[pippyrips]

I'm currently happily married to my B7 RS4 - I’ve had the car for two and a bit years and in that time have realised that to this day, there are few very better 'all-rounders' out there. On top of this she is nigh on full loaded and considerable stronger in the engine department following some tuning work

After working through all the alternatives the only car I would consider selling the RS for is the GT-R so went for a drive in one to make up and mind.... and have come away more confused than I was to start with!


It’s been a while since I have sat in one so was good to see the cabin finish is better than I remembered. (One of the best things about the RS4 is the cabin - with buckets and carbon fibre trim you feel special every time you get in the car)

Space wise, I’m 6"2 so there is no chance of anyone ever sitting behind me! Most of the time it would just be me in the car but the wife & 3 year old would also be in tow from time to time – I’d like to hear how those of you with children cope?

The only thing I do wonder about the GT-R interior is how quickly the silver plastic around the engine start/stop button and doors will mark up - it's pretty poor quality and I think it will age badly....

It was a strange sensation coming from a manual gearbox to the twin clutch set-up and think it would take a few days to adjust and get the best out of the car, but it goes without saying the car is a total weapon!!- Acceleration, traction, & grip are outstanding as are the brakes (mind you have to really stand on them to bite!!) it’s all so damn easy..... almost too easy?

Literally within seconds of pulling off for the first time I was well into triple figures (private road of course) only the salesman had to point it out for me to realise! Very soon afterwards I was going round corners far quicker than I previously thought possible! The car just inspires so mch confidence I can’t help thinking you lose some of the sensation other cars give in trying to deliver the same performance?

I have private buyers interested in my RS so need to decide quickly whether I should let her go - my worry is in 6 months once I have got use to the obscene performance from the GT-R, I might find myself wishing I still had my 4??? I would be really interested on how those of you who have moved from a B7 RS4 to a GT-R how have you found it - was it the right move?

I also have a few other questions on the GT-R I’d appreciate some help on:

- What is real world petrol consumption on the car with a blend of easy/ban-zai driving?

- What are people’s views on depression rates – there are a fair few UK cars already under 50k. I’m guessing now Nav cars are out early UK cars will fall quickly?

- Does the car bring with it unwanted attention/troubles etc? I think people will either love it or want to damage it?!

- Do any of you use specialists for servicing (Litchfield’s etc) and if so how does this affect the warranty? The dealer said yesterday unless work is done by the HPC warranty would be void?

- What are the prices attached to the servicing schedule – I’ve seen some many variations I don’t know which to believe!

- Have any of you over 6 foot managed to get an adult (even a small one!) in the back behind you whilst still being able to drive?

Any help thoughts welcomed and thanks!!

 

[thistle]

I'm careful with the trim and in 2000 miles it is unmarked, but it is just me using the car. An RS4 I test drove in Aberdeen was already much more marked with not many more miles, but I think that is the way it had been looked after. It is personal preference but I find the GTR a nice place to sit and that includes comparison with the B7 RS4 I drove when choosing.

You can end up going fast, but it is a refined Evo if you like, which is what I wanted. It doesn't have the tip toes steering feel and lunatic element of an Evo even if you end up going faster than the Evo would/could, but it feels similar in involvement to the RS4 I would say.

Real world mixed use with A/dual with some overtaking I get about 22. On a long gentle run 25. Driving to test the latest boost control 17. Overall, not surprisingly high or low I would say for the type of car, much like the RS4, whereas the Evo and M5 are surprisingly thirsty, and a 911 turbo, and say a Golf GTI, are surprisingly economical.

I don't get attention in it, but I live in the sticks, I think depreciation is inevitable, but worth it. It is half the price of similarly competent cars to start with. I will not be servicing much at main dealers I think.

Forget the back seats if they are much more than 5' otherwise their necks will be craned or they will be hitting their head on the rear screen.

 

[pippyrips]

THanks for the reply, you're right about how the car is looked after though I suspect it's far easier to damage the GTR trim - either way I'm anal when it comes to looking after my cars so should be ok.

Do you know how Nissan will act toward your servicing elsewhere? I'm pretty sure they have to honor warrenty as long as genuine parts etc are used by a vat registered garage etc but the salesman said it was HPC or bust?

Good to hear about mpg, it sounds very similar to my RS, again the sales guy said I would be lucky to get 15! (I guess it's easy to do that with a company fuel card!)

My little girl is 3 so I should be ok for a few years then! I sat in the back to try it out and was surprised that if shifted down in the seat slightly I didn't touch the roof at all!

 

[thistle]

You might find that the HPC supports a warranty claim more if you use them for servicing, but Litchfield's site has info on European law if you haven't read it.

My engine is tuned, so I would not expect warranty to pay out if I break something related. If something breaks due to a manufacturing fault then I expect I'll have a fight on my hands as Alex did (read his engine failure thread on here). It is still a great car, for the performance I'm happy to take the chance that an engine failure would be very expensive and cause a lot of hassle especially if the liners are damaged, gearbox uprated parts are available.

I was a little nervous before purchasing after hearing about an engine failure in Europe, but then both friends who have Porsches needed replacement engines at the same time, so there is no panacea.

 

[HSimon]

Hello Pippy,
I have spoken to you a couple of times on the Audi forums. Hope you are well. Im going through roughly the same thought process, as yourself at the moment. I have an Evo X, at the moment, and am strongly considering the GT-R . I drove one for the first time yesterday, and came away suitably impressed with what the car can do performance wise, it is as everyone says, awesome. I thought the cabin quality was far better than expected also, and the only complaint i had of it, was i felt too high in the drivers seat, and really did keep trying to lower it, even as i was driving along. I did have a thickish jacket on at the time, so i suppose that was half my problem. There were no squeaks or rattles from the cabin, only the rattly rear end of the transmission ?, from time to time, but never a problem. Ive noticed a couple of really good buys recently, around the £50k mark with very little miles, so i suppose prices are on their way down already, although no more than any other performance car at this time. I really dont think the sat nav cars will have a mega effect on non sat nav cars, as people buy these to drive them, and for their performance, and how much does a Tom Tom cost ?.I priced a new, Premium car, with parking sensors, Tracker, and mats, at just under £61K, so against a 300 mile car on an 09 plate at £52k, sounds expensive. They will become even more expensive next year, when VAT goes back upto 17.5%. Now at that, the car is getting very close to 997 Turbo territory, for a mildly used one. Not everybody wants a 997 turbo, but the choice is becoming easier. Ive had an RS4 when they were new, and was always dissapointed with its performance, but i notice you have upgraded yours. I dont think the GT-R would ever dissapoint in this department, because its what the car is all about. Wether the GT-R would prove to be as useable and cosseting as the RS4 on longer journeys etc, i cant comment, as i dont own one yet. The ride quality, i thought was acceptable, in the softest of the three hard settings, over roughish roads, but i dont think my Mrs would be impressed at all, but hey, its my car. Ive ummed and aadd over this car, more than any other, but i know i will have to get one, to satisfy that part of my brain, every petrol head has. Wether it is new, or very slightly used remains to be seen, good luck with your decision, regards, SIMON.

 

[clint thrust]

I left my multi plug 12V socket adaptor on the silver plastic for a few days and it is scratched to hell. I agree that it is crap quality. There should be some replacements about soon I hope. A carbon set would look wicked. or maybe just spray the originals from time to time?.

 

[waltong]

Hi.

I'm also driving an RS4. Had it new from 2006 and it's the only car I've kept beyond its 3 year warranty as I still love driving it and couldn't think of another 4 wheel drive car I'd rather have.....until I saw the GTR. I have a GTR on order for Nov/Dec 2009 so am just about to sell the RS4. It's residual has held up well and there seems to be a demand for it.

My biggest fear is the lack of creature comforts in the GTR. I know that sounds silly and I expect flack for it, but I want to feel like I'm in a nice car....not just a fast one! The GTR is in a different league on the tarmac but I dont want to be forever trying to locate rattles, squeaks & clunks...and have an HPC that tells me "they all do that!" It's a getting old thing, I know! I'm sure I'll still love it once it eventually arrives. I think the wait has not been good for my soul!

 

[ChuckUK]

Well I sold my RS4 for a GTR and for me it's in a different league.

I can only think of one thing I miss on my RS4 and that's the sound of the exhaust note.

 

[pippyrips]

Has anyone got a service schedule with accompanying prices & caveats i.e. if oils go above set temperatures etc?

The prices Nissan are charging for oil changes etc are outrageous from the little I know – nearly double of some specialist independents.

While I think Litchfield’s is right about the law (I have done the same with Audi – VAG parts and vat registered etc) how would it work?

Can Litchfield’s and others read all ECU data (HPC’s send it off to headquarters?!) and service accordingly or would you go to Nissan for a check, they tell you what needs doing then go else where for the work to be completed?

I can just imagine Nissan would be a PITA should issues occur.

.

 

[CJay]

I picked my GTR up last month and the dealer was very clear about Servicing and that is Providing genuine Nissan approved parts are used you can take the car anywhere ...........Apart from the Optimisation service and I think the interim / smaller services which have to be at an HPC .....Not sure about the type of services mentioned because i was in a hurry to drive the car off the forecourt :clap:

But in simple terms it worked out a Service at an HPC then a garage of your choice using Nissan parts then an HPC and so on

CJ

 

[mickv]

There's another thread on here from someone with same dilemma. Worth doing a search for rs4 and you should find it. I posted my thoughts as a former rs4 owner. But don't want to retype it now as on iPhone.

In a nutshell - just go for it. Gtr is a very special car indeed and I've never felt shortchanged by it cf rs4. Interior not quite as good but better than I expected. But driving experience and attention it gets more than make up for it.
Cheers
Mick

 

[Andyuk911]

Hello pippyrips

got here before you ... :lamer:

 

[Zed Ed]

I'd say maintenance only gets pricey if you track the car, given it likes transmission fluid changes (£650) and tyres (£1200 - 2000) regularly.

That said I'll be taking 2 track outings before the year's out

Reach for calculator; maintenance, track insurance, track event costs :nervous::nervous::bawling::bawling:

 

[cracken100]

RS4 vs GTR

Having traded my RS4 for the GTR there are a few things I miss about the RS4. I live out in the Derbyshire countryside and would say the RS4 was easier to drive quickly on our narrow country lanes. I also miss the manual gearbox, the Nissan hunts for gears all the time unless using paddles which I find quite irritating.

In saying that the GTR is awesome on the smoother surfaces and is far quicker than the RS4 on most roads.

My average fuel consumption is around 18 mpg in the GTR around the same as the RS4.

Although I miss the RS4 I have no regrets about the change now I have got used to the auto gearbox and all the attention you get in the GTR.

 

[mickv]

Having traded my RS4 for the GTR there are a few things I miss about the RS4. I live out in the Derbyshire countryside and would say the RS4 was easier to drive quickly on our narrow country lanes. I also miss the manual gearbox, the Nissan hunts for gears all the time unless using paddles which I find quite irritating.

In saying that the GTR is awesome on the smoother surfaces and is far quicker than the RS4 on most roads.

My average fuel consumption is around 18 mpg in the GTR around the same as the RS4.

Although I miss the RS4 I have no regrets about the change now I have got used to the auto gearbox and all the attention you get in the GTR.

Each to his own, but although I found the paddles a bit odd for a while, I now think they are great. Auto stinks (imo) - only good for standing start runs where you all you want to have to do is steer and hang on with your ears pinned back.

 

[pippyrips]

Hello pippyrips

got here before you ... :lamer:

Hey Andy, too much time on your hands?!

 

[Trug]

I've had B7 RS4 since 2006 and got GT-R on July 09. When I got the GT-R I didn't drive RS4 for about two months, and when I did, I have to say I got really scared that something was badly wrong as it felt SO weak. I thought maybe it's running with only four cylinders or something, but when I did few 0-100kmh accelerations in low 5 secs I had to believe it was as it has been.

So.. when you go from RS-4 (or anything else?) to GT-R, prepare yourself to the fact that no other car feels the way they used to...