I was surprised to get a call from Peterborough Audi to tell me that they were going to have to postpone the RS4’s first service. The service manager explained that the oil filter was on ‘back order’, which is another way of saying they couldn’t get one.

When I’d booked it in I’d explained that I wanted to get the first service done early because the V8 was using oil and, very occasionally, there was a misfire-like vibration. The service manager had taken this onboard and had called Audi HQ. He assured me that Audi was prepared to indemnify me should the engine go pop before the service could be carried out.

In the meantime, at 14,000 miles, the original Pirellis were replaced by a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 2s, the alternative original equipment tyre. Top brand 255/35 ZR19s like the Michelins aren’t cheap, the first quote we got being £303 (each!), though with a bit of phone and internet work we got that down to just under £240. Comparing shiny new rubber to a worn set is tricky, but on noise and comfort I’d say the Pilot Sport 2s are the equal of the P Zero Rossos. I’ll comment on grip when they’re properly bedded in.

A few days after the call to cancel, Peterborough Audi called again to re-book the car, and a fortnight after the original date I was outside the pristine showroom. Against expectation, a run up the nearby dual carriageway with a technician alongside produced the intermittent engine vibration – very infrequently after a run to the red line the engine would settle to a cruise on what felt like seven cylinders.

The RS4 looked immaculate when I turned up to collect it. I was talked through the bill, which came to £319 and looks a little expensive until you consider that the refill with super-pricey long-life synthetic oil accounts for £137. The constantly blaring parking proximity warning was traced to, of all things, the fact that the edges of the front number plate had unstuck themselves; sprung slightly off the backing plate, they were being picked up by the sensors.

As for the engine vibration, the symptoms were logged with Audi in Germany, which recommended installing the latest generation engine software. This can be done down a phone line, but the dealership couldn’t get through on the day and so has ordered a disc instead. As the front brake pads are well worn, it suggested that we book the RS4 in when the brake pad warning light comes on and upload the new software then.

When Harry was running an RS6, his dealer encounters were, how shall we say, less than satisfactory. I’m glad to report that the service I received at Peterborough Audi was excellent.