Looking to purchase 2008 RS4. Some questions:

[raztec]

About to take the plunge on a 2008 RS4 with about 50,000miles.

The car has been decarbed, new brakes and rotors, and replaced valve spring. Fairly clean with reliable service records. All stock, but I suspect it's been driven hard by wear on tires. I'm gonna get it checked out by Audi before I purchase.

I've got a few questions if you guys don't mind answering:

1. What things should I look for in this age vehicle as potential problems now and in the future?

2. How much should I budget for yearly maintenance if I drive 10,000 miles/year?

3. How often does it need to be decarbed and how much does that cost? Is it something I can give a third party mechanic or should I have it done by Audi?

4. How well does it fair as a daily driver? I've got old back injuries can't take too harsh a ride?

5. How well do they hold their value? I've noticed the S4 loses value very quickly, but the RS4?

If there's anything else, please chime in. Thanks

[komseh]

About to take the plunge on a 2008 RS4 with about 50,000miles.

The car has been decarbed, new brakes and rotors, and replaced valve spring. Fairly clean with reliable service records. All stock, but I suspect it's been driven hard by wear on tires. I'm gonna get it checked out by Audi before I purchase.

I've got a few questions if you guys don't mind answering:

1. What things should I look for in this age vehicle as potential problems now and in the future?

2. How much should I budget for yearly maintenance if I drive 10,000 miles/year?

3. How often does it need to be decarbed and how much does that cost? Is it something I can give a third party mechanic or should I have it done by Audi?

4. How well does it fair as a daily driver? I've got old back injuries can't take too harsh a ride?

5. How well do they hold their value? I've noticed the S4 loses value very quickly, but the RS4?

If there's anything else, please chime in. Thanks

1. 50,000 is really low mileage for these cars. Replaced valve spring? Just one or all of them? That is a bit of a red flag imo. I would have a the cylinders scoped and a compression test. Used oil analysis wouldn't hurt either. Get as many details as to why the valve spring(s) was replaced.
2. I don't know how to maintenance budget, someone else might have this number.
3. 20k miles is the general consensus as that when the buildup is significant enough to limit air flow to the point of affecting power. Your car will still run though so it's not CRITICAL. $500-800. If you can find a good indy shop that specializes in Audi that would be the best route. Ask for before/after pics of every valve. If they use walnut shell media make sure they clean up their mess.
4. The stock suspension is very compliant and comfortable. Just make sure the DRC system isn't leaking anywhere and that the DRC recall service has been performed.
5. The RS4 is rare and seemingly in high demand at the moment. I see them holding their value if well taken care of.

By 80k you will want to replace your PCV/Oil separator unit. By 90-100k you should replace your fuel injectors or have them cleaned. You could time the fuel injector service with a carbon clean and save on some labor costs. The fuel pumps MIGHT need to be replaced by 100k as well.

It's a really solid motor and overall car.

[Gansel]

Is this the one you are talking about? http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/ctd/5569040944.html

[Tugboatguy]

Is this the one you are talking about? http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/ctd/5569040944.html

Went all the trouble of taking interior shots but didn't get a shot of the mileage...

[AvusPdx]

About to take the plunge on a 2008 RS4 with about 50,000miles.

The car has been decarbed, new brakes and rotors, and replaced valve spring. Fairly clean with reliable service records. All stock, but I suspect it's been driven hard by wear on tires. I'm gonna get it checked out by Audi before I purchase.

I've got a few questions if you guys don't mind answering:

1. What things should I look for in this age vehicle as potential problems now and in the future?

2. How much should I budget for yearly maintenance if I drive 10,000 miles/year?

3. How often does it need to be decarbed and how much does that cost? Is it something I can give a third party mechanic or should I have it done by Audi?

4. How well does it fair as a daily driver? I've got old back injuries can't take too harsh a ride?

5. How well do they hold their value? I've noticed the S4 loses value very quickly, but the RS4?

If there's anything else, please chime in. Thanks

I'm chiming in since I had a similar mileage car when I purchased mine (41k @ 1/15/2015). Seems like your car had more maintenance done than mine so you'll deff save more money.
I conducted my CC, brakes/rotors my self.

1. Not sure if its from mileage/age/bad luck but my rear parking sensor just went out about a month ago. Still trying to figure out how to DIY it before taking it to the dealer. Not much info about it out there yet, but I'm assuming they will start going out. Control arm bushings seems to wear out about now as well.

2. Again, your car has finished some costly maintenance stuff which is nice. I change my oil every season (4x a year) regardless of mileage, which Liquid Moly is about ~$60 for x2 5 quart jugs, $10 for oil filter, tires wear pretty quickly on our cars (heavy/high hp), and gas, which you should expect to get about ~12 miles/gallon (depends on how you drive).

3. Third party. Find a good euro shop with a decent price that is experienced with CC. There are numerous other models that require CC that are DI. Ideally every 20k, but 30k would be ok. Its more of a performance thing, but a good time to check on your injectors while you're at it.

4. I wasn't on stock suspension for long, but the car does ride fairly stiff. Its not just the suspension, but the whole chassis feels very rigid (which is a good thing). Its compliant, but depends on the road conditions around where you live.

5. I like to think that this car holds value well, but I have seen dealerships sell for much lower than private sellers. It may take some time to sell, due to it being very niche to a specific group of buyers. As other attractive choices starts to fall in to our price range (C63 AMG, E90 M3's, B8-8.5 S4's, S3's, 2015 Golf R, 2015 STI's, CTS-V's) I have a feeling we will see another price drop, assuming people cross shop those cars, AWD/RWD, high performance, 4 doors.

This is my daily driver, and if I had a option to have 2 cars (can't due to living in a condo), I may have gone the route with a true DD/sports car. This is a great car that can do both, but at the same time it can't do both very well. Where I am right now, its a perfect balance of fun and DD ability, child seat in the back with stroller in the trunk, AWD etc. I think the exterior has a timeless look, and the wide body gives it a aggressive look but not overly "look at me" vibe. I'm starting to enjoy that, rather than everyone always wanting to race you, stare at you and pester you with questions at every gas stop (now I know how it feels to be an attractive woman).
I love that fact that it is a very rare car, but able to find other owners if your into car meets and what not.
My least favorite part about the car was the interior, but I realized how much I don't pay attention to the inside when I am driving. I upgraded the outdated RNS-E for bluetooth music and Nav, which thats all you really need. Changed everything to LED to modernize a little bit.
If you like attention, you will get more from a C63 AMG or an M3.
If you like to be a rare breed, this car is for you.

[mattshaver]

Watch out for the DRC. If the struts are leaking those are super $$$ to repair or replace.

[crazylegs]

OMG, you should buy my car instead. I'm local to you even!

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Audi/RS+4...PO&orup=1_15_1

[Gansel]

OMG, you should buy my car instead. I'm local to you even!

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Audi/RS+4...PO&orup=1_15_1

Mann I love this car. I have been watching this car for months now

[zachf88]

1. Look at the DRC suspension, CV boots, rotors, control arms, any coolant and oil leaks.
2. I would put $750 in a savings account each year
3. I've found that 40,000 miles is about the time to do it. Doing it every 20k seems to be a waste (I'm at altitude though). Go to indie who knows what they are doing. avoid stealership at all cost.
4. It can be a little rough as a daily, since it is quite torqy. Easy but picky dual mass clutch can be a pain to drive smoothly in stop-and-go traffic. I actually have put 60k miles on mine since 7/2007 and I have bad back issues (compression fracture in L5 due to car accident). I've driven mine accross the country on road trips and always find the RS4 as very comfortable.
5. They'll hold their value pretty well over the next few years. Shouldn't drop more than $2k a year with 10k miles/yr

All prices in USD.

[raztec]

OMG, you should buy my car instead. I'm local to you even!

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Audi/RS+4...PO&orup=1_15_1

Nice car for sure, but (1) it's way out of my price range and (2) I prefer stock by all means.

Thanks everyone for your input. The hardest part to deal with is the 11-12mpg. I drive way too hard as it is and knowing me, I'll probably be getting closer to 5-6mpg ouch!

[crazylegs]

Nice car for sure, but (1) it's way out of my price range and (2) I prefer stock by all means.

Thanks everyone for your input. The hardest part to deal with is the 11-12mpg. I drive way to hard as it is and knowing me, I'll probably be getting closer to 5-6mpg ouch!

Ok, no problem. I totally understand the preference for a stock car. In terms of price, I don't think $52k to $45k is that much considering the value of the parts and maintenance someone would be getting.

To keep this on track, I'll add that this car has been the most reliable Audi I've owned and second to a gem of a Corrado I had previously that never had a single problem. Not much to say beyond what everyone else has added. All of the key items are listed and komseh hit on the PCV and fuel injectors around 80 - 100k. I'll note that you are about a year out from that maintenance, and I added a full fluid change and coil packs. IMO regular, preventative maintenance is a must for these cars.

After having owned one, I think they should be a bucket list car for any enthusiast and are easily worth catastrophic debt/divorce/testicle/etc. I've got $100 that these become a future classic.

[crazylegs]

Mann I love this car. I have been watching this car for months now

Thanks man. Appreciate it. You've got PM.

[zachf88]

Nice car for sure, but (1) it's way out of my price range and (2) I prefer stock by all means.

Thanks everyone for your input. The hardest part to deal with is the 11-12mpg. I drive way too hard as it is and knowing me, I'll probably be getting closer to 5-6mpg ouch!

I drive pretty hard and I get 15 city, 23 highway

[lucidmatt]

I drive pretty hard and I get 15 city, 23 highway

down town driving is dismal, 10 mpg stop and go, spirited back roads gets better with 12-14, and highway I get 24 at 65MPH and 21 at 85MPH The sweet spot is loafing along at 50-55. I get 26 then!

[Peter1.8t]

I drive pretty hard and I get 15 city, 23 highway

down town driving is dismal, 10 mpg stop and go, spirited back roads gets better with 12-14, and highway I get 24 at 65MPH and 21 at 85MPH The sweet spot is loafing along at 50-55. I get 26 then!

I average about 13-15 mpg's, so around 185 to 210 miles to the tank. The highest I've been able to achieve so far was 230 miles to the tank. RS4's are definitely not fuel efficient, by any means and SC'd Rs4's get significantly worse milage, but hey its all about the smiles per gallon. I can only imagine how awful it would be on e85.

[iduff]

For some background on fuel economy, check out http://www.fuelly.com/car/audi/rs4.

Here's mine: http://www.fuelly.com/car/audi/rs4/2007/iduff/386441.

[raztec]

Thanks again guys for all the helpful info.

My heart says this RS4 for $45k Cdn. It's been decarbed, new brakes and rotors, but has got the original clutch. Audi says no recalls necessary on this specific car using it's VIN.

But my mind says 2005 S4 with 60k miles, for less than half the price ($17k cdn). It's also got new brakes AND new clutch. But it's never been decarbed.

Which to go for is where I'm at now.

Also, I've heard conflicting things about timing chain tensioners on this. Apparently, they might go around 80k miles and since they're are at the back of the engine, the whole engine has to be dropped? and it can cost $5000? I presume it's the same regardless of whether it's a 2005 S4 or a 2008 RS4, correct?

Finally, spoke with a mechanic at Audi and he said that two of their mechanics have RS4 and they had problems with the intake manifold, but couldn't elaborate. Is that an issue with the RS4s?

Thx
Raz

[NY07RS4]

Thanks again guys for all the helpful info.

My heart says this RS4 for $45k Cdn. It's been decarbed, new brakes and rotors, but has got the original clutch. Audi says no recalls necessary on this specific car using it's VIN.

But my mind says 2005 S4 with 60k miles, for less than half the price ($17k cdn). It's also got new brakes AND new clutch. But it's never been decarbed.

Which to go for is where I'm at now.

Also, I've heard conflicting things about timing chain tensioners on this. Apparently, they might go around 80k miles and since they're are at the back of the engine, the whole engine has to be dropped? and it can cost $5000? I presume it's the same regardless of whether it's a 2005 S4 or a 2008 RS4, correct?

Finally, spoke with a mechanic at Audi and he said that two of their mechanics have RS4 and they had problems with the intake manifold, but couldn't elaborate. Is that an issue with the RS4s?

Thx
Raz

RS4 - not prone to timing chain/guide issues
S4 - carbon cleaning is not necessary or not as necessary as with the RS4. The S4's are port injected while the RS4's are direct injection.
Brakes on an S4 are significantly less than an RS4 - OEM.
The oem PP on the RS4 can get wonky once up there in miles - driving style is a large variable
RS4 - the intake manifold linkage arms are somewhat fragile. During removal/install of the intake manifold one must use caution not to snag an arm or put pressure on them. They will break. There are also two potentiometers that are known to fail over time. Not a huge issue. Replacing the front one is a breeze. The rear one is a little more time consuming.

In short:
The RS4 will more than likely cost more to maintain over time
BUT
If your S4 needs a timing chain, which requires an engine pull, you might be in the same boat cost wise over time.

Purchase what makes you comfortable financially, the satisfaction will be there regardless of which car you pick.

[dufferdude]

RS4 or nothing.

At the end of the day people don't say they saw an S4.
The coolness factor of the RS4 is off the charts.

Mine hasn't been a maintenance pain, just the normal regular maintenance stuff. Which is pricey in its self, but I knew that getting into it.