Second thoughts... talk me off the ledge

[jjdsyd]

Guys - I am interested in your thoughts. I have a RS4 on order here in Oz. Due for delivery early Aug. Daytona with black optics, every option except ceramics and buckets. I love the RS4 and have been very excited abut getting it. But, I am starting to have second thoughts:

1. The car is based on a 5 or 6 year old platform and one soon to be replaced. I know there won’t be an B9 RS4 for a few years (right?) but I am worried it will look dated sooner than I want for what is in Oz a very expensive car.

2. I am coming out of a 2010 S5. I have to say, the interior is almost identical and it is starting to look a bit dated. Especially the Nav screen. Is is tiny and low res and I think detracts from the interior. (Then again I thought that when my S5 was new - I think Audi just never got this right). Even the way it sits in the dash with that dead triangle space on the side. My wife’s X5 (also 2010) is in another class in terms of functionality and design.

3. My brother just picked up a new A3 sedan. Fantastic car (for what it is). The build quality on the new platform is a big step forward. The Nav screen is still too small and the UI not great, but, the touch wheel is a big improvement. I assume the B9 is going to have these attributes.

4. The trouble, is, I cannot think of anything else that I want. Other than a B9 RS4...

Anyone else worried about the RS4 coming so late in the B8 life span?

Thanks much and flame away…

JD

[blueaudi]

I know what you mean, I have similar concerns, especially over the old technology but I like the look and image of the Audi over BMW, although the option of a manual gearbox on the new M3/4 has certainly made me think twice. I guess you could wait to see what the new C63 is like, it would probably be my choice if it had 4wd, which is surely less of an issue in Oz?

[Astonished]

Fully on understanding with this one. Some of my thoughts:

Went checking for B9 details - couldn't find enough to warrant waiting.

B9 could well be forced induction. Wonderful for upgrading power output, but I still love NA .. It just satisfies something emotional in me.

The last point is what could have taken me the C63 route, in the just past model, but not the new one.

The RS4 is the only real option for me that ticks the "emotional/practical" boxes although I have an R36 (VW) estate which ticks slightly more "practical" (the boot is 100mm longer than the RS4) and less "emotional" (it's still a capable motor but certainly not anywhere near the same league as an RS4 or C63).

All wheel drive is still a very very useful thing in OZ .... On many occasions I have relied on the R36 to get me through torrential downpours, at pace, where roads are running with water and lots of traction is not only useful but life saving. Also, if it's to be taken near the snow then all wheel drive eliminates the need to carry/fit chains when in minor snow falls.

I love the sound and feel of the outgoing C63 but it exudes the sort of enjoyment you get at 8 or 9 tenths with the back end moving around in sympathy with how much boot goes into the loud pedal. Great for a track day (say 5% of the time) but I do 30,000 Kms plus per year and the RS4 is more the car I'd want to be in for 95% of the time. So it's a big tick on the emotional box but not so on the practical. Also, I much prefer the way the VAG systems present in the drivers seat with control logics, read outs etc etc than the merc's. The missus has a small potent (for her!) A class Merc and it's lovely but I've never felt totally at home with the logic systems. This C63 view seems to be a common one amongst RS4 lovers on this forum.

Wonderfully, or sadly, there'll always be a "next model" and being an early adopter of that is special. But ... Depends what criteria ticks the most boxes.

The RS4 does it for me, but if I had the ability to make minor adjusts I'd have an RS4 with:

The slightly longer boot of the Passat - we fill it up when going on driving holidays
The extraordinary motor out of the last black edition C63
At the cost of a VW R36, if they still made them.

Yeh, yeh ... We're talking unobtainable

Suggestion: go back to a dealer and have another test drive. That will rekindle the emotional side .... Or convince that the dash etc etc is too similar to your current drive. Either way it should help, and if nothing else, it'll be an opportunity for a nice drive.

Was that any help?

[Macdaddy]

I'm at a similar point,

Been on the waiting list since March with it expected Sept/Oct and I keep having thoughts about just keeping the RS3 as it's undoubtably quicker wight he stage 1 APR it has.

I know i'm missing the point with the "quickness" thing, It's about the whole package.

I just sometimes think am I changing at a time when a newer model will be released? I guess thats just RS ownership though.

I think I need to get a trip out in an RS4 and rekindle the love for the soundtrack as it's been so long.

[jjdsyd]

Thanks guys. A few quick comments in reply:

- the C63 is for me no temptation. Yes the engine is fantastic but I honestly think the car is ugly. And, the wagon is even worse looking (ie. the opposite of the case with Audi). Plus, the interior is a real dud. I had an ML63 a couple of cars ago. The engine was fabulous but the ergonomics terrible. I am just not a Merc guy I guess

- the new M3 is going to be fabulous and is an obvious alternative. And, I am not a BMW hater. I think its car by car between Audi and BMW. I have had M3's and M5's and I loved them. But, I was sitting in a new 435i the other day up at the dealer and I really think BMW has taken a step backwards with the interior of the 3 series. I thought the plastics were inferior to that in the E90. I suppose the new M3/M4 will have a leather dash option etc. But, I was unimpressed by the bimmer's interior (excepting the new iDrive - it is now very, very good). But alas... no wagon.

- I wonder ether the new X6 might we worth a look. That triple screw diesel donk in the current M550D X6 is pretty impressive. And I was in a new M550D X5 the same day I was in the 435i. That new X5 is seriously impressive in terms of build quality and design. The new X6 will be pretty compelling I reckon.

- The RS6 is the solution I guess. But that is a big step up in cost and I suspect just a bit too big for what I want/ need.

Anyway, I will probably end up just taking the RS4. I just wish I could shake this nagging feeling that I will regret buying a B8 car so late...

cheers

JD

[RIV]

You won't regret getting the 4 it's a good all round car,with that lovely v8 and slick gearbox+ looks good too
Way better than the old man merc IMO
Rs6 is lovely but too big and heavy on the money

[doodlebug]

Dunno, RS6 is pricier, bigger and heavier but it's by far the best RS since B7.

[RIV]

Dunno, RS6 is pricier, bigger and heavier but it's by far the best RS since B7.

That maybe the case,with a good dealer contribution on the 4 against the 6 your talking totally different levels of money, not sure that's what the original thread was about comparing the 6
At this moment in time for the looks and the all round package the 4 has it IMO
For the size what else is available??

[eightfoot]

Dunno, RS6 is pricier, bigger and heavier but it's by far the best RS since B7.

That maybe the case,with a good dealer contribution on the 4 against the 6 your talking totally different levels of money, not sure that's what the original thread was about comparing the 6
At this moment in time for the looks and the all round package the 4 has it IMO
For the size what else is available??

dont know if this helps but i had a A6 allroad before the rs4,i also wanted the rs6 but i'll tell you this the allroad has the exact wheel base and physical size as the rs6 and it mostly felt huge on normal roads and i found myself wincing every time a lorry or tipper came the other way,dont think i would want to go fast on any roads other than motorways in the rs6 so i think the rs4 is more suited as a daily driver,there not as good as the B7 but i think its a very different driving style,the B7 you drove it the B8 you just need to nail it and let the electronics drive the car for you,suppose thats evolution for you

[RIV]

driver,there not as good as the B7 but i think its a very different driving style,the B7 you drove it the B8 you just need to nail it and let the electronics drive the car for you,suppose thats evolution for you

There's a lot more to b8 than that, it all happens a lot quicker in the b8 than the 7, your still changing gears, just in a different way, the only thing the b7 has over the 8 is the steering feel, that's it!! No doubt the b7 is a great car
Do I miss mine now. No

[Astonished]

Follow up on all the assists

Fully understand on the Merc thing - I wanted to want one but just couldn't enjoy sitting in it.

As for the X6 .... Um ... Wanted to want one of those too, but at the end of the day it's still a tall SUV that even when lowered is still a tall SUV. I see them at the school gates driven by Mums picking up kids. Something just didn't seem right ... And on a number of drives we managed to have runs alongside them (a couple of the M versions) and they were just BIG cars ... The missus was a definitive non supporter.

We drove the RS6 the day we had our deciding drive of the RS4. It was a lovely car but I'd echo the other comments (from eight foot) here about it just feeling a bit too much presence on the road. Left me nervous about staying perfectly in my lane, and I've never had that before. Also went for the final litmus test .. A comment from the missus. I'm not a tall bloke and I feel that a 6ft tall bloke may exude a different presence in the car but the missus made the comment "it's a lovely car but you just look like a little old bloke lost behind the wheel when your sitting there ready to drive". Bless her socks ... I took it off the desirable list and saved myself the potential sh*t load of money in price difference between the 4 and the 6, but I always wanted the boot of the 6 and on paper the car wasn't that much bigger but it certainly felt it when behind the wheel.

Go drive the RS4 again and see how it feels. It was that "another drive" that tipped me over the edge to order it.

Good luck.

[Graeme4130]

Dunno, RS6 is pricier, bigger and heavier but it's by far the best RS since B7.

That maybe the case,with a good dealer contribution on the 4 against the 6 your talking totally different levels of money, not sure that's what the original thread was about comparing the 6
At this moment in time for the looks and the all round package the 4 has it IMO
For the size what else is available??

I agree - A semi decent spec RS4 with good dealer contribution is a 55k car. A semi decent spec Rs6 is still £90k and dealer's aren't offering much as they're selling well. That makes them very different markets

[smudge]

- I wonder ether the new X6 might we worth a look........

If you need any more reasons to bury the X6 idea:

http://sniffpetrol.com/2014/06/06/gover ... ntroversy/

[RIV]

God that x6 is ugly

[doodlebug]

X6 is utterly pony. Wtf is the point of it? Looks like a jacked up 5 GT from the back, and that's bad enough.