Considering a B7 RS4 as a daily driver

[Mr Pete]

So I currently have a 2017 STI that I use as my daily. Its great in the winter on all seasons. And I use it only to go to and from work, unless my son wants to ride in the 'Subaru' haha, so its been a good car to have. Except...the interior cabin noise is too damn loud! Drones like a m'fer at cruising highway speeds, road noise is very audible.

Don't get me wrong, I actually do like the car. But, when my 3 year old son is in the back, I sometimes wonder if there has been any damage to his hearing haha I sometimes feel like my eardrums are pounding after a longer trip. Its just too loud, even after I took apart the trunk lining and placed dynamat in as many of the relevant areas I could cover.

I thought about a Civic Type R, but I'm starting to reconsider, as it may be a bit too 'boy racer-ish' lol. Now, my interest has peaked on a 2007/8 Audi RS4. I almost got a B7 S4 as my daily, but the cam tensioner/timing chain thing scared me away. Apparently the RS4 does not have those issues, though you have the carbon build-up crap to deal with.

My question to you guys: did you, or do you currently, own an Audi RS4? If so, what was your ownership experience like? I've got my eye on a 40k mileage RS4 for $40k (which I think is a bit high, particularly when the last 2008 RS4 with similar mileage sold for ~$30k on bringatrailer). What are your impressions of the car, particularly as a daily driver? I know its a V8, but the fuel cost expense doesn't scare me away.

Thank you all!

[Aaaaaaaaa]

E90 M3 sedan?

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by pheerlx

E90 M3 sedan?

I would, but I prefer to have AWD as we get snow here.

[Nicky_do_it]

So why not a B8 s4 over an RS4? I realize an RS4 is more exclusive and sounds better. However, as a daily, a b8s4 probably offers less expensive repairs, as fast if not faster, can tune easier, better mpg, better value . A manual is offered with either choice but you also get a sport differential in the B8s4. I made that decision when shopping 7 years ago. I have since converted to an F80. I think I got bored of the S4 because of the dual clutch but overall it was a good car.

[F80Dreamer]

Brand new Golf R?

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by Nicky_do_it

So why not a B8 s4 over an RS4? I realize an RS4 is more exclusive and sounds better. However, as a daily, a b8s4 probably offers less expensive repairs, as fast if not faster, can tune easier, better mpg, better value . A manual is offered with either choice but you also get a sport differential in the B8s4. I made that decision when shopping 7 years ago. I have since converted to an F80. I think I got bored of the S4 because of the dual clutch but overall it was a good car.

I'm considering the B8 S4, though finding a manual with the sport diff is a bit tougher. I plan on driving a higher mileage RS4 that's available locally later this week, as well as a B8. But the sound of the V8...haha

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

Brand new Golf R?

I drove a 2016 Golf R with about 12k miles. It was a bit...boring? I don't know what it was, just wasn't that exciting for me. Very very easy car to drive smoothly compared to my STi, that's for sure!

[Ultimate Driving Giraffe]

Second the suggestion of a good used B8 S4. Great, fun daily driver. Not as tossable or fast as the M3, certainly, but not as far off in overall driving fun as others might make you think.

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Driving Giraffe

Second the suggestion of a good used B8 S4. Great, fun daily driver. Not as tossable or fast as the M3, certainly, but not as far off in overall driving fun as others might make you think.

But that's if it has the sport diff, right? I did find a 2013 with decent mileage, manual, but no sport diff. In every day driving, I assume I won't be able to tell a difference anyways.

[JTO24]

I'll agree with the B8.5 S4 manual w/ sports diff. I had one back in 2013 and it was fun! It was really fun when I threw on the Stratmosphere intake and STaSIS tune; perfect DD.

The only reason I sold it was because I wanted an e92 M3 very badly at the time lol I actually miss both cars a lot.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by pheerlx

E90 M3 sedan?

With a set of Blizzaks!

To the OP, I braved many Northern Indiana/Chicago winters (where there is a lot of lake effect snow) with RWD BMWs + Blizzaks. Sort of the best of both worlds, because you can get through the snow when you must, but you get to keep the RWD feeling.

Perhaps where you're at in Colorado is on another level for snow, but you might consider that sort of route as well.

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

With a set of Blizzaks!

To the OP, I braved many Northern Indiana/Chicago winters (where there is a lot of lake effect snow) with RWD BMWs + Blizzaks. Sort of the best of both worlds, because you can get through the snow when you must, but you get to keep the RWD feeling.

Perhaps where you're at in Colorado is on another level for snow, but you might consider that sort of route as well.

I did the RWD snow tire thing when I lived in the Midwest (definitely snows more there than it does in CO), but I'd prefer to not swap out tires. AWD and all seasons hasn't failed me yet *knock on wood*, but I'm a cautious driver, with an SUV on hand for the really crappy snow days. And, I've always been intrigued by the RS4 haha

Blizzaks are the best snow tires I have used though. Ran a set on my old GTI, that car got through all the worst of the Midwest lake effect snow days.

[Ultimate Driving Giraffe]

Originally Posted by SSDadMobile

But that's if it has the sport diff, right? I did find a 2013 with decent mileage, manual, but no sport diff. In every day driving, I assume I won't be able to tell a difference anyways.

I owned a B8 S4, 6MT with sport diff, for about four years, and it was a great car. Unfortunately, I've never driven one without the sport diff, so I cannot compare for you. I could sort of feel it when you pushed the car hard, but with the slightly rear-drive bias of the S4's quattro system, it wasn't as obvious as, say, the Saab Turbo X 6MT I previously drove. As a DD, I don't think it would be a deal killer not to have the sport diff.

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Driving Giraffe

I owned a B8 S4, 6MT with sport diff, for about four years, and it was a great car. Unfortunately, I've never driven one without the sport diff, so I cannot compare for you. I could sort of feel it when you pushed the car hard, but with the slightly rear-drive bias of the S4's quattro system, it wasn't as obvious as, say, the Saab Turbo X 6MT I previously drove. As a DD, I don't think it would be a deal killer not to have the sport diff.

Yea, thats what I'm thinking too. The 2013 S4 6MT I found has 23k miles, 1 owner, and its basically a stripper model. For daily driving purposes, I can't imagine it being that bad (without the sport diff). Hey, at least someone took the majority of the depreciation hit with this car haha

Thanks for your feedback!

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by SSDadMobile

Yea, thats what I'm thinking too. The 2013 S4 6MT I found has 23k miles, 1 owner, and its basically a stripper model. For daily driving purposes, I can't imagine it being that bad (without the sport diff). Hey, at least someone took the majority of the depreciation hit with this car haha

Thanks for your feedback!

I think you need to reconsider your tire selection before you consider AWD to be the answer... especially with the little guy in the back.

I'm in Calgary and we also get severe winter weather and there is no way I would consider rolling all-seasons year round... RWD, FWD, or AWD

That being said I'm all for the B7 RS4; a buddy of mine has one and I still love that car. The interior is very dated however.

[FriskyDingo]

RS4 is cool, but I think you're romanticizing it a bit too much. In daily driving, a B8 S4 would totally be superior, imo.

So another vote for the S4. Or Golf R/S3 like someone else said. I've driven all 3 cars in question, and I don't think any of the 3 have a noticeable edge over the other in fun factor. Just my .02

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

I think you need to reconsider your tire selection before you consider AWD to be the answer... especially with the little guy in the back.

I'm in Calgary and we also get severe winter weather and there is no way I would consider rolling all-seasons year round... RWD, FWD, or AWD

That being said I'm all for the B7 RS4; a buddy of mine has one and I still love that car. The interior is very dated however.

We get 2 big storms a year, if that. And after a day, the sun is shining, and the snow melts away. Storms have been nothing compared to what I lived through in the Midwest. If I honestly felt like my tires were not up to par, and myself or my children would be in danger, I would def get snow tires. I also drive at a 'inclement weather appropriate' speed, and make sure I have proper braking distance. I also have not felt like my vehicle was not controllable, or I felt like I was in danger, driving an AWD vehicle with decent all-seasons. Snow tires on my vehicle will not control drivers around me. I sincerely appreciate your concern.

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

RS4 is cool, but I think you're romanticizing it a bit too much. In daily driving, a B8 S4 would totally be superior, imo.

So another vote for the S4. Or Golf R/S3 like someone else said. I've driven all 3 cars in question, and I don't think any of the 3 have a noticeable edge over the other in fun factor. Just my .02

I think there's some truth to what you've said regarding the RS4. Its a car I've always wondered about, and considered owning, but I have actually never driven one. I'll hold any sort of purchase decision until I actually drive one later this week.

I have driven the Golf R, and thats at the bottom of the list. I'll also get a chance to drive a manual B8 S4 later this week as well.

Boys and their toys, as my co-worker says haha

[Nicky_do_it]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Driving Giraffe

I owned a B8 S4, 6MT with sport diff, for about four years, and it was a great car. Unfortunately, I've never driven one without the sport diff, so I cannot compare for you. I could sort of feel it when you pushed the car hard, but with the slightly rear-drive bias of the S4's quattro system, it wasn't as obvious as, say, the Saab Turbo X 6MT I previously drove. As a DD, I don't think it would be a deal killer not to have the sport diff.

+1. If I was optioning new, I would choose the sport but not a deal breaker. The pluses for not having is one less thing to repair and car was less likely tracked. Many b8s4 owners will swear by it but they are comparing to b7 handling, not a no sport diff car b8.

[smrtypants44]

B7 RS4s have serious carbon buildup issues.... like walnut blast every 30k mile bad.

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

B7 RS4s have serious carbon buildup issues.... like walnut blast every 30k mile bad.

I'm aware of the issues this vehicle has, and the maintenance it requires. If I did purchase this particular vehicle, I'll only be daily driving it for at least a year, to a year and a half. Pay to play...

[RM7]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

I think you need to reconsider your tire selection before you consider AWD to be the answer... especially with the little guy in the back.

I'm in Calgary and we also get severe winter weather and there is no way I would consider rolling all-seasons year round... RWD, FWD, or AWD

That being said I'm all for the B7 RS4; a buddy of mine has one and I still love that car. The interior is very dated however.

Plus, this frees you up to use summer performance tires in the non-winter months, which is something everyone should get to enjoy IMO