While the C6 RS6 Avant and B7 RS4 Avant have been nice to dream about, the reality is that both are pretty unlikely in the near future to be making the trip ‘across the pond’ anytime soon. So let’s consider something which both could, and might.
The B5 RS4 was a legend right when it launched, but for some reason it seems overlooked in the marketplace today. Not as exotic as the RS2, nor as fast as the newer crew of turbocharged Audis, the B5 generation somehow feels lost. It doesn’t help that it was insanely popular to mimic the model’s gaping grills and signature widened flares here, nor that the RS4 engine upgrades are fairly common among enthusiasts. But when you see a real RS4, it’s easy to see why this car was so highly regarded at the time.
First, it’s a very sharp looking car. Nogaro Blue was the defining color for fast Audis in this period, but boy does Imola Yellow stand out. The stance, wheels, flares and bumper covers along with more pronounced exhaust all pull together to make the RS4 feel much more special than a normal S4 Avant. And with 375 horsepower on tap from the Cosworth-developed version of the 2.7 liter twin-turbo V6, it’s not exactly like the B5 RS4 was pokey. In fact, the power-to-weight and performance is nearly identical to the later B7 RS4.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2000 Audi RS4 Avant on eBay.co.uk
Year: 2000
Model: RS4 Avant
Engine: 2.7 liter twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 103,000 mi
Price: GBP 21,950 ($28,462 Buy It Now)
Yellow, Stunning genuine imola yellow B5 RS4 boasting a full service history having been maintained regardless of cost and equipped with MTM upgrades, Upgrades – Body Coloured Door Mirrors, 6 CD Autochanger, Front Centre Armrest, Automatic Dipping Rear View Mirror, Full service history, Excellent bodywork, Black Full leather interior – Good Condition, Tyre condition Good, Four wheel-drive, Standard Features – Climate Control, Cruise Control, Seats Heated (Driver/Passenger), Alarm, Alloy Wheels (18in), Computer, Electric Windows (Front/Rear), In Car Entertainment (Radio/CD), Seats Electric (Driver/Passenger), Air conditioning, Airbags, Alloy wheels, CD Player, Electric windows, Speakers, Power-Assisted Steering, Heated seats, Electric door mirrors, Central locking, MTM Remap, KW Coilove, Milltek exhaust system, MTM 458 spec, Tanoga short shift kit. This is a stunning example boasting a full service history having been maintained regardless of cost. It has recently been fitted with a replacement engine with new timing belt, refurbished turbos and cams inspected. Furthermore it benefits from a full respray to correct any imperfections and it is flawless, must be seen! It is equipped with MTM stage 3 upgrades elevating power to over 450 bhp making for a devastatingly quick avant. This is a genuine imola yellow and there is rumored to be only 5 or so remaining, a great investment opportunity of this future classic. Plenty of power throughout the rev range makes this a cracking motor vehicle. This RS4 has been maintained to the highest of standards with tons of receipts and a great service folder. It really must be seen to be fully appreciated, Finance available subject to status,AA Warranty packages available,Admin fee.WWW.FSPERFORMANCE.CO.UK, £21,950 p/x welcome
Are there downsides? Well, unlike the B7 and C6 I just looked at, the B5 RS4 is heading into collector territory, which means that this 103,000 mile example’s asking price is very close to the lower mileage B7 from the other day. Like the RS6 it’s been upgraded with big-ticket items like the MTM software and Milltek exhaust. Now producing 458 horsepower, the KW coilover suspension is probably a necessary upgrade. Condition looks like it is overall quite good, and though the RS4 Avant is still 8 years from easy importation, there are several already on these shores and it appears possible to get this one over. Is it worth $30,000 to do so? With clean E46 M3s trading in that territory regularly now, we should probably come to grips with the fact that early 2000s performance cars are now heading firmly into collector territory.
editor’s note: this car looks to have sold before our post could go up, but given how rarely we take a look at so many of these RHD cars we’re still running the post as a data point for those who might be in pursuit of such a vehicle.
-Carter
My favorite RS. Damn you for posting all these cars that we can’t import (yet)!
Hmmm….Wonder then what a one-owner, low mileage, stock S4 B5 6spd would go for?
@Mark – sedan or Avant?
Sorry…Avant.
A friend of mine had one of the genuine nogoro ones here in Colorado. When he decided to move to Germany in 2015 there was a bidding war between his neighbors for the car. He sold it for $80k without advertising it at all.
@ Mark – what color is it? Details?
@Cory – ‘01.5MY. Silver. Bone stock. Full records / documentation. Under 10k miles…no joke.
Wow. Are you selling it?
If I decide to, I’d offer it-up through this channel. I appreciate Carter and the Team’s assessments / perspectives of their featured vehicles. Enthusiastic when merited, but tempered with a dose of reality of the trending market(s). For now, I’m trying to understand the market for the well cared for / original S4 B5 Avants sans the usual “pile-on” that seems to dominate any web-based discussions.
Thanks, @Mark!
It’s an interesting question when looking at clean, original B5 Avants. They’re the most desirable generally of the early 2000s Audi products, but most of the people who are really into them still aren’t willing to pay a premium like the BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz crowd are. There are a few exceptions, but the strongest money I’ve seen on B5s has been clean, modified examples – not stock. That said, an ultra-low mile, perfect condition stock 6-speed Avant is probably as desirable as they get. You’ll run into more problems selling in the not-too-distant future as more of the RS4s become accessible at roughly the same price point, but the pool of available clean Avants will be even smaller then. I’d guess at this time you might find someone willing to hit $20,000, but you’d currently have difficulty passing that mark. For that money, it would be impossible to replicate a clean car, but I’m just not sure the market is there right now (I’ve seen similar things with the S8 and S6 market). Right now the “hot” market in Audis is still the ultra-clean C4s. I’d recommend holding onto it if you can for a bit longer unless you really need to move it.
Thanks, Carter. Very much appreciate your perspective…good, rationale thinking. I bought the car new in August, 2001 and it’s lived an “charmed life” ever since. Be glad to send you a couple photos for reference…and to ensure all this doesn’t sound like folklore / B.S.. Send me an e-mail if you’d like. All the best – Mark
Mark, what part of the country are you in?