Audi's RS division — or RennSport, translating to "Racing Sport"— has given us some true icons over the years, from the legendary Porsche-fettled RS2 to the V10 C6 RS6. Since day one, the division has been centered around striking the balance between all-out performance and refined practicality, creating cars that are just as at home doing a shopping run as they are slaying supercars.
At the heart of all of this, though, is of course the RS4. The RS4 is the longest-running model in the RS line, having first gone on sale in 2000 with the much-loved B5. The B5 had a 2.7 liter, twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood — which was re-engineered by Cosworth — pumping out 385 bhp and hitting 60 in 4.9 seconds.
With its successor, named the B7, things took a much different turn. The same understated look and aggressive power remained, though the turbocharged engine was switched out, replaced by a naturally aspirated, high-revving V8 giving out a healthy 420 bhp. The result was a far cry from the old thumping turbos of earlier RS models, paving way for a new era of fast saloons to come out of Quattro GmbH — or Audi Sport GmbH, as it’s now named. Having debuted in 2006, the B7 has some years behind it now, and luckily for us, that means prices are now really affordable.
Let's take a look at what makes Makes a B7 RS4 The Best Used Audi To Buy.
History Behind The RS4
As previously stated, the B7 came on sale in 2006, following up from a trio of understated, practical, and twin-turbocharged estates and saloons: the RS2, B5 RS4, and C5 RS6. It had big boots to fill, then, and just as big competition from Audi’s German rivals. Quattro GmbH had its sights set clearly on these rivals, which were the BMW E46 M3 and Mercedes E55 AMG — which went on to be the E90 and C63 a couple of years following. The B7 came in three forms — saloon, cabriolet, and station wagon — and was only available with a manual gearbox, a bold move at the time. This was welcomed by many, though, especially when you look at the reasons why enthusiasts are holding on to stick shifts. The car was priced at around $70,000 new in today's money — or $80,000 if the cabriolet was your fancy — which was roughly similar to the previously mentioned competitors.
A Detailed Look At The B7 And Why You Should Buy One
When anyone mentions the B7, the first thing that comes to mind is the engine. And for good reason. The 4.2-liter lump was borrowed from the S4, with the RS4 gaining modified pistons and conrods, a new crankshaft and bearings, and new cylinder heads giving an additional 60 bhp. The result is a responsive engine that picks up quickly, going on to rev to an impressive 8,250 rpm, with a deep, throaty exhaust note that eggs you on as it does so.
Couple the above with Audi's all-wheel-drive Quattro system — as first used in that famous, fire-spitting rally car of the same name — and you could go from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. The Torsen-based system meant that the majority of the power was sent to the back wheels, striking the perfect balance between good old Quattro security and a responsive feel through corners. If you want to see the Quattro system in action, watch this video of an RS4 B7 taking on an E92 M3 GTS in a drag race.
While the engine may be the B7's party trick, the looks aren't half bad either. They're subtle, sleeper-like, even, with just a pinch of aggression thanks to those flared wheel arches and 19" alloys. The interior is a nice place to be, too, especially with the flat-bottomed steering wheel — as used on the Lamborghini Gallardo — and the optional, full leather Recaro bucket seats.
How Much A B7 Costs Today
Ultimately, though, what makes the B7 RS4 the best used Audi to buy is just how well priced it is. Roughly $14,000 will get you a decent example, and while there may be a fair few miles on the clock, that shouldn't be too much of an issue providing the car has been looked after. Should you want a well-used example, these are the things to look out for when buying a B7 RS4.
If you're looking for something a little cleaner, then fear not, as you can get ones with much lower miles for around $20,000. Prices do differ depending on your preference, of course, with the cabriolets tending to be the cheaper of the three versions — which is understandable, given they're said to be far less composed than the saloons and estates.
If you want that heritage, RS2-inspired look, then we'd recommend going for an estate version. Even better if you can find one in Sprint Blue.