Impact of new RS4 on RS4 (B5) residuals?

[crash]

Will the proposed debut of the new RS4 at the Geneva show in March have any effect on the current prices and residuals either in the short or long-term?

Reading in Autocar today on the introduction of the new Focus which seemed to have started the softening of Focus RS prices. Or is that simply a coincidence?

Thoughts appreciated as always.

[jar]

It's probably a simplistic view but I suspect that the release of a new RS4 will not have a great deal of impact on B5 prices since the new car will (I guess) be around £60K whereas top whack for a B5 will be £35K ish (a realistic guess for this time next year?).

So, rarity and such a price difference ought to keep the B5 market strong.

Regards

John

[viffer]

Will the proposed debut of the new RS4 at the Geneva show in March have any effect on the current prices and residuals either in the short or long-term?

Also the B7 has "controversial" looks (aka beaten with the ugly stick). I think quite a few people might still prefer the B5, aesthetically speaking.

Will still make a difference though. Right now there's not much else to buy if you want 400-odd bhp, enough space, no auto gearbox.

Cheers, Richard.

[sitas3]

my view is that surely the only real impact on B5 RS4 prices will be if everyone sells for silly money in order to buy the new RS4...

[Golich]

I agree with all. The thing about the RS Focus is that realtively speaking its not that special. i.e. the HP is just ok nothing to shout about. the extras over the other focus's in the range are not that massive. Its a limited production car and that's about it.

The RS4 on the otherhand is a difficult car to match even if you have an S4. While you can acheive the power at a cost, you really want that wide body, the front bumper, the rear bumper, the seats and after all that it will never really be an RS4. Its just so desirable even more so that the RS2 which is still fetching £15 to £20K 10 years on!!

It will always be desirable and limited the two combined will always maintain its value even if a few folks sell for daft prices but why should they?