According to my salesman, Audi outsold BMW in '98 for the first time in 15 years, I believe he said. I don't know if this is just the A4 vs. 3-series, or the company as a whole.

According to a salesman that worked for a BMW dealership in Dallas and now a salesman for Audi in Dallas as well, the A4 outsold the 3 series in 1997.<p>Oscar

That could be what he meant. He said last year, and this being January, he probably meant for the '97 year.

that makes no sense..........................<p>Audi only has one or two lines that actually sell...A4 and A6<p>BMW has 3,5 and 7 series....3 series spinoffs and M cars<br>and they are ALL sellers.<p>

I would guess that BMW outsells Audi in the US.<br>However, if they are talking worldwide, I can believe that Audi outsells BMW.<br>Audi is much more popular in Europe than in the US. They don't have nasty "60 Minute" stories.<p>

Total 1998 Audi sales, all models, in USA were just over 74,500.<p>How does this compare to BMW?

how many of them were A8.......ten?<p>how many account for A6 ?

could be true in other parts of country. But I guess my question is so what? You guys are starting to sound like Mustang and Camaro owners--please!!! I own a Bimmer but check out other boards for good tech info. This is useless grandstanding (which of course I just added to, sorry) and does not provide any useful info. Maybe we could add a "Geraldo Board".

AoA sold 2,100 A8s, 18,000 A6s, and 26,000 A4s in '98.<p>And don't knock the A8's relatively low volume. It's an expensive car and the average American is too naive to appreciate it. I assume you don't fit in this category. Automobile just selected the A8 as the best luxury car for the second straight year. Car (could have been Perf. Car or Top Gear) just had a comparo between A8, 740, and new S-class. S-class came out on top with the A8 in second. They specifically commented that BMW should be worried because their car was well behind the other two.<p>Bottom line, who cares how many cars a particular company sells? This isn't a popularity contest…<br>

Speaking of quick, a CLK 320 ate my lunch (98.5 A4 2.8) this afternoon.<p>Has anyone seen the new jag that will be giving the 540i a run for its money next year. This car is simply magnificent looking and only mid-$40ks.<p>Hard to believe that Audi outsold BMW in any category. BMW had very sound years in 97 and 98. I would be interested in seeing accurate figures as opposed to some sale-pitch hype B.S.

Audi definitely did not outsell BMW in the US in 1998. Even though Audi's sales a growing faster than BMW's, the 3-series outsells the A4 (about 2 to 1) and the 5-series outsells the A6. Total Audi sales in the US in 1998 were about 48,000.<p>In Europe and worldwide, I don't know the numbers, but I'm sure that Audi outsells BMW.<p>Tom<br>1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

That's true. If it is just US based it has to be just the A4 vs. the 3-series.

Just an indication that Audi is making a comeback in the US and that buyers are realizing which is the BETTER car..... and also at a better price.

The Audi A4 and E46 328i are not the only cars on the planet. Sounds to me like you guys have a bit of a chip on your shoulder or you wouldn't bring up the subject so often. Until Audi produces a car equal to the M3 and M5, you should just avoid the subject.

...in my household, anyway. Got a '98 1.8T in March and a '99 Z3 2.3 in October. 8^)<p>CraigB

The 740i/il is several years old. I think BMW has an updated car in the works. Too big anyway--the current 740il is 19ft long!!

Enjoy the A4 for what it is. Great value and AWD, but the 740 is one of the best cars in the world at any price. The sound when accelerating over 4000rpm is awsome .It's quiet, fast,and roomy for a long trip.Performance with 290hp and road feel is close to the 540.The fuel economy and range is good.(both better than the 2.8Q) It can get stuck quickly- -hence the Audi

Hahahahahaha<p>JK;, but, seriously. You guys get so sensitive over these A4s.

Including it's recently (possibly ill-advised) acquisition of Rover, it sells 1.5 million units world wide. Audi is less than 1 million.

but it sounds nothing like my M5 at full throttle, those six throttle bodies just growl. Although, I wouldn't mind a 740 for the long trips.

Audi has produced comparable M3 performance in the S4.... actually better performance, and the new S6 should be close in performance to the M5, that is left to be seen.