Economic downturn = great deals. 135i vs. RS4

[M3Armand]

I was "internet window shopping" and came across a few RS4's on eBay... Looks like low mileage 2007 and 2008's are selling in the low $40k's...

I know the 135 is a different car from the RS4 as it is different from the 370Z, Evo, etc... But I must admit, ever since selling my M3, I am missing owning a "blood-lined" car. I.e. - an "M", "RS" (or S in Audi's case, but more so for an "RS" obviously), "AMG", etc. If you see a 135 on the highway, you might say "nice car". But if you see an "RS4", you'd do a double/triple take and say.. "aaaahhh"... Of course, if the 135 had a "tii" version, I wouldn't be starting this thread as it'd ALMOST be a no-brainer for me at that point. I say ALMOST since BMW would probably price that tii into the high $40's or low $50's making that car even more way overpriced. I mean, I'm seeing 911 turbo's in the high $40's and low $50's at this point.

The M cars have historically held their values real well compared to the regular versions. I am just thinking that when it comes time to sell the 135, it would not command as high a price as an RS4 when the economy eventually turns around....

Thoughts?

[Citizen Z]

Badge whore.

But seriously, the RS4 is a seriously nice car but not that much faster than a 135i and certainly not worth the premium. Its less of a difference than between the 135i and the M3. Unless you just just want the emblem and badges.

[BlackjackMulligan]

Sorry but I'd say RS4 all the way. Sedan or vert.

[M3Armand]

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

Badge whore.

Yes! Too funny.... I guess I am a "badge whore"... I got to go tell my wife as she'd love that...

[jkp1187]

If you trust Audi (i.e., VW) reliability, go for it.

Personally, I don't. Not yet.

[AchtungF80]

Audis historically have horrible resale, esp. in their higher line cars, A8, RS4, RS6 etc...
It sounds like you want a status symbol as opposed to driving an exciting car.
If so, then just wait 2-4 years, and you can get a 911 twin turbo for $50k.

If your intention is resale value in the next 2-4 years, I would suggest looking at cars like the Mini Cooper S/JCW as those cars command a premium close to new MSRP after 2-3 years. Otherwise, cars are just horribly depreciating assets.

[M3Armand]

Originally Posted by achtungE30

...It sounds like you want a status symbol as opposed to driving an exciting car.
If so, then just wait 2-4 years, and you can get a 911 twin turbo for $50k.

C'mon...if you don't think an RS4 is an "exciting car", then you're a bit biased. The RS4 is just as an exciting car as the 135, if not more. And I already have the status symbols not even shown in my signature. For "value for your $40k" and as a daily driver, I'm thinking the RS4 would be a better buy than the 135. Of course, there's also exclusivity. There are probably 1000 2007-2008 RS4's out there... BMW probably sells 1000 135's in a month.

And as shown in the original post, the 911 Turbo can already be had for that price...

[Robert]

Originally Posted by M3Armand

C'mon...if you don't think an RS4 is an "exciting car", then you're a bit biased. The RS4 is just as an exciting car as the 135, if not more. And I already have the status symbols not even shown in my signature. For "value for your $40k" and as a daily driver, I'm thinking the RS4 would be a better buy than the 135.

And as shown in the original post, the 911 Turbo can already be had for that price...

I agree with him not because RS4 isn't an exciting car but why go half way when you can go the full length.

[Upgrade+]

I personally love audi's and look forward to owning one in the future. The styling of the whole lineup (except A6's) really make me stare in appreciation. If I had the money, I would love to have an RS4. But really, you should wait until the all new turbocharged S4 comes out. That's going to be a fun car to have.

[Dave]

audi's have horrible resale...

but if a 2008 rs4 was the same price as my 135 i too would think twice about it

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by M3Armand

C'mon...if you don't think an RS4 is an "exciting car", then you're a bit biased. The RS4 is just as an exciting car as the 135, if not more. And I already have the status symbols not even shown in my signature. For "value for your $40k" and as a daily driver, I'm thinking the RS4 would be a better buy than the 135. Of course, there's also exclusivity. There are probably 1000 2007-2008 RS4's out there... BMW probably sells 1000 135's in a month.

And as shown in the original post, the 911 Turbo can already be had for that price...

You're right...I did miss the part about the 911 turbo, I apologize.
But a used RS4, even certified does not equal a brand new 135i. You're buying someone else's car, who knows how it was treated prior. If you're looking for exclusivity, the 135i currently is there, I still do not see many, or few at all of them besides my own and at meets. There are 1000's of 3-series cars you see or will see as soon as you get on a major road.

Another problem I have with the RS4 or A4 for that matter is that Audi seems to make major changes to the car, be it aesthetic or powertrain related every 1.5 - 2 years. If you buy into an RS4 now, you miss out on the B9 S4 Supercharged coming out this year and your car is already dated with the new A4 out already.


**EDIT
I just realized that the e82 1-series will be due for a major re-design in 2010/2011, so at this point...if you must, I say go RS4.

[adrean8j]

I honestly think that the price on resale of the 135i will be greatly dependent on a couple things:
1. Color - For example SGM would sell higher since the color is now no longer offered. Whereas AW would not sell quite as high due to the abundance of them available and the color still being offered.
2. Model Range - By that I mean IF or WHEN they come out with these other proposed 1er models. I mean the SuperSport and the proposed 4 zylinder turbos they have been talking about. If they come out with those models we may see our Inline-6 twinturbos becoming something of a collectors item within the Bimmer world.

[ptack]

A used M or RS4 runs the risk of how much repair the car is due for, and if either choice is out of warranty be ready to open your wallet wide and often. I've always thought the RS4s were way over priced for what they gave you. At least the M3 does look distinctive. For me it all comes down to a used car risk. If you can reduce that risk it may be worth it, but just based on ebay listings, I'd say 'no thanks'.

[M3Armand]

Hmmm.... all very interesting points. I do know about the SC'ed S4. I actually like the fact that it's got gobs of power and still gets 27 mpg on the highway. But that will most likely be way out of the budget (that the wife will allow) for a year-round car. They will probably want sticker price for that. We currently have too many summer cars and not enough winter cars. Although we would both love to get the 911 turbo, we just won't drive that in the winter and it would just be one more car we'd need to find a garage for when the snow comes. I'd drive both the 135 and the RS4 in the winter. Doing a search, I'm a bit weary of the reliability of the RS4 - especially with our experience on her A4 with 202k miles. But for the most part with her A4, we were able to do most of the work ourselves and had not needed (knock on wood) to take it to the dealer. With the potential complexity of the RS4 engine, I'm not sure I'd have a choice.

With the 135, the intent is to go Vishnu/Active/J-something chip + oil cooler and maybe bigger IC. But even though these folks claim "invisibility" to the dealers, I believe the new rev software somehow manages to still find out if "more boost" was run. The 135 will be a tracked car. Is this true? I can't seem to find a real answer.

The RS4 will go through tires, but the 135's brakes are weak... so they say...

[adrean8j]

^^^Brakes are anything but weak...Well unless you are talking about purely for the track(you have me a bit confused 'cause you mentioned it as a DD then you mentioned it as a tracked car...). I know a few of the racers on here questioned some inserts for the ends of the pistons on the brakes...but they never questioned the 'strength' of the braking system.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by M3Armand

The RS4 will go through tires, but the 135's brakes are weak... so they say...

Really? At first when i drove the car they are seemed way to sensitive and way more than I needed. I mean they are 6 piston 13.3 inch rotors... that is not weak

However if you track them extensively and beat on your 1...they will fade and become mushy. For day to day driving they are far from weak

[M3Armand]

Well, I'm also pretty skeptical about "reviewers" stating that the brakes are weak. I mean, they're Brembo's! How bad could they be? I assume that the stock PADS would be too weak for track use, but these folks were actually using track compounds and it looks like the "dust seals" on the pistons melted. But they do have pics to prove.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...php?p=14599231

[BimmerLearner]

Not sure Id double take an RS4; subtle styling and all. I would double take a 135 or 128 if i didnt own one as they arent common.

[Year's_End]

RS4.

[Dr_Jones]

to quote tonights top gear: "RS4...driven exclusively by cocks''

i would pick the RS4

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

Badge whore.

But seriously, the RS4 is a seriously nice car but not that much faster than a 135i and certainly not worth the premium. Its less of a difference than between the 135i and the M3. Unless you just just want the emblem and badges.

Not much faster than a 135??? Are you serious?

[1013mm]

if i see an RS4 on the street i go dam they need to update that thing...