Risks of buying a higher-mileage RS4

[rs4dreams]

Hi all,

I've been doing a lot of homework on common issues and maintenance of an RS4, but I'd like to get some opinions on my particular situation. I am being offered a 2008 RS4 with 68000 miles (mostly highway, driven across the country a couple times) for about $36k. I would inherit the extended warranty the previous owner purchased through 75000 miles. He was able to extend his from 50k to 75k for $2800.

I would be the third owner. The second owner has a good maintenance record and it seems like he took good care of the car. He bought from a dealership with 35k miles on it, so there is less information about the first owner.

The car has had carbon cleaning done once around the 50k mark after the CEL came on. The DRC did not have any issues but was replaced right after the recall was announced. The brake pads and rotors were recently replaced. What are some big maintenance items that can be expected for the next 50k miles or so? Is it reasonable to buy this car as a DD with the hope of using it for another 50-60k miles without great risk of extremely expensive repairs? I am well aware that the cost of ownership of an RS4 is considerably higher than most other cars, and I'm fine with the extra fuel, oil, tire, brake costs. That is a worthwile sacrifice for ownership of such a beautiful machine. What I am worried about is incurring $10k repair costs on some big component.

Thanks in advance for chiming in!

[moyenecorniche]

tire, fuel, oil, and brake costs are not the concern of costs..( not that they are inexpensive )
But more to the point is the motor, especially internal components of the engine itself, let's face it if you have an RS4, chance's are that you are going to drive it as it was designed to perform ( or at least I would hope so ) That means meticulous servicing has to be done regularly and even ahead of schedule, so the costs are high.
Audi Driver Magazine has had a series of articles and a couple of issues dedicated to the RS4, their owners and the realities of owning an RS4.
As a DD, with the hope of nothing going wrong for the next 60,000 is not realistic. THe RS4 is going to require maintenance much more so as it ages and mechanicals reach their end.

Go for it Yes, but if you are thinking of an economical street race car, that is a contradiction, I would have it as a second car, but not as a primary only.
Only because it deserves to be kept in tip top condition....

(Sorry just edited as the B5 had Biturbo's not the B7's...)

[Ill 3.0]

twin turbo's

I thought the B7 RS4 was tri-turbo?

[Seerlah]

Twin Turbo? That only existed on the B5 RS4, not sold in the states. Doesn't the B7 RS4 have the same engine as the B6 S4?

[dparm]

Highway miles are much easier on a car than city miles. Sustained RPM/speeds put much less wear and tear on things like the clutch, oil, etc.

Honestly I would rather have a car that saw a lot of highway miles than few city miles.

[Bells7246]

Maybe I am mistaken, isn't the B7 RS4 a V8 engine?

[moyenecorniche]

Maybe I am mistaken, isn't the B7 RS4 a V8 engine?

Correct..... I goofed on earlier post.
But the February and March Volume 15 issues 2 and 3 of Audi Driver have a two part series on the B7 RS4, it's actually a buyers guide.
Definitely worth the read. In addition past issues featured the S4 as well.
Volume 14 issue #2 February 2010 is an RS4 special issue, Buying guide and is a reprint of past articles and updates...

[moyenecorniche]

I thought the B7 RS4 was tri-turbo?

It is....One under the driver's seat to eliminate discomfort as you've just realized that apex arrived much much too soon....

[darkstar]

I bought my car with 68k on it.. I got a screaming deal on it. Here is what i had to do when i got it. Oil change, air filter, plugs fuel filter cabin filter, new tires, new brake pads. every car is a little different on how things wear. So just take a good look at the brakes tires (even tho noted recent replace was done on the car you are looking at dont just take there word for it!). You can always take it into the deal or have an independent inspection dont on the car. The DRC are a big deal if you aren't planning on going with coilovers one day.. make sure they are not leaking! even tho they have been replaced doesn't mean they dont have problems coming on the horizon. Lets be real here.. these are great cars! you just need to take care of them.. just a little more then the average car.. if you do they will take care of you! I had a b6 A4 before my RS4 let me tell you how much more solid this car feels! its unreal! the it doesn't seem like it has 68k on the odometer! I say if you dont spy anything fishy going on go for it!

[Tekk]

I've owned my RS4 for going on 2.5 years now with 45k miles on the clock and besides the standard wear/maintenance items (plugs, pads, engine oil, tranny fluid, rear diff fluid, clutch, flywheel) this car has been very very reliable. I know there are some lurkers either on this forum or QWOT that have over 100k miles and are still going strong so I wouldn't worry too much...its got the longevity. You just need take car of it per the manual or get more frequent check-ups if you're paranoid. Lets face it, forums are notorious for containing a ton of "problem" posts because most people are prone to post about problems (asking how to fix) than they would to post about how wonderful the car is....why else would you buy the car if you didn't like it!

If you like the car, understand the cost of normal maintenance, and its purchase price is right where you want....pull the trigger. You'll enjoy it...alot! :D

[francars]

I came from an S4 B6 (4.2) V8 and now I have my RS4. Its my DD (well almost as I switch between cars) most of the week, but my commute is short. I have about 55k miles on her now. I did purchased extended warranty for 3 years thru Fidelity Audi Care (Platinum)
I spoke with 2 different Audi Dealers, 1 Audi INDY and other RS4 owners and they all agreed the 4.2 engine base is almost bullet proof. As long as you maintain her she will give you lots and lots of miles. I have done all the maintenance needed and plan to do extra (5k oil changes, etc).
Since you have warranty til 75k I will advise get proper PPI and make sure all bugs are handled before warranty expires. The price seems a good deal as you have remaining warranty.
Good luck and hope you get her! They are a blast and wonderful cars to have

[Justin@FCP]

Since you have warranty til 75k I will advise get proper PPI and make sure all bugs are handled before warranty expires. The price seems a good deal as you have remaining warranty.
Good luck and hope you get her! They are a blast and wonderful cars to have

Sounds like a great deal to me, the more service history you have a car the better you are.
Highway miles are definitely much easier on a car than city miles.

[rs4dreams]

Thanks everyone for chiming in! I'm in the final stages of making a decision (the price has also been slightly lowered).

Based on your experience with maintenance and repairs, do you think it would be necessary (meaning, very likely to be cost-saving) to pick up another extended warranty after 75k miles? I'd have 6k miles on the existing warranty to iron out some kinks, but just wondering.

[WinterRunner]

Thats up to you, but certainly put several thousand $ away for maintenance and any unforeseen repairs.

[PolishPete]

I don't know if I so-much agree with everyone here.

I've got a 2007 with 47K miles on her. In that past 2 months been in the shop twice, 1 week or more each time, for a starting issue (sometime would take a long time to start, or not start at all, and would have to turn the key back and try again, and she'd start). First they said it was a bad high pressure fuel pump, so they replaced both. (and did a carbon clean...thanks Audi!!)...the second time they said it was 2 leaking fuel injectors, so they replaced all of them.

The service guy tells me how this is weird as the motors are quite bullet proof (as my friends 2008 RS4 with 26K miles is on a lift at the same dealer who just had his clutch destroy on him (replaced with JHM) and immediately after his trans goes). My personal opinion is that a performance car (that isn't a full bread race car) should not need a new clutch and/or trans with 26K miles. Add to this the other guys car that had the piece of carbon flake off and destroy his motor...leaves me thinking the motors and cars themselves are not bullet proof.

Fun to drive, but not entirely reliable.

Still love mine...but within 2 years think she wont be doing DD duties. How sick would it be to have an Aston Martin summer car, and an RS4 winter car (need the Quattro for Chicago winters).

[TPage]

I've put 55K on mine without a whisper of a problem. I drive it pretty hard (I had two Subaru STI's before this car) and have put it through about a dozen track days. About ready to pick up my 4th set of tires... That said, if you have to ask "how much" this may not be a great car for you. Get yourself a throwaway STI or EVO until you've got some more cash in the bank!