RE: Audi RS4 B8 beats B7: Tell Me I'm Wrong
Discussion
I had a B7 a few years ago and have been driving a B8 since Xmas, covering around 10,00 miles. In everyday terms (which is how I use the car) the B8 is better, I can't disagree with the comments about steering feel and would like to try the standard set up, but it is not as bad as some people suggest. I like the fact that it is more understated than the B7, the engine under load is great fun and the whole package works well for a car that is driven every day.
I understand where the B7 purists are coming from but I think they're missing the point, RS4's are designed and built to be swift family transport and on that basis they have to do a lot of things well, I think the B8 achieves this and moves on from the B7 in most departments.
I understand where the B7 purists are coming from but I think they're missing the point, RS4's are designed and built to be swift family transport and on that basis they have to do a lot of things well, I think the B8 achieves this and moves on from the B7 in most departments.
Guess it comes down to the B8 being broadened in appeal, means it got a bit softer.
No doubt the maker believes they'll sell a truckload of them, business cases and all that.
But these are always questions of compromise, arent they. Whether you look at a B8, 7, 5, etc, none of these cars are the master of any domain, its really a question of compromise, and which way your preferences swing, faster, or slower, speed or practicality.
In that light, there will always be winners and losers.
And for me, the discussion goes a bit like this:
Shock news,
1. new car more efficient than old car
2. new car costs more than old car
3. old car better value due to depreciation
Seriously, if you bought the old one and saved yourself 20k in sticker shock (forget leasing for a moment), that's a lot of fuel + maintenance in your back pocket.
Better still, imagine where you'd be if you took that extra 20k and invested it somewhere, eg property. You still get to drive a B5/7, and after 5 years, you should be so much further in front, that its laughing-to-the-bank time.
No doubt the maker believes they'll sell a truckload of them, business cases and all that.
But these are always questions of compromise, arent they. Whether you look at a B8, 7, 5, etc, none of these cars are the master of any domain, its really a question of compromise, and which way your preferences swing, faster, or slower, speed or practicality.
In that light, there will always be winners and losers.
And for me, the discussion goes a bit like this:
Shock news,
1. new car more efficient than old car
2. new car costs more than old car
3. old car better value due to depreciation
Seriously, if you bought the old one and saved yourself 20k in sticker shock (forget leasing for a moment), that's a lot of fuel + maintenance in your back pocket.
Better still, imagine where you'd be if you took that extra 20k and invested it somewhere, eg property. You still get to drive a B5/7, and after 5 years, you should be so much further in front, that its laughing-to-the-bank time.
Tend to agree with the views expressed here but if i may to me any 4wheel drive 1500kg+ car is likely to be a compromise anyway. both b7 and b8 are very good allround cars to drive the family around. can't think of any car which is as versatile as these to drive to work every day, go on ski vacation with the kids and still have fun whilst driving. if one is looking for a hardcore sports car there are a number of other options and if you are looking for a family wagon others will have more space. but as compact, good looking and well engineered, fun family transport vehicles this is as good as it gets. i sold my b7 (which i liked a lot) for a cayenne gts when my kids started being too tall and complained they could no longer sit comfortably in the back. I tried quite a few options. unfortunately never tried a b8 as the reviews were generally quite poor. eventually settled for a cayenne gts which every review considered to be 'the best handling SUV' on sale. It was not bad but never really did it for me - too big, questionable image and quite thirsty when driven swiftly. I finally decided to try a b8 and it was a revelation: great 90 pc of the time. Granted the gearbox is not a manual but most of the time for daily driving in and around London it is much nicer. Granted the steering is not perfect but if you want grear steering get a Caterham or a classic Porsche. Given larger size my kids now have enough leg space in the back, the noise is great, it handles very decently most of the time and i actually enjoy it a lot for what it is. A rs6 is probably quicker but too large for central London. A AMG Merc (which most reviewers consider to be a 'better' car) would not get me to the mountains without snow chains. In short i would encourage most people to live with a b8 for some time. Again this is not a perfect car, but a perfect compromise at least in my opinion.
So the morale of the story is: a) if you want a sports car, buy a sports car, b) don't always believe the reviews, they may not always apply to our needs, even if you are a true car enthusiast like us.
So the morale of the story is: a) if you want a sports car, buy a sports car, b) don't always believe the reviews, they may not always apply to our needs, even if you are a true car enthusiast like us.
EdHall697 said:
I keep looking at S5's in the classifieds and thinking should I buy one. You only have to put S5 4.2 V8 into youtube and I guarantee you will be in the classifieds immediately after!
Sod all these hybrid and electric cars.
We have to keep V8's on the road...
Not a good car, may as well have had a 2.0tdi for all the excitement that v8 provided in the s5.Sod all these hybrid and electric cars.
We have to keep V8's on the road...
I was left dead cold after a test drive of one l, and this was years ago when I was purchasing my first ever performance car.
sealtt said:
Not a good car, may as well have had a 2.0tdi for all the excitement that v8 provided in the s5.
I was left dead cold after a test drive of one l, and this was years ago when I was purchasing my first ever performance car.
You seemed to have massively moved on since then - must have been doing something right. I was left dead cold after a test drive of one l, and this was years ago when I was purchasing my first ever performance car.
The v8 s5 don't sound that great, the v6 turbo in the updated s5 is a much better power unit, and can easily have a remap to make it quicker than an RS5. Wont sound as good mind you without changing the exhaust system!
mattf93 said:
sealtt said:
Not a good car, may as well have had a 2.0tdi for all the excitement that v8 provided in the s5.
I was left dead cold after a test drive of one l, and this was years ago when I was purchasing my first ever performance car.
You seemed to have massively moved on since then - must have been doing something right. I was left dead cold after a test drive of one l, and this was years ago when I was purchasing my first ever performance car.
The v8 s5 don't sound that great, the v6 turbo in the updated s5 is a much better power unit, and can easily have a remap to make it quicker than an RS5. Wont sound as good mind you without changing the exhaust system!
The S5 V8 coupe is quite soft in its power delivery in standard form, especially in auto form as it had a tiptronic box. Much later cars gets the v6t and s-tronic box and can be turned up to 11 very easily.
Recent figures I've seen for an S5 coupe v6t post-remap to stage 2 are 480bhp and 580Nm (vs 443BHP and 430Nm quoted for the RS4, to keep this relevant!)
mattf93 said:
You seemed to have massively moved on since then - must have been doing something right.
The v8 s5 don't sound that great, the v6 turbo in the updated s5 is a much better power unit, and can easily have a remap to make it quicker than an RS5. Wont sound as good mind you without changing the exhaust system!
Ha yes, well spotted. I was still at uni back then though, so actually felt a lot more special than a more fancy car does today when all my neighbours have them!The v8 s5 don't sound that great, the v6 turbo in the updated s5 is a much better power unit, and can easily have a remap to make it quicker than an RS5. Wont sound as good mind you without changing the exhaust system!
I tried the RS5 as well a year or two later when it came out, and it just didn't quite have the pull I wanted at 100mph. Difference between a quick car and a really fast car is what happens when you floor it at 100mph I've found. Though why I think that's important on UK roads I'm not sure
Never tried the V6T, but good to hear it's better than the V8 as that was a real disappointment unless your expectations were realistic. At least the V8 in the E92 M3 was a great thing! I actually went for that car in the end, loved it.
sealtt said:
Ha yes, well spotted. I was still at uni back then though, so actually felt a lot more special than a more fancy car does today when all my neighbours have them!
I tried the RS5 as well a year or two later when it came out, and it just didn't quite have the pull I wanted at 100mph. Difference between a quick car and a really fast car is what happens when you floor it at 100mph I've found. Though why I think that's important on UK roads I'm not sure
Never tried the V6T, but good to hear it's better than the V8 as that was a real disappointment unless your expectations were realistic. At least the V8 in the E92 M3 was a great thing! I actually went for that car in the end, loved it.
You were in uni and had an S5? Am I doing something wrong at uni atm? I drive a fiesta zetec s tdci I tried the RS5 as well a year or two later when it came out, and it just didn't quite have the pull I wanted at 100mph. Difference between a quick car and a really fast car is what happens when you floor it at 100mph I've found. Though why I think that's important on UK roads I'm not sure
Never tried the V6T, but good to hear it's better than the V8 as that was a real disappointment unless your expectations were realistic. At least the V8 in the E92 M3 was a great thing! I actually went for that car in the end, loved it.
desperate to get into something petrol and more suited to my driving style. From an S5 to an Aventador more recently if I remember rightly? Edited by mattf93 on Friday 14th August 22:51
Bought one of the last B8 RS4s in the local Audi dealership in March. Never drove a B7, but always lusted after them after hearing one tear past me one day with it's exhaust flaps open and sounding like a bloody spitfire going down the road!! Always wanted a V8 and having owned a Golf R32 (mk V) which I loved, (DSG and Quattro) I wanted something suitable to replace it. Didn't like the RS5 much (3 doors!) and to be honest the Avant really ticked all the boxes: V8, 5 doors, practical, loud, a bit stealthy, lush cabin, 4WD, cheap on insurance (surprisingly).
I love the sports exhaust and the noise in the morning when its cold and the choke is on..... proper gurgle and rough sound! Its VERY rapid and scared the sh!t out of me a number of times when pulling hard in a corner!
MPG is low, but you know that when you're buying a V8. My annual mileage is low so petrol for me is fine. If I was doing long distance I'd get a diesel!
Both cars are good and I just wish that they'd done a B8 Saloon RS4 that was a modern take on the B7!! I reckon it would have FLOWN out of the dealers. the RS5 just doesn't cut it in terms of looks!
I love the sports exhaust and the noise in the morning when its cold and the choke is on..... proper gurgle and rough sound! Its VERY rapid and scared the sh!t out of me a number of times when pulling hard in a corner!
MPG is low, but you know that when you're buying a V8. My annual mileage is low so petrol for me is fine. If I was doing long distance I'd get a diesel!
Both cars are good and I just wish that they'd done a B8 Saloon RS4 that was a modern take on the B7!! I reckon it would have FLOWN out of the dealers. the RS5 just doesn't cut it in terms of looks!
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