Last of the naturally aspirated V8 RS4s - a high-performance wagon built for enthusiasts who prioritize driving engagement over fuel economy. Solid engine with timing chain (no belt), but DRC suspension failures are common and expensive. Carbon buildup on intake valves is inevitable due to direct injection - plan for walnut blasting every 40,000-60,000 km. Control arm bushings wear faster on hard-driven examples. Build quality is outstanding, often considered superior to newer RS models. Find one with complete service history and verified DRC status before buying.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€1,750 - €3,150/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€900-1,600
Risk buffer
€850-1,550
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
DRC suspension failure€1,400 - €5,600
Hydraulic damper leaks, corroded pipes, valve failures · more· less
Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) is the most notorious RS4 B8 issue. The hydraulic suspension system uses interconnected dampers that frequently fail - some owners report 3-4 failures on a single car. Leaking dampers, corroded pipes, and valve body failures are common. OEM repair costs €350-500 per corner at independents, €500+ at dealers. Full system replacement can reach €5,600. Many owners ultimately convert to aftermarket coilovers (Bilstein B14 ~€1,000, KW V3 ~€3,500, Öhlins ~€2,800) rather than repeatedly repair OEM DRC. The system requires oil evacuation and re-pressurization every 6 years as maintenance. When working properly, DRC provides excellent handling, but reliability is poor across all fast Audis it's fitted to.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€700 - €1,200
Direct injection causes inevitable carbon deposits, requires walnut blasting · more· less
This affects virtually all RS4 B8s due to direct fuel injection. Without port injection washing the valves, carbon deposits accumulate over time. Symptoms include rough idle, hesitation, reduced power, misfires, and decreased fuel efficiency. Cleaning required every 40,000-60,000 km depending on driving style. Walnut shell blasting costs €700-1,200 for the V8 (8-cylinder job takes ~4 hours). Some specialists recommend Forte Power Clean every 10,000-15,000 km after walnut blasting to slow carbon buildup. Prevention: frequent oil changes with quality synthetic oil, premium fuel, regular spirited driving ("Italian tune-up"), and oil catch can installation. This is not a defect - it's a characteristic of direct injection engines that requires regular maintenance.
Control arm bushings wear€400 - €1,000
Rubber bushings degrade early on hard-driven cars, affects alignment · more· less
Factory B8 control arm bushings can start wearing as early as 40,000 km, especially on enthusiast-driven cars. As rubber bushings degrade and ball joints develop play, alignment is compromised and steering becomes less precise. Symptoms include clunking over bumps, vague steering, and uneven tire wear. It's often more cost-effective to replace entire control arms (which include new bushings and ball joints) rather than press in bushings alone. OEM arms cost ~€200 each, labor ~€300-500 for front pair at independents, €700+ at dealers. Many owners upgrade to Powerflex polyurethane bushings (lifetime warranty) or Density Line control arm kits for improved durability. Always replace in pairs (both sides of axle).
S-tronic clutch wear€2,700 - €3,350
Dual-clutch transmission clutch packs wear with aggressive driving · more· less
The 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox is generally reliable, but clutch wear depends heavily on driving style. Aggressive launches and track use accelerate wear. Clutches can last well over 100,000 km with normal driving, but hard use can reduce lifespan to 60,000-80,000 km. Symptoms include slipping, jerky shifts, and hesitation. Replacement requires removing the transaxle - labor is expensive. LUK clutch kit costs ~€200-300, flywheel resurfacing or replacement ~€500-1,000, plus €2,000-2,500 labor. Total €2,700-3,350 at specialists. Transmission fluid and filter must be changed every 40,000 km (often overlooked). The S-tronic is considered one of the best dual-clutch gearboxes - manual mode is responsive, auto mode is smooth in traffic. Much more reliable than earlier DQ200 DSG units.
Excessive oil consumption€150 - €800
Some engines burn 1L per 1,000-1,500 km due to PCV valve or piston rings · more· less
The RS4 B8 consumes more oil than average - a little oil consumption every 1,500 km is normal for these engines. However, if consuming 1L per 1,000 km or less, investigate the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve first. Failed PCV causes excessive crankcase pressure, drawing oil into intake manifold. PCV valve replacement costs €150-250 and often solves the issue. Test: remove oil filler cap while engine running - if symptoms worsen significantly, PCV is likely faulty. Use OEM Hengst PCV valves, not cheap aftermarket. If PCV replacement doesn't help, worn piston rings or valve seals are the culprit (requires engine rebuild, €3,000-8,000). Check oil level every 1,000 km. Running low on oil causes accelerated wear and potential engine damage. Some engines with 200,000+ km still run on original components with proper maintenance.
Water pump failure€1,100 - €1,400
Water pump typically fails between 80,000-120,000 km · more· less
Water pump failures are relatively common on the 4.2 V8. Symptoms include coolant warning light, engine overheating, coolant leaks, or poor cabin heating. The pump is integrated with thermostat housing, increasing parts cost. OEM water pump/thermostat assembly costs €400-600. Labor is approximately 6 hours due to engine bay packaging in the RS4 wagon. Total cost €1,100-1,400 at specialists, higher at dealers. Some mechanics recommend replacing water pump preventively around 100,000 km during other service work to avoid roadside breakdown. Always replace coolant hoses and check radiator condition at same time. Running the engine hot due to failed water pump can warp cylinder heads - expensive secondary damage. Check coolant level and condition regularly.
Timing chain tensioner wear€900 - €1,750
RS4 uses metal guides (better than S4), rarely fails before 150,000-200,000 km · more· less
The RS4's 4.2 V8 uses metal timing chain guides and tensioners (unlike the problematic plastic parts in S4 engines). This makes timing chain issues much less common on RS4s. Official Audi service interval is 150,000-180,000 km, but many engines exceed 200,000 km on original chains. Warning sign is rattling on cold starts - if heard, investigate immediately as chain skip can cause catastrophic valve-to-piston contact. Replacement includes chains, guides, tensioners, and labor. Parts ~€400-700, labor ~€500-1,000 at specialists. The 4.2 V8 chain is located at the rear of the engine (not front like most), making access more difficult. However, this is a low-probability issue on RS4s compared to other Audi V8s. Regular oil changes with quality synthetic oil extend chain life significantly.
Brake disc warping€1,000 - €5,000
Drilled Brembo discs fill with brake dust, don't dissipate heat well · more· less
The OEM Brembo drilled discs have proven problematic - the drilled pattern fills with brake dust and doesn't dissipate heat as intended. This causes warping, resulting in steering wheel vibration and brake pedal pulsation under braking. Front discs typically last 20,000-30,000 km with spirited driving, rears 40,000-60,000 km. Standard brake replacement: discs €400-850 depending on OEM vs aftermarket, pads €150-300, labor €400-600 for full job. Total €1,000-1,800. Carbon ceramic brakes (optional on some RS4s) are far more expensive: single disc €2,600+, pads €350+. Many owners switch to slotted (not drilled) aftermarket discs from brands like Zimmermann or EBC for better durability and heat dissipation. Brake dust buildup is heavy on RS4s - clean wheels regularly to prevent corrosion.
Solid engine, but expensive when things break
The 4.2 FSI V8 is mechanically robust - many examples exceed 150,000 km with proper maintenance. The engine uses a timing chain (not belt) and metal guides (not plastic like S4). However, carbon buildup is inevitable and DRC suspension failures are common across the model range. When issues do occur, repair costs are high due to performance parts and complex packaging. Buy on condition and service history rather than mileage alone. A well-maintained 100,000 km example is better than a neglected 50,000 km car.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Audi dealer or specialist records essential. Verify oil changes every 10,000 km or 12 months. Check for carbon cleaning history.
Tires
Check tread depth (minimum 3mm), age (date codes), uneven wear patterns. Rear tires wear faster. Budget €800-1,200 for premium tire set (245/35R19 front, 265/35R19 rear).
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for timing chain rattle in first 30 seconds. Any persistent rattle indicates chain/tensioner wear.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds to fully warm engine and gearbox. Test Sport mode and manual gear changes.
Body condition
Check for rust, accident damage, paint mismatch. Inspect wheel arches and underbody. These cars often see spirited driving.
Specific for this vehicle
Check DRC suspension status
Ask for DRC repair history. Inspect dampers for oil leaks or corrosion on pipes. Test ride quality in Comfort, Auto, and Sport modes. Clunking or harsh ride indicates DRC failure. Factor €2,000-5,000 for potential DRC replacement into purchase price.
Carbon cleaning history
Ask when intake valves were last cleaned. If never done and over 60,000 km, budget €700-1,200 immediately. Test for symptoms: rough idle, hesitation, reduced power, misfires.
Check for oil consumption
Ask owner about oil top-ups between services. Check dipstick and oil filler cap for sludge. A little consumption is normal; 1L per 1,000 km or more indicates problems. Check for blue exhaust smoke on startup.
S-tronic gearbox operation
Drive for 20+ minutes until fully warm. Feel for smooth shifts in auto mode, quick shifts in manual mode. No clunking, hesitation, or slipping. Check transmission fluid service history (required every 40,000 km).
Control arm bushing play
Listen for clunking over bumps. Check for steering vagueness or wandering. Inspect front suspension for worn bushings during pre-purchase inspection. Factor €400-1,000 for replacement if worn.
Check brake condition
Test for steering wheel vibration or brake pedal pulsation when braking from high speed. Inspect discs for warping, scoring, or excessive wear. Check pad thickness. Factor €1,000-1,800 for full brake replacement if needed.
Verify Digital Service Schedule
Cars built from November 2012 onward use Digital Service Schedule. Contact Audi dealer with VIN to verify service history and recall completion. Private records alone are not sufficient.
Check for water pump leaks
Inspect coolant level and condition (should be pink/red, not brown or milky). Look for coolant leaks around water pump/thermostat housing. Ask about water pump replacement history.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Steering unit warranty extension (2012-2015)Check with dealer
Exterior lights moisture accumulationSome units affected
Contact Audi dealer with VIN to verify all recalls and TSBs have been completed. The B8 RS4 shares the platform with A4/S4/Q5, so some A4-related recalls may apply. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) identify common issues but are not safety recalls - dealers are not required to repair TSB items for free unless still under warranty.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years / unlimited km)Expired on all RS4 B8s
Original powertrain warranty (3 years)Expired on all RS4 B8s
Extended warranty optionsAvailable from Audi and third parties
All 2012-2015 RS4 B8s are outside their original factory warranty. Extended warranty can be purchased from Audi dealers (typically €2,000-3,500/year) or third-party providers. Read fine print carefully - many exclude pre-existing conditions, carbon cleaning, and suspension wear items. Independent specialist with good reputation may be more cost-effective than extended warranty for high-mileage examples.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.