What does Audi envision as the competition for the B8 S4? - Has Audi lost the plot??
11-14-2008, 03:06 AM
#21
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Well, Texas is not the world. The B7 RS4 has been the most successful RS model to date.
Fine............sure it may be. My point is that there was (2000-2002) a B5 RS4 that could absolutely destroy the M3 at the time. So to recap, in 2000 the S4 could compete with the M3 and the RS4 was head and shoulders above the M3 - not even close. Now we have the S4 no where near the performance of the M3 and the RS4 is just about at the performance level of the M3...........Audi has lost the plot with both cars, again IMHO.
11-14-2008, 03:07 AM
#22
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: why does it need a direct competitor? it fills a perfect niche
It doesn't. It is just disappointing to me in that the S4 used to be a direct M3 competitor and now what in the hell is it exactly???
11-14-2008, 05:20 AM
#23
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think Audi has repositioned it as the top-of-the-line A4
It just happens to have the "A" replaced with an "S".
The idea being that the S4 acts as a halo car for the A4 range, thereby enhancing its sporty image. Audi is in the business of selling A4's not S4's.
Whereas the next RS4 will be a very different car and obviously not an A4.
The idea being that the S4 acts as a halo car for the A4 range, thereby enhancing its sporty image. Audi is in the business of selling A4's not S4's.
Whereas the next RS4 will be a very different car and obviously not an A4.
11-14-2008, 06:08 AM
#25
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think BMW is the one that lost the plot. The 335 and M3 are positioned too closely.
The sales numbers bear that out also. More people are moving to the 335, taking away sales from the M3.
For most drivers, the 335 offers more than adequate performance for the street, making the significantly more expensive M3 not really worth it to them.
You can find deep discounts on M3's sitting on various lots around the country.
For most drivers, the 335 offers more than adequate performance for the street, making the significantly more expensive M3 not really worth it to them.
You can find deep discounts on M3's sitting on various lots around the country.
11-14-2008, 07:05 AM
#27
New Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plot Twist
bmw got way to close to the M3 with the 335i which is why alot of them are around. there was also a big tunning interest initially that went some thing like "hmm twin turbo V6... the B5 S4 was bad *** fast, so i'm in" needles to say it didnt work out as people hoped. But the 335i was still a great performer and way up there in power figures as a an upper level premium sedan (compare it with the A4 S-line)
This whole thing just prompted audi to adjust its S4 to match the 335i and its RS4 to match the M3, which works well for them as they still have the A4s as an entry model also the M3 is pretty damn expensive these days (MSRP) right?
This whole thing just prompted audi to adjust its S4 to match the 335i and its RS4 to match the M3, which works well for them as they still have the A4s as an entry model also the M3 is pretty damn expensive these days (MSRP) right?
11-14-2008, 07:50 AM
#28
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No.........don't think they really did.......what they did do is put a 3 series close to a Porsche..
And hence low/no sales.........and they are sitting. Economy is not helping either.
11-14-2008, 08:43 AM
#30
Banned
Perfectly, positioned to compete with the 335i
Just where Audi needs to be with this car. No V8 to counter the M3. Supercharged to compete against the twin turbo. AWD to compete against the 335xi. And when the S5 goes to the SC engine, it will compete against the 335i(X) coupes.