12-25-2008, 11:06 PM | #1 |
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Checked out an A4 on the street, not impressed
First let me say that I am a big Audi fan and not a basher. I especially like what is now the A4 of two generations ago. I saw a new A4 on the street today and spent about 5 min checking it out. I almost waited to buy this car instead of my E92, but I'm glad I didn't. The exterior design is uninspiring and the interior looks cheap IMO. Of course, the S5 is gorgeous but price wise lines up better with an M3 and not a 335. Honestly, this A4, which was well optioned, wasn't nearly as nice inside as my 335 or even my friend's Mini. I think Audi is slipping looks wise.
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12-25-2008, 11:32 PM | #4 |
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No A4s with manual transmissions?
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12-25-2008, 11:48 PM | #5 |
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12-26-2008, 12:04 AM | #6 |
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Audi's are nice. but personally too overpriced.. S5 is one sexy car, but compared to an M3 its just another pawn
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12-26-2008, 12:25 AM | #7 |
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I agree completley about the A4. I find the s5 to be gorgeous at a passing glance. However, once you really start staring at different parts the car, it becomes boring and bland. I'm also not feeling the back end of the car.
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12-26-2008, 12:28 AM | #8 |
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I personally think the interior design is beautiful, I owned a 2008 A4, so the new model is a pretty nice IMO. But is it overpriced? Yes.. I considered buying the new A4 or A5 before deciding to go with e92.. but now I'm happy with my decision!
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12-26-2008, 01:59 AM | #9 |
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Had a 2002 A4 with Quattro, and later a 2007 A4 loaded with CVT, Xenons, premium, convenience, and wood -- spec'd very comparable to a 328i with Xenons and premium, and about 35k sticker (mine was a lease). To that point, it was my favorite, nicest car ever. Now it's hard to say-- I'd have to see it again, but I think my '06 325i has it beat as my favorite car.
The interior of the A4 changed surprisingly little from 02 to 07, to the point that I almost didn't buy the latter until the dealer showed me one with wood (the car had wood, not the dealer). I glanced at photos of the 09 online, and it appears the interior has been updated, but it still looks like it is from the same lineage. The interior doesn't look as refined as the interior of any recent BMW I have seen. It has lots of what I would call ornamentation, but it just doesn't have the "lines" of the Beemer, which is more sculpted and multi-faceted looking. That being said, aside from some blemishes on their history of reliability, you simply cannot go wrong with the styling, engineering, and ingenuity of a German sedan. The new A4 would be an awesome car to own if I could have both. |
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12-26-2008, 02:30 AM | #10 |
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the DRL is sexy tho
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12-26-2008, 03:12 AM | #11 |
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My mom was looking to lease a 2009 2.0T A4 and I thought it was built way better than a 328 sedan, her other choice.
If the A5/S5 weren't such gas guzzlers I would have looked into one. My E92 is a much sportier car, if we go by weight and drivetrain standards, but it still feels like a boat. I really wished the A5 3.0 TDI was released this year. At this point I would take the B8 over the E90 and an A5 3.0 TDi (if it ever comes here) over my current car. |
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12-26-2008, 07:48 AM | #12 |
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I test-drove an A4 before deciding on a 335i. While it's a very nice car, I really didn't give it any serious thought once I test-drove a 335i a half-hour later. Audi simply doesn't make anything that competes with the 335i in terms of performance at a similar price point. I also doubt the S4 will be much cheaper than the S5. And, considering that Audi aren't offering favorable finanicing rates on the S5 (and are unlikely to do so on the S4), I would have to pay an additional $300-400 per month to finance an S5 equipped similarly to the 335i that I just ordered. The S5 is a prettier car, and I'd have a major dilemma on my hands if it were priced better, but once I ran the numbers there's no way that car is worth that much more than a 335.
That being said, if I were not seduced by twin turbos, 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, I could see myself in an A4/5. An A4 quattro is practically the same price as a similarly-equipped e90 328xi. The 328 probably handles better (never actually driven one, so I can't comment). But the A4 has the advantage, as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to exterior and interior styling, and passenger comfort, and it doesn't come with RFTs. |
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12-26-2008, 09:26 AM | #13 |
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I cross shopped the A4 against the 335i. There was a nice looking A4 on the showroom floor. I looked at the sticker price and my jaw dropped. They wanted $50K for a 2.0T with all of the options. All of the other 2.0Ts (about 4 of them) were all $43K. The prices and the fact that they had no manuals made my decision a lot easier.
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12-26-2008, 10:13 AM | #14 |
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I really like the new A4 and the 2.0T is a great motor. TONS of torque. The car looks great but with the revisions to the e90 I sont think it really looks any better now. It looks better thanmy e90 though. The rear of the car is very plain and is the only part on the car I am not crazy about. If Audi was serious about competing. thye would make the 3.2Q the base car nice equipped for about 43k (like a 328xi which has a 6 cyl) and make the S4 with about 315hp as the next level up car to compete with the 335i. The accleration and performance would be much closer. I know the 2.0T is a great motor like I said but everyone else has 6 cylinder motors now. Until they do this I can not take the performance of those cars very seriously. I have sold audi and have always liked them but have not been in love with them like I am BMW's. The biggest reason (espically on the new/newer ones) is the sterring is WAY too light and overboosted. It feels almost video game like.
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12-26-2008, 11:00 AM | #15 |
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We have had multiple audis
and Bmws. I have to say, the Audis beat Bmw on build quality and interior appointments hands down. BMW beats audi on handling and fun factor. I recently drove the latest A4 and the little 4-banger is awesome up to 75mph then it loses steam. I would definitely buy the A4 over the 328. But I would not buy any Audi except the S5 over the 335.
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12-26-2008, 12:00 PM | #16 |
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honestly, i think the A4 looks pretty good, at least better than the LCI E90, which isn't bad at all.
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12-26-2008, 12:21 PM | #17 |
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You really need to compare apples with apples. The new A4 is the low end of the Audi 4 series. The S5 is not meant to compete with the M3. And it is at the low end of the M3 price range. The upcoming B8 S4, with pretty much the same interior as the S5, is aimed straight at the 335(x)i. It will be less expensive than the current S4 and have No gas guzzler tax which is a $1700 savings all by itself. It think you will find that the price differences between the S4 and 335i will be very minimal and differences based on options chosen. BTW, the S5 will also be phasing out its V8 to be replaced by the supercharged V6 which will also power the B8 S4. Performance figures of those cars are in the same ball park as the 335i. BTW, no one ever looks at the audi interior and thinks they look cheap unless you happen to be looking at some base model with I would still expect to look pretty good. If there are any criticisms about interiors, it usually is that BMW interiors look cheap. IMHO, I find both to be different but luxurious enough for my tastes. I do SLIGHLTY prefer the Audi's though.
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12-26-2008, 12:24 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
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12-26-2008, 07:00 PM | #20 |
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Within my price range I was contemplating the A4 2.0T, the MB C280 and the BMW 325i. All of the sudden, BMW dropped the prices of their cars like there were no tomorrow, which made my decision fairly easy. If it weren't by price, I think I would have gone with the MB, as Audis lately are somewhat dead (marketing wise).
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12-26-2008, 07:08 PM | #21 |
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hm i test drove the new A4 and liked it, i do agree its overpriced but when you said the interior is cheap have you seen bmw's interior? lol i get mad as hell whenever i look at mine its soo boring audi's interiors have always been nice.
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