+1 on the carbon issues with the RS4. I've read and heard one to many horror stories regarding the inevitable carbon build up on these engines.



The issues are not isolated to the RS4 though... it also applies to the entire FSI Audi line up and Porsches which use the same technology.

 

This is true...

 

I don't know why but Audis FSI engines seem to suffer more from carbon buildup then others.

 

I have about 24k miles on my FSI engine, I'm interested to check this out...

 

What's the cost for the clean up at the dealer

 

If you are under warranty nothing. But and this is a big but... you must have a CEL light on in order for them to perform the cleaning. The cleaning involves taking off the manifold (no small task) and walnut blasting. Yes... walnut blasting since you can't sand blast valves they use walnut shells which if left over just burn up in the cylinder.

If you are out of warranty I would find a reliable third party shop to perform the cleaning. That way theirs less price gauging involved.

And just so we're clear, I love Audi's and love the RS4. I just couldn't stomach having to do cleanings on it every couple years.

 

Rs4Power from audizine did a little write up of his experience with the carbon build up.
Heres the link if you want to read about.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ight=rs4+knife

 

I would speculate this is so because a tuned 3.0T S4 will outperform according to more than a few folks. I haven't seen it but it's been posted on AW or Audizine.

People probably want to dump before the market for them drops although AoA has supposedly not decided to bring the new RS4 to the US which will be in Avant form only.

 

That is, without a doubt. the worst case of CB I've seen on any 'modern car' in recent history.

 

WOW, i never knew of this.. dissapointed in Audi.
No wonder their engines dont get past 170k MI.
And I just bought an A4 convertible. B7, on top of my B6 A4.

My next car is gonna be a BMW for sure.

 

4.2FSI carbon problem will be a long term pain in the a$$ for the RS4 and R8. I was in the market to add one of these in the future but the carbon deal put a stop to it.

You could have purchased a brand new RS4 late last year for mid 50s. The economy has killed the price of high end cars.

 

Strange how you don't hear much about this problem on the other 4.2FSI cars (S5, Q7). I'm definitely going to pull my manifold off to have a looksee this winter.

 

I was looking at few RS4.. now going other route.

 

The carbon build-up is a scary issues. It's the main reason I'm holding back on an S4 purchase.

 

i wrote in another thread that after recently driving a new s4 I thot it was just as powerful as a rs4. To me it seem like Audi is a vicitim of it's own success, notwithstanding the carbon issue.