RS2 or B5 RS4

[Bowlerwell]

I'm thinking of getting another RS2. I miss the last one too much.
Thing is, do I go for the older, more iconic RS2, or the newer B5 RS4?

The RS4 will have some creature comforts that I missed on my RS2, but it's less iconic, and I don't know it as well.

Can anyone offer any advice on pros/cons? Is an RS4 likely to be more or less maintainance work/cost? If you had to choose one which would it be?

[Ross]

I won't say it was a dilemma, but I did think about this recently, and settled on the RS2. I would probably say go test drive an RS4 - I chose not to in case I was tempted to keep saving that bit longer

Advice I was given - the RS4 is a smoother drive, more comforts, being newer of course. But very expensive to maintain, not very 'hands on' - everything requires specialist servicing unless you're pretty hardcore. I decided I'd miss the hobbyist 'DIY' jobs on the car and the RS2 still has more appeal to me - looks included.

Perhaps take one for a drive and decide if you're willing to hand it over to a mechanic a little more often and pay more in maintenance in exchange for the comforts and driveability...

Personally, RS2 all the way

[Si Blythe]

RS2 - as long as it is a good one to start off with otherwise be prepared to remortgage your house.

RS4 - remortgage and the sale of an organ!

[Bowlerwell]

I think you're right Ross. I'd also miss the hobbyist 'DIY' jobs on the car. If the RS4 is going to cost an arm and a leg (or a lung) to maintain then I might be better steering clear.
I'll keep an eye open for a local one to test drive just incase.
Thanks!

[Error404]

Dunno if you loose the DIY aspect, just need to learn your way round a new car and jobs might be a bit more involved and take longer

[veneto rs2]

DIY on the B5 RS4........

Lambda change it's a off the car engine job..... according to the manuals.....
Turbos..... again engine out....
I love that motor but it's not my piece of cake for DIY...

Also the future value of the car it's a thing to consider IMHO.

RS2s 2908 cars
RS4s 6046 cars
(source Audi Tradition)

Stefano

[Jas11n]

RS4 - Do your homework and find one that has had the common issues replaced and they are no more expensive to maintain.
Make sure it's had it's cams checked out, by that I mean it's had the rockers off and visually checked, preferably at somewhere like MRC.
Make sure it's discs (either standard or the popular C5 RS6/B7 RS4 setups) are in good order as they are expensive to replace.
Common service items like plugs (use F5D P0R's) air filters, oil filters, oil (7 litres) pollen filters etc etc aren't at a premium just cos it's an RS.
MAF's can go, but are cheaper to replace than the S2/RS2 versions.
Equally, lamba's are roughly the same price, just you need more of them.
EGT sensors aren't hugely expensive in the grand scheme of things.

Although having never owned an RS2, I've had my S2 for 6+ years and the RS2 shares many many items maintenance wise.

I replaced the headgasket on the S2 this year, total bill including a few extra jobs (replaced rad and a few normally hard to get to water hoses) including belts etc, was £850 or there abouts.

I've just replaced all four camshafts, 30 tappets, two cam chains, two chain tensioners, belts, waterpump, roller bearing, tensioner, stat, gaskets and had the sump off and cleaned along with two oil flushes and a final oil change, for £1260.

Re-read above, not a HUGE amount in reality.

They are VERY different cars, I test drove three RS2's over 18 months along with four RS4's.
Go take a test drive if possible, get on AudiSRS.com and read as much as you can.

Knowledge is king

[Jas11n]

Lambda change it's a off the car engine job..... according to the manuals.....

Stefano

You do not need to remove engine to change any of the Lamda's

[Si Blythe]

I don't think resale value is an issue on either car. An good RS2 will always cost 12-14k or more and you will normally sell it for that +/- 2k or thereabouts, you have to expect some depreciation. The same goes for the RS4, 14 - 17k with +/- 2k loss, as long as previously mentioned, you buy a well sorted one to start with and maintain it!

It is sites like these that ensure people buy a good car with the right things sorted in the first place, almost irrespective of the mileage. Good cars will always pull good money - fact. The price you pay for each car, including the S2, is also relative taking into consideration my statement above, you generally won't get into an S2 for under 3k no matter how ropey or high the mileage is.

It boils down to how much you want to put on the table for a car in the first instance and how sort after/desirable a car is to you. Lets face it to lot of people an RS2 is a funny looking Audi 80 an RS4 is a beefed up A4 Avant and they would rather drop 15k on a new Ford Focus or A3 Tdi because it is newer, more refined and more economical.

[Avantus]

I also doubted between an RS4 and (my current) RS2.

In the end the fear for maintenance costs made me go for an RS2.
If you look around for your RS2, parts aren't that expensive at all.... the RS4 is quite different. 2 turbo's, intercoolers, MAF's, Lambda's, etc. Also brake and suspensionparts are quite a bit worse than the RS2. Maybe that will get better in a few years, like it did with the RS2.

Friend of mine had both his cracked heads replaced (typical chipped/tuned RS4 stuff), and he drove away with 7-8k euros out of his pocket. Also blown turbo's or leaking intercoolers are stuff that would be taking to much money out of my pockets...

If I'd have the financial reserve for it, then I might have went for the 4, but the 2 still feels more special and is a more involving drive for me. Story and heritage is something the RS4 will only grow in, but it won't achieve RS2-level!

[Le S2 Audi]

I also doubted between an RS4 and (my current) RS2.

In the end the fear for maintenance costs made me go for an RS2.
If you look around for your RS2, parts aren't that expensive at all.... the RS4 is quite different. 2 turbo's, intercoolers, MAF's, Lambda's, etc. Also brake and suspensionparts are quite a bit worse than the RS2. Maybe that will get better in a few years, like it did with the RS2.

I have to agree after owning a RS6.....

[Bowlerwell]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Appreciate it.