It’s definitely a cool car. That’s the one thing I never really thought about when I bought one…the ‘interesting’ factor.
Count Vohn was explaining the stress testing that needs to be done to a motor before you have it rev out to 8250 RPM. That’s the key that makes the RS4 so tough and able to hold power.
I, like you, had a nicely modded B7 S4, but I just thought where do I go from here? If I keep modding, I’m going to be fighting a ceiling, and a year ago a built motor didn’t seem like it was happening soon. Now it’s 2012 and that’s still the case. So I bought the RS4.
The price gap was fairly large…but I then looked at a number of factors
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that gap will always stay fairly large. Sure it will shrink over time, but how far down is a limited production $40,000 RS4 going to go from here? Sure it will depreciate, but whenever you sell it, you will recoup some of that price gap…and arguably the limited production nature will help it from here on in.
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what do you get on a stock RS4 for that $20,000 or so price gap?
Brembos (people pay $2000+ for a Brembo front BBK)
Widebody (not sure what price to put on that…but it’s pretty awesome)
19x9 wheels (people pay $1000-4000 for 19" wheels for the S4 all the time)
suspension and a lowered ride height(people pay $2000+install for suspension on the S4 all the time)
rarity - helps value over time and has a non-tangiable value
headers - while not as exciting as the $2750 JHM headers for the S4, the headers that come stock are effective
2.5" downpipes - again, something everyone buys for their S4 if they get heavily into modding
2.36" catback - maybe the only weak spot, but it sounds great and has the valves which allow you to be civilized when you need to
slightly improved interior - great carbon fibre trim, slightly different shifter, wheel and brake lever handle
loaded - 95% of RS4s come with the premium package which basicallly was every option you could ever have on a B7…auto window shade etc.
When you add all that up, it’s pretty significant.
OH…forgot one.
BUILT MOTOR capable of handling 550-600 whp (according to Hennesey/UR).
What will a JHM motor build cost? How long will it take? I think that’s the kicker right there. The S4 to RS4 price gap will see half the difference made up on the motor build alone.