RS4 B7 inlet manifold needed.....

[Tom Eggar]

Hi all. I have just bought an RS4 B7. The EPS, then the engine light has come on just before the service was due. I booked it in and the Audi Quattro specialist I use has shown me the culprit: One bank of the air control flaps, in the inlet manifold has a lot of play in them, while the other one is fine. They quoted me about £2250 plus VAT for a new inlet manifold and flaps for both sides direct from Audi, plus fitting. A kick in the pants when I have just bought it! If I get a used part, the garage I bought the car from sound as if they will contribute to the replacement. Does anyone know where or who could supply me with a used air inlet manifold - preferably with warranty, but not essential , as long as the flaps do not have play in them? The car is in the garage and waiting for the parts, so could do with ASAP. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks all!
Regards
Tom
07881 821976
tomegg8@hotmail.com

[Trevor]

Hi Tom....welcome to the Forum

Sorry to hear you're having problems so soon after buying it.

Have you considered removing them completely?  Works for BMW especially as they ingest the valves and destroy the engine.

Not entirely sure how much of an effect it would have on the Audi's performance but it is quite negligible on the Beemer, even then a remap could enhance the deletion quite nicely?

Keep us updated on the progress

Cheers,  Trevor

[Tom Eggar]

Thanks for your warm welcome Trevor, great to be part of the club! 

Yes, I was expecting a high maintenance bill, but just not so soon!

Thanks for your reply and advice. That is my fall back option. My garage have done that with one RS4, but he said you get a louder sucking noise, performance does not seem to be effected noticeably after a remap. From what I have read it effects the power a little under 3000 RPM.  I managed to find Southwalesprops who can supply some replacement 12mm core plugs and AwesomGTI who can supply two "Billet Aluminum Intake Manifold Flap Linkages ", which replace the plastic linkages (although not broken yet, maybe worn). My garage (A M Cars - Audi Quattro specialist)  is going to strip them out and see if they can figure out what is causing the movement, as it is fine on the other bank. So I have everything crossed at the moment that they can fix it. Failing that, I found a used Inlet Manifold in Germany for sale with 90,000km on the clock for under £500. Will keep you posted on how it all goes!

Cheers 

Tom

[RuS4]

Hi Tom, I know this is a year old post but I just wanted to say hi and see if you sorted the problem out and if you’ve had any issues over the year and how you’ve found owning your RS4 as I’ve bought an RS4 B7 myself a month ago and still can’t stop smiling ! What an awesome car it is ! Also do any of the RS4 owners meet up at any venues ? Cheers Russ

[Tom Eggar]

Hi Russ

Thanks for the reply and welcome to the world of RS4s! I hope you have deep pockets! ;-) Yes, like you, it keeps a smile on my face, although did go through a period of nearly selling it, as the bills were getting very crazy! I got the existing inlet manifold de-coked and the billet linkages / core plugs etc sorted, along with many other things (a mouse had made a nest in the V and started chewing on a lot of the wiring loom!). I had a lot of other work done in that first hit (rear springs - one had broken) new matts etc etc Cost around £1750, but lots of other bits and bobs sorted too. More recently (the encounter that nearly had me selling it) was a terrible rattling from underneath / all over! Turns out it was the dreaded DRC shocks. I was also replacing the tyres and they could not adjust the four wheel alignment as the NSR adjustment had seized. So got 4 new tyres first £750 for 4 Michelin PS3s (Hi-Q gauged alloys in 3 places). Then got the dealers to check out the DRC (no-one else apparently has the tool to pressurise the DRC (a £3500 tool)). They wanted around, you may want to sit down for this, £9000 to replace just the rear shocks (not springs), sort out the locked up rear adjustment and possibly replaced the front DRC pipes / hoses (as they often fail when pumped back up to pressure) and re-pressurise. Cut a long storey short, I took it back to A M Cars, ripped out the DRC and installed Bilstein shocks all round, they managed to free up the rear adjuster and do the four wheel alignment all for around £1000!!!!! the handling is now amazing and actually feels smoother and better handling - no lowering etc as retained springs!

However, I have now been told the CATs are on their way out apparently £2000 just for Milteks! This is a car with 100k on the clock, 1 previous owner and a full Audi service history before me. Going back to my first point - I hope you have deep pockets! That said, when I open the taps with the windows down and sport mode on, people turn around and see my car disappear in a cloud of £10 worth of petrol fumes and the sound of thunder - it is all worth it!

I haven't managed to find any Audi specific local meets around Taunton yet, but I did go down to the Haynes Motor Museum Breakfast club (first Sunday of every month) last weekend and saw some amazing cars - a few RSs there. If anyone can recommend a good meet around Somerset, would be great to meet up and share sob and happy stories about their RSs!

Tom

[RuS4]

Hi Tom, that was an amazing read and i think it was good therapy for you to get your experiences off your chest and let out all of your frustrations 😉 Seriously though that was an eye opener for me and I’ve already set up a standing order for money to go into an RS4 fund after what you’ve told me 😂 I am stunned just how much they wanted for the DRC repair and my car had the nsr coil spring and shock absorber replaced when it had 48k on the clock (I bought mine with 73k on the clock so am expecting the DRC to go soon 😞 As you say though Tom it is a fantastic car and it made me laugh when you said about the £10 cloud of petrol fumes 😂 and it makes it all worth while owning such a special car ! I’m up in Cheshire so a bit of a treck for me but I’ll start saving now and when I can afford the petrol I’ll pop down and meet up 😂 Thanks for your message Tom it was much appreciated to hear your experiences ! Cheers Russ

[niedzial1983]

Get a second opinion form another garage , also if its the flaps there are repair kits avaiable 

[RuS4]

That’s good advice and if mine go I will look into the kit !