Cold Feet

[Simon_M]

So it is now crunch-time for my avant order, having left a deposit at the dealer over 18months ago.

I must admit to having second thoughts, anyone else feeling the same

I know the car is getting great reviews, but this will all help to raise demand and Audi will naturally match it with increased production.

I know the dealer speil is 'these are rare', 'this years saloon allocation has sold out', but most dealers have demo cars which was unheard of with the B5 RS4.

Finance deals are starting to appear and book prices are quoting 50% residual after 3 years which is well down on the old B5 model. That together with introduction of the cab and depreciation of the RS6 is making me nervous. There are quite a few better things I could do with 55k.

I sold the Porsche last summer in anticipation of the RS4 delivery last year which never came, this long gap without a 'nice' car has given me time to think, and appreciate what a car that costs 3 grand can offer.

I am just thinking out loud. Not everyone of us can be like flies to the blue light surely?

Simon

PS It doesn't help that the dealer seems to have taken an attitude of 'you will buy this so I will not put in much effort' - a couple of weeks wait for a test drive - WTF?

[jmk]

I hear your frustration! If the dealer was treating you like gold, you might be a little more enthusiastic.... Life is short, and to drive an AWD supercar with a killer motor and wicked handling on a day to day basis is great fun- especially for someone who appreciates fine motorcars. The Audi interior is second to none and having flogged the car for two days last August in Barcelona I can tell you that the engine sounds so sweet that the CD/Radio will be forgotten much of the time. It is a personal decision in the end....
Good luck!

[jmk]

I went for it btw... Daytona/Black saloon

[Merlot]

Same thoughts - just backed out:

-My S4 Avant is fast enough;
-Don't fit in the RS4 buckets. The optional S4 recaros don't have memory which would stop my wife and I swapping over easily; and
-Mirrors don't fold - big issues getting it parked at one of my pads.

I'm actually hoping that the B7 S4 Avant gets FSI. After a nice discount one of these would be c£38k with no sat nav (I don't want nav but would not dare order an RS4 without it). So there you go...I could save £17k and have a new S4 Avant or just keep my B6 S4 Avant a bit longer as its only worth £20k.

[Simon_M]

it also seems to be little things that are being skimped on - no LED brake lights, no DSG gearbox. All these kind of goodies would make it the perfect package.....

[Merlot]

They've done a lot to make it no heavier than the S4 but have achieved that really by just missing things out.

[Simon_M]

Fekked it off, moved the order to an RS4+ (on the agreement it may never appear) at a new dealer and will cancel the current avant if the lazy-a$$ dealer ever calls me back.

[RS4ever]

I agree. I am sticking with my B5 Avant. The new RS4 is just not special enough. The fact that journos like it tells me the BMW owners will like it too.

I think the odds on a RS4+ are high. That makes sense to me.

[kcsun]

Have also backed out today

kc

[JohnW]

Bl00dy hell, I'm surprised to see so many people voting this way.
Having said that, I too have decided not to proceed with a b7 rs4.

To me it is not a big enough improvement in performance / spec
over my current RS4 to warrant the extra dosh required to upgrade.
That said, I may well see how their prices hold up and move up to
a b7 when they are a year or two old. We'll see.

Cheers,
John.

[gazzab]

All fair comments, it seems we fall into two camps, those that have the old RS4(B5) and those that don't , who are changing to a different marque. I am changing from a M3, dated car, indifferent dealers and it appears the M3 and RS4 are in similar leagues.

Gazzab

[viffer]

For what it's worth I'm also giving the B7 a miss.

I'm not sure it's even an improvement over my B5, let alone an improvement worth the outlay. Maybe 30K GBP cost to change then none-too-special residuals on the new one? That would buy some nice toys.

That said, good luck to all whatever you decide.

Cheers, Richard.

[Simon_M]

Well, called the dealer today after the 'we will have a demo for you in 2 weeks' never materialised.

Called the dealership today under a 'new name' to find they have no demo cars and will only be getting a demo Avant later in the year. Odd, I thought I was getting their first Avant, in fact I have it in writing.

So called the salesman and gave him some stick, said he is now in fleet sales so would have to had over the sale to another guy. I said I seem to be doing a lot of chasing for buying a 50K car. He said back at the start of March he would have a demo in a few weeks and would call me. Today he said he could get a car from another dealer but it would have to be during the week only. Told him there was no point faffing about and I wanted my money back.

I then mentioned the Le Mans car (911 rival) and he perked up, 'oh yes you can transfer the deposit onto that'. I asked him if he remembered the conversation we had in July last year where he said he would keep me updated about it. 'Oh yes but there has not been any news to give you'. Then how come you have taken deposits on it? - 'errm well'. So in that year of you faffing I have in effect been dropping down the waiting list as you have not contacted me. No No, but I...

I said to him, lets not mess about refund my money, good bye.

Not even an apology from the swine.

[bobjebb]

Nice one - I absolutely love making people look stupid if they deserve it. Hopefully he's kicking himself, he may even have learnt from it. Then again....

[Simon_M]

probably not, but it may be a start of many....