Car & Driver controversy
04-12-2003, 03:54 AM
#11
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Raisin' the Bar
There are some very mature responses here. I too have owned BMW, Porsche and Mercedes cars. They all have considerable strengths, and unique 'personility characteristics'. Obviously each of these car companies enjoys success. I see Audi beginning a multi-year trend toward expanding their base into BMW's customer base with the S4, and into Mercedes customer base with the A8L. It's going to be a fun time!
04-12-2003, 06:22 AM
#12
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I think I know what's going on here.
Said stat sheet (available from the AoA press site, if you know the password) seems kind of incomplete. I'd still consider it a work in progress.
In the "Performance" listing it does say "Top speed is electronically limited at 130 MPH (208 km/h)". However, all of the other data (0-50, 0-50, 1/4 mile times, for both manual and tiptronic cars) is still blank.
I have a <b>strong</b> suspicion that this section of the document was simply cut-and-pasted, as a placeholder, from the A4 spec sheet -- and the A4's top speed <i>is</i> electronically limited to 130mph. Look for it to be updated when Audi officially releases the US B6 S4 specs, and I'd bet that the speed governor goes up to 150 or 155.
In the "Performance" listing it does say "Top speed is electronically limited at 130 MPH (208 km/h)". However, all of the other data (0-50, 0-50, 1/4 mile times, for both manual and tiptronic cars) is still blank.
I have a <b>strong</b> suspicion that this section of the document was simply cut-and-pasted, as a placeholder, from the A4 spec sheet -- and the A4's top speed <i>is</i> electronically limited to 130mph. Look for it to be updated when Audi officially releases the US B6 S4 specs, and I'd bet that the speed governor goes up to 150 or 155.
04-12-2003, 06:25 AM
#13
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I can't quite agree with that
especially since I've seen C/D give lousy reviews to many new cars.
Some magazines are more guilty of the "if it's new it's awesome!" thing than others.
When it comes to cars like those tested in the recent C/D supersedans comparos, obviously none of the cars truly suck, so they're going to be favorable about all of them. Which ones place above others is only of passing interest.
Some magazines are more guilty of the "if it's new it's awesome!" thing than others.
When it comes to cars like those tested in the recent C/D supersedans comparos, obviously none of the cars truly suck, so they're going to be favorable about all of them. Which ones place above others is only of passing interest.
04-12-2003, 06:50 AM
#14
sadly, the z4 has been hugely successful
... and i think the 5er will succeed just because of the roundel ... but i'm not sure how long bmw can carry one building ugly cars; there's going to be a point at which consumers will wake up.
regardless, i think the e46 m3 is hands-down better looking than the b5 or b6 s4, which was definitely one of the big factors in my decision-making process.
regardless, i think the e46 m3 is hands-down better looking than the b5 or b6 s4, which was definitely one of the big factors in my decision-making process.
04-12-2003, 10:46 AM
#15
I think consumers have woken up on the 7 series. They are re-skinning
it from what I've read.
I do agree with you that the M3 is better looking than the S4. More agressive/sporty looking. I was at the wheel shop yesterday & they just put 19" Breytons on an Imola Red M3. Totally stunning.
BTW, the roundel on the hood was red/white instead of blue/white. Is that a factory option or aftermarket stuff?
I do agree with you that the M3 is better looking than the S4. More agressive/sporty looking. I was at the wheel shop yesterday & they just put 19" Breytons on an Imola Red M3. Totally stunning.
BTW, the roundel on the hood was red/white instead of blue/white. Is that a factory option or aftermarket stuff?
04-12-2003, 10:51 AM
#16
cool, same color as mine :-)
only i'm of course putting 19" HRE 545R's on it :-) i pick up the car in about an hour, HELL YEAH!
regarding the roundel: bimmian.com sells some vinyl stickers that basically cover up the blue part ... i've got mixed feelings about them ... on the one hand, i'd like to go with a black and white roundel; on the other hand i don't like the idea of stickers on my car.
regarding the roundel: bimmian.com sells some vinyl stickers that basically cover up the blue part ... i've got mixed feelings about them ... on the one hand, i'd like to go with a black and white roundel; on the other hand i don't like the idea of stickers on my car.
04-13-2003, 12:45 PM
#20
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DTM replies dtmpower.net "these are not my comments":
The M3 beat both the S4 and MB in every performance test, but they took points off cause someone didn't order the M3 with a leather interior.
The new S4 is a total pig at 3860 lbs, Its performance numbers stunk, I wouldn't even consider it as a alternitive purchase option to someone shopping for an M3.
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Looks to me like Audi just had bigger pockets to pay off the CAR and DRIVER editors for this month. They also had the RS6 beating the M5- no manuel tranny? EVO (Uk) and Top Gear both had the M5 still on top regardless of the huge horsepower of the competition. We just need to wait for the new M5!
The new S4 is a total pig at 3860 lbs, Its performance numbers stunk, I wouldn't even consider it as a alternitive purchase option to someone shopping for an M3.
===================================
Looks to me like Audi just had bigger pockets to pay off the CAR and DRIVER editors for this month. They also had the RS6 beating the M5- no manuel tranny? EVO (Uk) and Top Gear both had the M5 still on top regardless of the huge horsepower of the competition. We just need to wait for the new M5!