Rare Audi RS 4 B5 at an attractive price
In 1999 the first Audi RS 4 as the successor to the legendary RS 2. Unlike its predecessor, however, it was not developed in cooperation with Porschebut was developed by quattro GmbH. Originally 3000 units were planned, but demand was so high that Audi A total of 6030 RS 4s of the first generation were delivered!
The RS 4 B5 is no longer an insider tip. The power station wagon has been a sought-after classic car for years, with collectors sometimes paying high prices for it. When it was launched in 1999, the base price was 127,000 DM – a lot of money for a A4But the RS 4 has little in common with its civilian brother.
New price of 127,000 DM
The wide cheeks and the large air intakes give away the top model at first glance. And anyone who thinks that the RS 4 is too big is wrong, because in 1999 the station wagon was just as powerful as a FerrariF355This is due to the very powerful 2.7-liter V6 biturbo under the hood. The engine was S4 and already produced 265 hp. But for the RS 4, the performance was significantly improved.
At the time, the engine specialist Cosworth (then part of the VW Group) was responsible for the power boost. Thanks to extensive modifications such as larger turbochargers and intercoolers as well as adapted cylinder heads and a new exhaust system, the RS 4 had 381 hp and a maximum torque of 440 Nm. A real statement in 1999!
0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds
The power is transmitted via a six-speed manual transmission, and quattro drive is of course a matter of honor. The 1620 kg RS 4 accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and is electronically braked to 250 km/h. The engine also has enormous power reserves, which also explains why quite a few RS 4s have been tuned.
An unmodified example of the RS 4 B5, built exclusively as an Avant, is currently being offered by the dealer “Best Cars UG” First registered in September 2000, the RS 4 has covered around 194,000 kilometers in the past 24 years.
The high mileage of the Audi is not apparent from the advert photos, and there are no major damages or defects to be seen. We consider the dents in the rims (they are the original wheels, after all) and the patinated leather interior to be appropriate signs of wear.
What is more important is that everything is technically correct. According to the seller, the RS 4 in the inconspicuous color “Avus Silver Metallic” has been serviced according to the service book. In addition, many parts are said to have been replaced recently. These include: timing belt including water pump, fuel pump, tie rods, seals and tires. An oil change is also listed in the ad.
The all-important question of price remains. The RS 4 B5 is an exotic item on the used car market. No wonder, given that only 6,030 units were built. What is striking is the enormous price range. The cheapest units are available from around 35,000 euros, but they are usually tinkered with or neglected – or both.
The RS 4 will cost 38,990 euros
Real collector’s items with less than 100,000 kilometers now command prices of up to 90,000 euros. This second-hand German RS 4 seems to be fairly priced at 38,990 euros. Of course, this is not a museum piece, but rather an honest car to drive.
For collectors, this model is probably less interesting due to the high mileage, but for fans who also want to drive the RS 4, it seems to be the right choice!