rs4

skiwi · 04-21-2006, 01:22 PM

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...

tozoM8 · 04-21-2006, 01:37 PM

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

Always Overcharged · 04-21-2006, 10:01 PM

Always Overcharged · 04-21-2006, 10:04 PM

skiwi · 04-22-2006, 02:33 AM

JimR · 04-22-2006, 04:15 AM

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.

Always Overcharged · 04-22-2006, 04:17 AM

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.

skiwi · 04-22-2006, 01:42 PM

Always Overcharged · 04-22-2006, 03:08 PM

but aa good magazinr shop will have a hard copy somewhere in Auckland

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikato...a14116,00.html

dimitristx · 04-23-2006, 06:37 PM

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 <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..

04-21-2006, 01:37 PM	#2
tozoM8 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,559	The RS4 is the only Audi I would buy. I have B5 S4 tranny in my car and it doesn't bother me to drive in the City. My average speed is 20-25mph. __________________ '05 Porsche Cayenne Turbo titanium on black '01black on black allroad 2.7T ---------------------------------------------------------------------- '01 black on black twin turbo S8 6 speed manual(euro TDI 6th gear), RNS-E, Passport SRX SOLD

04-21-2006, 10:01 PM	#3
Always Overcharged AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,666	Excellent right up in the Christchurch Press this morning __________________

04-21-2006, 10:04 PM	#4
Always Overcharged AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,666	is your S8 for sale now __________________

04-22-2006, 02:33 AM	#5
skiwi AudiWorld Senior Member 2008 Audi RS6 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,184	nope, deciding whether to do it 1st.... __________________ dave '03 rs6 '04 allroad tdi

04-22-2006, 04:15 AM	#6
JimR AudiWorld Uber User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 46,925	Re: checked out the interior space? 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. __________________ JimR '07 A3 3.2q Lava Gray '99 A8 4.2q Pearl White '99 A6 Avant 2.8q Silver (My old car, son now drives) '06 Boxster S Guards Red (wife's wheels) Support the troops "Over the years, I have come to understand a critical difference between the world of fear and the world of freedom. In the former, the primary challenge is finding the inner strength to confront evil. In the latter, the primary challenge is finding the moral clarity to see evil."

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04-22-2006, 04:17 AM	#7
Always Overcharged AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,666	The only negative from Dave Moore who test drove the car. 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. __________________

04-22-2006, 01:42 PM	#8
skiwi AudiWorld Senior Member 2008 Audi RS6 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,184	url??? __________________ dave '03 rs6 '04 allroad tdi

04-22-2006, 03:08 PM	#9
Always Overcharged AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,666	Here isw one for Sunday Star times-The press havent posted theirs yet but aa good magazinr shop will have a hard copy somewhere in Auckland http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikato...a14116,00.html __________________

04-23-2006, 06:37 PM	#10
dimitristx AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,885	The RS4 should be a blast. Personally, I've decided to keep the S8 (arguably, one of the most 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 <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.. __________________ 2001 Audi S8 2007 Audi S4 Cabrio 2004 Lexus GX470 2006 Saab 93 Aero Cabrio

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