Is The B8 Audi RS4 The Goldilocks Petrolhead Daily, Or The B7's Poor Relation?

In this video, I finally get to drive the B8 Generation Audi RS4. The older B7 was widely regarded as one of the high points of fast Audis - but the B8 changed the formula significantly. The high revving, NA V8 stayed - but the manual gearbox went, along with the saloon and convertible body styles. Dynamic steering also ruined the engagement for many, but can this example without still excite?
#Audi #B8 #RS4
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[@MetalHead1904]

These still look fresh years later!

[@mayben90]

This was my car. I sold it just before the summer. And got a Alfa Gulia QV! To answer your question I removed the mini silencers to open it up just a little more but it really improved the noise of the downshifts as you heard (but kept the centre silencer and back box unchanged). I enjoyed this car a lot. I notice the new owner removed the window tints and changed the wheels too. Probably because I had winter tyres on it.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks very much!

[@steverogers7473]

Ben can I get your contact details please, I would love to hear more about your ownership please? Thanks Steve

[@glencameron5454]

Hey Ben, are the mini silencers the ones at the bottom of the headers? I’m interested as about to add xpipe and remove Center silencer. In this video it sounds pretty well standard to me. Your mod must be quite a subtle change?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Ben if you're happy email me your details on [e-mail] and I will pass them on to Steve the new owner

[@steverogers7473]

@@JayEmmOnCars That would be great, I was trying to work out how to do that safely on the interweb! Thanks

[@steverogers7473]

Thanks James, it was a pleasure working with you and I am so pleased you liked it! 👍

[@JacobtheSaw]

🙌🏻

[@angusadams1244]

You have a beautiful Audi my friend!

[@steverogers7473]

@@angusadams1244 Thank you Angus, I love it to bits...

[@adamlifshack3684]

Love your car! Can’t wait to see your S2 as well!

[@joeblack007]

Do not loan your car to Hoonigan. RIP RS4. 😅😅😅

[@traderbarry9139]

I have an A4 Allroad B8 TSFI, and I really really want an RS4 B8, I think the B8 models look much better than all newer & current Audi styling. I think they will age very well as they have done, and will be very desirable cars in the future.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

The B7 RS4, has that fantastic manual and classic design.

[@wdcampbellcampbell]

This Audi I believe will become a Classic, love the V8 and wide arches

[@simonelliott5956]

I had a 64 plate car, loved it did 45k miles in it with one issue a faulty thermostat. Absolutely loved it. The big thing with these is you need the revs high, the car is limited at 8250, but you can use that along with a super fast gear change it’s fantastic. Really great car, which with the last of the of the NA German V8s is going to be desirable in the future. The B9 just didn’t do it for me, so I’m now on my second C7 RS6 since (Sepang). .

[@Marcus-kw2ed]

my dad had one. Great car, never went wrong and could average 35mpg if you were really careful with the throttle. The last ever performance estate with a NA engine

[@swb7161]

Never did I see more than 20mpg in mine, around town 11! Did he start his? 🤣

[@Shane-zx4ps]

@@swb7161 brilliant 🤩 dude, I laughed out loud…😂😂😂😂

[@cerec69]

Are you sure it wasn’t a diesel?🤨

[@Marcus-kw2ed]

@@cerec69 sorry I’m good at ecodriving 🤣🤷🏼‍♂️ but let’s say it was intense work to get it there

[@Marcus-kw2ed]

@@swb7161 18yo and a fresh driving license, so I wasn’t too keen to become friends with the 5-0 let’s say…

[@PS-tu2ds]

I had one of these, and also a B8 RS5 cabriolet. Hugely underrated. Yes, not the benchmark in speed, steering feel or chassis sophistication but I genuinely enjoyed every single mile. THAT engine, permanent 4wd, the looks. Great cars, and now really good value.

[@nissanoo0393]

audis should be trated as german muscles drive horrible but they have a coolness about them like american cars

[@JP_RS6]

​​​@@nissanoo0393just bought one and that's how I feel about it. German Muscle that's great in a straight line and just ok on the B roads with a equally enjoyable sound track. Drives well everyday and fuel economy isn't bad on the motorway. Practical otherwise for the family. And just a great all around car, jack of all trades. I paid £25k for a 71k miles 64 plate example with full service history and well looked after, traded in my 69 plate cupra 2019 for £18k and yeah my insurance nearly tripled to £100 a month and road tax is £625 a year but it's well worth it.

[@markdance574]

For the most part any performance car with flared arches is already 8/10 in my mind .

[@matthewstanton9633]

I had one of these for about three years as a daily and put some serious miles on it. Was sorry to see it go but at 75000 miles it had to. Dynamically it wasn't perfect but did lots of things very well. The sport suspension mod was mental like using a jack hammer on a bouncy castle. Two biggest complaints are it never exceeded 20mpg and in typical Audi fashion it would always want to under steer wide in sharp turns. Still have fond memories of trips over the Welsh mountains though

[@steverogers7473]

Thanks, interesting stuff. Cheers Steve

[@Manu-Official]

Bleeping the throttle and giving more steering input, aka grab by scruff of the neck and kick the quattro. Also lost count of people on wrong tyres and wrong pressures.

[@thedalillama]

Did you ever track it? As much as people complained about understeer, I would gain a ton of time on people in my RS4 while in turns.

[@imranmughal6336]

@mathew Stanton, Even with the sport differential?

[@dylanmura905]

This car sounds glorious

[@johnchasty6828]

Had mine from new in 2015. The Nogaro Edition. It's the one car I have that I will never sell - it's been flawless. In terms of the 'best' settings in Individual, over the last 6 years I've found the following to be the best balance: - Engine / gearbox Auto - Suspension control Comfort - Dynamic Steering Comfort - Sport Differential Dynamic - Engine Sound Dynamic Then, when I need an extra boost, I use the gear lever to put the gearbox into Sport. Hope that helps! John

[@steverogers7473]

Thanks John. (Presumably you have the Audi Sports Exhaust which allows you to tailor the "noise" individually? Thanks Steve

[@johnchasty6828]

@@steverogers7473 Hi Steve, yes, that's right. I thought about modifying it, but kept it stock. You can attached a plastic bag clip to the vacuum tube near the spare wheel if you want to keep the valve open all of the time.

[@steverogers7473]

@@johnchasty6828 Thanks, thought so. I don't think I will go that route, I like it quiet sometimes too! Cheers 👍

[@johnchasty6828]

@@jerryx2000 Absolutely bullet proof

[@douchewigz]

There is a visible wire in boot near where spare wheel lives. Unplug it and valves open permanently! But you prob knew that trick.

[@Rmcaw]

I had one from new for 3 years, I ordered it without the dynamic steering and having driven one with it fitted I was glad I didn’t order it, steered much better. It was surprisingly nimble on B roads and in dynamic when you were going for it felt like you were in a DTM car. I also ordered it derestricted and on an Autobahn at 1am on a nice June evening I got to an indicated 184mph (it was stock) The best and worse part of the car was the engine. To really get the performance you have to rev it out, its glorious at 8500rpm but it doesn’t help your fuel economy nor your personal safety. However the biggest problem for me was it’s big brother, the C7 RS6. With the various financial trickery going on, you could finance a RS6 for not much more money than the RS4 and the RS6 was just superior in everyday single way, it was better as an everyday car, quicker and better fuel economy. The only time I felt the RS4 was better was on the twisty roads, where the RS6 begins to feel like a barge. I changed from an RS4 to the RS6 and to be honest I miss the RS6 much more than the RS4.

[@MotorsByHG]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnXfKiKmrCqj8k ii

[@kyleholloway3470]

Absolutely love the noise of this RS4. Saw one the other day and I still love the looks.

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

That's a stunning car and looks brand new

[@bilaltariq7819]

My uncle has a twin looking b8 rs5, god I love the sound of that V8

[@bigflo]

great car. had 2 of them - because one of them met a tree ( like you said - when it goes wrong, it goes wrong catastrophically). B8 over B7 is a no brainer...it just is the better car.

[@gdubyadubya8961]

I have one and have had for going on 6 years now. I usually change very 3 years but, with some subtle mods, this is unbeatable as a practical yet bananas combo so I will keep it even when I get a new car.The absolute first thing to do if you buy one is get rid of the middle silencer for dual resonators, not X Pipe, and ditch the DRC for coil overs. I wish I had done this ( coil overs )from day one. Going coil over vs factory transformed this thing, eliminated understeer and it drives brilliantly. I chose new model KW3. You lose the ability to have the 3 settings for fixed suspension ( no biggie as its vastly better than any of the 3 DRC settings anyway )

[@svenkik72]

My dad has one. It's lovely to drive! And the sound is soo good :)))

[@grahambrien6106]

As always great review not driven by popular thought to get click just your honest opinion. Thanks for making the point of where these cars sit in the real world (not on paper), yes there are faster cars, yes there are more dynamic cars etc etc but as a package to do everything it is hard to beat. I am on my second one and it looks and feels special but it's my family runabout. If you get to drive one again use Auto setting gets the car in a middle ground. Happy to bring you my 15k miler with Buckets give you some advice on setup from a longer term owner!!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks Graham

[@AntoniusTyas]

I have seen both the B8 and B9 RS4 in real-life (yeah, here in Indonesia these cars are as rare as hen's teeth). Whilst the new RS4 looks good, the B8 with its squared-off arches just looks so cool. I always liked it since it was first launched, to me it is a worthy successor of the B7. I want one but if I were to buy one second-hand I still need to spend something like GBP80k here.

[@ZATennisFan]

I had a B7 RS4 cabriolet and I miss it everyday...

[@MotorsByHG]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnXfKiKmrCqj8k ii

[@PerformanceLifestyles]

These are so well built and a great NA car. I reviewed one a few months back and what a epic car 👍

[@dagnut]

The dsg gearbox is notoriously troublesome past 75k - mech unit if your lucky circa 3k to replace , full replacement 11k. There are real numbers.

[@PerformanceLifestyles]

@@dagnut I've heard of them going but it's not that common. Expensive when it does though

[@dagnut]

@@PerformanceLifestyles Its a dirty secret in the Audi world but if you hang around the forums long enough you see its way more common than you think. I had a deposit on a S5 and luckily for me on the day of collection it developed a gearbox fault. I then did a lot of digging and found out there no simple bills once it starts and its across the board with DSG equipped S and RS models, loads done under warranty. There's a reason they've binned them for higher powered cars. look if the cars treated well and the box service it shouldn't be an issue but these cars are driven hard, they encourage it with the way the deliver power so anyone getting into a high mile one should be aware. You pick one of these up for 17-20k and you could have an 11k bill looming. Not pretty and not economically viable to repair. Well built is a relative term. For me your better off looking at a 100k mile B7 RS4 that's had work done. 90% of the performance but you won't loose any money apart from running costs, they are starting to go up rapidly.

[@comeberza]

I just need one of these. Thanks for the video!

[@eddiericks6554]

This motor is in my gf r8 and it’s awesome 🤩 I would love to have this car it’s fun practical but have no room for it now and the color we love blue but don’t have a blue car in the stable at this time good video 😊

[@Nils_Tore_Berntsen_Sagengen]

My favorite Audi ever made.

[@pr1sm55]

I'm in love with the B8 RS4 but the only thing that would make this something I could not live without would be to change the styling to B8.0 headlights. These are absolutely timeless.

[@ianskinner6678]

Wanted a RS4 but settled for a S4 B8 which is still a great car. If I had got the RS I would have been in the doghouse with my other half as I also owned a Subaru Impreza P1.

[@MegaEclipse77]

Hi James. Great to see your thoughts on the B8, I bought one in august and absolutely love it. It does have a few minor annoying points but as a package it’s brilliant.

[@livingwith.9132]

Bought one in October, they do have a few quirks, but overall love having it in the garage. My biggest issues are the bumping when doing slow maneuvers in a parking lot and that steering does take some time to “trust”. I leave mine on Individual, with Auto for steering and the rest to Dynamic. Which probably does not help the clutch bump when going slow.

[@redemptionx2918]

What’s the annoying points? I’ve got the S4 B8.5 and I love it! The next progression would be the RS and with it being a completely different engine makes it more tempting! But I’m not sure if I like the RS5 shape more that’s the estate 🤔

[@MegaEclipse77]

@@redemptionx2918 to be honest they are tiny gripes like the window switches being sensitive, you might only want to crack the window an inch or so but it auto opens all the way so you adjust back up a bit and it auto closes fully 🤬, the gearbox does bump a little bit at slow speeds in traffic and the heater controls seem to be awkward, they also like oil when driven hard so keep an eye on it. stupid tiny things I know! Probably just me more than the car!! 😆 For me the pros far outweigh the cons, the shape of the avant is ace👌🏻and that engine!!! 😍🥰😍🥰……… just get one! I’m sure you won’t be disappointed

[@tildenmorgan8553]

the way this video starts makes me happy!

[@7spower998]

11:14 The sound of a flat-plane crankshaft!

[@Eduardolo1964]

I have been driving the RS4 B8 as a daily vehicle for 2 years now and there is little to complain about. Above all, he does not have the horrible understeering of the RS4 B7.

[@davewilson3061]

another great balanced informative review Jay

[@timsikhosana9092]

Thanks, purchased my limited edition RS4 in mugello blue with wingback seats, de-restricted 🤓…this video sealed the deal…Audi salesman thought he closed it..ha!!

[@MrOvershoot]

Audi just seem to get estates right, even a cooking model just sits so right. Some of the interior stuff looks like its shared with Porsche from the same era which is no bad thing.

[@simonhughes7382]

Mine (2015, top spec) was mint, FASH, 25k miles and I loved it. When it worked. First year it did £12k of warranty work! Most of my miles ended up back at the well known specialist I bought it from. such a shame..... Buyers checklist: DRC system hugely problematic- noisy/ clonks/ odd handling? Repairs are £1k/ corner. Often the units controlling the dampers also fail, budget £8k for full replacement of the system. Brakes have well known judder issue. Braking from high speed and this builds, brake from 100mph down and the effect is instant and you can lose over 50% of the braking effect. Any track use would require ceramics (£7k) but then i'd also suggest that for even remotely fast road use. £1500 for regular new front pads/ discs. 444bhp is quoted but all these engines builds carbon and regularly sees under 400bhp. Proper clean is about £800 (head off/ walnut blast). Often why they feel a bit lethargic. CV joints are the same as the diesel varieties and fail if at all pushed. Again, not a cheap replacement. I sold mine back to the dealer after the gearbox started clonking and replacements were quoted as £7-10k and I was out of warranty with them- I was done XD

[@scottyab]

Hey Simon, thanks for those tips. Curious if there's a particular pre-purchase inspection check I can have a regular mechanic (non Audi) do to check the DRC system? ATM I'm looking for paperwork evidence that the shocks have been replaced or obvious clonking on test drive. Thanks

[@simonhughes7382]

@@scottyab Probably too late or you wussed out by now! The DRC system is notoriously complicated and specialists and Audi alike are hit and miss if they spot anything. The components are mainly sealed and not able to be accessed for a full inspection- knowing when a hose lets loose (a mere £500 bill and the cheapest of the options) wouldn't be predictable. So you could inspect but may well not be the be all and end all of it. Recent chap I know decided just to replace the whole system. It was £9.5k.

[@scottyab]

@@simonhughes7382 I wussed short term 😂. But useful comments all the same as keep thinking of it so may take the plunge in future

[@gabrielcaramet3238]

Love this thing same for the rs5 of that gen

[@bensmithkent22]

There is an A5 in this colour with these wheels. Its not an s or even an rs but its a late model b8.5 one looks high spec and its mint. Down near Greatstone beach in kent. These A5s will go down as masterpieces style wise in the right spec and colour.

[@GM-fh5jp]

Nice Audi...good styling and quite a bit of badassery thrown in for good measure. On a side note for all who are regulars here...I recently was taken for a drive in a base model Tesla. Whatever you have heard about them will still not prepare you for the acceleration. I drive a fast turbo charged sports car and this ordinary looking white Tesla would leave it for dead. If anyone here rides fast sports motorbikes be prepared to be shocked. They are faster over 300m than even a high powered bike. Almost totally silent, smooth and damn near scary fast as a passenger. If you are a true car guy who loves acceleration get yourself a drive in one. I don't want them in my life but as an experience they are truly eye opening/watering. (0-0)

[@philcliffe6909]

That V8 sounds fooking fantastic.

[@ManxAndy]

It’s this or a V10 RS6 Avant…..both absolute classics , 👍🇮🇲

[@eze8970]

Thanks J, a good looking car.

[@seinsmeld13]

Unfortunately these were never sold here in Canada. If they were I would have owned one. Instead I had two B8 S4s which were great reliable cars.

[@mattbaxendale5550]

It’ll shake your fillings out, just put it in Dynamic mode it goes like hell! It never gets old. I’ll never get rid of mine. Sounds too good 👍 You can get Apple CarPlay retrofitted, happy days! 😆

[@_lordwalrus_]

Oh I’m excited to see you drive an S2

[@steverogers7473]

New year now. Just a few bits to sort out first 👍👍

[@Manu-Official]

@@steverogers7473 Looking forward to that.

[@Pixelpeeps-69]

Great video 👌 Audi cars always age well

[@Scott555ish]

Always loved these and have often been tempted. But having driven hot turbo cars since the early 90"s (RS Turbo Cossie, Subaru, Cupra K1, Focus RS, Megane RS) I worry about the lack of mid range torque and having to ring its kneck to get the power and torque out of it. Its just not a driving style I've adopted.

[@G4RY1159]

RS4 is all the car Id ever need and want

[@prod.waterr9709]

@@G4RY1159 as a bmw guy,I’ve slowly fallen in love with this particular model.

[@G4RY1159]

@@prod.waterr9709 😎

[@krzysztofcylwich2817]

Absolutely love these, that motor sounds beautiful

[@mickshrimpton1]

What Jay says at about 15:50 about the two auto gearbox modes is bang on. Comfort is sluggish and sport is aggressive. Great, but it needs a third, middle ground, goldilocks mode. At 30mph in comfort it will be in 6th. In sport it will be in 2nd. Neither is what you want when pootling around between 20/30/40/50mph zones around towns/bypasses, so you end up using manual mode (which I'd rather keep for hooning runs).

[@luciengranger2762]

I have a b8.5 s5 with 5 driving modes... I struggled with the exact same issue... comfort is way too sluggish and Dynamic mode is too aggressive. Luckily I have individual mode, which you can configure the 'goldilocks' mode you refer too...

[@mickshrimpton1]

@@luciengranger2762 I thought even with Individual you can tweak all the settings (gear ratios, suspension, steering, throttle response etc) but you still only get the two modes of gear ratios: i.e. "Drive" (will be in 6th at 30mph) or "Sport" (will be in 2nd at 30mph

[@luciengranger2762]

@DavidHancock1 let me try toggle a bit. I will give feedback... so I have 5 modes (Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual)... Efficiency is the worst, my Auto mode seems to cycle between comfort and efficiency more, which is awful... Maybe Manual Is the fix... let me try them properly!

[@mickshrimpton1]

@@luciengranger2762 sorry just reread your post - is it a B8.5 S5 you have? If so then don't you have the supercharged V6 instead of the naturally aspirated V8? In which case it will be very different to the RS4?

[@luciengranger2762]

@DavidHancock1 yup, I have the v6 SuperCharger... my car is the prestige pack and is more specced than many rs5/4 models (for example, mine has comfort access including a stop/start button, rear camera), the one in this video doesn't have... i have more driver modes as aforementioned, and the s5 and RS driver mode setups are identical, with access to throttle response, suspension adjustments, etc. The only difference between the RS5 and my s5, is the brakes, body flared archs, exhaust system, a firmer suspension set up and the monstrous V8 upfront, I wanted an RS5, but the ones I encountered here in my country had severe issues and high mileage... I researched them extensively... 😅😅😅.

[@thedalillama]

Former B7 owner here. I have an issue with "never truly let them down". Absolutely loved the car, but fixing it was expensive. - I had serious maintenance issues with the suspension early on that I understand were common. Thankfully, a warranty item. So, not a big deal. If this was out of warrant though, it would have no doubt cost a fortune. - The original brake pads lasted 20,000 miles and destroyed the rotors. Factory rotors cost a fortune. My second factory replacements were on back order for so long that I gave up. - Biggest problem was a check engine light that was hard to kill - another common problem. Ultimately, it had something to do with the flaps in the manifold. I couldn't get anyone to fix it without purchasing a new part. This part consisted of the cast piece, flaps, potentiometers, actuators... the whole enchilada. The part alone cost $4200 at retail.

[@indopleaser]

Sounds great. Would like to own a car like Audi RS4

[@stevojohn]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on a stock, non-comp, non-CS F80 M3. Full disclosure: I have one and am curious as to what a pro reviewer who's content I trust thinks.

[@t8506]

lawn mower

[@Tribulation88]

Offer him the opportunity, maybe you'll find out.

[@jamesg1769]

Worst M3 to date

[@stevojohn]

I fed the trolls a bit here obvs.

[@Manu-Official]

Dude comes under audi review to talk about own BMW, nice bait obvs. That aside, have a meet and lend it to Matt, he would probably be interested.

[@kingn8dagr8]

I would love one of these next to my B8.5 RS5 sometime in the future when they become legal in the US.

[@TheQuebecerInFrance]

Still looks like a million bucks

[@ianmulley2013]

Another great video would you actually choose one over a B7? I’ve never driven either but would always have to be the B7 for me it was one of those cars I wanted when I was growing up.

[@MotorsByHG]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnXfKiKmrCqj8k ii

[@nivaalmathurapersaad9097]

I feel you bro!😁

[@morri03]

I wanted one of these when they were new. Now I can afford one I don’t really like the new v6 versions

[@bo55ola]

I shouldn’t like these….but I do really really like these. I just worry about maintenance on these

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Nice video. Very cool car. A sunroof or panoramic roof would be perfect.

[@MotorsByHG]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnXfKiKmrCqj8k ii

[@Manu-Official]

Great all round package, and this may sound subjective but, better interiors.

[@rsjamie9423]

Pretty certain that's an original Audi Press Car 🤔💙 I bought one when they were new. Hated it and sold it inside 3 months and bought a Porsche.

[@Manu-Official]

Owner of the car and previous owner both posted in the comments.

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice car all round, very fond of that engine 👍

[@faisalkayaanmeekah]

I used to have the s3 in sepang blue stunning colour

[@JP_RS6]

I bought a B8.5 RS4 a few months ago. Best decision I ever made despite the fuel and tax costs. Most engaging and comfortable daily driver ive ever had. I also got it in this colour.

[@flashtu]

I got a RS4 B8 in Red with Black wheels and Details. The v8 engine is a absolut Monster, if you Hit the Pedal it screams like a woundet t rex and without noticing it you are at 306km/h.

[@chrisogrady28]

There's no replacement for high revving NA displacement and a manual gearbox, B7 RS4 and manual R8's are the absolutely only Audis I would ever consider owning.

[@mediocreman2]

Lovely car, but the lack of a manual option means it's a no for me.

[@jamesh2515]

B7 or B8. Avant @ James .. if you were paying which one would you choose?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

For a daily, B8 all the way

[@davidcooks5265]

It sounds awesome

[@maxsav007]

Most importantly this was the first new a4 since its inception in 94. The B8 was the departure from the bespoke b-series platform over to volkswagen mlb modular platform. All a4s up to this point had the same basic DNA, old industrious Audi. Not knowing this may have made the review actually better, not having the bias of knowing that their is absolutely no connection between this car and its predecessors. The b5, for more reasons than can be discussed, is forever king.

[@mala6238]

Such a great design ❤❤❤

[@fraserpitkethly2265]

is there any chance you will get to have a go in a B9 RS4 soon? I would love to see what you think about that bc id really consider one as a replacement to my golf gti after im finished with it

[@aadi8568]

Looks amazing

[@tomthompson7400]

Oh listen to it ,,, sweet. But a shame about the auto box.

[@samcourt6228]

Agree that these are very much forgotten, I probably prefer the B7 to the B8. It just looks so right, has amazing seats and as you say makes a lovely noise. Values seem to be on the up too. The B8 is pretty cool in its own tight and I prefer the restrained design language compared to the current cars.

[@Why_not_not]

I have one of these. Immaculate with full Audi SH… but my DRC is going. Think I’ll switch to Bilsteins… any opinions?

[@dogchainsaw3923]

You should drive a 1992-1997 Audi UrS4/S6. I want your thoughts on it.

[@Dez456]

I owned a 1996 urS6, it had a rebuilt engine with stronger rods, and the turbo was upgraded to a GT3071R. The torque of the thing was immense.

[@DRFTYPE]

Lovely car. Prefer the B7 though. Why did they get rid of the wingbacks, the flared arches and the manual box 😞

[@ericc.4292]

???? The B8 can come with wingbacks and also sports the flared arches more akin to the original UR Quattro.

[@DRFTYPE]

@@ericc.4292 yes.. but very rare. You see them more than not in the B7. And the arches arent nothing like the B7.. cars just got wider, less prominent.

[@ericc.4292]

@@DRFTYPE I have the wingbacks in mine but yes it wasn't a much ticked option! The arches hark back to the original Quattro so aren't as rounded but you definitely can tell from a standard B8 advant.

[@dankmemesmeltexistentialdr2769]

Choosing an Audi for the dynamics is like going to a brothel for a cuddle, the point of an Audi is that they will consistently outperform their rivals in spirited driving through sheer grip and electronic wizardry, they’re designed to be as fast as possible, even at the cost of a bit of flair. However I think that makes a generation such as this one pointless to buy now, because it’s going to be outperformed by warm saloons of the modern era, so you’re left with a comparatively slow slightly lumbering car. Beautiful sound though

[@fredspekvet8533]

Yes 100%

[@N1ckZ]

That's why I like Audi

[@ericc.4292]

Outperformed by warm saloons?

[@enigmatwist6548]

The B7 is meant to be fun drive, not sure there are many modern estate cars if any that can match it in this regard. There’s certainly not many available with a manual gearbox.

[@dankmemesmeltexistentialdr2769]

@@ericc.4292 An M340i or even a modern S4 would probably outperform it and not cost too much more if you get one that’s 3-4 years old

[@marcs990]

Get an RS6 Avant. Best car ever

[@MotorsByHG]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnXfKiKmrCqj8k ii

[@1980yazo]

Great was the RS4b5 with the 2.7 V6 Biturbo & today's 2.9V.....but not those V8 sucker crutches!

[@Maurice_Moss]

My uncle had one, sounded mega, sounded a lot better than the rs6 he replaced it with.

[@rv9990]

Hi James, did you do a W204 C63 yet? Love that small package, big engine in that car.

[@garethjackson4364]

James, out of interest, which V6 TT RS4 have you driven?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

A B5. Review coming soon.

[@ryanthomas702]

Still a good looker and sound👍🏼 the car I mean 😂

[@rollotomassi8251]

TLC ? Tender Loving Care? Dunno im from Sweden

[@V8Hungry]

Love these 👌

[@adamprice9214]

How did the s4 fall apart when driven hard but not the rs4?? 🤔 i have a stage 2 s4 running 460 bhp i drive the nuts off of it and it's still in one piece 🙏😂

[@bield7]

Great review. I’m biased as I have a B7. However, I test drive a B8 when considering an upgrade and came away a bit disappointed. Sure, it was better equipped and quicker than the B7 (though not by much as mine’s mapped to Stage ll), but just found it a bit un-engaging and anodyne. And the ride was too harsh. The decider was the cost of upgrading - it just wasn’t worth it for me.

[@kevinbarry71]

Maintenance and repair nightmare even by the standards of Audi. Almost anything you need to do under that hood is engine out

[@gregs8685]

B7 is an all time great. Probably the second best Audi ever built after the original V8 R8. The B8 is not in this same company, not by a long shot.

[@MySuperkings]

B7 ❤

[@Birmingham_racing]

Didn't see many of these like the b7 but that's probably because everyone bought the e92 m3

[@timjohn64]

Needs a manual B5 RS4 was he high point

[@MotorsByHG]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnXfKiKmrCqj8k ii

[@sassall4284]

Can you try do a V8 S5?

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Isn’t that a b8.5?

[@tavirosu25]

basicly it has no purpose. In this Gen you either go RS3, small and fun or RS6, fast and lots of space.

[@NubletPie278]

And if you want naturally aspirated and not that small or that big what do you get?

[@tavirosu25]

@@NubletPie278 it's a very small niche. And the fact they went only avant in this gen is even more niche lol

[@NubletPie278]

@@tavirosu25 Can't find production figures for all of them but the B8 RS4 had 7000 units produced while the C6 RS6 avant had 6500 produced, so it's no more niche than any of the others. 81% of C6 RS6s were avants, so demand swings that way a lot more for Audis for some reason, but definitely a shame they didn't make the saloon also.

[@Manu-Official]

Depends, the 4 is a bit more darty than the 6, while the 6 feels more like a mile muncher. Would not fancy a 3, purely because it's haldex not quattro so not quite the real deal in transmission.

[@yellacat]

James the B8 RS4 is exactly the same in every way as the B8.5 RS5, except the body. Shame you didn't mention about the infamous Mechatronics issue plaguing both Models.

[@odin5188]

Do tell what it is pls. My bro has a B8. He's had 4 years and touch wood, no engine problems

[@yellacat]

@@odin5188 mate just youtube audi stronic gearbox problem and then prepare yaself. My B8.5 is currently with Audi Nottingham - £5k down the road and the end result is a new gearbox required which is going to cost Audi UK £20k! It is a manufacturing issue with the STronic gearbox and well known. Usually crops up after 45000 miles but has been known to crop up before - your mate has it coming essentially. Or not.................... they don't all 'go' so to speak but if they do.............. my god. Luckily I had Audi FSH and my RS5 is 2013 so it has low mileage for age. Catastrophic gearbox issues should not happen at that mileage with a FSH Audi stamp book. We also have to remind ourselves that this is a 'high performance' car and supposedly, designed for a ragging. Not that I ever have...............

[@akismurton496]

@@yellacat Ouch! I take it you got a warranty? For people without there is a company called Milta Technology that can fully repair/recondition 0B5 S-Tronic failures using genuine Audi parts for 2.5k.

[@yellacat]

@@akismurton496 good to know Akis. No i didn't have warranty but Audi UK picked up half the cost in recognition of my spending 5k and it still not being fixed essentially. I was lucky I think.

[@akismurton496]

@@yellacat Ah okay. It's a funny one with these, the boxes are perfectly repairable. Audi just always seems to go down the full gearbox replacement route.

[@stefanbraem]

Sometimes there's someone sitting next to you or behind you, sometimes not. Why's that? 🙂

[@steverogers7473]

James no longer has passengers for safety reasons. There is a massive camera immediately above the airbag!!! 😉

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes and I also grew tired of COVID comments etc

[@matthewking5612]

Test the RS6 please.