2007, Phantom Black, Manual, looks to have just about every option and is in good-great condition. I’m going to look at it tomorrow. It sounds like it has very good service records.
What are some common flaws to look for?
At 57k miles on the clock, how much is it worth?
Regular items to check while looking to purchase a used car and some specific for the RS4:
Body lines, paint, clear coat condition etc. Any fender bolts rusty or painted over? Bubbling? Signs of respray/overspray? Check door jams for aligment marks.
Rotors - life left? Grooved? Pad life? Caliper condition?
Tires - life left? Tread wearing evenly?
Engine bay: Valve covers leaking? Serp belt condition. General condition of all hoses and visible resevoirs. Coolant level correct? Check the oil on the dip stick - color, smell. Is the dip stick browned at all? Check all the fluids; brake, power steering, coolant etc.
DRC - revision done? Are they leaking?
Control arms - any signs of cracking on the ball joints?
CV boots - all in tact, no torn boots with grease everywhere?
Test drive - go above 70mph. Shakes/vibrations? Get on the brakes hard but not hard enough to trigger abs.
Go above 5.5K RPM’s in second gear, does it rev smooth and free to 8K?
When was the last carbon clean?
Service records available? get the print out from a dealer. Look through the service history. Make sure it was maintained in a timely fashion and all work was done. Was it in too frequesnltly? Any red flags?
All of the above or the majority of items are not deal breakers, they are items that can be addressed when you own it or before the sale. They are there for negotiation when figuring out what you will have to spend to get it tip top shape.
If you’re going to spend the money on an RS4 and a PPI is available I think it is well worth the money to have one done at a dealership of your choice.
Are you planning on buying an aftermarket warranty?
I’d pay something that starts with a 3
The RS4 basically came with 1 option…the premium package. It was like $4000 and included nav, memory seats, auto dim mirrors just about everything. etc. So it’s hard to find one without it really, so keep that in mind.
What to look for is tough. Just drive it and get a feel for it. See if it clunks going over bumps (could indicate a failure in the DRC suspension, which is a few grand to fix). There was a recall on it, but just about every car on earth has had it done. Everyone will tell you ‘CHECK THAT THE RECALL FOR DRC WAS DONE!’ but that’s like saying check that it has four wheels. They’ve all been done.
Otherwise check the bottom of the doors for rust…some of the cars have developed some rot there.
Drive it and when it’s warm, run it to redline in 2nd and 3rd. See if it feels fast (sounds funny, but just give it a rip). See if it runs nicely to redline. See if in 2nd and 3rd you feel the car get a second wind at 5500 RPM, and sort of start taking off.
Is it from an Audi dealer, with CPO? If so, I wouldn’t worry about much, but if not, I would certainly ensure that the engine is in good shape. Find out if it’s burning any oil (although I don’t know how…but ask them straight up). If it has a problem, and needs a new engine, that’s about $20,000. You can just sleeve the cylinders to fix a fucked up block on these cars. It’s a replacement or nothing at this point.
The cars are really fun and have a ton to offer. What are you driving now?
What colour is the car? Any modifications to it? (hopefully its stock).
Take it in 6th gear at 25 mph and go full throttle…see if the clutch slips at all (little RPM spikes as it spins loose)
Also, post some pics, and we’ll tell you if the gaps look normal. Preferably a head on front end shot.
Here are some costs for stuff that may need replacing…so you can factor these in to your purchase price if they do
tires - 1200-1400 or so for a set of 4 good ones
brakes - front rotors are $300 each, pads are another $300 or so, labour is $180 and fluid is $150. So about $1500 all in for a full front brake replacement. Rears are about 40% cheaper.
Thanks for the replies guys.
I’m driving a 2005 B6 A4 3.0L USP right now. I love the car but it just isn’t fast enough and I’ve kind of lost faith that JHM is taking the platform seriously.
I wasn’t really looking, and this probably wouldn’t be a smart purchase being that I just started my own business. Just for kicks I search for locally owned RS4s from time to time. This one appeared yesterday from a private seller and if everything checks out I’m going to make an offer tomorrow.
As far as I can tell it looks like the only mod is the front brake rotors. I will know more tomorrow.
I generally don’t do that sort of thing, but would this be a wise choice for this car?
“If it has a problem, and needs a new engine, that’s about $20,000.”
It’s phantom black Saki,
OP, even if JHM was taking your platform seriously the RS4 is a completely different animal from bumper to bumper. A wonderful choice in my opinion, just listen to those that have previously given you their advice.
Good luck, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll end up owning one of the best cars to come from Audi.
What third party warranty services do you guys recommend?
P.S. I won the auction !!! 
Congrats. The most popular (and one I have) is underwritten by Fidelity, who has an Audi-branded extended warranty.
I have the Fidelity Platinum Plus and got it from Jim Ellis Audi off the net. I bought a 3 year/36K miles plat plus for like $2200 when my car had 28K miles (just over 2 years ago). My car now has 36K miles and I haven’t had any claims.
Here is some info. http://www.jimellisaudiatlanta.com/financing/vehicle-protection.htm
FYI, I didn’t buy my car from them and didn’t use Audi financing or anything. I shopped the warranty (virtually) and had 2 potential sellers…Troy Dietrich (forgot the dealership name but think it was fdwarranty or something?) and Jim Ellis. Same price so I ended up going with Jim Ellis.
what auction…was this on ebay?
be careful K
I’m sure it’s fine, but stuff like this, on ebay, is weird…and loaded with irony. I would start a ‘anyone in Louisiana know this car’ thread on quattroworld and audizine this morning. See if anyone has any input.
You’ll notice that the seller’s history is entirely cheap clothing. $5-15 items. Not many high end exotics or luxury cars…
[quote]I have not personally inspected or photographed this great Audi. I am relying on the pictures and description provided to me by the seller. I have sold many high end exotic cars for this individual and his offerings are always first rate. This RS4 is no exception. Determine for yourself and feel free to ask questions and this car will not disappoint…
This car is in excellent shape with only minor wear commensurate with the 57k miles driven.
I invite and encourage any interested party to inspect this car in Metairie, LA. and determine for yourself that this car is in excellent condition. [b]Seeing is really believing. [b]
[/quote]
Also, he says he is selling for someone and has sold lots of luxury and exotic cars for them.
Usually people I know who have luxury and exotic cars don’t live in a house with dirt patches on the lawn. Could just be me. Also, no image of the gauge cluster showing mileage is weird.
http://www.ronsusser.com/inventory/3018/4.jpg
Appears to have JHM LW rotors or something else with slots.
The ebay seller is a third party selling for the actual owner. New Orleans real estate is weird like that It’s legit.
Carfax shows consistent maintenance records. I called around to the shops it was serviced at and found no red flags. DRC recall was done in 2010. The only other thing besides standard maintenance was an intake manifold replacement before 19k miles.
where are you located?
that intake manifold replacement was probably a result of someone doing a carbon clean and breaking one of the brittle plastic flaps on removal or install. Can’t buy just the flap part…have to buy the whole intake manifold. Common fukup. JHM worked with 034 to launch an aluminium replacement for the flaps, and just recently launched them.
It’s usually the flap arm that snaps. Now as you know, 034 makes a replacement arm. Lots of depressed people with an extra I/M with snapped arms are now happy again. We should see a few pop up with new 034 arms on them.
I’m in Baton Rouge, LA. The car is located about an hour away in Metairie, LA which is kind of a suburb of New Orleans.
ahhhh…ok I wouldn’t worry as much then. You can just head over and check it for yourself. Cool.
I’ll reserve congratulations till you get it, but looks pretty exciting.
Things are still going well.
About the Fidelity warranty… Do you think they would invalidate the warranty for modified exhaust(as in JHM catless DPs and catback)?
that was weird
" JHM worked with 034 to launch an aluminium replacement for the flaps, and just recently launched them."
Didn’t show up on your quote.
I wonder what the market value of an intake manifold with broken arms was 5 months ago…and what it is now.
p.s. are they made of magnesium?
I think potentially. When I was dealing with warranty companies they were pretty mild on a catback (but wouldn’t warrant it obvoiusly) but if you mentioned a tune or downpipes or suspension, they started to shit their pants.
This car has a JHM fullback on it already??? Or are you thinking of adding that?
Ha, I honestly did not know JHM was involved. Not sure on material, magnesium would be crazy light but for such a small part, even though it moves, I wonder if it is. I’d bet on it being aluminum or similar.