JJB236

For more than a decade, i've been with MB, BMW, and Porsche.

For a few years now, I noticed these new breeds of cars on the road, and they finally won me over. Their design is just strikingly fresh. Their 4 doors look like coupes. Better looking than the MB CLS. They look different than the old typical front end of MB, BMW, and Porsche 911.

Check out this ad. I am sold on the A4, RS4, S6. R8 hasn't quite grown on me, and I like my 997 better, but these cars have come a long way. Between the AMG E-class, M5, and S6, my vote goes to the S6.

Anyone has a late-model Audi in here who like to share their experience? Quality, reliability, etc.
Cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkR1Wn7kHGY

AndreCT

The Audi is a fantastic car. Well built with an interior that puts others to shame. That said, I do not believe the S6 is in any way comprable to the M5 or E63 AMG when one considers the "performance". Very front heavy and just unable to rotate like the rwd cars can.
I want Audi to bring the RS6 wagon (Avant) to the US and BMW to bring the M5 Wagon here too. That way I can choose a real "sporty" utility car over (in my case) a GTS or similar..

Likemystoppie?

What a great Ad!


But i'm sorry, I've driven the new S6 several times. Talk about booorring!! Drive an E63 vs S6? The E is such a better car- all around.

purrybonker

I'm an Audi fan - A4T back in the day. The problem I have with this genre (4 door sport-sedans and wagons) is how their performance versions (S4/6 (heaven forbid RS4) M3/5) suuuuuuck fuel as daily, city drivers. I mean inhale fuel, I mean flush fuel down the toilet.

The A4T was ok, but given the opportunities for driving fun on the daily commute or grocery trips, even the capital cost becomes an exercise in irrational thinking. I ended up opting for a FORD FOCUS wagon! Supercharge it, drop it, coil-over it, big-brake it - I'm still into it for less than $20k - I can slip a big screen TV in the back (if I get a sudden urge at the Sony Store) and I don't lose sleep over door dings in the parking lot.

City cars should give a nod to frugality and rational practicality. Save the big ticket for the weekend cruising and posing.

997, esq

I have owned an Audi A4 (3.0) and have to say my experience with the car and the company has been awful. In my experience, they have failed to stand behind their product and honor their warranty obligations.

Even putting aside my personal concerns, there are a number of other concerns with their cars ---- (1) they tend to be nose heavy; (2) they depreciate extremely fast (particularly the performance cars RS4 and S4s, etc.), so your cost of ownership is much higher than a comparable BMW; and (3) their cars tend not to be particularly reliable, and repair costs are very high. On the plus side, I think Audi's interiors are best in class, and usually a notch above BMW.

If I had to do it again, I would get a Bimmer or a Japanese car (Infinity, Lexus, etc.).

MLindgren

My Audi experience is limited to the TT Roadster my wife drives. By far the most expensive car to maintain I've ever owned. The 4 yr/40K mile maintenance was right around $800 due to having to change the Haldex fluid. It's far more costly than Porsche maintenance which I find to be very fair.

Never again.

JJB236

Wow, it's a surprise to see that another German car's quality is being questioned.

I guess Audi overspent their budget on their design team over others.

Great job on their ad. "Old luxury" ha ha

Bob in NY

I drove the A5 S line and loved it! If it had any leg room in the back seat I would have bought one as my daily driver. I did have an 02 A4 and didn't like it very much, hard ride and the 3.2 was pretty weak.

tooloud10

"The biggest, fastest, most fuel-efficient car in its class."

Now, I'm not usually a "magazine racer", but I just finished reading the article in Road & Track where they point out the following:

0-60: A4, 6.2 seconds; 335i, 5.0 seconds; C350, 5.8 seconds
EPA city highway: A4, 17/26; 335i, 17/26; C350, 17/25

It IS the biggest, if you mean that it weighs 200 lbs. more than each of the other cars. Nice car, I'm sure, but I wish they wouldn't lie.

jackolo

As far as ads go, my three favorite ads are still the BMW M5 one with Clive Owen and Madonna, the Porsche one with the kid who sees a 911 drive by his school and then immediately heads to the dealer and then the Ferrari/Shell ad wit the different race cars driving through deserted streets.

Likemystoppie?

Hear Hear!!

Cope

You have to read the fine print. They compare it to the 328xi, C330 4matic, and Lexus IS250 AWD.

Likemystoppie?

No such thing as a C330 4 matic.

C300
C300 4matic
C350 Sport RWD

mklaskin

Interesting thread.

I've owned three Audi's, a 90 Sport Quattro, an S6 Avant, and currently an RS6. The 90 was slow, but otherwise reliable and nice. The S6 was just plain awesome. Easily the best car I've ever owned, and I regret selling it (well, trading it in on an E55 wagon...).

The RS6 is right up there with the S6, save for one issue. Audi engineered, if you can call it that, a system called DRC, Dynamic Ride Control. The premise is that as the car corners, and the shocks compress, a valve opens allowing the fluid from the opposite corner shock to flow, allowing the car to stay fairly flat. Except the shocks leak. And leak. The resulting sound is a harsh "clunk", almost like the rear subframe is falling out. Audi knows they have an issue, and they have stood by it. The last time if happened it was covered by Audi, even though my car is out of warranty.

I would buy another, and I'm contemplating that currently.

If the DRC explanation is not clear, or you'd like to hear more, just send me a PM.

Cope

Typo. It happens.