Seriously thinking of moving to a B8 from a B7.....thoughts?

[toshers]

They let me take the B8 out myself for as long as I wanted when I test drove the car...hopefully the same for you

[DuncanF]

I spent the day in a B8 on Monday. I currently drive a B7 although it's been at the doctor's since 01-Jan. During that period I've had a lot of time to read this and other fora, as well as many articles about the B8. For me the question mark hanging over the whole thing was the fact that the "sports pack" seems to be de facto for resale value, much as the bucket seats are on the B7, and that the Dynamic Steering the pack brings with it seems to split opinions.

For me Monday was about trying different settings to see how it felt compared to my B7. The box I was familiar with form another Audi, ditto the toys inside etc., so it was all about resolving the suspension/steering questions that I had.

I spent time driving on different pre-set modes and then fiddling with the settings on individual. Dynamic suspension was, as generally agreed, stiff as a board and not something I would want to use outside a track day. Comfort was fine and I found the ride to be pretty similar to the B7 on the bumpy stuff and much more comfortable on motorways etc.. I ended up leaving the suspension in auto, though I'm not sure where/why/under what conditions it would change from comfort to dynamic.

Dynamic steering was pretty turgid. Like dragging a breeze block through treacle. The front end felt totally disconnected, seriously so when coming out of corners where it had to be "dragged" back to the straight ahead. Maybe I've got used to the B7 where, as you start to accelerate out of corners, torque steer helps to unwind the dialed steering input and you can feel the front end. Comfort was just right for me. Maybe a tad lighter than the B7, but not uncomfortably so. And I felt I knew what was going on at the pointy end all the time.

So my "ideal" running setup would be individual with all set to dynamic apart from steering (comfort) and suspension (auto). Set up like that I would have no qualms about moving form the B7. Now I just have to decide if I am going to do so while the last changeable slots on the closed order book are available ...

[Foxy]

Good post Duncan. The single biggest disappointment with my B8 is the steering, I can't believe that they could get it so right with the B7 and then miss the target by such a margin with the B8, it's a bit like Goldilocks and the porridge! I find comfort too light and auto a bit unpredictable, dynamic is as you say, a breeze block through treacle. Currently my set up is comfort suspension, auto for engine/gearbox and dynamic for sound and steering. It is a compromise, but in most other respects it's a very good car and moves the game on from the B7, but I would like to drive a non sport pack again (had a demo a long while back) now I've covered a few miles in mine. If you're serious it may be worth waiting to see what the new C63 is like before you take the plunge.

[DuncanF]

As you say Foxy, "auto" for steering is unpredictable. Muscle memory plays a part in this. You are used to the effort to work the steering on twisty bits. Very disconcerting therefore to have your anticipated effort not give you the turn in your were after. A bit like having an "auto" brake pedal that suddenly decides to go long and soft! Consistency is better.

To add to my "do I keep the B7 when it returns or move on?" conundrum, Audi today gave me a loaner A6/2.0 TDI/manual for the next few weeks. And it is white. So diesel and white, two of my pet non-starters in cars.

Don't laugh, but I came home tonight thinking what a competent bit of kit it is. And as cheap as chips. And ... it looks good in white. Stir the box a bit to free the torques (400) and it leaps forward impressively. Pair it with an S-tronic box to do the stirring for you and it would be a compelling package I feel.

In the RS4's (B7 & B8) I was always aware of my speed, but I found myself in license pain territory on the motorway regularly today without knowing. I think I need to get inside a 3.0 TDI with a flappy paddle and decent seats.

There. I've said it. I like the A6 white two litre diesel. I'll no doubt be banned shortly for heresy!

[Graeme4130]

As you say Foxy, "auto" for steering is unpredictable. Muscle memory plays a part in this. You are used to the effort to work the steering on twisty bits. Very disconcerting therefore to have your anticipated effort not give you the turn in your were after. A bit like having an "auto" brake pedal that suddenly decides to go long and soft! Consistency is better.

To add to my "do I keep the B7 when it returns or move on?" conundrum, Audi today gave me a loaner A6/2.0 TDI/manual for the next few weeks. And it is white. So diesel and white, two of my pet non-starters in cars.

Don't laugh, but I came home tonight thinking what a competent bit of kit it is. And as cheap as chips. And ... it looks good in white. Stir the box a bit to free the torques (400) and it leaps forward impressively. Pair it with an S-tronic box to do the stirring for you and it would be a compelling package I feel.

In the RS4's (B7 & B8) I was always aware of my speed, but I found myself in license pain territory on the motorway regularly today without knowing. I think I need to get inside a 3.0 TDI with a flappy paddle and decent seats.

There. I've said it. I like the A6 white two litre diesel. I'll no doubt be banned shortly for heresy!

As far as I'm concerned, you no longer exist

[carsarecool]

Graeme, who are you talking about??

[Foxy]

If you've seriously been wooed by the 2.0 diesel the go try an SQ5 or A6 bi-turbo, incredible torque, we have an SQ in the family and I reckon it's as quick as the RS in the real world. I wouldn't want to put you off the B8, I really like the car, it replaced a 991s which was just not practical enough as a daily and I have to say while it is not as quick as the Pork, it provides plenty of fun in a great all round package and sounds miles better. I really hope they crack the electronic steering at VAG when the B9 comes out ,the 991 was not much better but at least the engineers kept it simple by not giving you the option to select and I rather wish Audi had done the same!

[Graeme4130]

Graeme, who are you talking about??

Exactly... blimmin 2.0ltr diesel lovers

[HYFR]

I'll accept a 3.0 V6 diesel as 10k into mine it's really good (no V8 mind)

But a 4pot 2.0 diesel ?!

You need looking at

[doodlebug]

Filthy diesels.

[RIV]

You need looking at

[Ian_C]

Nowt wrong with the 184 bhp 2.0 diesel in the A3 or Golf as a daily hack!

[HYFR]

There is

[johnnydog]

Thanks all, and especially DuncanF.....very informative indeed and has helped to convince me that a B8 (RS4 not a TDi!) is the way to go.
I have looked at several and briefly driven three, but wasn't able to have them for any reasonable length of time. It gave me a good insight though and I'm doing it. Definitely!
I have a high spec and 'must have' list, so it might not be an easy task now with new ones as the order book is closing, but maybe a pre registered or demo if it ticks the right boxes and price!
I'm not selling my B7 Avant yet, just in case I don't find the right one....!
So on with the search.......

[stu]

I'm not sure if this is going to add much to the thread, but I had a B8 for two days while my B7 was having the clutch changed. I did a about 150 miles on familiar roads - sparsely populated dual carriageways and B roads of all varieties.

It didn't feel like the two cars were related at all! On paper, yeah, they've both got that 4.2 V8. The engine is the centrepiece of the B7. I love that engine! But, weirdly, the (almost) identical engine doesn't seem to be where the B8's character lies: it sounds more synthesised/sanitised than the B7 lump and wrapped up safely in that dual clutch transmission. I had access to instant power just like with the B7, but the B7 feels more visceral. Having said that, the B8 is such a sharp tool! It scared me how quickly and stealthily it got to triple figures on A/M roads - no drama, just relentless surge of power and instant smooth gear changes until I decided to be sensible. I had the back end out on the dry twisties - something that I can't/won't do in the B7 - and it felt good! But for the backroads, give me the B7 any day: there is a fluidity to it's movements that is replaced by a brutality that I could do without. The interior and the tech: not game changers when compared to a well preserved B7.