Optimal re-sale spec?

[Merlot]

My brother in law above ordered the above, and im also debating whether to take the sprint blue
or the phantom black..
Where are all these physical RS4's then? none on the Autotrader yet, and no Audi dealer seems to have any knocking around yet? I think when they actually arrive, more orders will come piling in.

I don't really want a tracker and would prefer not to have car back if it got nicked, just that im 24 right now, so insurance is still quite high bracket, so best quote is £1300 with tracker (they don't specify which one - just has to have one!). I reckon with the retrieve best bet of them not finding it again, so more chance of not getting the trashed/joy rode car back again.

Im a little nervous about this car as i think residuals may be a little shaky, as im only looking also to keep it 10 months or so, as i have had a new M3 on order since 2004, but if its the case the RS4 has lost too much money between now and then, i'll keep it and flog the M3 which im 3rd in line for with Sytners. Got my order in quite late on the RS4, so thats why im thinking im a little late to ride the premium wave.. Lets see though..

Felt good walking into a garage and ordering £106k worth of cars though! don't do that everyday!

Premiums? What planet are you on...these cars are available at so many dealers I can't believe it. As for keeping it for 10 months then you will lose shed loads (£10-15k). Keep it 3-5 years and the depreciation will be ok but not 10 months. As for RS4s' hitting the residuals of S4s...I doubt it. One year old S4's only trade at £26/27k so how will a £53k car hit that?

On the otherside, the new M3 is a sure winner and will depreciate little over the first 10 months. As for taking premiums....that market is not what it was for anything - just look at how prices of 430s' have fallen in the last three months.

[kam100]

The M3 is definitely a sure winner (depending on its final looks and styling..!), thats why ive had it on order since Oct 2004...No doubt mate, cars like this loose shed loads, but i think the RS4 will take its biggest hit when the M3 comes out, as it won't be the new toy on the block anymore.

What i meant by premium wave, is if you got a car say next month, and decided you didn't want it, i would put my life on it that someone would pay at least list to have it immediately instead of waiting till june/july. We are too late for that, as we have to wait till June ourselves.

I got my range rover sport in August which was quite early compared to most as a lot of deliveries were made in Dec/Jan this year, so have lost minimal amounts so far. As long as the first allocation of RS4's get sold once they hit the showroom floor, i think we will be ok.

[Merlot]

I agree with most of what you say...that's why I've got the first M3 at my local garage. The RRS is pretty unique but the market for that appears to be moving from the supercharged to the diesel. As for the RS4, the Avant worries me as does the fact that it appears to be around in large numbers. I hope that you are right but I would be much happier if the numbers were limited like last time. Instead I think RS6 big ££ depreciation is more likely.

[kam100]

We'll have to see then mate. I chose the RRS TDV6 HSE for that very reason, there seem to be a few about on the resale market nowadays, but demand is still strong so im getting good bids in for part ex, will try and sell private before the RS4 arrives, that way should have more of my deposit to walk into the RS4 with.
The RRS is going to take a hit when the Q7 comes out, seems Audi have beaten the RRS in every technical angle, i.e. air suspension, RRS has 3 settings, the Q7 has 5. TDI engine is also much better in the Q7 plus it has 7 seats, it will give all the 4x4 manufacturers something to think about. The only thing the RRS has over most is its look. its getting quite a following over on www.rrsport.co.uk .

Im hoping the M3 follows the same route as the M5, over 8 months after its launch, there are only 4 cars priced at £59999 across the country and 3 of them are ex press cars so have more then likely been ragged.
Prices remain strong across the board. I think by summer they will start moving toward mid 50's and some higher milers at early 50's and i know at least 20 people waiting for it to fall before they snap them up.

RS4 is a difficult one, but in todays market, there is so many what if's that you can over analyse everything, sometimes you just have to let your heart win and just go for it.. thats what i did, and i will deal with the depreciation issue when it comes. Yeah there is forward planning, but we should think of these cars for what they really are, consumable goods which we have to pay large sums of money to have the privilege to own.
Im sure when we get behind the wheel the grin factor will be worth every penny!

[Gekko]

Im sure when we get behind the wheel the grin factor will be worth every penny!

Yeah baby!! That's what I'm talkin' about!!!

By the way, you keep spelling "lose" wrong!!

[Merlot]

Yeh....I'm waiting for my Q7...should be cheap, emotionless motoring for a year or so.

[kam100]

Went into my dealer yesterday and put in my final order with another £1k deposit.

Despite all the too'ing and fro'ing considering Sprint blue/Phantom Black.
Had a complete change of heart and went for the following:

Daytona Grey with Black Optics Pack.
Black RS4 Buckets with Piano Black Surrounding Trim.
Front Centre Arm Rest.
Tech Pack.
GSM Phone on Dash.
Auto Boot Lid.
Auto Dimming Mirror and Light Sensor Pack.
Tracker Retrieve (just for insurance purposes).

Now just got to get over the excitement and await confirmation of delivery in June (Estimated).
Dealer has customer demo vehicle arriving at the dealership this monday! yes long time before launch, but can't be driven, dealer is expecting the list to go mental when people see the car sitting in the showroom! I will take some pics when we go to see it (early next week prob).