i find myself seriously considering the new rs4 as a replacement for the s8. factors in the mix are:

1) here in nz, the rs cars have been stellar performers in the residual value stakes with the old model rs4 now worth more than the s8, despite starting out $70K cheaper. the hit i've taken on the s8 bugs me. my old rs2 lost 40% over 6 years, my ur-quattro gained 20% over a similar period, but the s8 is running at 40% over 3 years.

2) i love the s8, a beguiling mix of space, pace and style, but i'm a sucker for good engineering, and the rs4 v8 seems a real gem.

3) space, with 3 kids, space is an issue, the s8 can pack everything in for a weekend away, but i doubt the rs4 would. has anyone had any practical experience here?

4) manual vs. auto. i do miss the manual sometimes, but auto is a better bet for my predominately city driving. but the rs4 shift is reportedly better than the s4, which i found by far the best audi quattro manual i'd used. so the rs4 manual would be no hardship.

any other opinions out there? has anyone had any seat time in an rs4? checked out the interior space? here in nz, they haven't arrived yet, so i'm still looking at the options...

it doesn't bother me to drive in the City. My average speed is 20-25mph.

Isn't is a B7 A4, space-wise? Go check that out at a dealer.

I don't see how that could ever work, with 3 growing kids. Event with an Avant with a ski carrier for extra luggage.

was that as a large man the seats were a little restrictive as was the price.
All other aspects were far in support of what seems to be an awesome drive.
Have a look at the artical on line.

but aa good magazinr shop will have a hard copy somewhere in Auckland<ul><li><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3643126a14116,00.html">http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3643126a14116,00.html</a</li></ul>

reliable Audis) and get something for a daily drive. The RS4 should be a 2nd or 3rd car, unless you don't put many miles on it (or don't care or have an other option--e.g., register it as a company car).

While I was fumbling around with the TT, S2000, IS350 (drove all of them this past weekend), I was not convinced with the features/price/value combo of any of them:

* The TT 3.2 DSG auto (it was a roadster) doesn't have enough oomph for my liking, while the roaster version I drove gives a lot of shimmy through the steering wheel (but has an amazingly throaty exhaust note!).

* The S2000 is a more dedicated little sports car. If I lived in California, Oregon, or Washington it might make sense for the twisted mountain roads, but on the Dallas roads its suspension is a bit harsh. The main downside is that you need to keep the RPMs so high to get useful torque from the engine; below 4K it feels not fast enough. On the plus side is comes fully loaded at USD$32k.

* The IS350 is a great car. Solid, quiet, of high quality, with a &lt;5.4sec to 60mph. However, priced with all "comfort-creature" options, its price sky-rockets to USD$44k.

Then I test-drove the A3 2.0T 6spd and I fell in love with it! While it does "only" 7sec to 60mph, it is one of the most responsive Audis I've driven in a long time this side of an S/RS, while the torque is available in a wide band of RPMs. The 200HP FSI engine is a gem! Fully loaded comes to USD$32K.

I'm still considering a used, 3yr-old M3 or S4 or Boxter S, so my hunt is not over..