One to Buy: Imola Yellow 2001 Audi B5 RS4 Avant
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A little over four years after production of the wild B4-based RS2 Avant came to an end, Audi unveiled its second Renn Sport offering when the B5 RS4 Avant broke cover at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Like its famous forebear, the RS4 was all-wheel drive hot rod built exclusively in five-door Avant trim. At its heart was a radical Cosworth developed and built version of Audi’s existing twin turbocharged 90° V6 that pumped out 376bhp. Transmission was through a six-speed manual gearbox with Torsen-1 four-wheel drive system that normally delivered a 50:50 torque split but which could send up to 75% to either axle depending upon driving conditions.
RS4-specific chassis upgrades included springs, dampers, anti-roll bars, brakes, wheels and tyres. Externally, the doors, hood, fenders, side sills and bumpers were unique to the new model. Inside, the RS4 was equipped to a very high specification with leather upholstery, air-conditioning, heated seats, electric everything and an RS4-branded tacho.
Audi quoted a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds while top speed was limited to 155mph.
As a consequence of its immensely tuneable nature, quite a few RS4s were modified after delivery, but few such cars have the cache of chassis WUAZZZ8DZ1N903780 which will be going under the hammer as part of Broad Arrow Auctions’ Spring Online sale taking place between May 11th and 18th.
Finished in the massively desirable colour combination of Imola Yellow with Onyx cloth and leather upholstery, chassis ‘903780’ was optioned with a glass sunroof, satellite navigation, cruise control, a CD changer, TV reception, in-car telephone and black optic pack.
First registered to Audi Grimm GmbH & Co. in Hamburg on April 24th 2001, when still brand new the RS4 was further enhanced with an uprated 434bhp ECU, 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, Bilstein dampers, H&R springs and a Digi-Tec stainless steel exhaust. Remarkably, the combined effect of these factory and aftermarket upgrades added nearly 60% to the RS4’s base price.
In subsequent years, chassis ‘903780’ was modified with a Porsche 911 GT3 front brake system, a MOV'IT rear brake conversion, a boost gauge and a Sportec short-shift kit.
According to Broad Arrow Auctions: “the accompanying warranty and service booklet records Audi dealer servicing from 2002 through 2010, including entries by Audi Grimm in Hamburg and later Autohaus Levermann in Balve. The car's service history and original upgrades are exceptionally well documented, with a substantial history file that includes the original order paperwork as well as numerous past invoices and technical documents.”
Said to have been used sparingly in recent years, chassis ‘903780’ heads to auction with 74,431km on the odometer and has benefitted from a timing belt service in preparation for sale.
