[cb4]

Originally Posted by RipsE92

Wow! Those wheels are dreadful.

[RipsE92]

I can live with the wheels when you get this ....

Audi is busy prepping three new versions of its new A5 coupe – headlined by this blistering 450bhp RS5 that arrives early next year to take on its new BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 rivals.

Like all R models, the topdog A5 has been fully developed by Quattro, Audi’s in-house go-fast engineering team.

As our impressions show, the RS5 will get the full Quattro treatment. The glorious high-revving 4.2-litre V8 that powers the RS4 gets plumbed into the RS5’s nose, complete with two small and highly responsive turbochargers that will take peak power up to the 450bhp. That’s not a great deal more than the S5’s 354bhp, but the RS5 searing pace will come from its phenomenal blower-enhanced torque – expect at least 500lb ft of twist action to plateau across the rev range.

You betcha. With its quattro all-paw grip, the RS5 should scrabble to 60mph in four and a half seconds and hit an easy 155mph before the electronics call it a day. Like the S5, the hot RS5 will exploit the new A5 chassis layout, which has shifted the front axle 120mm further forward for a better 55:45 front-rear balance. But don't think that the RS5 will be a mere point-and-shoot speed weapon – Quattro waved it magic wand over the RS4, and the RS5 is expected to be just as pin-sharp to drive.

To this end, the RS5’s rear-biased quattro system will give the big coupe a more neutral handling balance. To keep the RS4 on the straight and narrow and keep a tight rein on body control, it will be fitted with carbon ceramic brakes lifted from the R8, 19inch alloys, as well as modified magnetic ride dampers borrowed from the TT. All this technology and pace will come at a price – expect the RS5 to wade in with a £53,000 price tag, in line with BMW’s £50,625 M3.

The Sportback will be the first Audi to feature QTV - quattro torque vectoring. By upgrading its quattro system with additional electromagnetic clutches, QTV will work in conjunction with braking sensors to monitor steering angle, yaw rates, road speed and torque levels. It will then apportion torque not only between front and rear axle but also between left and right wheels.

Operating both under load and during throttle lift-off – arguably when the car is at its most unstable – QTV results in a more neutral cornering stance by dialing out excess over or understeer, as well as even more effective levels of traction and agility. Other packaging highlights include a multi-functional luggage cover, which also serves as wind and sun shade and a power-operated tailgate.

[RipsE92]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=132004

[Mixelplux]

I think if the new S4 came out earlier I would have pick that over the my 335i

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by RipsE92

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=132004

Is it just me or are those two cars INCREDIBLY close to each other?

[Borsig]

That grille looks like a chrysler 300M.

No. not now, not ever.

Sorry but to me, audis are boring.

All by the RS line stuff that is.

[Pyrat 2]

Originally Posted by UnknownSpiritX5

Are there any BMW owners here who've owned both an Audi and BMW? How do you compare both?

Funny you should ask this question. I have an 08 A3 S-Line in addition to my 2 bimmers. Just the other day my wife and I decided to get rid of it after owning it for just under 2 years. It is currently in the shop and is expected to remain there, per Audi, for another 2 weeks while they get a part in for the DSG trans which has been a problem from day 1 and for which there is now an NHTSA investigation in process. My first new car ever purchased was an Audi and I loved it. Then for years they were either priced out of my range or they had nothing to offer that interested me. Then in 07 we ordered an 08 A3 from the factory. Every aspect of the experience from order to delivery to service afterwards has been well below what I have gotten on my multiple BMW experiences. Then there is the car itself which as stated has not been a thrill. Recurring suspension rattles which they have blaimed on our driving, tires that sound like a 4x4. Don't take for granted the handling of the BMW. The Audi just can't deliver it. We've had an A4 loaner for a week now and it is no comparison to the BMW. If the Audi is cheaper then you get what you pay for. If it is equivalent in price then it is still inferior all things considered to the BMW.

[mr_graphite]

Had an 05 A4 1.8t and it was fun but my 335 is better in every way inside and out, except the awd.... I kinda miss that part.

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by mrad01

- They look HOT from the outside. No doubt.
- Their engines are noisy and have CRAP power delivery. It has power - its just the crap way it delivers it.
- The seats don't hold a candle to BMW seats
- My biggest problem is the lack of steering feel - none.zero.nadda. But I was told that this is because thats how the yanks like it. Bugger that.
- The interior. I think I have worked it out now. At first glance you think it looks luxurious. But after a while you realise that it has been designed by a drunken man with one arm tied to his penis. Lots of things to make it look nice, but buttons and knobs everywhere with no sense of design and simplicity. For example, to open the glovebox. It is a bloody great button on the dashboard. My passenger went crazy looking for it, and then when we found it - it was miles away.
Or maybe the drink holders. There appeared to be one. But if you lift up the center armrest - there is another! Cool....NOT. So, the designer forces you to have 2 drinks in the holders and no armrest. I like the armrest on a long trip. Stupid.

I no longer have a BMW nor an Audi. I'm a fanboy of neither. But last year I thought I'd check out the new Audi and maybe get serious.

My feelings were almost identical. I really like the outside look. Not too radical and not too conservative, kinda in the middle. I think Audi has that going for them.

The interior was deceiving. At first it looked nice. But after an hour in it, it ended up being a cluttered mess. And the materials are weird. The headliner has the same sort of material as one of those Dobie brand pot scrubbers. The interior is almost a facade. Looks good at first, but there's really nothing going on there.

The motor was loud and always there, reminding you. It started to bug me after driving it for a while. The steering was heavy. It actually felt heavier than the E63 AMG I now have.

The leather is greasy. I think it's heavily painted. And the seat cushion shape is weird. VW/Skoda kind of weird.

In the end I wasn't very impressed. It seemed to lack power and any true finesse. I honestly wanted to be impressed because I thought it would be a perfect addition. A good looking daily driver that isn't too obvious. But it's just kind of there. I have to commend Audi for doing some successful marketing to get people into these cars. Especially after a bad start years ago. And granted, the cars have come a long way.

Just recently I tried it out again, this time in an Avant (I want to add a wagon to my garage) Same thing. Other than exterior design, these cars have little going for them, imho. Nothing really stands out, unlike BMW (nimble handling and steering), AMG (pure power and cruising comfort), Porsche (total sports car handling and precise steering.)

Looks seem to be the main attraction with Audi, but looks are only skin deep.

btw, in respect to reliability: We know Audi was horrible in the past. And so was MB (esp 2000-2004) But both have changed dramatically (although MB is still too over engineered and maintenance is expensive) Both are quite good now. And we all know BMW has its issues too.

[DinoMite]

The only Audi i'd want is the R8, the rest they can keep.

[HermesRider]

Originally Posted by jpsum

If BMW and MB were to mate, the outcome would be an Audi.

so true... ...baby Audi?

[Bmoney2K4]

The new A4 looks worse than its predecessor. The new A4 looks decent in the front but the back looks so cheap. However, a white Audi A5 looks really nice.

[stubenhocker]

Like the Audi's huh?

Sure can't beat those Hungarian made engines!

I've owned an Audi and have since bought 3 BMW's in a row!

First time I have returned to the same car brand, why? Drive em both then tell me which one you would rather drive. Inline 6 and RWD of the BMW are superior to the Audi setup. Throw in the 'free" maintenance and you'd be crazy not to go with the Bimmer IMHO.

Nothing wrong with Audi, it's just not as good as the BMW period!

[am_ver]

I've owned 3 bimmers in a row and now own an Audi A6.

I just fell in love with the A6 interior, it is luxurious- period. And after months of owning the car, I still enjoy getting in it every morning. The A6 competes with the 5 series, but the inside is more of the size of the 7. I parked my car next to a 745i the other day and the cars were identical in size.

I recently got an A4 loaner and performance-wise, it is better than the 325/328. I am not talking about the FWD version, but the Quattro outperformed the 328 loaners that I have driven drastically. And my commute has hair-pin turns, so I get to flog the loaners pretty hard. The 2.0T, however does not stand a chance against the 335i with sports package - but then I guess the A5's and the S-line might compete with them.

My overall take is that if you are looking for a 4 wheel drive, and are thinking of getting the BMW x-drive, then Audi should definately be considered. The prices are slightly lower than the BMW and the standard features are more (leather, fold down seats etc).

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by am_ver

My overall take is that if you are looking for a 4 wheel drive, and are thinking of getting the BMW x-drive, then Audi should definately be considered. The prices are slightly lower than the BMW and the standard features are more (leather, fold down seats etc).

+1!

[sokdo]

I could actually see myself in an Audi just because the exterior is pretty nice but I forget all about that when I turn on my 335i e92 and hear that exhaust growl.

I was actually thinking of the a4 and the a3 before my e92 and gotta say, Audi isn't a bad alternative to BMW for daily driving.

[JayKay335i]

I drove a 335i. Then went to audi and drive an a4. The steering was dull. The power wasn't there. The sales mans biggest selling point was that I could tune it. I was fully disappointed. So I bought the 335i.

[John 070]

Audi......V6. Infiniti............V6. MB..............V6. Toyota...........V6. Honda............V6. 1970 Pontiac LeMans Sport 250 I6.

A lot of people don't get primary and secondary balance, don't care. They saved a boatload of money and bought Infinitis. But if you're not saving any money, and still don't care, then you can choose from Audi and MB.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by am_ver

I've owned 3 bimmers in a row and now own an Audi A6.

I recently got an A4 loaner and performance-wise, it is better than the 325/328. I am not talking about the FWD version, but the Quattro outperformed the 328 loaners that I have driven drastically. And my commute has hair-pin turns, so I get to flog the loaners pretty hard. The 2.0T, however does not stand a chance against the 335i with sports package - but then I guess the A5's and the S-line might compete with them.

Hmmm. Somebody disagrees....

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests

[Joeb427]

Audi's are nice cars but the A4 exterior design is boring.Much better than the last generation but boring.I do like the daytime running lights,though.

[Greeney]

With the S4 coming out the 335 will finally have some competition. Could stop some of BMWs bullshit cost cutting.

[ctt335i]

"Trip to Germany.... Autobahn Impressions: 335d and Audi A4"

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...884&highlight=