Buying a 2008 RS4 Cabriolet with 73K miles...

[osmanrana]

Any watch outs? I've read about the usual watch outs but was wondering if there have been issues with the convertible top. Any advice would be helpful.

[B6_Dolphin]

Welcome to an exclusive club!



I've not had issues with the top. If you have VAG-COM, or a friend who does, you can scan the modules for trouble codes, and there is a module for the top sensors.

As for other issues, I've had a oil cooler line leak @ 12k miles, and a carbon clean @ 15k miles. I also changed the brake pads from stock to Stoptech pads to eliminate scoring of the brake discs from the stock pad stiffners as they wear down.

Enjoy the open-air motoring - tunnels with the top down are always an aural treat.

[RS4Life]

Hey Osmanrana, i'm a local Boston guy as well. I drive the same car, '08 Mugello Blue Cabriolet! Dolphin's right, exclusive club. I had to have the motor replaced at about 45k, Murphy Bros in North Quincy did a great job. Other than that, i haven't had any issues over the past year that i've owned her. I haven't done a carbon-clean, mainly due to $$$ and dealership did a diagnostic test which showed no issues. I don't notice anything unusual about the performance anyway.
Happy to chat further and would love to see a picture!
I still can't figure out how to post mine, but this might link to it.
[IMG]C:\Users\tomp\Pictures\2013-10-24\006.JPG[/IMG]

[B6_Dolphin]

I don't notice anything unusual about the performance anyway.

The carbon clean made a difference for me, even after only 15k miles on the engine. I also had a local tuner, ADM, install an EPL tune, where the main benefit is removing the torque limiting in the 1st 4 gears.

[Denker]

I had to have the motor replaced at about 45k, Murphy Bros in North Quincy did a great job. Other than that, i haven't had any issues over the past year that i've owned her.

That was mentioned rather casually.

[dparm]

A pre-purchase inspection is mandatory for any used car, in my opinion.

[RS4Life]

I'm a rather casual guy. Apparently it's not uncommon. It was covered by warranty, so just cost me deductible and 1/2 day without the car.

[RS4Life]

That was mentioned rather casually.

Oops, i neglected to mention it was the motor for the convertible roof!! my bad.

[Datadatum]

Oops, i neglected to mention it was the motor for the convertible roof!! my bad.

LOL - and there is the importance of context!

[badbluers4]

Oops, i neglected to mention it was the motor for the convertible roof!! my bad.

Lol hahaha I was so confused!

[RS4Life]

little things like that

[RS4now]

Any watch outs? I've read about the usual watch outs but was wondering if there have been issues with the convertible top. Any advice would be helpful.

no problems here. i only have low 40's for miles, but i really enjoyed the looks and feel of the top down during the 1st few months i have owned it. the previous owner had no issues with it, either.
it is one of the sharpest looking cabs on the road. good luck.

[RSFourMe]

Bought mine in April @ 58k just turned 71k today. LOVE IT! Needed a throw-out bearing when I bought it (got the JHM stg 4 with the light-weight flywheel and trio-shifter kit), I changed the plugs at 62k and I think I need to change the coil-packs to clear the check-engine light. (If I am remembering the codes right) Gong to dive into it in a couple weeks to get that cleared up and probably do a Carbon Clean before Christmas. (or maybe I should say for Christmas $$

Top is flawless.
"S" mode, through tunnels and tall-building downtowns is inspiring!


Time honored used car check-list from my old-man: (just in-case it's not on your to-do list)
Just run it through the gears, shifting should be silky, power should pull like a pissed off dragon (quote from AZ'er) all the way to rev-limiter.
Turn in slow circles (both directions) at full steering lock to listen for CV's, power steering pump and diff issues etc.
Listen to all the speakers separately (fade/bal. etc.)
Buying from a dealer? Drag you finger under the manifolds/power steering, coolant reservoir etc check for oily build-up indicating that their is/was an oil issue that got cleaned away
Rev high in nuetral/stand still and listen to the de-rev for exhaust isses
Brake hard from about 50, let go of the wheel to check for pull
Hopefully the brake pads and tires should be relatively new (should most likely be on the 2nd set for these cars by 73k miles I think)
Check seem gaps for doors and fenders to hood and trunk, check exposed bolt head placement on door, hood and trunk hinges for signs of being removed and placed back in a "new" spot vs. factory placement.

Run it hard for a while get the oil to 230* or so, this should be sufficient to smoke any errant oil still on the engine: excess smoke can equal oil issues (however I don't read too many oil issues on here for our cars)

I agree with DPARM: a $200 PPI is a good idea if you're not a wrench turner yourself, especially compression measurements. Spend some good time on this forum, there are ALLOT of good people on here with TONS of knowledge. Reading through AZ and a couple other forums, the RS4 seems to be void of any real common major issues. (Carbon Cleaning excluded). If you like it and it checks out good, jump on it! 1 of 300 in the states is a pretty cool thing to know while you tear through the gears and make that RS4 noise!!

[RS4Life]

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i think 300 Cabs were made for global distribution, and only about 175 came to the states.

[RS4Life]

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i think 300 Cabs were made for global distribution, and only about 171 came to the states.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...zSC1aNGc#gid=0
this is a link to the RS4 registry in the US

[RSFourMe]

I would be in love even MORE if it were only 171, but I keep reading versions of this info:
"The RS4 Cabriolet will be limited to about 300 total vehicles all to be built this coming fall. It will be sold only in the US, meaning Canadians are out of luck this time around. Expect similar colors to the RS4 sedan, although a titanium package will not be available. It also appears that Audi Exclusive interiors – think all leather dashboard and enhanced stitching / materials – will not be offered either."

found here: http://www.audiworld.com/articles/rs...for-us-market/

[B6_Dolphin]

My Misano Red Cab is 1 of only 7 in this color, and 1 of 3 with Silver Interior, which I prefer over Black, especially with the top down on a sunny day.

Now if only the Recaro seats were offered for the US models - I could do w/o the Side Air Bags.

[TSlice]

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i think 300 Cabs were made for global distribution, and only about 175 came to the states.

I would be in love even MORE if it were only 171, but I keep reading versions of this info:
"The RS4 Cabriolet will be limited to about 300 total vehicles all to be built this coming fall. It will be sold only in the US, meaning Canadians are out of luck this time around. Expect similar colors to the RS4 sedan, although a titanium package will not be available. It also appears that Audi Exclusive interiors – think all leather dashboard and enhanced stitching / materials – will not be offered either."

found here: http://www.audiworld.com/articles/rs...for-us-market/

It is my understanding that there were 300 RS4 cabriolets for North American consumption, but quite a few more were produced for European/ROW markets. Stateside, I think the goal was to give the cabriolets an air of exclusivity with a one year, 300 model run. Overseas, by comparison, the production run was several years (3, I believe) and far less limited (I wasn't able to find exact numbers).