words: Bill, photos: Bring A Trailer
The latest issue of quattro Magazine (Q2_2019) is on its way to Audi Club members. In it, they’ll find an article about a B5 RS 4 Avant entitled Rennsport + Avant = Perfection. I proofread quattro which means reading every issue cover to cover…several several times. So imagine my surprise when this Avant showed up on Bring A Trailer.
I recognized it even before I knew what I was looking at. I won’t spoil the article before you have a chance to read it so I’ll just quote the ad instead:
This 2001 Audi RS4 Avant is a left-hand-drive model that was originally imported to Japan and brought to Canada in 2016. The car was reportedly federalized in Arizona by AZ Euros, LLC following its importation to the US in 2017. The twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 sends power to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission, and modifications added during the seller’s year of ownership include Wagner intercoolers, H&R coilovers, Audi sport ceramic brakes, 19″ Rotiform wheels, and more as outlined below. Over $14k of receipts from August 2018 cover an A/C service and the installation of new timing chains and tensioners, engine mounts, seals and gaskets, and control arms. This B5 RS4 will be featured in the next issue of Quattro Magazine and is now offered for sale in California with recent receipts, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Arizona title in the seller’s name.
Compared to the contemporary S4, the RS4 model features widened wheel arches, a rear spoiler, unique front and rear bumpers, and more aggressive side skirts. This example is finished in Avus Silver, and exterior equipment includes roof rails, a sunroof, and a rear wiper. New headlight housings and a replacement front grille were installed last year.
19” Rotiform OZR wheels are wrapped in 255/30 Toyo Proxes tires that show date codes from 2017. The car rides lower than stock on H&R Clubsport coilovers, and the seller installed a new control arm kit along with Audi Sport Ceramic brakes featuring yellow-painted calipers from an R8.
Recaro sport seats are trimmed in black leather and fabric and are power adjustable. Glossy black trim accents the dash, door panels, and center console. A Pioneer head unit with a display screen replaces the factory stereo, and the A/C system was serviced last year.
An Alcantara-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel and shift knob from an RS4 Clubsport were installed. Instrumentation includes a 310-km/h speedometer and a tachometer with a 7,000-rpm redline. Over 69k miles are shown on the digital odometer, approximately 4k of which were added by the seller.
The 2.7-liter V6 features two BorgWarner turbochargers and was rated at 375 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm when new, enough to propel the 3,500-pound wagon from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Wagner intercoolers were installed by the seller last year along with new timing chains and tensioners, a water pump, camshaft seal, front crankshaft seal, valve cover gasket, and cam tensioner gasket.
Power is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. An aftermarket cat-back exhaust system has been fitted, and new ignition control units were installed. Additional photos of the underbody are provided in the gallery, along with copies of receipts from the seller.
The recent Carfax report shows registration in Alberta, Canada followed by importation to the US in June 2017. No accidents or other issues appear through its most recent entry in November 2017.
Now I’m going to anger a lot of people because I anger almost all my friends when I say this but…I never really liked the B5. It wasn’t my favorite B chassis Audi until several tears ago when someone showed me an RS 4 Avant in the flesh. I got it then and I get it now. As of the time of publishing, it’s up to $60,000 and bidding ends in 7 days. You can find the ad HERE.
