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Another which car thread - RS4 vs M3

post #1 of 45
1/23/09 at 6:00am
Thread Starter 
I'm in Europe, looking to replace my late 2005 A4 2.4 V6 convertible with 4-seat (ish) soft-top. It'll be a company car & daily driver. Had my eye on a 2007 RS4 cabrio for a while, but am now also getting distracted by a 2008 M3 cabrio. If this were shoes, the SF reaction would be "get both", but I can't afford it! Here's my thinking:

Pro-RS4: cheaper EUR45,000 vs 65,000 for the M3. Heaviest depreciation already gone (EUR95,000 new).
Less in-your-face than the M3
Cool interior, Euro-bucket seats, steering wheel etc
Rarity - not one RS4 cabrio ever registered here in Belgium - would buy in Germany.
Against: Discontinued model, all-new convertible arriving from Q2.

M3: Current model, latest tech
Would buy new LHD in the UK, prices are 30% cheaper than here Belgium so could conceivably sell in 1 year for the same price.

I know all the "soft top is a compromise in a 400hp car" arguments, etc, but I like convertibles. Which would you choose? (I can look for pics, but I'm guessing if you're reading this, you know them both...)
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post #2 of 45
1/23/09 at 1:03pm
Drove an RS4 convertible for a magazine review about 14 months ago. One of the most ill-conceived cars I've ever driven. Cowl shake like a 93 Mustang GT convertible, horrible front-end push when trying to hustle it, and mushy front brakes. Hairdressers' car with a big motor. AVOID. Or at the very least, drive it before you buy it. (BTW, I like the RS4 sedan and Avant quite well. And the A4 cabrio is a nice car. It doesn't try to be something it isn't.) That said, the engine note on the RS4 cab is nice, when you push that silly exhaust-flap "S" button. Of course, then you're saddled with the humiliation that you just pushed a button to make your car louder. Good grief, it's like they'd never heard of Viagra in Ingolstadt.
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post #3 of 45
1/23/09 at 1:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbjorn View Post
That said, the engine note on the RS4 cab is nice, when you push that silly exhaust-flap "S" button. Of course, then you're saddled with the humiliation that you just pushed a button to make your car louder. Good grief, it's like they'd never heard of Viagra in Ingolstadt.

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post #4 of 45
1/23/09 at 3:26pm
I have driven the RS4 sedan, but never the Cabrio. If the $ isn't really an issue, I would go with the M3.
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post #5 of 45
1/23/09 at 3:46pm
Thats a tough one. Both look good and would be fun cars. So it comes down to price for me. Now if the company is paying then I guess that doesn't matter in this case.
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post #6 of 45
1/23/09 at 3:50pm
Go test drive both. You will know which car is the one for you.

--Andre
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post #7 of 45
1/23/09 at 3:54pm
Would you honestly let strangers on an internet forum pick which car you're going to spend that much money on? Go drive them, buy the car you like the best, what other answer were you looking for?
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post #8 of 45
1/23/09 at 4:00pm
I can't believe this is a "company" car :-)
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post #9 of 45
1/23/09 at 4:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by suited View Post
Would you honestly let strangers on an internet forum pick which car you're going to spend that much money on? Go drive them, buy the car you like the best, what other answer were you looking for?

Of course not, just interested in the opinions of those who may have also driven one or the other, and who (A Y, for example) may have more driving experience with a wider variety of high-end cars than I have. (Andre, you're right). I drove the RS & liked it, but have not yet had the chance to try the M3.

Yes, the company is paying, but it's my company...

Thanks for the opinions, guys.
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post #10 of 45
1/24/09 at 4:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by A Y View Post
Go test drive both. You will know which car is the one for you.

--Andre

I can't help but feel a suggestion towards the M3.

I'd love to buy one, but it doesn't seem practical as an every day car.
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post #11 of 45
1/24/09 at 6:17am
Audi is very front-heavy, esp with a V-8 crammed in there. The AWD wouldn't be of much use in Belgium, right? M3 isn't really in your face (in a neutral color, at least).
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post #12 of 45
1/24/09 at 12:45pm
The cabrio variant of any performance Coupe is pretty lame, but if you must get one I'd get the M3. The perfect company car would be the 4 door RS4.
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post #13 of 45
1/28/09 at 9:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by teddieriley View Post
but it doesn't seem practical as an every day car.

aside from lowish gas mileage, why?
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post #14 of 45
1/29/09 at 1:07am
B.S.
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post #15 of 45
1/29/09 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ixelles View Post
Of course not, just interested in the opinions of those who may have also driven one or the other, and who (A Y, for example) may have more driving experience with a wider variety of high-end cars than I have. (Andre, you're right). I drove the RS & liked it, but have not yet had the chance to try the M3.

Yes, the company is paying, but it's my company...

Thanks for the opinions, guys.
If you're planning to drive it in the Ixelles area, get a Smart Brabus.
Sorry for the private Brussels joke, guys.
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