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Sedans Audi RS4 Article Comments 2007 Audi RS4 vs. 2007 BMW M5
35 messages, Last post on Sep 22, 2009 at 1:31 PM
You are in the Audi RS4 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
Article comments for Comparison Test: 2007 Audi RS 4 vs. 2007 BMW M5 - The 2007 Audi RS 4 and 2007 BMW M5 are practical four-door sedans, yet they are also dedicated high-performance machines. They are sports cars disguised as everyday transportation. (more)
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Replying to: pat (Mar 11, 2007 1:00 pm) I agree with the article. The M5 is a beautiful sedan- sleek lines, great wheel choices, nice bodykit. And the engine is a masterpiece. But it fails to captivate driving enthusiasts like the last-gen did. That's where the RS4 comes in. It's a gamble, but I honestly believe it's the best-driving sedan in the world right now. Not speed... but the overall experience. Would you agree? '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330 |
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What is the deal here? This is an absolutely silly comparison. A 5-series BMW is a totally different car than an 4-series Audi. The back seat of an A4 is pretty much useless for anything but cargo unless the driver is fairly fit and not tall. We Americans eat a lot  Please compare the 4 series to its competitors. Also, comparing a WRX or Evo to Audis and BMWs is also silly, Audis and BMWs are luxury cars. Sometimes I get the idea that the journalists are trying to help Audi. Another silly comparison I saw recently: R8 vs. 911 (non-Turbo). At least Edmunds later did the right comparison of the R8 vs. 911 Turbo. Audi will continue to flounder in the US until they do ALL of the following: - Make SUPERIOR products: They may already be doing this - Have LOWER prices than the competitors: Some products yes, some no - Have BETTER warrantys: Not - Have a BETTER dealer experience: NOT. Tip here, putting your dealership next to a VW dealer does not fly in the US. Audi knows this, they just are not yet willing to make the investment.
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Replying to: joemama3 (Mar 29, 2007 7:55 am) The M5 and RS4 are the performance sedan flagships for BMW and Audi, respectively. At least for now, until the RS6 comes out. The RS4 has been universally lauded by the media for its unbelievable performance, super-slick gearbox and BMW-crushing handling. These traits are the first ever to translate into an Audi product. It seems as if Audi now possesses BMW's "magic touch." For this reason, they were compared. The best sedan from BMW vs. the best sedan from Audi. The RS4 had already proven itself against the M3. Size, engine and price regardless- it's all about the experience. And this is why the RS4 won the comparison. Unlike the E39 M5, the E60 has less of that "magic" feel and more of those intervening electronics. The RS4 is the purer vehicle, by a margin. The only product Audi currently produces that is more money than both its BMW and Mercedes competition is the RS4. And fully worth it. In fact, BMW and Mercedes don't make competition for the RS4 right now! M3 is on hiatus, discontinued C55 will be replaced by the C63 AMG soon. FYI, Audi does make superior products. Not superior to anything in particular... but just great cars. I should know, I own two. '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330 |
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Replying to: joemama3 (Mar 29, 2007 7:55 am) Do you think comparing the 420hp R8 to the 480hp 911 Turbo is any more fair than the C4S vs. R8? Instead of a 70hp difference (C4S < R8), it's a 60hp difference (R8 < Turbo)! To add to that, the R8 weighs more than the 911 Turbo! Your logic is flawed. '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330
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Replying to: pat (Mar 11, 2007 1:00 pm) The only reason this happened is because the Audi dealers are so greedy and inflexible when it came to a trade in, otherwise I would in the RS4. The only negatives to the RS4 are a bit of numbness in the shifter and the steering; but its nothing too terrible, overall its a very good car. While the M5 is certainly more powerful and better equipped, the fact that BMW chose to use an old gearbox and couple this with non-debatable traction control infuriates me. This is not an M car. None of this was communicated at the time I purchased the car (before the first US manuals were delivered); I don’t think the dealer even knew. Whether BMW chose this approach to cheap out and save the cost of a new transmission development or to avoid liability issues or to avoid repair costs; I don’t know or care. All I know is I have a $95,000 car that is barely better than an a 550i with sports package and costs at least $20K more. In addition, the M5 idles like a pig at start up, lurches at low speed until warmed up, sucks gas no matter how carefully driven, sounds lousy at any speed and has a bunch of useless and annoying electronic gadgetry (like push starts; what fool thought this was good idea?). If the M5 could be driven tail out as intended I would be willing to forgive all this; but as it is, no way. BMW deserves its lumps for this one. Buy the Audi. BTW , the comparison is fair; they are both the current performance flagship sedans of both companies. The fact the Audi achieves roughly the same performance for $20k less should give BMW (and the readers here) pause. |
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Replying to: esf (Apr 01, 2007 5:05 pm) Just try and put 4 (American) people in an RS4. I'm sorry, it's a completely different car. That's why you don't compare the S4 to a Mitsubishi Evo. The Evo will spank the S4 but it is not a luxury car. The RS4 should be compared with the M3. Also, are you saying we should compare cars with similar horsepower? Ok, let's compare the Lotus Elise to the Audi TT. Again, these are completely different cars so a comparison is silly. And yes, when you look at pricing the R8 (109K), it's closer to the Turbo (122K) than the C4S (88K) so it should be compared to the Turbo...which spanks the R8 (and also has just a little less rear seat room than the RS4). I think you have some great cars, however, you owe it to yourself to try something with a better weight distribution. The S4, WRX, WRX STI and EVOs I have driven all understeered badly and were not nearly as engaging as my '98 M3. I hope Audi get's it act together and can get the sales it needs to justify the continuance of the RS cars. BMW-M and AMG cars need some competition and Audi sales figures are not at all encouraging. Maybe the Evo-X and Nissan GTR will help. Cheers,
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Replying to: joemama3 (Apr 05, 2007 12:08 pm) I'm curious. What makes you say "the Evo will spank the S4"? I've never seen them pitted against each other, and the objective data suggests otherwise.
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Replying to: joemama3 (Apr 05, 2007 12:08 pm) And who the hell would cruelly put four people in an RS4? Even if it did happen, it's not as if it's the least-comfortable scenario. Also, are you saying we should compare cars with similar horsepower? Ok, let's compare the Lotus Elise to the Audi TT. Again, these are completely different cars so a comparison is silly. And yes, when you look at pricing the R8 (109K), it's closer to the Turbo (122K) than the C4S (88K) so it should be compared to the Turbo...which spanks the R8 (and also has just a little less rear seat room than the RS4). No. Perhaps the implication is there, but that's not what I meant. You also must remember that every 911 (even the base Turbo) is standard with nothing. When it comes down to it, don't be surprised if the average C4S buyer pays within striking distance of what the average R8 buyer will pay. It can easily overreach $100K. The Turbo is out of this stratosphere. And don't even joke about the legroom. I think you have some great cars, however, you owe it to yourself to try something with a better weight distribution. I didn't ask. I want the new M3 (E92, 420hp V8), but I don't need any "advice," thanks. I hope Audi get's it act together and can get the sales it needs to justify the continuance of the RS cars. BMW-M and AMG cars need some competition and Audi sales figures are not at all encouraging. Maybe the Evo-X and Nissan GTR will help. I don't know where to begin on this one. RS cars aren't leaving any time soon, believe me. The RS4 is just the beginning of an RS renaissance. The RS4 is sold out. If I'm not mistaken, the RS6 was sold out, also. What was that quibble about slow sales? EVO X?! As much as I respect it, it's so mind-bogglingly different! Why did you even bring it up? '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330 |
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Replying to: esf (Apr 05, 2007 5:41 pm) The RS4, while not a huge car, can actually fit 4 people without joint dislocation. I wouldn’t want to be in the back seat cross country, but for business drive of four to a local restaurant, the car is perfectly adequate. And yes, that’s 4 Americans. Try that with any generation M3 and you will have one unhappy crowd. I had both the E36 and the E46 and neither had a really usable back seat. I dont think the E92 will be any better based on the current 335 coupe dimensions. The RS4 is not sold out. It is built on a per order basis only; if you see one in a dealer’s lot it simply means someone didn’t accept an order. Order slots now and 6 months ago were immediately available. Audi dealers promised a 6 week delivery time from order placement which gives you some idea of the order load (read: none). Compare that with 2-3 months estimated delivery for the M5 (a 5 production slot wait). The promised delivery dates are probably both under estimates; but notably, the Audi estimate is shorter lie. ... |
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Replying to: esf (Apr 05, 2007 5:41 pm) And as to being bias. I guess I have to admit that I am bias against FWD cars. FWD cars are cheaper to make and allow more room in the car making them very practical and comfortable. It also makes them understeer and creates engineering nightmares to make them handle. Now from what I have read, Audi has done a sublime job making the 2 ton RS4 incredibly well balanced, but I guess my point is why? Why not make the car correct in the first place? Push the engine towards the center of the car like BMW and Mercedes does. Except for the R8, every Audi starts with a FWD platform. The top levels of Audi have been debating the FWD strategy for years and hopefully they will fix this in the future. And yes, and Evo will spank an S4. Look at the results from any reputable car magazine and compare the results. The Evo will also spank my M3. But again, my point is it is not relevant to compare the Evo to an M3 or S4 as they are totally different cars. My point with the Evo-X and GTR is they are trying to make them more luxurious...which might make them comparable to the offerings from Audi and BMW. Could be a stretch Enjoy driving with your front tires!
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