RS4 on Top Gear (Dec 23rd)

[Housemaster]

I suggest Jackwood and I are cut from the same cloth.

Happy New Year everyone!

[ARSEY4]

Just out of interest can anyone think of a 50k 4 door saloon they would rather have?

[Housemaster]

Not sure you will get a very objective answer from most people on an Audi forum, are you?

If I was spending £50K then an E92 M3 Saloon would probably be my choice. I bougtht my RS4 for £42K though and for that money I can't think of a more rounded car, which is why I bought it. Having said that I might have gone for an M5 if I could have fitted in the garage with my wifes A4, which I couldn't, so I binned that plan. I did look at a brand new RS4, but when I looked at my needs right now I did not think an extra £10K for 11,000 miles less on the clock was money well spent, which is also the reason I didn't feel sticking £52K into an M3 coupe right now was a good move either. I have a 997 GT3 MK2 on order after all, I don't want to take a big bath on my current car when that arrives, which buying new meant I would have done.

Also considered a Cayman S, and that was stunning (my father also has one) but I needed 4 doors and seats. Had I have not had such a restriction the Cayman S is where I would have gone as they are a truly sublime drive. M3 4 Door http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/0,,115 ... uk,00.html Not sure if it looks right though, need to see it in the flesh really.

As I keep saying Arsey4, we are all different, and its all about personal priorities rather than a sum of some parts. A car is either bought with the heart or the mind, and the RS4, for me, was very much a desicion of the mind.

[BTCC-MAN]

Spot on, I bought my RS4 for £42,500 from a main dealer with only 7,000 miles. New would have been near £53,000 in my spec. I've got the sports suspension on which does make it a better driver's car, better turn in, steering response and superior grip but it will never be a Cayman let alone a 997 GT3. When you get that you will have the perfect combo although I've had a 997 GT3 for a while and it's impossible not to drive it like a complete loonatic!

[Adam]

Just out of interest can anyone think of a 50k 4 door saloon they would rather have?

The E92 M3 saloon if I lived in Spain and owned a race track.


I live in London!

[Adam]

Overall the show was better than I expected in terms of how the RS4 faired.

The rwd M3 is always going to be a sweeter handling car on the limit the the RS4 but for me this would really only be meaningful down the pub as I do not drive over 8/10ths on the road around bends.

Also I suspect I will prefer the RS4 looks to the E92 saloon and i am not a fan of current BMW dash design (which I am going to spend a lot of time looking at). And I prefer the more subtle image of the RS4 - the reactions the car gets are limited to those in the know who always just give a knowing nod of appreciation.

Mercs are just a bit too grown up for me (size/looks/image) and i am not a fan of autos.

But as TG did at least conclude - all 3 are great cars and will appeal to different people depending on the balance of priorities.

[RussianM3_dude]

There was a recent test in Car and Driver, M3 RS4 and C63. RS4 got slaughtered. It was Little BigHorn.

[Ozrs4]

Mate, when will this topic RIP? The RS4 is 2 years old and the others are brand new. That (to me) is already an unfair comparison and naturally one would expect there is "big" margin in improvements for BMW and MB coz they had 2 years to copy and try to beat the RS4....mind you the results aren't as "big" as most expect though. I don't understand why some of you are so hung up on these tests. Each to his own!!! . Enjoy your cars fellas...well, may be not Mr Russian, what a pity!

[RussianM3_dude]

I just think that Audi has the stupid policy of releasing the RS models at the very end of the given model's lifecycle. The B7 is basically the same as the B6 and is a quiet dated platform, look at the C63 AMG, came out a year after the regular version. The only thing going for the Audi right now, are the looks (which will quickly date once B8s hit the streets), AWD for the awfull drivers who tend to have the cash to buy one in the first place and the good fit and finish of the interior. Hardly sport sedan stuff. I actually think that the C63 is the best sports sedan because it is honest, it does not pretend to be something it can never be, a race car for the road. It's a muscle sedan with great every day useability, IMHO very good looks, great useable power and more the adequate handling, it's a car that's fun 95% of the time. The M3 is a BETTER track car... but not a GOOD one. So it's a bit boring in day to day driving... yet would be embarassed on track by much cheaper motors. RS4 is just a terrible compromise, not really fun to drive, expensive and outdated. Now that the GTR is coming, the RS5 is already obsolete before it even hits the road.

[ChrisRS4]

Hahaha, you have no idea what you're talking about.

[AntoRS4]

new M3 is a good car but only in good hands!! RS4 is a good car for all drivers and for all seasons ( not only on dry track )
Mr. Russian, do you think to be able to drive the new m3 on the track? Stig is Stig, you are just Mr. RussianM3

[nick555]

just out of interest russianm3nob , when you do actually sell that heap of <beep> the rs4 you have will you still come on this forum acting like a dick?

[RussianM3_dude]

new M3 is a good car but only in good hands!! RS4 is a good car for all drivers and for all seasons ( not only on dry track )
Mr. Russian, do you think to be able to drive the new m3 on the track? Stig is Stig, you are just Mr. RussianM3

I've been on track in the E46 M3 and was pretty handy with it. I am no Stig of course.

Besides, look at the track numbers, the M3 obliterates the RS4, which understeers like a pig on skates.

[PetrolDave]

Besides, look at the track numbers, the M3 obliterates the RS4, which understeers like a pig on skates.

It only understeers in the hands of an idiot driver who doesn't know how to get the best from a 4WD car.

At least it doesn't oversteer into the path of the oncoming car and kill the innocent occupants of that (shame) as well as you (hooray!) M3Dude!

[Brooner]

I actually think that the C63 is the best sports sedan because it is honest, it does not pretend to be something it can never be, a race car for the road. It's a muscle sedan with great every day useability, IMHO very good looks, great useable power and more the adequate handling

who is this guy
the car was all over the place oin the track and that was in the dry as they say what is power with out control