B7 RS4 vs B8 S4

[Doh]

I need a relatively big, practical, AWD estate car. I want a small, manual, RWD sportscar.

How big is the gap between the 4.2L V8 RS4 and the 3.0L supercharged V6 S4? The S4 can quite effectively be modified to make roughly the same power as the RS4, so I'm more interested in how differently they handle.

Both cost about the same, and I've no doubt the RS4 isn't going to depreciate another penny, whereas the S4 might, however I gather the S4 might be more reliable and will probably use a little less fuel. I do actually intend to use the car, driving it on the road, several thousand miles a year, towing a small trailer a handful of times a year, a good blast on some of my favourite roads a few times a week, perhaps a long roadtrip, perhaps the odd trackday.

There is of course also the option of a boring 2.0TDI A4, and spending the rest on a Boxster S or a Z4, but I've found owning multiple cars to be an inconvenience more often than not. I also really like the very very fast blue collar estates far more than a posh sportscar, not that an old Boxster is very posh these days, nor is an Audi very blue collar, but there we go.

 

[spartacus68]

Surprised no one has responded yet? That's quite a question, and your 'wish list' seems, how can I say, open ended?

First off this is an Audi forum first and foremost and RS or S models are still regarded with some reverence, whatever car you choose. If money was no object I'd personally have an RS2 Avant, and failing that a B5 RS4 Avant in Kingfisher Blue (never available) or Imola Yellow (rarer than hen's teeth). I can but dream.

Back to your search. B7 RS4 is getting old these days. Daily driver, good luck with that if you want the ocassional track day. There's lot of parts not even available now, or if they are, then RS seems to add hundreds of pounds. Have a search on YouTube for Volks Wizard. He bought the cheapest B7 RS4 and is currently doing it up. Its very interesting, but this gives you an insight into what you're getting onto, as they do need maintenance.

Similarly B8 S4. Attainable power, but finding one that's not been molested that's your issue. Everything is about history, and regular oil changes. Again, search for VAG Technic, YouTube.

If you're towing, then pretty sure it was only B8s that were available with detachable towbars. On B9. Then the introduction of electric towbar is a revelation, and gives the practicality of a sport tourer without killing the look once you're finished towing. Most are limited to 80kg hitch weight.

Absolutely nothing wrong with B8/9 2.0TDI. Absolute workhorse in 177PS or 190PS guise, and if you want to go down the 3.0TDI route then you can get stock 272PS with 600Nm of torque.

BMW Z4, Porsche Boxter S, different cars, different platforms. Each to their own as they say.

 

[Doh]

Surprised no one has responded yet? That's quite a question, and your 'wish list' seems, how can I say, open ended?

First off this is an Audi forum first and foremost and RS or S models are still regarded with some reverence, whatever car you choose. If money was no object I'd personally have an RS2 Avant, and failing that a B5 RS4 Avant in Kingfisher Blue (never available) or Imola Yellow (rarer than hen's teeth). I can but dream.

Back to your search. B7 RS4 is getting old these days. Daily driver, good luck with that if you want the ocassional track day. There's lot of parts not even available now, or if they are, then RS seems to add hundreds of pounds. Have a search on YouTube for Volks Wizard. He bought the cheapest B7 RS4 and is currently doing it up. Its very interesting, but this gives you an insight into what you're getting onto, as they do need maintenance.

Similarly B8 S4. Attainable power, but finding one that's not been molested that's your issue. Everything is about history, and regular oil changes. Again, search for VAG Technic, YouTube.

If you're towing, then pretty sure it was only B8s that were available with detachable towbars. On B9. Then the introduction of electric towbar is a revelation, and gives the practicality of a sport tourer without killing the look once you're finished towing. Most are limited to 80kg hitch weight.

Absolutely nothing wrong with B8/9 2.0TDI. Absolute workhorse in 177PS or 190PS guise, and if you want to go down the 3.0TDI route then you can get stock 272PS with 600Nm of torque.

BMW Z4, Porsche Boxter S, different cars, different platforms. Each to their own as they say.

Yes, I deliberately left it open ended, just to see what others suggested.

I'm drawn more towards an S4 I think. I had thought that an RS4 would be the best bet, because even if it threw a big bill, like timing chains, the fact that it won't depreciate almost makes up for it, and the cost of buying an RS4 is about the same as an S4 plus a few mods.

The B7 RS4 will go down in history as one of the all time great cars, along with whichever 911s, M-cars, and AMGs are remembered. The S4 probably won't. What I'm asking the internet is, does the B7 RS4 deserve it's position over the B8 S4?

The other option which I'm not so sure about is a tuned diesel V6 A4, I know they can make impressive numbers, and they can even sound okay, I just don't think I want one.

 

[flybynite]

Yes, I deliberately left it open ended, just to see what others suggested.

The B7 RS4 is a car I have come close to getting several times and I have always been disappointed with the cars I got in its place. It is a classic head/heart choice. Time has moved on and for me a keeper would be a pre-opf B9 RS4. 2017 is peak car for me. I haven't been able to find one so I have settled on keeping my RS3 and running a second car.

Yes they are getting hard to source parts for but that is a typical VAG problem, I can get many parts for my 80s BMWs direct from BMW, Porsche are also better served (but only for 911s)

Still the RS4 would trump the S4 or TDI every time, however I would find a good one even if it meant paying through the nose, and box up a stash of spares for the future. That is what I have done with my RS3. The way Volkswizard did it is not the way I would do it. There was a vid comparing Revo 3.0T S3 with RS4. Conclusion could not escape RS4 was better no matter how much cheaper and better value the S3 was.

RS4 for me no question