Second thoughts... talk me off the ledge

[lengster1]

Try a 335d x drive,same performance as the Rs4 but with economy,the Motorsport + 20" wheels look mega too,there reputed to make more than there 313bhp and actually do 60mph in 4.4,some great deals out there at the minute I've easily negotiated 9k off list.

[Astonished]

Try a 335d x drive,same performance as the Rs4 but with economy,the Motorsport + 20" wheels look mega too,there reputed to make more than there 313bhp and actually do 60mph in 4.4,some great deals out there at the minute I've easily negotiated 9k off list.

Sadly in Australia we get restricted model selection.

We can't get the 335i Touring any longer let alone any x drive vehicles (other than the X series, but not a sedan or Touring x drive). Just like we can't get the all wheel drive mercs, other than ML's and GL's

[Andy_S]

Don't say sadly you can't get them.

I traded in my last 2 year old S4 for a 330d xDrive, in theory similar performance. The BMW lasted 8 months before I ordered the RS4, and traded it in for a hefty loss on the finance, but I couldn't stand it anymore! It was the worst, most boring car I've ever had. xDrive is not a match for Quattro at all, don't fall for BMW's hype.

I'm sure on paper a 335d is a close match for an RS4 performance wise, but only if you want to go fast in the dullest way possible. All in my humble opinion of course.

[Astonished]

Thankfully in Australia we can't get all the cr*p that BMW can serve up in the rest of the world !! ..

But ... We do get the RS4 ....


And mine's due to arrive in about 5 weeks

[RIV]

Don't say sadly you can't get them.

I traded in my last 2 year old S4 for a 330d xDrive, in theory similar performance. The BMW lasted 8 months before I ordered the RS4, and traded it in for a hefty loss on the finance, but I couldn't stand it anymore! It was the worst, most boring car I've ever had. xDrive is not a match for Quattro at all, don't fall for BMW's hype.

I'm sure on paper a 335d is a close match for an RS4 performance wise, but only if you want to go fast in the dullest way possible. All in my humble opinion of course.

I had a little race with one only the other day, there wasn't much in it, I pulled on the BM but not a massive amount,I Remember looking at it pulling off the slip road, thinking I would 100% rather be in the Rs any day of the week, I don't like bm's one little bit, boring and dull,on a wet day the BM would be lost

[Graeme4130]

Don't say sadly you can't get them.

I traded in my last 2 year old S4 for a 330d xDrive, in theory similar performance. The BMW lasted 8 months before I ordered the RS4, and traded it in for a hefty loss on the finance, but I couldn't stand it anymore! It was the worst, most boring car I've ever had. xDrive is not a match for Quattro at all, don't fall for BMW's hype.

I'm sure on paper a 335d is a close match for an RS4 performance wise, but only if you want to go fast in the dullest way possible. All in my humble opinion of course.

I had a little race with one only the other day, there wasn't much in it, I pulled on the BM but not a massive amount,I Remember looking at it pulling off the slip road, thinking I would 100% rather be in the Rs any day of the week, I don't like bm's one little bit, boring and dull,on a wet day the BM would be lost

BMW 335d is a bit like an S4. Yeah, the performance is there, but there's no drama or emotion and both cars make you look like an estate agent or photocopier salesman

[Nickyboy]

I too think the B8 is long in the tooth but you don't really get a choice if you want RS as it is end of line thing usually. It does suck but if you want RS you need to have the ageing model. B8 RS 4 is a bloody nice motor though. I thinkAudi did it right with the RS 5 as that has been out a while now and at the time didn't feel dated to me.

I'm off for a drive of the new M3/4 on Sunday at BMW Bristol and so will be able to compare the two even if it is only a little drive. I am expecting good things from the M4 although I don't usually like BMWs personally.

[lengster1]

The 335d x drive never will be direct competition to an Rs4 it was merely food for thought,given it's much cheaper yet almost a match in performance yet piddles all over an Rs4 in running costs,370 per year less to tax and twice as economical mpg wise,with a re map I think it may see off an RS which could be somewhat gutting,I have to sit on the fence at the minute re x drive as I've not had first hand experience but hope too shortly,sales guy explained it as more intelligent active system rather than permanent quattro which runs drivetrain loses all of the time.Handling of the bmw may not be in b7 territory but neither is the b8 so...with 40+ mpg and potential to beat Rs4 performance with a wee re map I've got to give it serious consideration,I could happily drive one all day everyday rather than save the RS as a weekend toy as I do now,I've said all along no progression in performance since a b5 in 2000 is poor and here we are with a dreaded fairly normal diesel offering the same with half the running costs.

[HYFR]

Lengster, just drive your B7 as a DD.

The depreciation on a new BMW would far outweigh the cost of petrol.

[RS6chris!]

Gotta agree with Lengsters comments on performance since 2000.

Fair play Audi used the N/A V8 in the B7.

Awesome engine etc etc....apart from having to wring it's neck and all the vacuum coking issues.

With the B8 Audi should have ditched this engine and bunged a supercharged or turbo in it?

Even a the block out of a S7 for example.

As good as the B7 and B8 are dynamically most diesel rep mobiles can give them a scare....although of course looks wise the Audi wins all day long.

[lengster1]

I'm hearing you HYFR but my man maths based on my low mileage b7 versus a brand new 335 to do 70k miles over the next three years are

Rs4 335d
Depreciation 10k 20k
Fuel costs 17mpg £24000 37mpg £11200
Tax £1500 It's year inc £260
Servicing £1500 £0 450 package inc in price of car
Repairs £2000 min (clutch at the least) £0 Under warranty

Total £39000 £31460

So the new Beemer wins by over £7000 and the gap would be huge if you compared a b8 in the same way as depreciation would be 15k more I reckon with marginal savings in the savings in repairs as there under warranty

[lengster1]

Apologies for the untidy ness of last post,ruddy iPad.Ive used 70k as an example as it's roughly what i have done in total in last 3 years but spread between a tdi and my RS,the gap would be smaller if mileage was less but I was looking at it from my situation.I didn't factor in brakes or tyres etc as they would be similar between the two cars,possibly dearer in the RS given there short life chocolate brembos and higher cost of them.Sorry to OP if strayed slightly off topic.

[HYFR]

70k over 3 years is 3clyinder diesel territory and an R8 for the wkend

[lengster1]

Haha I hear you but I'm fed up of always driving 140ps tdi and rarely driving a car that makes me smile,just figuring a car like 335 I would drive and enjoy high performance everyday and if done on pcp free up cash from my 2 current motors to assist my house build.The argument for big diesels versus high performance petrols is at tipping point IMO.The b8 has to have its neck rung to get going,the 335 would just go without dropping 3 gears.

[lengster1]

The R8 is the only audi on my radar but young kids would means it would not be a viable weekend car at the moment.