There is no doubting the RS4’s massive appeal. The car’s towering ability as a performance car has been confirmed in countless tests and reviews the world over. The car is brilliant, period. But there is something wrong. Audi just don’t make enough of them. The first ‘RS’ was the RS2 introduced in 1994 and a handy little weapon it was too. Over 300 BHP and 0-60mph in less than 5.0 seconds was pretty heady stuff for an ‘estate car’ back then so cult status was assured from day one. The RS2 was discontinued in 1996 after a measly 2891 examples were built. This was not because the RS2 was in any way a sales flop for Audi but the company just decided to stop making them. It’s a bit like ending a football match at half-time. It then took the company another 4 years to launch their next teaser, the B5 RS4. This time Audi went to bed with Cosworth to produce the very lively 375 BHP V6 Bi-turbo that gets the car to 100 mph in less than 12 seconds. Once again the RS version only came as an ‘Avant’ but the appeal was forever present as the market gobbled up all 6030 units made between 2000 and 2001. Then suddenly the ref blew the full-time whistle and this time the market was starved of the RS4 until the arrival of the B7 RS4 nearly FIVE years later! The upshot is this – if you want an RS4 either buy a brand-new one while they are still in production or trawl the ads for a used model. Don’t expect a huge amount of choice in the pre-owned market though particularly if you are looking for an earlier example such as the B5 we are selling on behalf of the owner. This lovely example is finished in Goodwood Green – how rare is that, for goodness sake! The Recaro seats are trimmed in black leather and the specification is pretty impressive with SatNav, BOSE speakers and an electric sunroof included. For more information just click here.
The Car Spy 