RS4 Avants

[Kambesama]

I believe that RS4 Avants are now available to be brought into the US now. Has anyone heard of or seen one here yet?

[RAudi Driver]

I don't think so. What evidence do you have to support your claim?

[OscarMeyer]

I believe that RS4 Avants are now available to be brought into the US now. Has anyone heard of or seen one here yet?

Pretty sure the US has an import law of 25yrs, B7 won't be available for a while. The RS 2 and B5 RS4 are only just becoming available for import to Canada. (15yr rule)

[p3u]

Pretty sure the US has an import law of 25yrs, B7 won't be available for a while. The RS 2 and B5 RS4 are only just becoming available for import to Canada. (15yr rule)

[Kambesama]

Pretty sure the US has an import law of 25yrs, B7 won't be available for a while. The RS 2 and B5 RS4 are only just becoming available for import to Canada. (15yr rule)

I remember someone mentioning it in a post a while back. Today I had a bunch of avants come in so I remembered about it. He might have been talking about that so its my mistake.

[Peter1.8t]

I do know of a gent in California that has a c6 rs6 avant that was imported. Not sure how he did it. So perhaps an rs4 avant isn't entirely impossible.

[lucidmatt]

I wonder what it would take to get an avant federalized? The b7 avant did pass crash testing in S4 trim, so you wouldnt (in theory) have to re-crash test. My guess is, of all the stupid things, the rear bumper is what the biggest deal breaker is. No RS4 avant bumpers available with the DOT specifications (rear side reflectors, DOT rebar). DOT spec Front bumper and rebar should bolt on, though. I'd imagine you'd also need recalibrated ECUs and CARB/EPA certified downpipes/cats installed, then have it stamped by some government paper pusher that it jumped through the right hoops...

[lucidmatt]

Pretty sure the US has an import law of 25yrs, B7 won't be available for a while. The RS 2 and B5 RS4 are only just becoming available for import to Canada. (15yr rule)

This is only the rule for importing as is, where is, no modifications for compliance necessary. You can import and federalize newer cars but the process is more time and money than its worth, for most people.

[[email protected]]

This is only the rule for importing as is, where is, no modifications for compliance necessary. You can import and federalize newer cars but the process is more time and money than its worth, for most people.

yup and if it doesn't pass they crush it....

[p3u]

I do know of a gent in California that has a c6 rs6 avant that was imported. Not sure how he did it. So perhaps an rs4 avant isn't entirely impossible.

Was the color matte Daytona Grey?

Its possible when you have a lot of money to go through loopholes or true legalization, more than the cost of the vehicle.

Paul Walker had one of those and a C5 RS6 avant as well for instance. Also one of my friends has seen an RS4 avant there.

Just takes money.

[AvusPdx]

I believe most people import it as "show status" and some how register the car under a similar car, like a s4 avant. I've seen this done with an S16 Silvia registered as a S15 silvia in the states or something and show car status. If you get pulled over, you'll most likely be fucked.

[Blake-O]

I believe most people import it as "show status" and some how register the car under a similar car, like a s4 avant. I've seen this done with an S16 Silvia registered as a S15 silvia in the states or something and show car status. If you get pulled over, you'll most likely be fucked.

How would the officer know, unless he or she were a very knowledgeable Audi enthusiast?

[Kambesama]

How would the officer know, unless he or she were a very knowledgeable Audi enthusiast?

I was thinking the same thing. The officer that pulled "you" over would have to be very knowledgeable in cars right? I cant imagine an average guy telling the difference b/w an S4 and RS4 (debadged)

[my_RS4]

I do know of a gent in California that has a c6 rs6 avant that was imported. Not sure how he did it. So perhaps an rs4 avant isn't entirely impossible.

Yeah thought I saw pics of this at a car meet or something.. How did he do this???


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[Bootleg25Q]

How would the officer know, unless he or she were a very knowledgeable Audi enthusiast?

I was thinking the same thing. The officer that pulled "you" over would have to be very knowledgeable in cars right? I cant imagine an average guy telling the difference b/w an S4 and RS4 (debadged)

Not that it is necessarily a guarantee you'll be caught or suffer consequences, but by getting pulled over, and having an officer snoop around you and the cars info, you increase the likelihood that something won't add up when the officer is running your information or asking questions.

At least that's how I read his statement.

Yeah thought I saw pics of this at a car meet or something.. How did he do this???

I believe I saw that too (blue?).

We need to do better I guess, lol.

[65vetteC6]

Was the color matte Daytona Grey?

Also one of my friends has seen an RS4 avant there.

That is a swapped car not imported

[Peter1.8t]

Was the color matte Daytona Grey?

Its possible when you have a lot of money to go through loopholes or true legalization, more than the cost of the vehicle.

Paul Walker had one of those and a C5 RS6 avant as well for instance. Also one of my friends has seen an RS4 avant there.

Just takes money.

Yeah thought I saw pics of this at a car meet or something.. How did he do this???


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It's blue. He originally bought the car over the pond. Imported it a couple years ago. Drives it pretty regularly from what I've seen.

Another guy up here that you've all probably heard of, Josh D., has a B5 RS4 avant that he imported years ago when he owned Achtuning. It's traded hand a few times, but he bought it back. It's federalized. Has the badge on it to prove it too.

[p3u]

That is a swapped car not imported

No offense, but how do you know as I haven't even provided any information of the vehicle in question? One of my good friends met the owner of this car and talked about the vehicle approx 6 years ago. The one I speak of was imported from Mexico through Arizona. Some loophole with that state that allowed him to have it registered there and not in Cali.

[65vetteC6]

No offense, but how do you know as I haven't even provided any information of the vehicle in question? One of my good friends met the owner of this car and talked about the vehicle approx 6 years ago. The one I speak of was imported from Mexico through Arizona. Some loophole with that state that allowed him to have it registered there and not in Cali.

Fair enough, different cars maybe but it's not here legally. There are no "loop holes" that allow them to be here permanently.


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[0260]

I believe most people import it as "show status" and some how register the car under a similar car, like a s4 avant. I've seen this done with an S16 Silvia registered as a S15 silvia in the states or something and show car status. If you get pulled over, you'll most likely be fucked.

^^^^^^
This
"show vehicle status" does allow for limited mileage. I wonder how this is enforced? It's probably not and that's how people drive 'em.
There is criteria to qualify as a show vehicle:

VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY

In determining whether a vehicle is eligible for importation for show or display, NHTSA will consider the following factors, among others:
1. Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year was manufactured and certified for sale in the United States.
2. Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year has been determined eligible for importation pursuant to 49 CFR Part 593.
3. Whether the vehicle is currently in production.
4. Whether more than 500 of the vehicles were produced.
5. Whether the vehicle is a kit car, replica, or special construction vehicle.


If the answer to any of the above is affirmative, you should not expect NHTSA to grant permission for importation. If the answer to item 4 is affirmative, the applicant must establish that the vehicle is of exceptional technological and/or historical significance.

ON-ROAD USE

A vehicle eligible for Show or Display may receive NHTSA approval to be driven on the highway. The odometer must not register more than 2,500 miles in a 12-month period. NHTSA approval of limited on-road use is to allow the vehicle to be driven to and from nearby displays of similar automobiles. Another reason permission is granted is to maintain the vehicle�s engine, braking, lighting, and other dynamic systems in good working order. The vehicle is still required to meet EPA requirements. If the original engine in the vehicle will be replaced with a non-original engine to meet EPA requirements, it must be identified in your application since it may impact on the technological or historical significance of the vehicle.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/impo...osd072003.html

[FaisalJ]

I never realised how difficult it is for you guys in the states to get hold of avants! I knew Audi didn't sell many avants, but the import difficulty I didn't know about - seems a bit harsh.

Avant lovers, you're more than welcome in the UK!

You'll have to deal with the weather though. Sorry.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Pics-Surrey-UK

DSC_0470 by Faisal Javaid, on Flickr

DSC_0477 by Faisal Javaid, on Flickr

DSC_0484 by Faisal Javaid, on Flickr

DSC_0493 by Faisal Javaid, on Flickr

DSC_0494 by Faisal Javaid, on Flickr

IMG_8433 by Surrey Sam, on Flickr

[pule333]

He he so so true :)

[dsgray16]

Me and a 2 other (that I know of) forum members are currently in various stages of creating swapped B7 RS4 Avants.. I'm almost done with the power train swap and starting to gather parts for the body work. Quite a process.

[melomandn]

B5 RS4's have been legal to import for a while now. A petition was created and it passed via the "similarity clause" in which the RS4 is substantially similar enough to be imported.

It needs to be imported through a registered importer, and a few small changes have to be made. But it is totally legal.

Honestly I'm surprised a similar petition has not yet been started for the B7 RS4 avant.

Excerpt from the document:

SUMMARY: This document announces a decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain 2000–2001 Audi (8D) A4, S4, and RS4 passenger cars, manufactured from September 1, 1999, through August 31, 2001, for the European market, that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S. certified version of the 2000–2001 Audi (8D) A4, and S4 passenger cars), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision was effective March 28, 2003. The agency notified the petitioner at that time that the subject vehicles are eligible for importation. This document provides public notice of the eligibility decision.

Link for those curious:
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docume...002-11847-0009

[dsgray16]

You can import a B7 RS4 avant., I looked into it. It has to be federalized and imported through a certified importer. I was quoted $20-30k depending on what had to be changed. That excluded the cost of he car and shipping, and I was told it could take up to a year. Hence I'm building my own. In the the long run though, I probably won't save much

[65vetteC6]

You can import a B7 RS4 avant., I looked into it. It has to be federalized and imported through a certified importer. I was quoted $20-30k depending on what had to be changed. That excluded the cost of he car and shipping, and I was told it could take up to a year. Hence I'm building my own. In the the long run though, I probably won't save much

Sure about that? As of Dec 1 2015 the list only has the B5 RS4

[dsgray16]

Sure about that? As of Dec 1 2015 the list only has the B5 RS4

I looked into it a year ago.. Emailed a few different importers/federalizers about it. That said, I never actually moved forward with it, so who knows. Maybe it would have proved to be impossible.

[bshanna]

I looked into it a year ago.. Emailed a few different importers/federalizers about it. That said, I never actually moved forward with it, so who knows. Maybe it would have proved to be impossible.

Who did you talk to? i was looking at importing a b5 but if i could get a b7 here i'd pursue it..

[dsgray16]

Who did you talk to? i was looking at importing a b5 but if i could get a b7 here i'd pursue it..

There are like 4 importers that are certified. I was emailing the one based on Baltimore. Just do a google search. I really don't think it's feasible though. Too much risk and too high a cash outlay required.

[Fourplay]

I looked into it a year ago.. Emailed a few different importers/federalizers about it. That said, I never actually moved forward with it, so who knows. Maybe it would have proved to be impossible.

The RI would have to submit a petition stating that the B7 S4 Avant is substantially to the B7 RS4 Avant similar in terms of the chassis, and the B7 RS4 sedan engine is substantially similar to the B7 RS4 Avant engine, then wait for Audi/VAG to make comments on their petition, then respond to their comments. That process on its own would take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

Then, you have to physically purchase the car, import it, modify it to meet the changes Audi/VAG proposed, have it NHTSA certified, and then EPA test it to certify the engine. Then you'd be issued a new VIN and the car would be federalized and legal in 49 states (and potentially California).

Total cost would be ridiculously high, to the point where it's cheaper to buy a donor RS4 and a B7 S4 Avant and swap everything over. The reason it happened with the B5 RS4 is that there was large enough demand to defray the cost and time involved. If you had a group of 5+ people who wanted a B7 RS4 Avant, it would be much easier to do than a one-off because of all the time and work involved in the federalization process.

[dsgray16]

The RI would have to submit a petition stating that the B7 S4 Avant is substantially to the B7 RS4 Avant similar in terms of the chassis, and the B7 RS4 sedan engine is substantially similar to the B7 RS4 Avant engine, then wait for Audi/VAG to make comments on their petition, then respond to their comments. That process on its own would take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

Then, you have to physically purchase the car, import it, modify it to meet the changes Audi/VAG proposed, have it NHTSA certified, and then EPA test it to certify the engine. Then you'd be issued a new VIN and the car would be federalized and legal in 49 states (and potentially California).

Total cost would be ridiculously high, to the point where it's cheaper to buy a donor RS4 and a B7 S4 Avant and swap everything over. The reason it happened with the B5 RS4 is that there was large enough demand to defray the cost and time involved. If you had a group of 5+ people who wanted a B7 RS4 Avant, it would be much easier to do than a one-off because of all the time and work involved in the federalization process.

This was good to read.. Makes what I am doing seem slightly less crazy

[AvusPdx]

so looks like the short answer is "no". Anything is possible with enough funds and dedication I suppose.
"Banging Anne Hathaway, will that be possible?" "No".
But wait a minute, if you call her agent and pay an ungodly amount of money with privacy clauses etc..
It'll be easier to find a girl that looks like her, pay for plastic surgery and wait for her to heal, then bang her, rather than the real thing.

[Jupiteraudi]

No offense, but how do you know as I haven't even provided any information of the vehicle in question? One of my good friends met the owner of this car and talked about the vehicle approx 6 years ago. The one I speak of was imported from Mexico through Arizona. Some loophole with that state that allowed him to have it registered there and not in Cali.

There is a RS4 Avant that was converted running around those parts. I say converted but it wasn't a full conversion b/c it didn't have the 4.2fsi.