Broken RS4... what to do?

[cliffwells]

Hi,

First time posting here, so please be patient if I'm unwittingly pissing people off =)

I have a 2007 RS4 that I bought used w/ 89k miles. I put about 4k miles on it when it developed piston-slap. Mechanic found broken wrist pin. I located a replacement cylinder head and piston on eBay, and these were installed (along with a new clutch, motor mounts, etc, since this seemed like a good time for maintenance). During this work, it was discovered that the oil uptake had been damaged by the previous owner (cracked) and it was surmised that the oil was likely being aerated which caused the failure. The uptake was welded as part of the work.

This engine lasted for almost the entire ride home.

I took the car back in, and given the history, the mechanic recommended finding a replacement engine, which we did. $7500 for another engine w/ 80k miles. This ran absolutely great for 2k miles, then suddenly, while I'm at a red light (in neutral), the engine just dies like I'd stalled it. I restarted the engine and there's the dreaded knocking sound. I pull to the side and have it towed back in.

Different mechanic this time, and he says there's metal in the oil and wants to buy another engine w/ 165k for $10k. Just hell no.

So far this car has cost me about $1000 per mile I've driven it. I love it, but am not dumping another 10k into in the exact same way it so I can pray it doesn't fail again in the exact same way. I'm willing to try something different, but another used B7 engine ain't it.


I still owe 15k on the car, so I can't just scrap it. Here's the options I'm considering:

1) Sell as rolling chassis with two broken engines. Easy, but unlikely to make a huge dent in my debt.

2) Get a full engine rebuild at a local racing shop using the two engines for parts.

3) Do an engine swap with a newer Audi V8.

4) Part it out on eBay. Sad and time-consuming. I don't know if I have the emotional fortitude.


I'd prefer to rebuild or swap, as I love the B7's styling (and the body/interior is in great condition), but It's hard to find info on what this might look like, dollar-wise.


If anyone has a bright idea they'd like to share, I'd truly appreciate it. Also any thoughts on what swaps/rebuilds might cost would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,
Cliff

[curbdawg]

Where are you located? I’ve had two engine rebuild quotes. One for $15k and one for $18k


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[cliffwells]

Portland, OR. And ouch =)

[curbdawg]

If you have a garage and time you may be able to make most of what you owe on parting it out.


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[Rs4 B7 Botswana]

I bought mine and took it in for a carbon clean, they messed up and had a hydro lock. Two bent conrods. New engine and a list. Of problems too long to put down. Had the car for a year and barely driven it. So, it's painful and I can fully relate. What I have learnt is patience. Hunt the net for parts. If its not your daily take your time and rebuild it slowly. I gather you in the US so parts can be found. I would suggest using your two engines to build a new one with a few extra parts here and there. As for engine exchange, I have seen a number of people go the 5 cylinder route. Much cheaper and down the line you can modify it easier. It's a beautiful car but getting into shape is costly. Once again, feel for you.

[othatseric]

whats the likelihood building one good motor from the two? can turn into quite the build thread :p

regardless sorry to hear!

[alpinevr]

That’s definitely not a fun situation, I don’t know who all you have had work on the car, but I would give AMD up in Woodinville a call. They have rebuilt/modified numerous RS/R8 motors as it’s what they specialize in. They can give you a good idea on rebuild price and can probably give you core value/ part trade for the extra motor/parts that you have towards the rebuild.

[RAudi Driver]

Don't part the car. Get a reputable shop, that's known on these forums, to get the work done. You're already in, may as well push the chips forward and say, "I'm all in". If finances are tight, get a loan and bundle it with the car payment. It's the only way at this point.

Good luck and super sorry to hear of the misfortune. Things will get better

[cliffwells]

@alpinevr Thanks for the AMD reference. I'll reach out to them. I definitely don't want to part the car unless I have no other options.

[nnnick]

This was awful to read, I'm so sorry.

Out of curiosity, what is the color/spec of the car? Clean CarFax? I think getting a decent gauge of what the car is worth fixed up will help you guide the financial side of things...at 89K miles it could be fairly valuable when put back together if motor seems sturdy/sorted out.

[mnvwaudiguy]

This may be sacrilegious, for the price of a rebuilt 4.2 FSI, you can have a very powerful and reliable (relatively speaking) 2.7T (Bore and stroke to 3.0L with TTE 550, 600 or 780 turbos). Something to consider if the V8 isn't the key item attracting you to the RS4; if it is, I completely understand.

[cliffwells]

This was awful to read, I'm so sorry.

Out of curiosity, what is the color/spec of the car? Clean CarFax? I think getting a decent gauge of what the car is worth fixed up will help you guide the financial side of things...at 89K miles it could be fairly valuable when put back together if motor seems sturdy/sorted out.

Has warm-weather package and clean history. It has about 95K miles now.

- New tires,
- New clutch
- New engine mounts
- New flywheel
- Upgraded clutch slave cylinder
- New black grille (not in picture)
- Rebuilt intake manifold

https://ibb.co/3fFDnKQ

[cliffwells]

This may be sacrilegious, for the price of a rebuilt 4.2 FSI, you can have a very powerful and reliable (relatively speaking) 2.7T (Bore and stroke to 3.0L with TTE 550, 600 or 780 turbos). Something to consider if the V8 isn't the key item attracting you to the RS4; if it is, I completely understand.

Yeah, I feel it should have a V8. That being said, I inquired both about a rebuild as well as a swap with AMD. The 4.0T is a lot easier to source (and hence, cheaper to buy and maintain), and has a few technical advantages, so I wouldn't be opposed to that route.

[Toronto5.5]

Really sorry to hear. My worst nightmare. Maybe this engine could be a solution? Not sure if its still available but worth a shot.

[65vetteC6]

Don't part the car, you will probably net less then selling it whole and will take a lot longer. I also believe it is technically illegal since you do not "own" the car. depending on what is wrong with your two motors, rebuild them. Parts will take a bit to come in (especially with covid) but you should have a fully refreshed motor for similar price to the one linked above.

[Nash_TDI]

@alpinevr Thanks for the AMD reference. I'll reach out to them. I definitely don't want to part the car unless I have no other options.

I 2nd giving Jason at AMD a call. Might take a while but will be sorted correctly.

[CarterRuss]

I'd also ring Steve over at Autobahn Autowerks as well: https://autobahnautowerkz.com/

might also have a lead for you in the Portland area.

^he lives in Portland area

[caideN]

I'm not adding anything useful but if you keep the car stored up as-is for a few more decades, it'll be worth a lot more even with a broken engine

[matt310]

Yeah, I feel it should have a V8. That being said, I inquired both about a rebuild as well as a swap with AMD. The 4.0T is a lot easier to source (and hence, cheaper to buy and maintain), and has a few technical advantages, so I wouldn't be opposed to that route.

The 4.0T is a nightmare in its own right. I would get rid of the car perhaps by trying to list on BaT (BringATrailer) to see if they'd accept it, as is, with all parts. The site used to be perfect for that but has now sort of morphed into a shrine for undriven garage queens.

[RAudi Driver]

Wondering if your car insurance will cover catastrophic engine failure? I doubt it but worth a look into your contract.

[65vetteC6]

Wondering if your car insurance will cover catastrophic engine failure? I doubt it but worth a look into your contract.

I've heard of this being covered a few times, not sure how but worth looking at.

[cliffwells]

I spoke to AMD in WA. He told me it would be at least 10k for the rebuild.

I decided to contact the bank that holds the lien on the car to see if they'd finance the rebuild (after all, it's technically their car). Unfortunately my credit score took a hit these last few months and I'm still recovering from that, but 15k isn't a huge loan and I have a perfect payment history with them, so *fingers crossed*. Should hear back from them tomorrow.

In any case, AMD can't even start on a rebuild til end of January, so I can try again then if I get turned down now (and hopefully my credit score will have recovered a bit by then).

In any case, I think I'll be keeping the car unless something changes the picture between now and January.

[Toronto5.5]

This just popped up in the classifieds... https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-cooler-90k-km

[your daddy]

Please make sure to replace your oil cooler assembly/hoses. I bet crap was maybe trapped in there, and found its way back to the 2nd one.

[curbdawg]

There’s a Phantom Black part out posted recently on here with complete engine that had been rebuilt with documentation for $7k FYI


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[duud40]

I have a complete engine with gearbox and clutch that I'm willing to consider selling. Bought it to build into a turbo engine but bought a BMW in the meantime.

[cliffwells]

That’s definitely not a fun situation, I don’t know who all you have had work on the car, but I would give AMD up in Woodinville a call. They have rebuilt/modified numerous RS/R8 motors as it’s what they specialize in. They can give you a good idea on rebuild price and can probably give you core value/ part trade for the extra motor/parts that you have towards the rebuild.

Thanks again for the referral (@Nash_TDI as well). I just got the car back yesterday and I'm really happy. Jason sold me one of his own RS4 engines and has been amazing from the start. I'm going to be returning to AMD this spring for new downpipes and have the suspension rebuilt.


For the record, the failure in the previous engine was from an improperly rebuild intake manifold (screw came out and went into the engine).

[RAudi Driver]

Anyway to go back to 1st engine rebuilder and get compensation or at least torch his building to the ground.

[Audifile]

Anyway to go back to 1st engine rebuilder and get compensation or at least torch his building to the ground.

2nd that...they have insurance like the rest of us (most of us anyway). You don't get if you don't ask

[PAA502]

Has warm-weather package and clean history. It has about 95K miles now.

- New tires,
- New clutch
- New engine mounts
- New flywheel
- Upgraded clutch slave cylinder
- New black grille (not in picture)
- Rebuilt intake manifold

https://ibb.co/3fFDnKQ

This.

Nice RS4s carry market value (BaT, etc). An enthusiast would put value on a documented rebuild by a reputable shop. Fix it, drive for several years, sell for what will likely be an elevated market price. And amortize whatever "loss" you incur over the time period of enjoyment driving and owning an icon.

Easy for me to say, but you get the idea. Just my $.02.

[swesna]

Thanks again for the referral (@Nash_TDI as well). I just got the car back yesterday and I'm really happy. Jason sold me one of his own RS4 engines and has been amazing from the start. I'm going to be returning to AMD this spring for new downpipes and have the suspension rebuilt.


For the record, the failure in the previous engine was from an improperly rebuild intake manifold (screw came out and went into the engine).

Nice to hear a happy ending to this story. Congrats.

[CrickiKaze]

Whats happened with the other motors?

[alpinevr]

Thanks again for the referral (@Nash_TDI as well). I just got the car back yesterday and I'm really happy. Jason sold me one of his own RS4 engines and has been amazing from the start. I'm going to be returning to AMD this spring for new downpipes and have the suspension rebuilt.


For the record, the failure in the previous engine was from an improperly rebuild intake manifold (screw came out and went into the engine).

Good to hear! You will be super stoked with their downpipes, I’ve got a set on my car, they hand make every set to the car.

[JoeyManhattan]

I hate to say it, but will an LS fit in it? Still get a V8, and one of the most supported and reliable platforms out there.

[swesna]

I hate to say it, but will an LS fit in it? Still get a V8, and one of the most supported and reliable platforms out there.

Read the thread Joey ... he resolved his issues no need for an LS motor.

[JoeyManhattan]

My mistake, but I'm still curious if it would work as a last resort.

[swesna]

My mistake, but I'm still curious if it would work as a last resort.

If I needed to replace an engine in an RS4 I think I would look at other options as well.

[Greyboxer]

I think I just saw this car on BaT. Didn’t hit reserve. Would love to talk to you more about it! Shoot me a dm