Have Audi went mad

[FarmerPug]

I have been reading the various car magazines, and websites, and audi at the moment is one company i just cant follow, there is too many new models coming out which dont seem to make sense, i heard there was an a5 with 5 doors, whats the point in that when there is an a4, then i heard of an a1 which is a small city car which i dont see a point in when a polo is cheaper, and then there is a q3, and an a7 coming out. How are they doing all this, is there going to be a market for these cars.

[Doggy]

Not if customers have any sense, (but that's not stopped them so far).

[Welly]

They must be making these new models to supply to countries that have money to spend cos we aint go no money here

I wanted an A4 avant before the Volvo but the prices (even for a 6/7 year old'er) were shocking

[TooT]

A1 will be for London city types.
A5 and A7 will be for the Germen business man on the Autobarn
Q3 is for Mummy to take the kids to school in because the VW Tiguan doesn't cut it in the carpark.

[sirwiggum]

Seems to be the in-thing to buy German "premium" marques. All the sheep would buy an Allegro if it had an Audi grille.

They have lost the plot, as has VW group in general. They don't know whether to make Skoda more premium, make VW less premium, make Seat family or sporting etc.

[FarmerPug]

I dont mind audi but generally if i was going to buy a german car id stay clear of the vw group and buy a mercedes, i had a w124 estate for a short while, it was a fantastic car even though parts were very expensive, it was slow, sore on diesel and couldnt go round a corner without sending the back end out it was fantasitc just slapping it down into d and letting it plough on.

[turbolag]

Audi's don't handle as sharply as some others - having that engine way out front is an embuggerance. The build 'quality' is also a masterpiece of myth and marketing over reality. That said, I did love Audis of old and my olde square rigged Audi 200 5T (in it's time the worlds fastest saloon) still rates as one of the most charismatic cars it's ever been my pleasure to own. Wish I could have another now Audi's seem to also have inherited this rather, erm, 'effeminate', shall we say, image, redolent of young men with high voices reeking of cheap aftershave and hair gel.

MBs still aren't built as in days of yore, although they're supposed to be improving.

Much as it pains be to say it I'd still go for BMW, although I'd stick to proper bimmers, like the bigger engined 5's and the 7's - I wouldn't touch any of the American or Hungarian made stuff, like the X5 and X3. 3 series are too chav, for people woh think they've "made it" in life, but haven't quite. The one series is as pointless as they come - I mean, a small practical hatch which isn't, er, very practical. Why?

A sobering thought though - in 2005, the last year the model featured, the Rover 75 scored higher in JD Power than every single MB, Audi or BMW. Just shows there's a better ownership experience out there for adults who can see past a silly badge.

[sirwiggum]

Had a run in in a "friend of a friend"s A4 once. Quite smug about the fact he had a brand new Audi.

Thought the interior packaging was ridiculous - Citroen ZXs have more room inside!
And the suspension and seats were very uncomfortable, like being driven around in a strict church.
Hated it.

Regarding the 75, quite liked these.
Although ironically my pick of the lot would be the B*W diesel

[rwb]

haha @ turbolag
I got a lift in an A5 by a young man with a high voice reeking of aftershave.
I thought the equipment was basic, and the interior quite 'plasticy'. Wasn't particularly comfortable, and it drunk so much fuel we had to stop for petrol.

Looking at performance and economy statistics BMW are at the top of the game at the moment, even ignoring that stupid stop|start rubbish. But they're so DULL!

I still love my 406. (But I do keep looking at Citroens )

[turbolag]

Stopped for petrol, or stopped in a darkened layby...ducky?

[sirwiggum]

haha @ turbolag

I still love my 406. (But I do keep looking at Citroens )

I keep getting a strange craving for an XM.....

[Welly]

I keep getting a strange craving for an XM.....

There's some medication you can take to prevent that - probably a better solution all round.

[turbolag]

Drive my old XM - that'll cure you right sharpish!

[eoin27]

XM???? Just pick up a 607!

[jasper5]

I'm seriously annoyed with an Audi today, I replaced all the brake pads and did a major service on my sister's A4 V6 2.5 Td, the pad warning symbol was lit due to completely knackered pads....called in my mate to turn off the symbol with his very expensive diagnostic setup....can't turn off the symbol, after he left, fuel filter blocked warning light came on and it's gone in limp mode.....I'm waiting for my mate to ring me back....ARRGGGHHHH.