rs1985

how would u guys compare it
the front of the A4 is sexy
yet i love the W204 too

melbourne tim

I think Audi has improved so much in recent years, and the most important improvement with this model I think would be the increased wheelbase and reduced front overhand to improve balance.

However ultimately it is still front wheel drive (except quattro) and as long as it is front wheel drive, it will never win over true MB and BMW fans. I wonder if Audi would one day get into RWD?

Kieffer

Factoring in Audi reliability (hopefully it has improved in the newest A4 and the A5) and dealer service horror stories from friends who own Audis (in Colorado, every third car seems to be a quattro-equipped Audi), there is no way I would touch one - unless by some miracle an R8 magically appears in my garage. And even then, remembering what I read about the event when Audi had all those R8s in Las Vegas for automotive journalists, I'd still have a fire extinguisher on board.

Fire away, Audi lovers....

RandyG

Take a look at the latest Consumer Reports annual auto issue to compare reliability between Mercedes and Audi.

Mercedes reliability is dismal compared to Audi.

I'm not an Audi lover but anyone who claims Mercedes reliability is steller is really kidding themselves.

Sorry.

ManchesterMerc

I have owned a number of Audi's and never had an issue regarding reliability. But saying that I was parking my C outside my house today when a new A4 passed and to be honest in my opinion the if I hadn't seem the DRL's I wouldn't have been able to tell whether it was new generation or not.
Glad I got the C

aowhaus

The Audi dealerships are not much different than VW dealership which means that generally-speaking the customer service and perks are rather poor.

The new A4 is a really nice car and much improved from the fine B7 model, but it has grown a lot in size and weight. I much prefer the smaller exterior dimensions of the C instead.

rs1985

C Class is much smaller ?
so the interior is smaller too ?

Derspeed

Agree on all points. Plus, I really don't care for the direction the Audi stylists have taken with the A4.

If you like to tune your cars, however, the VAG aftermarket is HUGE.

TriEuro

I've had 3 Audis and I'm a fan, but got to say I love the new design of the W204. Just a heads up though that the A4 will change for '09.

ismeto

who like A4 ? It is ugly think what is this LEDs front and back old A4 was better in the end C wins easily. C's real competitor is 3 not A4

blastit

after i saw pictures of the 09 a4 i was really impressed. i think that if i had not got the c350 this the a4 would be top of my list.

joebenz

the 09 a4 really does look nice. seems like it's very comparable to the C. i've always thought the a4 looked good, but the only audi i'd really want is S4 or RS4 :o

melbourne tim

I've just seen pix for the 09 A4. Very nice... more spacious but with minimal weight gain and reduced fuel consumption. The 2.7L diesel has consumption comparable with the C220CDi, which is impressive.

However no rear wheel drive yet. If it did, I would have serioursly considered it. As it is, I'm looking forward to my C220CDi.

jherbias

I am neutral to the looks. Honestly the B5 was the best-looking one. And their interiors are much better than MB's or BMW's. But their engines are not very enticing (aside from S) and they don't come in RWD.

I would still pick a W204 because I love the looks. The interior gets knocked for being cheap, but I drive a Nissan, so it would be heaven to me.

BrabusBenz300E

After having one of each I'll only go Audi for daily driver...Mercedes must get their reliability back to where it once was if they want my business again on new car sales!

melbourne tim

I see so many people on this forum talk about poor MB reliability. Is this a major problem in USA? In Australia MB doesn't have a bad reputation for reliability. The people I know who've had MBs have had no trouble.

GDawgC220

IIRC, Quattro will be a torque split 40/60 so more RWD bias on the new models. The '07+ S4 6-speeds have been equipped with them.

The engine output has been bumped up for the '09 2.0T, 211hp/258lb-ft (compared to 200hp/207lb-ft currently)! Add a chip, you're looking at around 260hp/340tq if the gains (~50hp/85lb-ft) are the same as the current 2.0T.

jc300

The engine output has been bumped up for the '09 2.0T, 211hp/258lb-ft (compared to 200hp/207lb-ft currently)! Add a chip, you're looking at around 260hp/340tq if the gains (~50hp/85lb-ft) are the same as the current 2.0T.[/QUOTE]

I love my C, but have to admit the spec of the A4 new engine is amazing!Waiting for them to put in the A5.......

Baran

I had a 2006 A4 2.0T and for me there is no compare between them.C klasse is better and better for me.

oblu

-off topic-
Not in my area!

Audi dealership that we use (same dealer group... Barrier Motors... owns the MB dealer too) is fantastic. And it's newer/nicer/better than the old nasty MB dealership that hasn't been remodeled since the 70's.

Plus the Audi dealer has the car wash for the dealer group; it's pretty amusing to see all the Mercs driven over to run through the car wash. The most horrific site I've witnessed was a temp tag SLR being run through the automatic car wash. You'd think that much money would buy you a hand wash from the detailing dept.

-on topic-
Haven't seen the new A4 at the dealer here yet. In pictures it looks pretty bland, like an A6. I'm hoping that the rear seat/trunk really is bigger than the older version, and that they come out with an inspiring engine choice/dsg and titanium package. I like Audi's and I [typically] enjoy dealing with the Audi service dept with my previous cars and my wife's car.

GDawgC220

The 2.0T engine specs still stands at 211hp/258lb-ft. Interesting news is that a new 3.0 engine is suppose to be released soon. Here is what's funny...it's supercharged! 3.0 S/C V6 310hp/286lb-ft. It is suppose to go into the new A6. Same engine going into the S4 but with a higher output. So this new 3.0 should trickle down to the A4 at some point. We'll see if this is actually true or they're just throwing false info out there...

The current 3.2 will still be released with the B8, 265hp/243lb-ft.

As for transmission choices, still a 6-speed option and a revised tiptronic for faster shifts than previously.

webada

2009 A4 is really good looking, comparable to the w204, actually the rear end is better than c-class.

the only concern is: the old A4 quattro felt really slow and clumsy compared to bmw 3series xi or the lexus IS 250 4wd. hopefully that will change with the 09.

reliability however is a huge concern, for posters that had generations of audi without issues, good for you. I personally know 2 A6 owners, one had an 08 and within 4 months the dashboard started to rattle, passenger side following driver side. other was 05 A6 which probably ended up more days in the dealer's shop than his own garage.

granted, all covered under warranty and no hassle from dealership.

GDawgC220

I agree the 1.8T in stock form feels slow. The 2.0T is much better IMO. Can't wait to try the revised 2.0T with the extra torque.

Performance numbers were released. 2.0T to 60 takes 6.5, 3.2 is 6.3, both Quattro.