RS4 Owners on TS?
Apr 27, 2011 | 04:56 PM
#11
Watch this space.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,211
1) Throttle response is very sharp. It has an S mode that quickens the response even more and opens the exhaust valves sooner. However, the R8 V8 has slightly better throttle response due to it having twin (smaller) throttle bodies vs. one big one on the RS4.
2) Having driven it briefly, I can say they have more than adequate stopping power (8 piston, 365mm brakes up front) for the street. However, if you plan on tracking the car, you should look into changing your brake fluid (RBF600) and a set of track pads at the very least. The RS4 is a heavy car to begin with and is nose heavy (bad for braking).
3) Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) has known to be crap. Tons of cars have had their dampers leak. Most owners got fed up and went with coilovers. Much better choice anyways especially if you plan to track it.
4) One serious thing to keep an eye on is the carbon buildup that this engine tremendously suffers from (due to the inherent nature of the FSI system). You are guaranteed to get some buildup at some point in time -- this is aggravated if your commutes consist of short trips. A lot of people consider it as routine maintenance and clean their intake valves every 10k miles (6-8 hr job). A car with heavy carbon buildup can be up to 40-50hp down on power compared to a healthy RS4. There are hundreds of threads and plenty of documentation on this. Audi will fix this issue with you only when you start having misfires (which is what happens when your intake runners are loaded with carbon deposits).
Other than that, the car is bullet proof and has an amazing build quality. I'm sure Chris can vouch for that. They don't make cars like that anymore (I'm known to obsess about the quality of materials, and you won't be disappointed with the RS4). Everything about it feels solid.
I would recommend to look for 08 cars with the Titanium package (blacked out grill, titanium finish rims, tips and mirror caps). Most came with Audi exclusive interiors too (two tone leather and piano black trim)
Let me know if you have additional questions.
2) Having driven it briefly, I can say they have more than adequate stopping power (8 piston, 365mm brakes up front) for the street. However, if you plan on tracking the car, you should look into changing your brake fluid (RBF600) and a set of track pads at the very least. The RS4 is a heavy car to begin with and is nose heavy (bad for braking).
3) Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) has known to be crap. Tons of cars have had their dampers leak. Most owners got fed up and went with coilovers. Much better choice anyways especially if you plan to track it.
4) One serious thing to keep an eye on is the carbon buildup that this engine tremendously suffers from (due to the inherent nature of the FSI system). You are guaranteed to get some buildup at some point in time -- this is aggravated if your commutes consist of short trips. A lot of people consider it as routine maintenance and clean their intake valves every 10k miles (6-8 hr job). A car with heavy carbon buildup can be up to 40-50hp down on power compared to a healthy RS4. There are hundreds of threads and plenty of documentation on this. Audi will fix this issue with you only when you start having misfires (which is what happens when your intake runners are loaded with carbon deposits).
Other than that, the car is bullet proof and has an amazing build quality. I'm sure Chris can vouch for that. They don't make cars like that anymore (I'm known to obsess about the quality of materials, and you won't be disappointed with the RS4). Everything about it feels solid.
I would recommend to look for 08 cars with the Titanium package (blacked out grill, titanium finish rims, tips and mirror caps). Most came with Audi exclusive interiors too (two tone leather and piano black trim)
Let me know if you have additional questions.
As far as the brakes go, here's how they do:
I was leaving a cars & coffee thing in Rockville one morning, when I let 'er rip (about 80 or so)... then I saw the stop sign hidden behind the tree branch! I did a full-bore panic stop, full ABS, everything - smoke, squealing, etc. I stopped short of the limit line. My wife couldn't believe it. True story. So yes, the brakes are adequate.
I kid, I kid. 
May 3, 2011 | 04:42 PM
#14
Teamspeed Rookie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
From: Los Angeles
I've had my RS4 for almost 5 years. It is a fantastic daily driver. The car does not attract a lot of attention but packs quite a punch for a sedan. The trunk space is fairly big and the rear seats are practical especially if you have children.
Throttle response is excellent. The engine will deliver power all the way to redline. The clutch is stiffer than most but no problem even in stop and go traffic. The brakes are amazing especially for such a heavy car. I've been told the Alcon bbk is even better.
My RS4 has a GMG exhaust. The sound is much better. I also installed Stasis MS coilovers. The car feels lighter and understeers less.
I changed out the DRC so no problems with that. I had carbon build up cleaned out at 60k miles. You can feel the car weaken as carbon is building up. I think this is the cars only flaw.
Throttle response is excellent. The engine will deliver power all the way to redline. The clutch is stiffer than most but no problem even in stop and go traffic. The brakes are amazing especially for such a heavy car. I've been told the Alcon bbk is even better.
My RS4 has a GMG exhaust. The sound is much better. I also installed Stasis MS coilovers. The car feels lighter and understeers less.
I changed out the DRC so no problems with that. I had carbon build up cleaned out at 60k miles. You can feel the car weaken as carbon is building up. I think this is the cars only flaw.
May 3, 2011 | 04:47 PM
#15
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,719
From: So Cal - Agoura Hills
I've always wanted an RS4... As Much as I dig the M3 sedan, it just does not do it for me as much as the RS4. I almost bought an RS4 before I picked up the 335i, but could not pony up though dough at that time... Plus I want to start driving up to the mountains again to get some more snowboard time in, and the AWD is a def. benefit in that territory. Once I get into the RS4 I'm gonna try and sell the Wife on her getting the M1
May 3, 2011 | 05:06 PM
#16
Thread Starter
| Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,184
Yes, I am likely going to take my C4S to the Mid-West since it hasn't sold in CA yet. I will probably go trade it in on an FX for the lady, and just buy the RS4 once some things calm down a little more. That way, I will have the truck that I adore, and the car that I LOVE. 
May 3, 2011 | 05:18 PM
#17
Teamspeed's Mr. Spock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,947
From: Los Angeles
Please educate me on this car. I am thinking about getting one in the next year or so, once my Porsche is gone and things settle down in my personal life. Tell me everything about it: likes, dislikes, Mods that you would do and must have, and those that you wouldn't do, and your comparison of this to other cars of its caliber.
Thanks.
Thanks.
And when I say small, I mean smaller than the E90 in interior room, especially the backseat area. So if you are looking for a sedan for people purpose, the E90 M3 is probably a better bet.
It has a nice clutch feel, I like the shifter, and we would have gotten it over the S4 Avant if not for the fact that the Avant has the room that this car does not.
Long term, carbon build up is a problem. My Audi indie guy has done quite a few carbon removal process, and it is not the cheapest thing in the world.
Another issue is that it is not that great for multimedia. Getting factory AUX added is a giant pain in the azz. You have to buy a bunch of parts, drill some hole somewhere in the car, then take it to a shop that has VAGCOM to get it coded to enable it. That is, after you bought the lastest NAV DVD to update the RNSE firmware. The iPod interface is lame and doesn't show song names. You can use SD cards that RNSE will display song names, but you are only limited to 2G sized SD cards.
And lastly, if you can find them, RS4's without sunroof (they do exist) is way better for tall guys with short inseams (say, me, 6'2" with 32" inseam).
In short, it's an asskicking car. But if you don't need the AWD, look at 2008 E90 M3's for about the same price.
May 3, 2011 | 05:57 PM
#18
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,733
From: Best Coast
I might be crazy, but the RS4 is on the "older" chas of the A series... If I am correct I can tell you as someone who is 6'3 it is a VERY snug fit, downright uncomfortable if your inseam is over 32" (which mine is)... Overall the car is bad A$$, but hard pressed to DD it if your above 6 feet.
