MartinGF
Registered User
Hi everyone, great to be on the forum.
Tomorrow I am going to test drive an RS4 B5 near Rome.. see attached info... If anyone has any info on the car, I'd really appreciate it....
It's done 170,000kms, and the dealer is saying it has a new 'engine' (I assume a rebuild), new clutch, new gearbox ..
Any tips other than what I have already found:
Service History- Make sure it's full and consistent. Audi service history is good at the start but anything in the last five or so years a would be better to have one of our known specialists look after these cars as they know a lot more than Audi do about them.
Cam Wear- a common problem nowadays with the age of the cars. Worth checking the service history to see when they were last checked. Some cars suffer with them and some don't, but better to be safe than sorry. It's not then end of the world if you do need them changed as you can always opt for an upgrade such as the Loba cams on offer.
Oil Changes- These should be as regular as possible. I do mine every 3k miles and the car you are looking at should have a healthy receipt file showing the oil that's been bought. Never ever use long life oil/services on these cars, it causes more problems than anything else.
Modifications- Don't be put off of modifications. Most S4's and RS4's will have modifications now as they will improve the car rather than de-value. Exhaust, usually Milltek will give you much more hp when coupled with a map from one of the main Audi tuners/mappers in the UK and most of these cars will have those first two simple mods. Other simple mods will include uprated turbos, intake pipes, air filters and either side mounted intercoolers (SMIC) or front mounted intercoolers (FMIC). As long as these have been fitted by a reputable tuner and most importantly mapped in correctly then you shouldn't have any problems. Just beware of any cars that are running very high hp 550+, have them thoroughly checked out by a known specialist before buying. Again, don't be put off as many will have been built properly and by reputable tuners.
Oil Leaks- It's an obvious one, but just have a good look around. Whoever inspects the car will pick up anything when the car goes up on a ramp.
Boost leaks- Ask the inspecting company to run a boost leak for you. This tests all intake air hoses and connections. Any leaks can be easily found.
Vagcom- This will be a simple way of seeing any faults. Your inspecting company will plug their computer into the car and this will give them any faults that are currently on the car. It's always best to take it for a test drive before doing this as any fault which could have been cleared previously will then re-appear if they are consistent. Your inspecting company will be able to tell you if there are any faults and if there are, they will be able to advise you on correcting these faults and the cost implications.
General wear and tear- These cars are twelve years old now so don't expect to buy one for sensible money and have no faults. Suspension, arms and bushes will no doubt need to be looked at. Some will have been addressed as they are at that age when a good spruce up is on the cards but by no means expect this to have been done. It will not break the bank and would be a very good thing to tighten up the feel of the car should you wish to spend the cash doing it.
Wheels and Tyres- They RS4 came with "Soft" wheels. Most will now have been changed for the harder type, but there may be some out that are still running the soft. These will no doubt be buckled and need to be changed. This is fairly obvious and you will feel it when driving the car. You can have them straightened but they will bend again when you whack a pothole. Best solution is to bin them and get yourself another set of harder style. You can tell the difference by the part number on the wheel, so while it's up on the ramp have a quick look - RS4 soft wheel part no. 8DO 601 O25T - RS4 hard wheel part no. 8DO 601 O25AE
Tyres should in no circumstances be anything budget. They should be a good manufacturer and be the same on all four corners. Question any owner if this is not how they are. There is no excuse for having cheap tyres and they should, not have to, but should be the same tyre all round. Worst case scenario is that some people like to run fronts the same and rears the same, but they should still be a quality tyre manufacturers brand.
B5 (Typ8D, 1999–2001)[edit]
Audi B5 RS 4 Avant quattro
Audi RS4 Avant quattro (B5)
Overview
Production
1999–2001
Body and chassis
Body style
5-door Avant (estate/wagon)
Platform
Volkswagen Group B5
Related
Audi B5 A4
Audi B5 S4
Powertrain
Engine
2.7 LV6"biturbo" 2 ×DOHC(ASJ/AZR)
Transmission
6-speedmanual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
2,607 mm (102.6 in)
Length
4,525 mm (178.1 in)
Width
1,799 mm (70.8 in)
Height
1,386 mm (54.6 in)
Kerb weight
1,620 kg (3,571 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor
Audi RS2 Avant
Successor
Audi B7 RS 4
The original B5Audi RS 4 Avant quattro(Typ8D)[2]was introduced by Audi in late 1999, for main production and sale from 2000, as the successor to thePorsche/ quattro GmbH joint venture-developedAudi RS2 Avant. The vehicle, like its RS2 predecessor, was available only as an Avant and was built on an existing platform, in this case theVolkswagen Group B5 platformshared with theA4andS4. Retail price was aroundDM 103,584. The RS 4 was available for sale in most of Europe, parts of **** and in some Latin American countries.
Audi produced 6,030 units between 1999 and 2001.
B5 bodywork and styling[edit]
Although related to theAudi B5 S4, many of the outer body panels were altered, with wider front and rearwheel arches, to allow for the wideraxle trackon the RS 4. With unique front and rearbumpersand side sills, and the rearspoilerfrom the S4 Avant, theaerodynamicmodifications achieved adrag coefficientof Cd 0.34. Although the B5 S4 came in a salooncar body style, the B5 RS 4 was only available in the Avant version.
Luggage space, measured according to the industry standard VDA method was 390 litres (13.8 cu ft) with the rear seats in the upright position, and 1,250 litres (44.1 cu ft) with the seats folded flat.
B5 powertrain[edit]
Audi B5 RS 4 enginepower(red) andtorque(blue) curves
The engine was developed from the2.7 litre90° V6'biturbo'used in theB5 S4. It displaced 2,671cubic centimetres(163.0 cu in) and hadfivevalves percylinder. The parts code prefix was 078 and theidentification codeswere: early version, 2000 (EU2 compliant): ASJ, and later version, 2000-01 (to EU3 standard): AZR. This engine was developed and manufactured in the UK byCosworth Technology(now known asMAHLE Powertrain). It featured enlarged intake and smaller exhaust ports on the two Cosworth cast aluminium alloy ALSi7mgcylinder heads, twoparallelBorgWarnerK04-seriesturbochargers, two larger side-mountedintercoolers(SMICs), dished piston crowns, stronger connecting rods, larger intake ducting, enlargedexhaust system, and a re-calibrated engine management system. The modifications increased the engine's output from 195kilowatts(265 PS; 261 bhp) and 400newton metres(295 lbf·ft) oftorquein S4 form to 280 kilowatts (381 PS; 375 bhp) at 7,000 revolutions per minute(rpm) and 440 newton metres (325 lbf·ft) at 6,000 rpm. The engine was controlled by aBoschMotronic[3]ME 7.1 electronicengine control unit(ECU), using a Bosch 'E-Gas'[4]electronicdrive by wirethrottle. The engine had multipoint sequentialfuel injection, aMAF, six individualsingle-spark coilsandNGKlonglifespark plugs. The engine oil was cooled by a dual oil:water cooler and an oil:air cooler.
A six-speedmanual transmission(parts code prefix: 01E, identification code: FDP) (gear ratios—1st: 3.500, 2nd: 1.889, 3rd: 1.320, 4th: 1.034, 5th: 0.806, 6th: 0.684), cooled by aNACA ductin the engine undertray, and Audi'sTorsen-based quattro system, using the Torsen T-2 "automatic torque biasing" (ATB) centerdifferential, with a 50:50 default bias were standard. Final drive ratio was 4.111.
Even with akerb weightof 1,620 kilograms (3,571 lb), the RS 4's powerful engine gave it the performance of asports car. 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) could be reached from rest in 4.9 seconds, 160 kilometres per hour (99.4 mph) in 11.3 seconds, and 200 kilometres per hour (124.3 mph) in 17.0 seconds. Top speed was electronically limited to 262 kilometres per hour (162.8 mph).[citation needed]
B5 brakes, wheels and tires
Brakes were also developed jointly in house by Audi's quattro GmbH, not by Porsche as with its predecessor, the RS 2. At the front they were radially vented and floatingcast irondiscs, 360 millimetres (14.2 in) diameter and 32 millimetres (1.26 in) thick, with double-piston floatingcalipers, and at the rear 312 millimetres (12.3 in) by 22 millimetres (0.87 in) discs with a single-piston floating caliper. The RS 4 needed less than 50 metres (160 ft) to come to a full stop from a speed of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph).
The standardwheelswere 18 inchalloys(8½×18" "9-spoke"), with 255/35 ZR18 high performance tyres. Optional "winter" alloy wheels were also available, at 18 inch (7½J×18"), with225/40 R18 92Vtyres.
Other B5 notable features
· "Sideguard", Audi's curtainairbagsystem.
· XenonHigh-Intensity Discharge(HID) headlamps.
Tomorrow I am going to test drive an RS4 B5 near Rome.. see attached info... If anyone has any info on the car, I'd really appreciate it....
It's done 170,000kms, and the dealer is saying it has a new 'engine' (I assume a rebuild), new clutch, new gearbox ..
Any tips other than what I have already found:
Service History- Make sure it's full and consistent. Audi service history is good at the start but anything in the last five or so years a would be better to have one of our known specialists look after these cars as they know a lot more than Audi do about them.
Cam Wear- a common problem nowadays with the age of the cars. Worth checking the service history to see when they were last checked. Some cars suffer with them and some don't, but better to be safe than sorry. It's not then end of the world if you do need them changed as you can always opt for an upgrade such as the Loba cams on offer.
Oil Changes- These should be as regular as possible. I do mine every 3k miles and the car you are looking at should have a healthy receipt file showing the oil that's been bought. Never ever use long life oil/services on these cars, it causes more problems than anything else.
Modifications- Don't be put off of modifications. Most S4's and RS4's will have modifications now as they will improve the car rather than de-value. Exhaust, usually Milltek will give you much more hp when coupled with a map from one of the main Audi tuners/mappers in the UK and most of these cars will have those first two simple mods. Other simple mods will include uprated turbos, intake pipes, air filters and either side mounted intercoolers (SMIC) or front mounted intercoolers (FMIC). As long as these have been fitted by a reputable tuner and most importantly mapped in correctly then you shouldn't have any problems. Just beware of any cars that are running very high hp 550+, have them thoroughly checked out by a known specialist before buying. Again, don't be put off as many will have been built properly and by reputable tuners.
Oil Leaks- It's an obvious one, but just have a good look around. Whoever inspects the car will pick up anything when the car goes up on a ramp.
Boost leaks- Ask the inspecting company to run a boost leak for you. This tests all intake air hoses and connections. Any leaks can be easily found.
Vagcom- This will be a simple way of seeing any faults. Your inspecting company will plug their computer into the car and this will give them any faults that are currently on the car. It's always best to take it for a test drive before doing this as any fault which could have been cleared previously will then re-appear if they are consistent. Your inspecting company will be able to tell you if there are any faults and if there are, they will be able to advise you on correcting these faults and the cost implications.
General wear and tear- These cars are twelve years old now so don't expect to buy one for sensible money and have no faults. Suspension, arms and bushes will no doubt need to be looked at. Some will have been addressed as they are at that age when a good spruce up is on the cards but by no means expect this to have been done. It will not break the bank and would be a very good thing to tighten up the feel of the car should you wish to spend the cash doing it.
Wheels and Tyres- They RS4 came with "Soft" wheels. Most will now have been changed for the harder type, but there may be some out that are still running the soft. These will no doubt be buckled and need to be changed. This is fairly obvious and you will feel it when driving the car. You can have them straightened but they will bend again when you whack a pothole. Best solution is to bin them and get yourself another set of harder style. You can tell the difference by the part number on the wheel, so while it's up on the ramp have a quick look - RS4 soft wheel part no. 8DO 601 O25T - RS4 hard wheel part no. 8DO 601 O25AE
Tyres should in no circumstances be anything budget. They should be a good manufacturer and be the same on all four corners. Question any owner if this is not how they are. There is no excuse for having cheap tyres and they should, not have to, but should be the same tyre all round. Worst case scenario is that some people like to run fronts the same and rears the same, but they should still be a quality tyre manufacturers brand.
B5 (Typ8D, 1999–2001)[edit]
Audi B5 RS 4 Avant quattro
Audi RS4 Avant quattro (B5)
Overview
Production
1999–2001
Body and chassis
Body style
5-door Avant (estate/wagon)
Platform
Volkswagen Group B5
Related
Audi B5 A4
Audi B5 S4
Powertrain
Engine
2.7 LV6"biturbo" 2 ×DOHC(ASJ/AZR)
Transmission
6-speedmanual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
2,607 mm (102.6 in)
Length
4,525 mm (178.1 in)
Width
1,799 mm (70.8 in)
Height
1,386 mm (54.6 in)
Kerb weight
1,620 kg (3,571 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor
Audi RS2 Avant
Successor
Audi B7 RS 4
The original B5Audi RS 4 Avant quattro(Typ8D)[2]was introduced by Audi in late 1999, for main production and sale from 2000, as the successor to thePorsche/ quattro GmbH joint venture-developedAudi RS2 Avant. The vehicle, like its RS2 predecessor, was available only as an Avant and was built on an existing platform, in this case theVolkswagen Group B5 platformshared with theA4andS4. Retail price was aroundDM 103,584. The RS 4 was available for sale in most of Europe, parts of **** and in some Latin American countries.
Audi produced 6,030 units between 1999 and 2001.
B5 bodywork and styling[edit]
Although related to theAudi B5 S4, many of the outer body panels were altered, with wider front and rearwheel arches, to allow for the wideraxle trackon the RS 4. With unique front and rearbumpersand side sills, and the rearspoilerfrom the S4 Avant, theaerodynamicmodifications achieved adrag coefficientof Cd 0.34. Although the B5 S4 came in a salooncar body style, the B5 RS 4 was only available in the Avant version.
Luggage space, measured according to the industry standard VDA method was 390 litres (13.8 cu ft) with the rear seats in the upright position, and 1,250 litres (44.1 cu ft) with the seats folded flat.
B5 powertrain[edit]
Audi B5 RS 4 enginepower(red) andtorque(blue) curves
The engine was developed from the2.7 litre90° V6'biturbo'used in theB5 S4. It displaced 2,671cubic centimetres(163.0 cu in) and hadfivevalves percylinder. The parts code prefix was 078 and theidentification codeswere: early version, 2000 (EU2 compliant): ASJ, and later version, 2000-01 (to EU3 standard): AZR. This engine was developed and manufactured in the UK byCosworth Technology(now known asMAHLE Powertrain). It featured enlarged intake and smaller exhaust ports on the two Cosworth cast aluminium alloy ALSi7mgcylinder heads, twoparallelBorgWarnerK04-seriesturbochargers, two larger side-mountedintercoolers(SMICs), dished piston crowns, stronger connecting rods, larger intake ducting, enlargedexhaust system, and a re-calibrated engine management system. The modifications increased the engine's output from 195kilowatts(265 PS; 261 bhp) and 400newton metres(295 lbf·ft) oftorquein S4 form to 280 kilowatts (381 PS; 375 bhp) at 7,000 revolutions per minute(rpm) and 440 newton metres (325 lbf·ft) at 6,000 rpm. The engine was controlled by aBoschMotronic[3]ME 7.1 electronicengine control unit(ECU), using a Bosch 'E-Gas'[4]electronicdrive by wirethrottle. The engine had multipoint sequentialfuel injection, aMAF, six individualsingle-spark coilsandNGKlonglifespark plugs. The engine oil was cooled by a dual oil:water cooler and an oil:air cooler.
A six-speedmanual transmission(parts code prefix: 01E, identification code: FDP) (gear ratios—1st: 3.500, 2nd: 1.889, 3rd: 1.320, 4th: 1.034, 5th: 0.806, 6th: 0.684), cooled by aNACA ductin the engine undertray, and Audi'sTorsen-based quattro system, using the Torsen T-2 "automatic torque biasing" (ATB) centerdifferential, with a 50:50 default bias were standard. Final drive ratio was 4.111.
Even with akerb weightof 1,620 kilograms (3,571 lb), the RS 4's powerful engine gave it the performance of asports car. 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) could be reached from rest in 4.9 seconds, 160 kilometres per hour (99.4 mph) in 11.3 seconds, and 200 kilometres per hour (124.3 mph) in 17.0 seconds. Top speed was electronically limited to 262 kilometres per hour (162.8 mph).[citation needed]
B5 brakes, wheels and tires
Brakes were also developed jointly in house by Audi's quattro GmbH, not by Porsche as with its predecessor, the RS 2. At the front they were radially vented and floatingcast irondiscs, 360 millimetres (14.2 in) diameter and 32 millimetres (1.26 in) thick, with double-piston floatingcalipers, and at the rear 312 millimetres (12.3 in) by 22 millimetres (0.87 in) discs with a single-piston floating caliper. The RS 4 needed less than 50 metres (160 ft) to come to a full stop from a speed of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph).
The standardwheelswere 18 inchalloys(8½×18" "9-spoke"), with 255/35 ZR18 high performance tyres. Optional "winter" alloy wheels were also available, at 18 inch (7½J×18"), with225/40 R18 92Vtyres.
Other B5 notable features
· "Sideguard", Audi's curtainairbagsystem.
· XenonHigh-Intensity Discharge(HID) headlamps.
