Second thoughts... talk me off the ledge

[carsarecool]

It's an interesting topic. I owned a B7 some years ago and it still sits in my top 5 of cars owned and while I like the B8 it didn't make the same impression on me, for many of the reasons already stated. I am looking for a quick, fun family sized car and not too bothered about running costs as it won't be doing massive mileage, the B8 ticks many boxes but I agree with the OP on end of line and old tech, at the price point it is a concern. I know it's even older tech, but I could hire a C63 estate for two years for 15k all in and hand the keys back just in time (hopefully) for the B9. Just a thought.

Go buy the C63 then and stop B8 bashing, it's monotonous. Go drive a B8 for an extended time and you'll appreciate it is a good car despite what Journos say who typically make a decision on a day in the car.

I wasn't overly impressed the first time I drove it as the salesman wanted to show me Dynamic everything which, since owning a B8 for 4 months, was a bad move as Dynamic steering and Dynamic suspension is <beep>.

[Astonished]

Hey guys, OP here... One further thought: Macan Turbo? My mate's wife just picked up the diesel Macan and I have to say they have really got the lines right on this car. The Turbo will look a lot better of course and I gather it is a 4.6 second car. Size seems about right (albeit I would still rather a wagon than an SUV).

Reviews are very good, handling and ride apparently superb (air suspension), twin turbo V6 (like the B9 RS4?) and you are getting in at the beginning of a cycle instead of the end. Interior looks legit as well with a proper new nav screen etc.

?

Well worth a look. A mate who's had 335i and X5 but ditched both as he lost interest/respect in BM's reckoned I should have a look at a Macan. I think he will now, for his wife. I looked. Good looks and performance combined with realistic price - they tick the boxes .... But, it didn't make it for me due to being an SUV (it's personal ) and doesn't have as much usable boot space as a wagon (but probably nearly matches RS4 in volume).

It does help that he has a GT3 Porker ... But he's more into picking what suits him rather than pure brand allegiance (even though he's been much disappointed by BM's)

There might be quite a wait for one ...

Any other thoughts?

Will let the team continue with B7 v B8 diatribe Remembering that the only thing you can now buy new is a B8 and for me whilst the B7 maybe brilliant I prefer the B8 as I do more than 25,000 miles per year and want the car to work for me for large periods of that time. Thank God some of us are different

[blueaudi]

It's an interesting topic. I owned a B7 some years ago and it still sits in my top 5 of cars owned and while I like the B8 it didn't make the same impression on me, for many of the reasons already stated. I am looking for a quick, fun family sized car and not too bothered about running costs as it won't be doing massive mileage, the B8 ticks many boxes but I agree with the OP on end of line and old tech, at the price point it is a concern. I know it's even older tech, but I could hire a C63 estate for two years for 15k all in and hand the keys back just in time (hopefully) for the B9. Just a thought.

Go buy the C63 then and stop B8 bashing, it's monotonous. Go drive a B8 for an extended time and you'll appreciate it is a good car despite what Journos say who typically make a decision on a day in the car.

I wasn't overly impressed the first time I drove it as the salesman wanted to show me Dynamic everything which, since owning a B8 for 4 months, was a bad move as Dynamic steering and Dynamic suspension is <beep>.

I've had an extended test thanks and I like the car, I don't quite see where I have 'bashed' it. My concerns are similar to the OP's on the basis of old technology and end of line. I would not buy a C63, but the personal hire deals are attractive, under £500 per month for two years, by which time the B9 (or something else) might just have appeared. HTH

[Revolution]

It's really interesting to read about everyone's different opinion on the B8 vs B7 and diesel debate etc as no one is wrong but reckon if anyone is in doubt get that extended test drive and it may help you decide either way.

For the record, I did spec dynamic suspension & steering and love it - but switching on dynamic suspension should only be used on smoother roads or track days IMHO.....or most of the roads in the mountains to the south of France!


The recent final write up in autocar was a surprise to me as the writer just didn't get the car at all and I wondered if he was
driving the same car as me!
He hated the comfort seats as too stiff, erm did 7 hr runs and buckets were fine, he hated the suspension as too stiff on 19"... I'm running same set up and 20" and it's fine also.
Dynamic steering - it's spot for me as it does dial out that dead spot on modern day Audi's at higher speeds, wouldn't say its wooden but certainly not as pure as a B7's maybe.

Overall package ticks the boxes for me and only thing they could've done is given the car maybe 480bhp and a some more torque.
But as a lot of GT3 Porsche owning customers say to us, they would rather be able to use 9/10th's of a GT3's capablitities most of the time than 6/10th's of a Turbo's power some of the time.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the B8 avant similar weight to a B7 avant anyway?

[RIV]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the B8 avant similar weight to a B7 avant anyway?

They are both similar in weight I'm sure, the b8 feels lighter on the road to me

[carsarecool]

The RS models have always been a run out model.....

[Nickyboy]

The RS models have always been a run out model.....

RS 5 and TTRS have been going for a while during the model lifespan.

RS 5 didn't feel old when it was launched yet RS 4 does. I think Audi got the timing right on the RS 5 in terms of how the interior felt.

[Macdaddy]

The RS models have always been a run out model.....

This, So the debate about old technology will forever reign.

I and the same issue when i bought the RS3, An old chassis with an impending newer model arriving.


I had the B8 for a day and did over 250 miles in the demo car, Loved it.

Thought the ability to switch between suspension settings made the car so much more versatile than the B7 when you've a family in the car.

It's a great car as was the B7 and people read far too much into a journo's reviews, Just because one person likes or dislikes doesn't mean thats the definitive answer.

Go get an extended test drive and make up your own mind.

[carsarecool]

The RS models have always been a run out model.....

RS 5 and TTRS have been going for a while during the model lifespan.

RS 5 didn't feel old when it was launched yet RS 4 does. I think Audi got the timing right on the RS 5 in terms of how the interior felt.

OK, I'll rephrase. The RS4 has been a run out model. Having just come out of a TTRS, the RS4 feels quite modern in comparison.

[HYFR]

The RS 4 came out on a '62 plate? Hardly run out when you'll still see '15 plate RS 4's

[Nickyboy]

The RS models have always been a run out model.....

RS 5 and TTRS have been going for a while during the model lifespan.

RS 5 didn't feel old when it was launched yet RS 4 does. I think Audi got the timing right on the RS 5 in terms of how the interior felt.

OK, I'll rephrase. The RS4 has been a run out model. Having just come out of a TTRS, the RS4 feels quite modern in comparison.

Agree with that. TTRS feels horrible inside for such an expensive motor.

It is of course all subjective. For me I've had a few B8s so sort of had enough (although I still want another RS 5) but if you've come from a TTRS the B8 will feel marvellous.

[Graeme4130]

The RS 4 came out on a '62 plate? Hardly run out when you'll still see '15 plate RS 4's

Does anyone know roughly how many they've sold, as I still don't see many around

[carsarecool]

The RS 4 came out on a '62 plate? Hardly run out when you'll still see '15 plate RS 4's

Does anyone know roughly how many they've sold, as I still don't see many around

In context, the B8 platform was launched 2008/2009. The B7 RS4 spanned 55 to 07 (57/08 for some cabs I believe??). So 62 to 15 is similar timeframe as a run out top of the range car. And hardly old technology....

I have seen quite a few RS4s......I travel on and around the M4 corridor. There is another Sepang RS4 in my "village".

[smudge]

I'm surprised I don't see more in London to be honest. There are more Astons, Bentleys & Porsche's than there seems to be RS4's.

[blueaudi]

Agree with Revolution, the B8 I drove for 24 hours had the sports pack and I thought it was well sorted, the steering feel is similar to the 991 (not great) but I think it's just something we now have to accept with modern set ups, but I'm sure it will improve. I also agree that low down grunt is not the best, but the engine has character and that's good enough for me. My only take on the B7/8 debate is that 'of its time' the B7 was a big step forward for Audi and in that context it made more of an impression on me than the B8.

I don't think the B8 is archaic, but car technology is moving so quickly now that the B8 platform is naturally beginning to feel dated and at the price point buying a new one now is a bigger call than a couple of years back. Great car though and a rare enough sight, be interesting to see if Audi introduce the B9 earlier in the cycle.