Test drove an Audi, and I'm tempted to go "over there"

[mercboiuk]

Some of you may remember I drove a CLS63 AMG a few weeks ago, and was mightly impressed with the sheer power of this car.

Since then, however I have driven an Audi S5 Tiptronic, which amazed me with this combination of power and handling. I was tempted by then
BUT....
A couple of days ago I test drove the RS4. It's alot harder, rorty and faster than the S5, making even more exciting to drive! My test drive was in the wet, and the Quattro system was superb in these conditions! The interior quality and space is excellent, and the RS4 has already taken a big depreciation hit.

I'm yet to drive a C63 AMG, but (as Mercedes people), how do you guys rate Audis vs. our favourite three-pointed star brand?
Are their any previous Audi owners out there? What made you change to/come back to Mercedes?

Any other opinions about Audi vs. Mercedes would be greatly received!

Many thanks,

Darren

 

[Will]

I used to have a lowly A4 cab. Got it brand new, kept it for 2 years (got it on a bargain lease deal).

Car was utter cr*p (poor build quality and numerous faults). Audi dealer generally helpful, but it wasn't a pleasant ownership experience.

They're certainly not in the same league as Mercedes-Benz in terms of brand quality. Ok, MB have their weaknesses but I think Audi are a class below overall.

I'm sure the S/RSx Audis are great fun to drive however

Just IMHO

Will

 

[Adam230K]

I'm not one to say anything about either car, but i'm sure when you drive a C63 you will be the best one to judge if its better or the RS4.

 

[crockers]

Wonder why BMW M3 drivers are migrating to audi RS4... according to JC it is now a "c#ck" car... but then what does he know...

Life is too short not to "try" one ... you can always come home later..

I have had 2 Audis an Audi 80 2.6E auto and a A6 2.4 multitronic

The Audi 80 ate an auto box after 60,000 miles and the A6 faultless..

BUT.. I found both had seats that werent as comfortable as the Mercedes I have owned.

But then if seats are that important ...no-one would buy anything other than a Volvo or Saab.....just why are their seats so much better than other companies ..or is that subjective...oops going off thread..

 

[login_user]

I've had a couple of Audis and now a couple of Mercs and to be honest i prefer the Audi better quality and more driver feel, But the mercs are smoother for cruising. When i've finished with the Merc i have now i will go back to Audi.

 

[W210 Fan]

I had an Audi when I was poor, it made me poorer as it didnt always get me to work and was expensive when it went wrong, I did like the 4wd grip though, it made me feel safe

 

[donruffd]

i had an a3 2.0 sport, i must admit i was very impressed with the vehicle but to be honest with you, i favour mercedes simply because everything audi has mercedes has been and done it before, mercedes tend to pioneer a lot of stuff and as they are all german some comes and copies the idea after they have seen it work and sucess, they are all quality cars yes, but i feel that mercedes does appear have an edge, you feel better driving a merc than an audi, your neighbours are more likely to be jealous of your merc than your audi, the prices obviously agree too! i agree with login when he says mercs are more smoother and audis you get a better driver feel, but i havent driven an amg to compare the driver rigidity of the steering, i would say you have a tuff decision ahead of you mate, but personally i an audi is something you get and a merc is something you aim towards, hope this helps!!

 

[timskemp]

There's only three words that matter. Rear Wheel Drive.

You either like love it, or don't. If you don't go buy the Audi but the chassis balance will never feel quite right when being driven hard, they all feel nose heavy which is not really a problem driving to work in an A4 2.0TDi but on a trackday or a good back road blast...

Audis. Bought by people who already have the Macbook, iPhone and Manbag.

 

[mercboiuk]

There's only three words that matter. Rear Wheel Drive.

Audis. Bought by people who already have the Macbook, iPhone and Manbag.

I have to admit this is the the biggest negative the RS4 has.
I've always driven a rear wheel drive car - OK they weren't exactly sporty, but it's always fun when the rear tries to overtake the front
BUT, the RS4 just grips and goes....and I mean GOES!

For the record, I own a Laptop PC, some Nokia phone without all that fancy-nancy technology.......but I do have a manbag



Darren

 

[bigstuff]

i had a go in a mates rs4 avant & its simply mind blowing & unlike 4cyl cars with one turbo the v8 with twin turbos pulls from any speed in any gear as for 4x4 v rwd its a no contest 4x4 will always win esp as a big heavy car like a merc tends to obay the laws of gravity if pushed hard so why do i drive a merc i cant afford a rs4 4cyl petrol audi cars are crap tdi is a cracker

 

[timskemp]

I had a go in a mates rs4 avant & its simply mind blowing, unlike 4cyl cars with one turbo the v8 with twin turbos pulls from any speed in any gear. As for 4x4 v rwd its a no contest 4x4 will always win esp as a big heavy car like a merc tends to obay the laws of gravity if pushed hard. So why do i drive a merc? I can't afford a rs4 .4cyl petrol audi cars are crap, tdi is a cracker

Well, the V8 with twin turbos is not much more powerful than the AMG V8 without turbos, and even AWD cars obey the laws of physics! Four wheel drive gets you more traction, and permanent 4WD systems can give more stable braking too, however on dry tarmac and road tyres there's not a lot in it except for the added weight and drag of the 4WD system.

 

[bigstuff]

i agree with most of what you say in the wet the 4x4 is far better and as still shown in tarmac rallys mk2 escourts still beat 4x4 cars in the dry but overall 4x4 is safer esp with mad power

 

[Plodd]

i had a go in a mates rs4 avant & its simply mind blowing & unlike 4cyl cars with one turbo the v8 with twin turbos pulls from any speed in any gear as for 4x4 v rwd its a no contest 4x4 will always win esp as a big heavy car like a merc tends to obay the laws of gravity if pushed hard so why do i drive a merc i cant afford a rs4 4cyl petrol audi cars are crap tdi is a cracker

The RS4 doesn't have any turbos. It's the RS6 which has a 4.2 V8 twin turbo.

 

[bigstuff]

The RS4 doesn't have any turbos. It's the RS6 which has a 4.2 V8 twin turbo.

the new one i am not sure but the ones prior did

 

[timskemp]

The V6 had turbos. The V8 doesn't.

 

[Seamster15]

Nice car the RS4, but its not a Merc. Enough said.

 

[Piff]

I've had several audis over the years
1985 1.8 coupe after ford escorts this was brilliant
1986 2.2 coupe quattro better grip than the 1.8
1986 2.2 100 avant
cant rember the age 100 saloon
2005 A6 avant
All totally reliable cars, well put together, good main dealer service, efficient at what they do, but, there is not the ownership pride of an MB

 

[Doodle]

Had an S6 a couple of years ago - loved it when it worked, but nearly 3 months in the garage in 5 months of ownership nearly drove me over the edge. By the end of it I had to get my father to talk to the dealers on my behalf - I was so angry I couldn't speak, and was ready to punch someone.

Despite this, I did consider an RS4 biturbo earlier this year, it went like a space rocket but never really had 100% confidence in the front end - plenty of grip but too detached.

 

[BTB 500]

The Audi RSs do sound good though!

Even the biturbo V6 (surprisingly).

 

[W210 Fan]

If I was to ever buy another Audi it would be the original Quattro with that 5cyl engine, a friend of mine loves them and they are a special vehicle, not in the performance league of modern stuff but it started the breed,

the other thing about 4WD is that you are going stupidly fast when you do loose grip, then the accident will only be bigger,