Audi RS4 B7 Avant
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Engine Overview
The Audi RS4 B7 Avant is available with one engine variant at 420 hp.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DRC suspension dampers leaking The Dynamic Ride Control hydraulic suspension operating at ~15 bar system pressure is known for leaking dampers. If one damper fails, the others wear faster. Repair requires dealer-level special tooling. Symptoms: Harder ride, uneven handling, oil marks under the vehicle, knocking dampers from 80,000 km | High | |
| Control arm ball joints worn Worn control arms are the most common MOT failure on the S4 B7. Ball joints and track rod ends suffer under the heavy vehicle weight and spirited use. Symptoms: Knocking over bumps, steering flutter, uneven tyre wear from 120,000 km | Medium | |
| Propshaft centre bearing defective On quattro models the propshaft centre bearing can cause problems and produce a dull knocking noise, especially when accelerating. Typical wear damage at higher mileage. Symptoms: Dull knocking from the underbody when accelerating, drivetrain vibrations, noises in corners from 120,000 km | Medium | |
| Upper front control arms worn The upper front control arms can fail at higher mileage and are expensive to source. Typical wear pattern on sportily driven examples. Symptoms: Knocking from the front-wheel area, uneven tyre wear, toe changes from 100,000 km | Medium | |
| Front and rear wheel bearings Wheel bearings wear on the RS4 B7 due to the high forces of the quattro drivetrain combined with spirited driving. At high mileage one or more wheel bearings require replacement. Symptoms: Humming or droning at certain speeds, noise changes during lane changes from 120,000 km | Low |
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Audi RS4 B7 Avant have? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Is the Audi RS4 B7 Avant worth buying used? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee