The Audi RS7 is the fastest Audi 4-door sedan money can buy because the RS6 is an estate only and the S8 offers about 100hp less when compared to the RS7. We can say that the RS7 is the performance Audi flagship and that it represents the very top echelon of what an Audi 4-door sedan can do when it comes to acceleration, speed, and handling.
However, the RS7 is not perfect just like any other car. It experiences issues that can sometimes even ruin the car’s drivability completely. Even though most RS7 issues arise from lack of maintenance, some issues are likely going to plague the RS7 no matter how well you maintain it.
The most common RS7 issues are related to the transmission, brake and tire wear, the engine, electrical issues, and issues with the suspension. The RS7 was also part of a few recalls mostly regarding these components, so they are worth mentioning.
All in all, the RS7 can be a really dependable car, but you do need to maintain it as best as you can. 600hp+ performance sedans are known to be delicate and needy, but that comes with the territory as all cars that compete with the RS7 are more or less the same.
Audi RS7 – Transmission issues
According to various online sources, transmission-related issues seem to be a common occurrence with the RS7. The most common RS7 transmission issues are clutch slipping, gears getting stuck, transmission fluid leaks, and even issues with the torque converter. Sure, torque converter issues might not be as common but are likely some of the worst transmission issues the RS7 suffers from.
Most of these issues are down to how you drive the car and how well you maintain the transmission. Higher mileage cars are more prone to transmission issues, especially those who have been beaten on race tracks. Using the launch control function also plays a role in how dependent a transmission can get, so be sure not to use it too frequently.
Audi RS7 – Brake and tire wear issues
The Audi RS7 is a true-performance car with a huge engine, 22-inch wheels, and huge brakes. However, many people who took the RS7 on a track said that the car is prone to losing its stopping ability due to cooked brakes. This also accelerates how fast the brakes wear and can even cause rotor warping.
In order to cope with these issues, you should incorporate cooling laps into your routine whenever you take your RS7 to the track. Also, the tires are wide and low profile. If you combine that with a 600hp+ heavy car, the tires can’t last long enough.
Audi RS7 – Electrical issues
Electrical issues are common on many premium German luxury cars because they are equipped with all sorts of electrical wizardry to both keep you safe and keep you entertained. Many advanced driver assistance systems such as automatic braking are known to fail, and so does the start/stop system.
Other electrical issues include sat-nav trouble, connectivity issues, and various issues with interior gadgets. Most of these can be solved through software updates and resets, but sometimes you will have to replace a sensor/module to fix these issues for good.
Audi RS7 – Engine issues
The Audi RS7 comes with a large 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 with 603hp. Such a large engine is known to be needy when it comes to oil changes and fuel consumption. When it comes to oil, many Audi models are prone to burning oil at an alarming rate and an engine as large as the one in the RS7 is the perfect example.
Some say that these engines can burn up to a quart of oil every 1,500-2,000 miles which is definitely an issue. Moreover, older RS7 models were prone to intake manifold issues caused by carbon buildup which needs to be cleaned whenever it takes place.
Audi RS7 – Suspension issues
The Audi RS7 is available with a high-end air suspension system designed to soak up bumps and keep the car planted while cornering at higher speeds. However, many owners have complained about the system leaking air and causing the car to sag. One owner said that shock absorbers are a relatively common issue and the only way to fix it is to replace the shock.
Fixing these can be a nightmare because air suspension systems are known to cost a lot of money. Therefore, be sure to maintain the system whenever you can, otherwise, it is likely going to fail.
FAQ Section
Is the Audi RS7 worth it?
The Audi RS7 is the flagship Audi Sport 4-door sedan and there are no other Audi sedans like it. The closest thing you can get to an RS7 is the RS6 Avant, but if you don’t like estate cars, there truly isn’t anything similar. If you combine that with impressive styling and everything you’d ever want from a car, the RS7 is indeed worth it.
It is always difficult to justify paying upwards of $115,000 on a car that isn’t rare and one that depreciates like any other car. However, the RS7 offers an experience that you can’t find in any other Audi, and if that type of experience is something you enjoy, the RS7 is the one to go.
How much does it cost to maintain an Audi RS7?
The RS7 is indeed an expensive car to maintain because owners are regularly paying upwards of $140 just for an oil change. Repair costs range between $90 and $2,000, but the average repair bills paid are somewhere around the $100 mark.
You should set aside $10,000 for the first 10 years of ownership because that is likely what you are going to pay to keep the RS7 in great condition. This does sound like much, but it comes with the territory as all cars the RS7 competes with are more or less the same.
Is the Audi RS7 better than the Audi RS6?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I prefer the way the RS6 looks because it looks more unique. However, I am fully aware that most people believe that the RS7 looks better and it’s easy to see why. The RS6 is an estate while the RS7 is a coupe which inherently is the better-looking body style.
The RS7 costs just $2,000 more which means that these two are almost identical when it comes to the price. The RS6 is the more practical car, but the RS7 is the one that is likely going to attract more attention.
