Opinions - Is is worth upgrading to an RS4 from a B7 S4????

[S4_ATX]

I realize this is a very subjective question. Only asking because I have never driven an RS4. I have 2006 B7 S4 Tiptronic with only 53K miles. The car is tuned w/ piggies and FI exhaust. I love the car but I miss having a manual transmission and I've always loved the RS4. I'm considering upgrading to a 2008 RS4 or a newer generation B8 S4. Finding an RS4 with low miles is so damn expensive and I wonder if it's worth all that extra $$$$?? Trying to figure out just how much I would notice the extra 80 horsepower compared to my S4. For those that have driven both, is the extra RS4 power totally worth the extra cash?

Perhaps I would be better off in a B8 S4. I prefer the looks and sound of the RS4 but the RS4 is damn expensive and I wonder if it's worth it?

Thoughts and opinions appreciated.

Thanks!

[Mr.Wrong]

I'd say upgrading to a manual B6/7 S4 from auto is quite noticeable as it is. Even though 80hp might not sound much by today's standards, but RS4 as an entire package feels quite different than S4. Go take one for a spin and you'll see for yourself. B8 S4 just feels muted for the lack of a better word, great car nonetheless. RS4 - you won't regret it.

[LINDW4LL]

I don't think you can go wrong with that move.

RS is a big step up.

[nnnick]

Why not just buy an RS4 with higher mileage? If it's properly maintained they're pretty reliable. There is one locally here in San Diego going for $19,500 (and he's negotiable on that!)...it has 145k miles on it. I am still kind of considering selling mine for it, but I'm in a similar boat as you in that I can't quite convince myself it is worth the cost to upgrade to a car that is so similar in a lot of ways. I have a manual though, I think if I had an auto I could probably talk myself into it easier as I agree with an earlier poster than the switch from AT to MT is a big difference in itself.

Here's the ad in case your curious, no affiliation to seller: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/5337829565.html

[PetrolDave]

I had a couple of B6 S4s before my current B7 RS4, which I've owned from new in July 2006, and they are like chalk & cheese.

The S4 is good for cruising but never really did it for me and I quickly got bored of their lazy character. On the other hand even after over 9 years the RS4 still makes me smile every time I drive it, it's just got so much more character and is so much more "alive". On example - where the S4 would eventually struggle to the red line, the RS4 positively throws itself at the red line (and a 4.2 liter V8 doing over 8000rpm sounds amazing...). The quality of ride on the RS4 is also IMHO much better, instead of permanently hard damping because of the DRC the damping is softer when going in a straight line but harder when cornering (when you need it) - a road near me has a "washboard" surface which used to verge on uncomfortable in the S4s but is so much better in the RS4.

Yes the RS4 costs more, but you DO get what you pay for.

Just my $0.02.

[silverTL6]

The quality of ride on the RS4 is also IMHO much better, instead of permanently hard damping because of the DRC the damping is softer when going in a straight line but harder when cornering (when you need it) - a road near me has a "washboard" surface which used to verge on uncomfortable in the S4s but is so much better in the RS4.

Wow, that's exactly the effect I was looking for by adjusting my Koni's to the softest setting, but they're still fairly harsh on bad roads. There are some threads where S4 owners asked about retrofitting DRC's but were warned against it due to its potential for leaks. I wonder what percentage of RS4's really had this problem?

[Mr.Wrong]

Why not just buy an RS4 with higher mileage? If it's properly maintained they're pretty reliable. There is one locally here in San Diego going for $19,500 (and he's negotiable on that!)...it has 145k miles on it. I am still kind of considering selling mine for it, but I'm in a similar boat as you in that I can't quite convince myself it is worth the cost to upgrade to a car that is so similar in a lot of ways. I have a manual though, I think if I had an auto I could probably talk myself into it easier as I agree with an earlier poster than the switch from AT to MT is a big difference in itself.

Here's the ad in case your curious, no affiliation to seller: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/5337829565.html

Yup he's a member here:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-2007-Audi-RS4

[PetrolDave]

I wonder what percentage of RS4's really had this problem?

Hard to tell, you can't judge by percentage of forum posters as we're not a representative sample of all RS4 owners - we tend to be the enthusiast end of the spectrum.

Having said that it must be a reasonably high percentage otherwise AoA would not have done a recall and Audi UK would not have offered a goodwill warranty extension.

I had the original 2nd gen DRC on my RS4 until I had a major DRC leak which also took out the valve block, but the shocks were replaced with the 3rd gen ones as well as a new valve block all under the goodwill warranty. I've now done about twice as many miles with the 3rd gen as with the 2nd gen without problems, and other owners are also saying that the 3rd gen DRC seems to be much more reliable than the original.

[Jeffha4]

I'm going through this same dilemma now... I'm leaning on the side of B8 S4.

With a couple grand, we can get stage 2 software and a SC pulley, which will get us close to RS4 power. The B8 can have adaptive suspension, steering, throttle (all user selected, not sure if any changes automatically). Plus you can get a sport diff, which is apparently a game changer. I hear it essentially gives us a RWD feel with the AWD traction.

Along with my S4, right now I'm driving a base B8 A4. The updated interior over my B7 is nicer, having MMI definitely feels like a much newer car. And this is comparing a base A4 - a premium+ or prestige S4 is going to be even better, obviously.

I dunno, it's something to consider.