I just went down to the dealer to see my new RS-4 (black on black). It exceeds my expectations but I don't get it for 5 weeks; its on show until after the American Le Mans Series race in mid-July. I'm a lucky SOB; I walked into the dealer on Wednesday, bought it and it was delivered on Friday.

I was surprised to see that there is no spare at all. I like the battery in the trunk and the on-board flat fixer but in the West it is a verrrry long way between 19" tires. In 45 years of driving (an over a million miles) I've only shredded a tire once or twice and had only one real flat on my Mitsubishi 3000 VR-4 but when s--t happens a spare is useful. Since I'm getting snow tires on rims I guess I'll just put one in the very ample trunk when I go on long trips. Any thoughts? How about an el cheapo rim and tire, say 225- 18x-45? Any ideas how to tie down a loose tire in the boot? Maybe it will fit over the battery...hmmmm.

BTW- I hope that 18" rims will fit so I can run narrower and higher profile snow tires. Any opinions on Michelin, Pirelli or Bridgestones?

Rock chips are the bane of driving the west. Any thoughts on clear bras and how to find a reputable shop? I was thinking of DIY bras but my son nixed that idea. I hate strap on bras.

Radar detectors? I have an old one but it doesn't work well. Any thoughts?

Finally, there is no iPOD input jack! Grumble...maybe the CD can go. Maybe I should read the manual.

37 days and counting.

DG

 

newer bmw come with the run flat tires...no step either....

 

Not much you can do about the spare tire situation. I would try using the anchors used for the trunk net and rig some tie downs over your spare. I'm guessing weight isn't an issue? Congrats on all that driving and only shredding "1" tire!
Don't get a bra! There is a product out there that is a clear transparent film you can have applied professionally (I would). It comes pre-cut already to fit your cars front end dimensions. Doesn't hurt the paint and will keep the front end from getting chewed up. Most won't even notice its there!
Get a V-1 (Valentine one) detector or an Escort...nothing else. Hardwire if you want but as I said in a reply yesterday, this car is to nice/expensive to have anyone other than an RS certified tech working on it and Audi won't install it. Hints-I wouldn't take it to a stereo shop and have them pull apart the dash-who knows what might happen! Thats why I am getting the fully battery powered (4AA's) Escort. You have the option to plug it into you power port if the batterys die. The other reason I am getting that model is because I don't want a cord stretched across the interior of my car, UGLY, in the way and would use the port I use for my Ipod. I guess I could hook into the cig lighter but I like looking at the carbon fiber to much to take away any of it..
You have 2 MP3 ports behind the navi system. Keep the CD. Just get an IPod power cord to plug into your extra power adapter underneath the arm rest, thats what I do with mine. Then program it to a radio station, sends the signal from the IPod directly to the radio and your good to go.
I counted the days for months. I ordered mine in March and was supposed to get it in August! Due to a little negotiating (A LOT) I finally got it this past Monday 6-5. You are one lucky bastard to have gotten yours with little effort. I envy you due to the hardships I had to bear while trying to buy and retrieve this awesome machine. O'well that is usually how my luck is.
Read the manual...the car is much more complex than most think, trust me! sit somewhere comfortable b/c its about 400 pages and everyone is meaningful. Enjoy your new RS4 & I can tell you in all honesty......YOU WILL! Hope this helps DG.

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Trev

Thanks for the comprehensive reply and advice on using Audi certified shops.

I was very lucky to walk in cold and find a car. I put a deposit on it in a flash. I hear they are not so rare and hard to get in some areas but that may just be blog rumors.

I'm going with the clear, plastic stick on bra as you advised. The next question is how much of the front to coat? I'm mostly interested in the rock chip zone and not the total hood or something excessive like that.

Do you think that steering wheel locks are useful or necessary?

Has anyone seen the owners manual on line and in English?

DG

 

Not a problem, I am happy to help! Confused though, you hear "they are not so rare and hard to get in some areas but that may just be blog rumors"? I have been researching this car for years and it is infact very rare. The last I heard, Audi is only going to make 300 for the US. If audi decides to continue production for '08 then we might see another 3-500 in the US. I am anticipating audi ceasing production of the RS4 in the next 1-2years so my car (and yours) will hold its value better. Eventhough it is a depreciating asset, this particular car is not only built by "quattro Gmbh" through audi motors sports (affiliate of the bulk producer) but the RS4 is built by a select team equaling 10 people total. This car is amazing! From the engine (Hungary), brakes (Lamborghini) & transmission (Germany) to the design of the interior/exterior... its very rare and you should be proud to own one b/c not many people will be able to find/afford one. I feel strongly about this topic so therefore I could continue to write forever but I won't bore you with the details...its just a rare vehicle!
The clear stick on, you can order just for the front end bumper (chip zone) and thats it. I am not even sure if you can get the whole hood done but if its an option, I would save the money b/c you don't need it. The only thing to watch out for (minor issue) when waxing be careful to not get the wax in the crevice...time consumeing to rid of.
If you are referring to aftermarket steering wheel locks like (ex:the club)-NO-don't get it, waste of time, money and theives will laugh. My dad has a pic of "the club at work" in his office and all that is left of the car after being vandelized is the steering wheel and the club. HAHA! I know this b/c just one of my families businesses is in aftermarket securities. We started Vin etching on windows back in the mid 80's and it is still used today. Infact my dealer tried selling it (our product) to me and then he understood why I wouldn't buy it...I can get it for free! I used to manufacture the etch product myself. This is one option for safegaurding your car, a thief would have to break out every window to rid the car of Vin protection and then replace them all with new ones...never happen-too expensive. Second, get LoJac! Not only is it worth it but it will also save you money on your insurance. In GA it saves me 25%! You can also have LoJac upgraded ($200 extra) to have a "notify feature" added. This way if someone is breaking into your car, Lojac can contact you 5 different ways while its happening. Cell phone, home phone, email, beeper etc all simultaneously! With a car this rare I would def do it. Aside from what I have mentioned and Audis anti theft system the car comes with, maybe have Lajac install an audible alarm for added protection. They can come out to your house and do all of the work at your conveinence, FYI.
Not sure about an online manual for the RS4 but if there is a particular question you have, just ask.

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hehehe.. I too didn't have much trouble ordering my RS4 as well. I guess its about who u know in LA these days. I managed to find one that was going to the LA downtown dealer that was not accounted for yet. So we snatched that one right away. The RS4 is at the end of the month so they say!

As for the bras, u can get custom clear bras for the bumpers if they don't have a template for one already. I am thinking about getting this done but this car will be going to shows so i may not put bras on it.

Radar Detector: V1 is by far i think the best.

Yea the RS4s are rare but i think only ENTHUSIASTS know that they are actually coming to the US. Not many people know this so that the audi dealers will have these in their dealer for a couple of days until people start noticing that the RS4 is indeed coming to the US. I think thats why we are so lucky for now. Soon, there will be a waiting list so long that people will be waiting forever....

 

I think what he was asking was if there was an AUX IN port anywhere on the stereo, which, as far as I can find, there isn't. Does this edition of the Audi Symphony have the SD card slots?