RS7

I think that the S4 would become redundant if the A4 had a 300hp engine. And honestly, I think that would be a shame, an Audi S model always looks really interesting and different to a standard 'A' model whereas something like a 335i looks exactly the same as their entry models except for the numbers on the back.

I agree too with the 335i vs S4/S5. The US seems to be the only place that does this. Europe and everywhere else compare the cars properly.

Your right about the S4 being better than all of those other cars too, especially when the B8 S4 comes out with the S/C. We will have to pay more but in turn we should get more out of it.

THM

in place of 3.2 they should bring 3.0 tdi

Shameless in Chicago

Word.

Sleeper1.8T

Take it for what it's worth.

"Scott,

Thank you for your review of the B8 Audi A4. For the most part, it fairly represented what the car has been anticipated to be, the best A4 yet. There were no surprises in the admiration of the interior execution, MMI, improvement in driving dynamics, or additional rear seat space. I would agree with the fact that the 3.2 is getting a little long in the tooth. Yes, BMW, Lexus, and Infiniti all have 300hp options. Perhaps you would have been more pleased by the performance characteristics of the Quattro 2.0T. I know I would be. What I did find disappointing, and a little unfair and misleading, is it's comparison to the 335i. Granted, the 335i is more powerful and lighter. And, both cars are German four-door sport sedans. However, it is unfair to say that this A4 is best pitted against the 335i. Your article's premise that these two are direct rivals based on their ~$45K price tag is misleading. These two cars are far different in content, and when comparably equipped, do not compete in price. According to your site, a 335i with premium, automatic, paddles, nav, sport, push-button ignition, active cruise, folding rear seats, and park distance control, stickers for over $51K. Adding awd ("x") to the equation pushes it over $52K. That's a far cry from the as tested A4 estimate of $45K.

To be more fair, if you're basing comparison on cost, then a comparably equipped 328xi would be more in line. The 328xi with premium, automatic, paddles, nav, sport, sound upgrade, push-button start, active cruise, folding rear seats, and park distance control comes out to about $47,500. The 328xi's performance is more in line as well. Per BMW's website, the 328xi automatic hits 60 in 7.1 sec at a curb weight of 3,627 (with sport). Now, given that the A4 gives up performance due to weight (3,870), it still meets/beats the BMW in this performance metric. The weight/hp exchange comes out to just 6.9 lbs/hp (BMW has 230 hp to the A4's 265 ? 243/35). I have not been able to find other performance metrics on this specific BMW setup, but as your article mentions, the new A4's on par with the RS4, and the brakes are world-class.

I've always loved BMWs, and my family has owned cars from both companies. Both are great at and known for many different things. I'm in no way stating that the 3.2 A4 is a better performer than a 335i. Clearly, model to model, the 335i is a better performer. I've just grown tired of the automotive press stacking the odds against Audi, and many other cars for that matter, when it comes to BMW. No one will deny that BMW has established itself as the one to beat in multiple areas, but if you're going to run a true comparison (cost, performance or otherwise), make it a fair one. The first 30% of your article centers around the conveyance that you could get so much more for the money in the 335i and how Audi's basically come up short. It leads the reader to believe that Audi is not as good a performance player in the segment. Review the car for what it is and how far it's come, and compare it to others of like attributes.

I'm not trying to pick your review apart and shout "Audi or die"; it's just unfortunate that Audi is still not getting a fair shake in the performance department. Just my two cents."

Spoonie G

That is where the 3.2 falls short. When I press the Gas pedal on the 3.2 the sensations that it returns will not be satisfactory. I could care less about drag-racing.

Spoonie G

It isn't only the 335 that's faster. A V6 Camry will give the A4 3.2 the business

Bob58

"It's easily the best A4 ever". That's good enough for me.

Bob58

I see that Spoonie is still "on message".

RS7

And by the way, isn't torque the thing that gives feel? If so shouldn't the A4 3.0L TDI have a great deal of this? I don't know, just asking.

an0nymous

the only Audi you can compare with BMW is the 2.0T to the 328i, everything else just falls in between each other, and even then you can barely compare those two to each other. in terms of performance for price anyways.