RS4 pricing ...
04-11-2006, 05:27 PM
#13
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Are they really comparable though?
The M5 is the mid sized sedan of BMW's, similar to the A6, which I think is probably a better size comparison. Hence, the M5 weighs 10% more than the RS4 (1650 kg), and it has an extra 80 HP to make up for that difference. Size wise, I'd say the M3 is a closer car to the RS4, being built on the A4 platform. The RS6 is probably a better comparison to the M5 IMO. In fact, it was priced around $110k IIRC.
This reviewer thought similarly.<ul><li><a href="http://www.carpages.ca/go/roadtest/2007_audi_rs4_preview.aspx">Review</a></li></ul>
This reviewer thought similarly.<ul><li><a href="http://www.carpages.ca/go/roadtest/2007_audi_rs4_preview.aspx">Review</a></li></ul>
04-11-2006, 06:24 PM
#16
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Oh yeah
If somebody here says that a Cayman S is a more attractive option, note that it's still two different beasts and not a real good comparison (plus it was quicker on the Top Gear track by a second or two over the Cayman S).
So comparing the RS4 with the premium package with a Cayman S that is similarly equipped:
Base Cayman S - $83,900
plus...
PASM - $2,790
Remote CD changer - $910
xenon headlights - $1,530
automatic climate control - $770
leather sport seats - $1,050
bose surround - $1,330
telephone module - $1,340
porsche communication management - $4,150
self dimming and rain-wiper sensor - $970
heated front seats - $980
Total - $99,420.
And the RS4 as a great car for hauling ***, er, people throughout the four seasons, great daily driver and at the track, it's a no brainer here.
If I wanted a Porsche, it would be the 911, and nothing else
As for the M5... it's $115K well equipped. Only points that detracts me from it: no stick shift, you must have SMG and there is no "iDrive delete" option. Styling-wise, I still can't use to it both exterior and interior.
So comparing the RS4 with the premium package with a Cayman S that is similarly equipped:
Base Cayman S - $83,900
plus...
PASM - $2,790
Remote CD changer - $910
xenon headlights - $1,530
automatic climate control - $770
leather sport seats - $1,050
bose surround - $1,330
telephone module - $1,340
porsche communication management - $4,150
self dimming and rain-wiper sensor - $970
heated front seats - $980
Total - $99,420.
And the RS4 as a great car for hauling ***, er, people throughout the four seasons, great daily driver and at the track, it's a no brainer here.
If I wanted a Porsche, it would be the 911, and nothing else
As for the M5... it's $115K well equipped. Only points that detracts me from it: no stick shift, you must have SMG and there is no "iDrive delete" option. Styling-wise, I still can't use to it both exterior and interior.
04-12-2006, 12:14 AM
#17
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Too expensive for too little, sorry. You cannot justify the extra money over the S4...
Or the difference between what it cost in the USA in USD. The base RS4 starts at $66,000 USD = less than $78,000 CAD (@18%). That's a whopping $16,000 difference!
As for the comparing it to the Cayman S and I don't understand that, the Cayman S is a much, much better handling car and despite its 125 HP shortfall would still beat the RS4 on most tracks. As a matter of fact it beats a 911/997 not the S on the track.
The latest serious test drive that came out in Japan, puts the RS4 <b>behind</b> the <b>current</b> M3 CS (imagine when the new M3 comes out) and the Cayman S which won the test drive on a pure fun to drive best handling car. I hope you realize that Porsche purposely under powered the Cayman S and deliberately left out components (LSD) out of the car so it wouldn't embarrass the new 911/997. Even Walter Rohl gets very pissed off at Porsche management when it comes to the subject of the Cayman "real potential".
The new RS4 is a very good car but is just another B6 now B7 in disguise with a great motor (hope they don't have as many problems with it). It still suffers the same B6/B7 handling behaviours (understeer) at the limits which was reported by most serious test drives even if it as the new TorSen and the active suspension. BTW, that would be one reason for me not to buy the car. When Audi decides to put that over weight suspension in their racing cars and proves to me it is better than a conventional suspension, I'll buy it.
No doubt the RS4 is a very good car but perhaps not outstanding. It's perhaps a more "practical" car than the BMW M3 because of its AWD but better depends on what a driver wants out of his car.
Me if I had the money, it would be a slightly modified Cayman S for fun and the S4 for the rest of the time including winter.
Hope Audi gets it right with the B8.
Just my $0.02.
As for the comparing it to the Cayman S and I don't understand that, the Cayman S is a much, much better handling car and despite its 125 HP shortfall would still beat the RS4 on most tracks. As a matter of fact it beats a 911/997 not the S on the track.
The latest serious test drive that came out in Japan, puts the RS4 <b>behind</b> the <b>current</b> M3 CS (imagine when the new M3 comes out) and the Cayman S which won the test drive on a pure fun to drive best handling car. I hope you realize that Porsche purposely under powered the Cayman S and deliberately left out components (LSD) out of the car so it wouldn't embarrass the new 911/997. Even Walter Rohl gets very pissed off at Porsche management when it comes to the subject of the Cayman "real potential".
The new RS4 is a very good car but is just another B6 now B7 in disguise with a great motor (hope they don't have as many problems with it). It still suffers the same B6/B7 handling behaviours (understeer) at the limits which was reported by most serious test drives even if it as the new TorSen and the active suspension. BTW, that would be one reason for me not to buy the car. When Audi decides to put that over weight suspension in their racing cars and proves to me it is better than a conventional suspension, I'll buy it.
No doubt the RS4 is a very good car but perhaps not outstanding. It's perhaps a more "practical" car than the BMW M3 because of its AWD but better depends on what a driver wants out of his car.
Me if I had the money, it would be a slightly modified Cayman S for fun and the S4 for the rest of the time including winter.
Hope Audi gets it right with the B8.
Just my $0.02.
04-12-2006, 02:26 AM
#18
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Re: Too expensive for too little, sorry. You cannot justify the extra money over the S4...
Everybody seems to throw in the Cayman as a better option, well at least with the guys I've been exchanging email here in Toronto hence I threw out that piece of data. But in the end, two different cars, and really can't be compared. And if I wanted a Porsche, I'd stick with a 911, if I ever wanted one (and had the money of course).
Prices of cars in the US has always worked out cheaper than prices in Canada. It'll never be on par, period. You can even say the same about getting an M3 from the states vs Canada and save a ton of money too. The next M3 won't be cheap either, price will increase from the previous M3, some are saying close to $70KUS on the BMW boards.
Prices of cars in the US has always worked out cheaper than prices in Canada. It'll never be on par, period. You can even say the same about getting an M3 from the states vs Canada and save a ton of money too. The next M3 won't be cheap either, price will increase from the previous M3, some are saying close to $70KUS on the BMW boards.
04-12-2006, 05:11 AM
#19
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I agree with you Tanner, why people compare a sedan with a sports car is beyond me...
However, I will disagree with you on Audi's price structure.
In 2003 when they introduced the RS6 it retailed for $82,700 USD. This is more expensive than today's RS4 in USD at about $66K USD starting price.
A year later (2004)Audi got the RS6 into Canada at a suggested reatail of $109,000 CAD. The exchange rate in May 2003 and May 2004 was about the same at around 1.385%.
This means that at $82,700 USD the RS6 should have cost Canadians in 2003 and 2004 about $115K CAD but it was advertized at $109K CAD suggested retail! So our RS6s were cheaper.
Now they expect Canadians to pay a premium of 16K CAD on top of what the Americans pay?! Does not hold water with me, sorry but the car is way way over priced.
Like I said before a very good car but not an outstanding one.
In 2003 when they introduced the RS6 it retailed for $82,700 USD. This is more expensive than today's RS4 in USD at about $66K USD starting price.
A year later (2004)Audi got the RS6 into Canada at a suggested reatail of $109,000 CAD. The exchange rate in May 2003 and May 2004 was about the same at around 1.385%.
This means that at $82,700 USD the RS6 should have cost Canadians in 2003 and 2004 about $115K CAD but it was advertized at $109K CAD suggested retail! So our RS6s were cheaper.
Now they expect Canadians to pay a premium of 16K CAD on top of what the Americans pay?! Does not hold water with me, sorry but the car is way way over priced.
Like I said before a very good car but not an outstanding one.
04-12-2006, 05:22 AM
#20
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yeah, you're right - too expensive for what you get.
the new m3 will probably blow the pants off this car.
i think the reason why people compare it to sports cars is because the rs4 offers "sports car performance". at that price range, and performance, it is very similar to many porsches.
i think the reason why people compare it to sports cars is because the rs4 offers "sports car performance". at that price range, and performance, it is very similar to many porsches.