I've been thinking hard about getting this car but I've been checking this forum out, is it my imagination or are the issues with brake pads, oil usage, and some other things I should be aware of before plunking down $$ for this car. I've read some great reviews on this car but you guys own these cars you are the real reviewers??
Oil consumption during the break-in period (and even after) is normal for most high-output engines. The consumption is not happening due to some deficiency in the engine. Secondly, the braking performance of the RS4 is just as grin-inducing as the acceleration. What's happening is people are threshold braking practically every time they slow the car down. Any rapid brake pad usage can be attributed to aggressive use of the brakes - again, its not due to a deficiency in the car. With a car like the RS4, it is very possible that wear-and-tear items (brake pads, rotors, clutches) could get very expensive if you drive it aggressively all the time. They're not really issues, just something to consider.
Posts: 178
Joined: 7/7/2006 From: Playa Vista, California Status: offline
more than issues with the car, be prepared for piss poor dealer service and non-existant customer service from audi of america. you'll love the RS4 itself but that's where the love affair will end. if you're expecting BMW/Mercedes/Lexus levels of support and customer service, you're in for a rude awakening.
if you go into an RS4 expecting the worst ownership experience ever, but the best car experience ever, you'll do fine.
I concur with Tsunami, see my post further down re: clutch issues. Audi of America is completely dropping the ball. They put a great car together but are not standing behind it...clutches don't fail at 4000 miles after only limited spirited use...my clutch problems are not isolated....you pays your money and you takes your chances...
I have not experienced any issues with the car and the dealer we use is excellent. My wife and I have Audi's (A4 3.2 also RS4). Bad news travels fast, but rarely do users spread good news about anything, it just seems to be the human condition.......... All car dealers seem to be shyte, (my wife and I are lucky) import and export, if you want better than average treatment from a car dealer, get a Lexus, but then who the hell wants to drive such a bland car.
The car is amazing................all I can say is get one and you will understand.
Granted, failed clutches suk. Some may call spirited use a weekly 100-mile up the canyon road and back. In which case the brakes get a good work out, but the clutch shouldn't be bothered in the slightest. Some may call spirited use a weekly domination of the local stop lights or a monthly visit to an autocross or drag race event. There are plenty of brands of cars, that if two people are doing all of these exact same things, one clutch may last 80,000 miles and the other person will have gone thru 4 of them. The enemy is heat and it takes just ONE event of extreme heat to rapidly degrade a clutch. I presume the RS4 will be no different - some customers will have the car in the shop alot and others will be saying "whats the problem". As far as standing behind a clutch on a PERFORMANCE oriented car, no car manufacture is going to say, "This is a performance car, it should be bulletproof. We'll do as many clutch swaps as you'd like for 5 years of 50,000 miles - whichever comes first". Sorry, they won't even do a freebie after 500 miles. I'm sure their philosophy is "Five test cars were put through 500 laps each on the Nordshclieffe and all five of the clutches were fine (worn maybe, but far from failure). You have 420 hp under your right foot. If you smoke your clutch, you're paying for it".
Posts: 178
Joined: 7/7/2006 From: Playa Vista, California Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: lv42day I have not experienced any issues with the car and the dealer we use is excellent.
that's why your dealer experience so far is "excellent". wait until you have a problem that they can't diagnose, and your car sits for upwards of 20+ days, the car goes back for the same problem 3 times and audi of america at first refuses to compensate you for the down time and after writing and calling and complaining and waiting and calling and waiting for 5 months, they finally and reluctantly cave and make ammends. not exactly what i call an "excellent" ownership experience on a $72K car. bad news travels fast because it happens and it happens ALOT to audi owners, more so than other "luxury" brands.
audi is trying to grow their US sales and the only way to do that is to win over buyers like me from other luxury brands. Maybe if your first car was a 1985 4000 quattro and you moved to a 100 and then an A4 and now an RS4 and you've had VW/Audi cars all your life, you're used to this. but for us who defected from BMW, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz and are used to having issues with our cars quickly and completely taken care of by the dealer and manufacturer, this "Audi thing" is a bit of a shock
the ones who haven't had any issues with their RS4s are the lucky ones. despite all my problems, i would still get an RS4 but make sure you pray to whatever Diety you believe in EVERYDAY that you don't have to take the car in to the dealer for anything other than scheduled maintenence
My previous cars are BMW for the last 15-20 years then Audi, MBZ and back to Audi. My C55 went into the shop 3 times for the same problem and in the end they still did not fix it.One of my friends has a bimmer and the dealer has been reluctant to do the right thing for a warranty claim. They all have their issues, but we all like the drive of a BMW or Audi or MBZ and that makes it worth the hassle. If one wanted the "perfect" car with no "soul" and no issues I would get a Lexus. Everything has a price. As for your situation, all I can say is you have a lemon also a really bad dealership, I do not feel this represents all RS4's or Audi dealers. I feel you have been treated badly, but again I feel this is not typical. Bottom line you cannot totally trust any dealer. There is no such thing as a perfect car, if you expect this you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
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Are there Issues with RS4 - 
