of $500.00.

with tax, $47,200

It was the lowest price out there...with these miles and options.