Sad News

[Brooner]

Well i was shocked to see a new RS4 in the showroom in Aberdeen, and was taken bound an gagged for a test drive. Wanting to hate every minute, and say that it was not a patch on the b5. But sadly i must confess, it was a real blast the noise is so addtictve the deep rumble when you hit the sport button, the seats grab you arse and your off. Throwing it at conrers you feel the car react and it sits so flat with the new suspention, and the woosh as you get the revs higher oh my, The problem is now, there is only 5 slots left in aberdeen for the Avant no more saloons, and i realy realy want one. But just as i was starting to justifie the outlay in my head bang a kick in the mr's, a new house we were looking at has been released bugger. so sensible head on have to leave it and get one in 1-2 years.
But realy inpressed with the hole package. The plastic bit on the steering wheel didn't feel cheap at all, very impresed with the finish, and the seat the just make you feel so connected to the car, had Golich along side me and even his critical eye was impressed. We were giggiling like school grils blipping the throtle to here the V8 rummble oh my

[Brooner]

Here's the test mule sorry camera phone pictures

[Riz_RS4]

Wow nice..... Ive got for Sprint Blue this time as ive had Misano Red before on my S3..... just abit too bright... besides blue is my fav colour.

Cant wait until Ive got mine.....

Riz

[Golich]

Aye, as Brooner says it’s a bloody GOOD update on our B5 babies. Still buzzing.

But all is not lost for the B5. There's definitely more Oomph from the turbo beast and the basic stage one chipped cars will feel a lot quicker. But hey the total package is particularly nice. (I should say that Brooner and I are talking from the perspective of stock RS4s, although both our cars are allegedly putting out over 405bhp and I’ve got torque of 365ftlbs after the Revo trial.)

The big differences/plus points in order of first impressions were:

1. The rubble from the V8 particularly when you hit the "S" button – It brought out the boy racer in me - very sweet. WAY better than the V8 S4's.
2. The seats are soo good. Both the torso and leg bolsters are independently adjustable and they look great! I've got to get a set for my skinny bod in B5.
3. The brakes are seriously powerful. So yes - I've got to get the RS6 8 Pot Brembos now!
4. Handling - not only no roll, but with compliance. In no way too hard or harsh over some pretty rough sections of road. So yes now I’m going to have to get new suspension which I can’t imagine will ever match up to that due to the anti roll setup.
5. The Pirelli Pzero Rossos are bloody grippy. They didn't even slip despite a sharp turn in, throttle off, serious wheel lifting hump on a corner. No nonsense, just went round without even an ESP incident. Very impressive!
6. While the saloon looks great – Thank God I don’t have that GOT TO HAVE IT AT ANY EXPENSE feeling I had for the B5 the first time I saw it and continued to feel for near 2.5 years after that. It is a bloody good car. I’m pretty confident I’ll buy one in few years time. I’ve too many pennies to save until then. Mind you that’s going to be hard given the mods I want on my B5 baby!

You really have to drive it to appreciate what I’m talking about.

[CliveH]

WOW guys - so how did you manage to get that test drive???

My local dealership took delivery of one yesterday (same colour) and I was there this morning as they wheeled it out of the valet bay into the showroom...already registered for testdriving, or so I thought...the mechanics I chatted to said she would be available for "taking for a spin" from 1st March...

So I casually asked one of the salesmen when I could arrange a testdrive and he proceeded to tell me in the politest possible way "no chance mate!". His explanation was that it's all part of the Audi policy of making these cars so exclusive, and that even they are not allowed to drive it (believe that?!). The only people who will be able to take it out will be those customers who have ordered one and are awaiting delivery! "Pooh!" I said "Guess I'll just have to make do with my S4 until I can afford to order one!"

So I then said "so if I wanted to order one, and I cant test drive it to decide if it's the right car for me, what do I do - just stare at it in the showroom...?" A glazed look came over the salesman's face..."er, yes Sir" came the reply - he'd obviously dropped off at that point in the training briefing...

I'd be interested to learn how other dealerships are treating potential customers...

[EuroSag]

The dealership where I ordered mine took the deposit and said that once they had their demo, the first people to have a spin would be customers that already had deposits down and if, after the drive they didn't like it, the deposit would be fully refundable. I guess after all the 'definite orders' have had a drive, they will start letting 'serious' potential punters having a spin prior to handing over any cash.

[CliveH]

Seems there's already quite some inconsistency amongst the dealerships (ie after a poll of 3!)

[bakerdcb]

Yes, I was also told Audi have said no drives until March 1st for some reason.

[Brooner]

Never even asked about a test drive the Saleman asked me if i wanted a drive so i tought for a 10th of a second a away we went they only said that they would regester it on march the 1st so running on trade plates at the mo The sales man was the guy who i bought my RS4 from new so maby that had a lot to do with it?

[CliveH]

And he let you and Golich out in it on your own...?

[Golich]

No, he came in the back - and was quite quiet all things considered

I'm sure it was Brooners influence as the salesman didn't really give me too much of his time. But then Steve was particularly keen.

Apparently the car was a demo car. But sold. The guy who has bought it has agreed to pay full list price for a demonstrator car with less than 1500 miles.

[CliveH]

OK, so here's the B7 RS4 that arrived in my local showroom yesterday - sold today!

As I said above, no testdrives here unless you've already ordered and paid for one!

[shineydave]

ok Clive, strike wakefield Audi off the list, i'll try Wharfedale Audi monday when i go to pick my RS4 reps up

[CliveH]

Nice one dave - who's having first drive...?

Tell me about them RS4 reps...

[harry]

Well I dont want to piss off any of you guys dan saff anymore than you may already be after previous posts from the north east of Scotland BUT I too have just returned from a test drive of the new RS4. Seems there are benefits to living in this city-village. Not that the sales team up here are a soft touch. There were certain screening questions I had to answer. Details were filed on the computer system, and once the lovely salesman realised that I was already on my second RS4, well then he couldn’t give me the keys quick enough. Oh joy

What can I add that Golich and Brooner haven't already? Not alot really. Test drives are pretty personal things I suppose and by their very nature hard to communicate effectively. Yes she does look better in the metal so to speak, Misano works up close and personal but the styling sadly lacks the sensual adrenalin rush associated with her older (and dirtier) sister. The cabin is a lovely place to be and those seats - oocha! The deep V8 growl is awesome yet has to be floored to be adored for high end performance as opposed to the low end woosh of bi turbo grunt. Poise and presence on the road is inspiring and nimble for such a car with great stoppers as standard. Not screaming out "UPGRADE!". A lighter clutch is also a pleasant surprise. Alas, spoiled by the power delivery from my own stg III mtm B5 with 476 ps and 600 lb/ft, this new incarnation left me somewhat underwhelmed and emotionaly flatlined.

Saloon versus Avant? Comuing from an Avant and appreciating the versatility and load-lugging capabilities this saloon did nothing to indicate a change was on the cards. However the new RS6 with its Lamborghini derived power plant and awesome lines and good interior space could well be the saloon to break me.

Standard or modded B5’s versus technological and technical advances of the all new race bredB7 – well the discussion will rage on and on but will eventually be decided by the heart ruling the head. Boys and their toys eh?

Delighted to be one of the lucky few outside of the Audi test team to try the newest incarnation of vorsprung durch technik on for size prior to March the 1st. Even happier to jump back into my modded B5. The difference was breathtaking. Coming from the somewhat sterile atmosphere of the new bitch on the block I was scared of the loud button in mine all over again – thankfully!

Seems that Daytona Grey is the most ordered colour nationwide so far.

Streets of tomorrow…