Report: BMW doesn’t feel the need to compete with the Audi R8

Maybe because they can't? A company can work on fuel efficient vehicles at the same time.

Efficient dynamics is good technology (if it includes start/stop) But you won't see it in the US on any BMW because it doesn't do anything on the EPA test, so much for BMW caring so much about sustainability. (and I think Efficient Dynamics is only good for 4 cylinder BMWs at the moment)

I think BMW doesn't need to make a car in that class because it does such a good job in every other performance vehicle,, all the BMW M's do fine in there class if not OWN them...or it could just be they don't want to add a another model to their 42 car lineup already. who knows and who cares

Per Road & Track's Road Test Summary that anyone can find toward the back of the magazine:

Audi R8
0-60 4.3
0-100 11.0
1/4 mile 12.9@109.8
60-0 112ft
100-0 196ft
skidpad .98g
Slalom 71.1mph
Test MPG 14.0

BMW M3 Coupe
0-60 4.1
0-100 9.4
1/4 mile 12.4@110.4
60-0 112ft
100-0 197ft
skidpad .98g
Slalom 71.4mph
Test MPG 15.0

Audi's "exotic" sports car can't even keep pace with BMW's sports coupe (with a real trunk and a real back seat). Why would anyone even ask BMW if they would build a competitor to an R8, that does not make sense. Like Johnny Cochran said: "Why would a Wookiee, an eight-foot tall Wookiee, want to live on Endor, with a bunch of two-foot tall Ewoks? That does not make sense!"

Maybe someone should ask Audi what they are going to do to get their car up to speed.

Go read the race track comparison from this months Road & Track. Neither one is designed for the drag strip, but the R8 is much better on the race track than the M3. And the R8 has run slightly quicker than that in some other tests.

chewy, "slightly quicker than that" would still be "slightly slower than the M3". As for the track performance, if the slalom, skidpad, and braking are pretty much even, which they are in the case of the R8 and M3, then it's going to come down to which car is quicker accelerating out of corners and through straights. That seems to be the M3, at least by a small margin.

Personally I think the R8 is a great car. It's affordable (by supercar standards), looks more exotic than anything else in the pricerange, and performs well. "Performs well", though, not "outperforms everything". You're basically buying it because it's different and looks great and is a nice all-around performance car, not because it performs like a Lamborghini or Ferrari. The main reason to get one over an M3 is that it's more exclusive, looks more exotic, and costs 43% more (which is part of the exclusivity thing). And the R8 doesn't have to be faster than an M3 (or other cars) to be a great car. I doubt it would beat an EVO around a track, but I'd still rather have an R8 for the reasons I mentioned above. If my budget for a car was $100k, I'd choose the R8 over the M3. If my budget was $70k, I'd get the M3 (and before anyone mentions it, yes, I'd get the M3 over a GT-R -- I know, I know, flame away). Now if BMW were to come out with that new mid-engine M1, or make the next M6 less of a really fast GT and more of an actual sportscar, then I'd have something to think about versus the R8.

No, the R8 was much, much better over 4 tracks compared to the M3.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=6944

Straight line is not the R8 (V8) strongest aspect, but it does well on the track.

I checked out that article and your claim that one is way, way better than the other is a GROSS exaggeration. They are both great cars clearly. They even hinted that with a bit more front tire the M3 would improve greatly at the track. The M3 is great street car so it makes sense that it slightly under tired for the track.

First of all, I must say I love the R8 and BMWs. I think both of these are absolutely amazing cars. I agree with JRobUSC's assessment which was a great summary. You just will not turn more heads currently than with an R8 which is also very comfortable and exclusive (I've put a lot of miles on one and it is more comfortable than my 550i Sport). The 20-way seat in the 550 is absolutely awesome but maybe I should have gone with the normal 550 and just added the M-kit because the ride is quite harsh! It is probably overall very close between these two cars (M3 and R8) as far as performance, with the R8 a better track car.

As far as the actual performance stats listed in the current Road & Track -- I believe that is the slowest I've seen the R8 tested (I think this was from some R&T favorite V-8 comparo article or something). R&T has gotten the R8 down to 4.0 previously with 1.0 on the skidpad if I recall correctly, so in essence these cars are pretty close. Haven't seen an M3 duplicate those number yet. I think the M3 coupe may be minimally faster in a straight line to 100, but the R8 has been faster around tracks (like in Evo and CAR magazines last year--albeit that might have been the sedan, as well as the above listed R&T article driven by professionals). The best stock figures I've seen for an R8 tested by a mainstream magazine is in Motor Trend's Campo to Canada article:

0-60 3.9s
1/4 mi 12.5 @ 111.9
60-0 96 ft,

so Audi doesn't have to do anything to get their car "up to speed". That being said, I do think the R8 could be considered underpowered, and I can't wait for the 520-540 hp V10 coming later in 2009. The car market just keeps getting better!

Actually, found the R&T R8 prior test from 8/2007, so I was a little off:

0-60 4.0s
0-100 10.1s
1/4 mi 12.5s @ 113.2mph
60-0 111ft
100-0 197ft
skidpad 1.01g
slalom 71.4

if BMW needs to make an R8 competitor it will happen when your an INDEPENDENT company you can develop whatever the hell you want to. I dont think they need to.....I know a competitor RICER GTR...lololo.if they make an r8 competitor then fine if not it doesnt matter to me because Merc and BMW are ahead of the game anyway

AUDI = VOLKSWAGEN
BMW = ??????????????????????(someone tell me)

BMW=Pseudoluxury shit

well based on you failed attempt at logic BMW must equal MINI

aarononymous-Not sure why you were deboosted, I think I'm the only one who actually understands what you mean.

I hear this stupid VW/Audi comparison all the time, doesn't make ANY sense.

guess it shows what kind of people we are dealing with on Autospies. BMW makes some amazing cars, but c'mon if you don't take Audi seriously. The RS6 is arguably the best in the Super-Sedan category. We're not talking Volvo or Saab here.

lets get it str8 who came first VW or Audi = VW....and VW's luxury brand is....come on audi fans.....thats right Audi so how is that stupid please explain if your just going to leave a slick comment and not answer the question then you dont know shit aarononymous and nsmatt. get a grip the only reason why they exist is because of VW your gettn it twisted........So i guess the only reason toyota exists is because of lexus right what kind of moronic car mags do you 2 read oh ok you guys get the "CAR MAGS FOR DUMMIES" subscription right. if the RS6 is the 2nd best super sedan in the category whats the S6 which has the same V10 as the RS6....Because we all know the M5 is the best super sedan

OK, Audi came well before VW. I don't think anybody is questioning that VW owns Audi, so in that case Audi=VW as a company. As far as actual vehicles are concerned Audi does not equal VW, maybe share 5-10% of components through the model ranges.

b7fan - you do know that audi existed before they were bought by vw, right? ever heard of auto union?

yes auto union was audi before it was given the audi name

now my thing is that where would audi be if auto union was not bought by VW. now when you buy a company wouldnt you start using you own parts and engineering in the product instead of using what was there previously. so audi is running off of technology that VW developed am i right or wrong

I would say yo are wrong. VW bought Audi for their water-cooled engine technology. Before the first TT Audi's were %100 Audi, not VW. The TT might share the VW platform but has different suspension/body/interior. That is pretty much the case now with Audi & VW.

Ohh maybe they share headlight switches but I'll let you in on a little secret....Audi,BMW, or VW don't manufacturer many of the parts in their cars. They are bought from outside vendors.

well said aarononymous.

i think thats the point.....before VW and even during the VW period in the start....Audi was nothing more than a German Volvo, or Saab.....it wasnt until the first A4 that they wanted to go to battle with the Mercedes and BMW otherwise they were just also rans....in the way Saab and Volvo were a quircky alternative to what was considered the established luxury makes.....and my thing is how cocky Audi fans are about these cars when the first A4 was a VW, as was the A6, it took Audi till 2009 to get a new platform not shared with VW group....."2009" so to act as if Audi hasnt been the German equivalent of say Acura is totally wrong......there cars arent bad(taking reliability and depreciation out of the equation) but to say that even now they dominate their classes is foolish...they still consistantly have lost to the top cars in each class...and the A4 has never been more than a mid to back pack fighter as has the A6, and A8....they just arent there yet are they closer yes.....but not there...but plenty cocky though

bmwdrvr, the first Audi to use the A4 model name in the US was an Audi. It was sold as a 1996 model. The Passat I assume you were refering to went on sale in 1998. Are you saying that the A4 was a VW when VW already had a Passat in 1996 & 1997 (B3 Passat).

Maybe they accidentally made two different Passats for 1996 & 1997 & just called the other one the A4. Looks like it worked out pretty good for Audi. Talk about your lucky breaks.

Please stop with all this Audi is a VW nonsense. You can hate the company all you want but the Audi is a VW argument doesn't hold water.

BMW = GM Manual box + Citroen/Peugeot engine + mini car body + Mercedes-Benz Two-Mode hybrid transmissions

independent mixed breed monster
truth is , they r not big enough

if they r smart , they will get GT coupe from rolls , BMW sports car for $100k + never works ...

guess who still remember Z8 these days

your pretty ignorrant I see......for one I dont hate companies they are companies,, now people for that matter.........but to clarify for the Audi fans here often sound as rediculous as Amazin in their crazy bias support of a brand........what im saying is the first A4 yes in 1996 (1994 was the actual year for the record it was created) was way after Lexus in 1989 so to many no they arent on the same level as BMW and Mercedes or Lexus by far they werent true contenders to the luxury fold till the A4, and than the A6, and A8 which were almost at the end of the decade...by this time Lexus was 10 years old, BMW , Jaguar, and Mercedes were still the established brands..and Audi with a new image was just a newcomer.....here.....feel free to deboost as it will only support my point of how alot of Audi people on here are worse than Amazin no logic........

The first-generation Audi A4 (known internally as the Typ 8D) was debuted by Audi in 1994 on the Volkswagen B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A4

Based on the hugely successful Audi A4, the Passat gets a stretched version of that compact’s chassis just like its sister car, the Audi A6.
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=44262/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/used/1997/volkswagen/passat/536/roadtestarticle.html&articleId=44262

thats the A4, and A6 based on the Passat......and while you are supposed to be an Audi fan...and I never even trashed Audi you know nothing of your beloved brand....its sad.....and you got boosted by other Audi fans....(amazinbimmers comments are just as false) so yes as I SAID A CAR ENTHUSIAST....AUDIS HAVE BEEN VWS FOR QUITE SOMETIME THE NEW Platform hopefully will change this as they need a shot in prestige, and seperation from VW....and on a side note thats not the only Audis that are VW's.......and vice versa

bmwdrvr, you are a moron. Every time you try to make a point I correct you and then you come back with something different. How is the first A4 a VW just becasue VW used the platform for the Passat? It started in an Audi model. It's in more Audi models than VW models. It has the same longitudinal engine setup like previous Audis (VW has & has the transverse engine in their cars). The B6 chassis was also an Audi.

Go quote wikipedia some more or prove me wrong because it was actually a 1994 model, what did I say that was incorrect about it being sold here as a 1996 model A4?

Answer why they developed a VW platform but used it on an Audi the first 2 years?

I remember reading about the B5 passat when it was coming out & how it was a change for VW and they were going to use the A4 platform, which they did.

You're retarded,
The IS-F failed to compete with the RS4.

The LF-A will not stand up the R8 either.

maybe they think like you, or maybe you do not think?

Outclassed by a GT-R and LF-A? Well for one the GT-R isn't a luxury car and the LF-A is....well where is the LF-A?

I think that BMW will come out with something in that class, just not at the very moment. It would be in the same niche as the Z8 was, somewhat of a halo car that leads the company's exotics/low volume lines.

hahaha, BMW = comedy :)

oh, and who captured that whale.

hahaha, auto001= comedy :(

auto001 - the chidrens website is nickjr.com they may have some links with colorful pages that will get you on your way

BMW is not making a competitor as they cannot match up to Audi. That would require them to actually build a quality product for once. I think they'll opt for selling the blue and white circle instead.

hey, look everyone! Audi just got their own version of MichaelTaylor, huu76, AmazinBimmer, and Staar!

Nice to meet you, Audi was starting to get under represented on here in the idiot troll department. You pretty much give us at least one of everyone, so post all the moronic word vomit you want as you guys basically cancel each other out, and the yin/yang is complete.

ah, perfect, Teknik's back too. Now the troll circle really is complete. It's been awhile, thought perhaps you'd moved on. Which other screenname of yours got banned, forcing you to reuse this one? Staar?

@AudiNewEngland

Whats your problem, actualy all fanboy's. I could start trashing audi, but its best if i ignore stupid fanboys.

And don't hate the manufacturers because of them.

chewy, it is a little bias to say bmw cannot build a R8 type of car, 1) Audi has copied BMW to the point of creating a 700HP RS6, 2) the point of creating the R8 is to help establish a sporting reputation that bmw maintains. 3)BMW has built a mid-engine car before with the M1 and in the 90's a BMW V-12 engine did power the Mclaren f1. 4) Nissan and Alfa-Romeo now have supercars that are superior to your rebadge-Gallardo-TT R8, if Nissan and Alfa could bulid a mid-engine car BMW could make one also. 5) why doesn't audi compete in F1 racing?? because they don't have a
enough money!

Exactly, BMW has nothing to prove.

Audi doesn't have enough money? You are an idiot! Audi is one the most profitable carmakers currently in the world. Why do they need to compete in F1? What would be the gain. It's not like BMW has been that remarkable in F1. You BMW fans are laugh a minute with your twist of the truth.

maybe because Audi is nothing more than a division of a large Parent company.....its called parts sharing....the costs of Audi are spread across the VW group so why wouldnt they be...BMW is a luxury company not part of a parent company that funds them, and they can share parts with and costs. The Audi R8 is the result of this sharing with Lamborghini, no costs in creation of a whole new platform, or engines for that matter..BMW has nothing to prove it is Audi that wants to be seen in the same light as BMW they dont need to do "what they did already with Lamborghini with the M1" let Audi follow them...they already have the name for Performance and they already have the image it is Audi who is playing catch up

Audi does not race in F1 because the technologies for F1 can not be put to practical use in the street cars. By racing in Lemans Audi has brought to the streetcars such things as the DSG transmission, FSI, and improved diesel technology. I would love to see Audi in F1 but as a company I understand why they stay with Lemans and DTM

Isn't there talks of them making the M1??

Am I completely wrong in thinking that is the same type of car as the R8?

Some would argue that making cars like this is R&D. Since most people here are BMW fans - the same could be said about F1. Why waste millions on a sport like that? ---> to learn from the track and make better cars for the consumers.

BMW has a higher percentage of cars recommend the Toyota.

BMW does outsell Lexus.

The Lexus IS-F has finished last in every road test I have ever read (five test +), in fact the IS-F has yet to beat the Brilliant but aged Audi RS4.

Take three minutes and do some research.

ATTENTION EVERYONE Staar is back!!!

New Name: HondaJapan

Just Info so you can dismiss his idiotic statements.

Honda Japan you are so full of crap... Every automotive critic and magazine has declared the BMW 335i coupe the winner over the Infiniti G37 coupe.

What freakin' dimension are you from? The Twilight Zone?

Hey JAP:

BMWs are more dependable than HONDA, Infiniti, and Nissan. Don't believe me? Take a look at the 2008 JD-powers dependability ratings. Consumerreports recommends most all of BMW's models. I own a 335i and have had NO problems whatsoever.
I see much more older E36-era BMWs then all of the older Lexus models combined. No wonder people abandon Lexus because they are totally full of themselves and know no such thing as making good cars like Japan does. Maybe Hirohito's pride is still within Japan.

"It doesn't matter what BMW does, BMW can never beat Lexus when it comes to selling, and reliability. Oh hey, IS-F will soon beat M3 as well! LOL! Oh wait, didn't Infiniti beat the 3 series already? LOL!!!!"

Funny you say that. Lexus sales are less than half of BMWs sales worldwide. BMW is bound to outsell Lexus in the U.S.A. as well (the only market where Lexus does well). The IS-F has already been compared and falls in last place every time. The M3 is superior, without a doubt. Infiniti beats the 3 because its much cheaper than the 335i.


"Keep dreaming krauts. Your days are over, let Japan take over."

I see your peoples imperialistic views are still existant. Keep dreaming Japs. Your days are over, Hirohitos dead. America will take care of you once again if they need to.




Agents, ban this guy.

JD power gave me $5 in the mail to rate MB , guess if I rated it high and ignored $1 they sent for my mitsubishi survey?

survey is a joke

Pretty much we look normal, which is unlike you. Take a mirror pull your pants down and look at your a_s and that is what you look like when your lips are moving or your finger are typing.

lol, that was pretty funny.

Factsrule, shouldn't you pull your pants down first? It would make it easier than trying it with a mirror in your hand....

Just ignore him. He's 12 years old and loves Lexus because his dad drives a red Toyota IS with a Camry interior.

You all BMW shrills seem to forget that there is Audi R8 V10 coming to market with likely times under 4 secs. The M3 is not in the same class yet alone same league as the R8. Give the R8 a track and some twisties and the M3 can go out to pasture.

Not really so much VISO. The M3 actually out performs the very desirable Audi R8. You are right, adding more weight and horsepower will certainly help to get the R8 up to speed, but shirley it won't help handling or braking. BTW, the word you were looking for is "shill" not "shrill".

hey viso audi couldnt beat the M3 with the S4 so they take lambo gallardo design put the S4 engine in it and call it an R8 so it could beat the M3 to me the R8 is in the same EXACT category as the M3 it aint exotic it isnt a super sport its just a Lightweight S4 and thats it

b7fan - that had to be the stupidest thing i've ever heard. if you had a choice of an R8 or an M3 i bet you would be driving an R8 tomorrow and that goes for every audi hating bmw fan.

but now i think about it the performance is pretty much the same so why would I choose the R8

if i was looking for something like the R8 it would be the gallardo why would i get the R8

1dott--

I did/do have the choice and bought the E90M, and I like Audi's for the most part. R8 better track car but everyday E90M.

b7fan - you would get the R8 so that you don't look like that 17 year old kid down the block with the same car.

no I would the M3 Because the kid down the block has the discontinued model....lolololo

As much as I would like to see a BMW super car I can't blame them for not building one. With the cost of R&D and marketing its a money loser. While I do see the need for a Halo car. I don't think BMW needs one right now either financially and image wise.

Amen to that brotha

OMG who is this clown teknik. did the little BMW salesman not give you the deal you were looking for so you downgraded to an AUDI and decided you like audis now....poor baby....thats a shame....you guys dont ban teknik he just needs someone to talk too other than that he is useless on autospies

Why do people think that the cars that they can afford are better than the cars that they cannot afford?

Speak for yourself and go suck on a Lex

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that if BMW decided to make an Audi R8 competitor it would come up with a great product, better or worse. It's absolutely unnaceptable to hear that BMW "doesn't care to compete with the R8" because they DO need to come up with a product to compete. This BS excuse that the M3 performs just as good in numbers (or better, if you take these BMW biased reports) doesn't cut it. This is another example of a BMW fanboy excuse for BMW not being able to compete. They come up with the M3, which is great product (although not ALL that much better than the C63 and the RS4) and all of a sudden they don't need to do anything else, like everything that you would need in a car is performance numbers. The RS6, once again, proved to be a better car than the M5, and the same old excuse is the M3 - stick with the issue! The R8 is obviously a much more exclusive product (available delivery only in 2010), offers much more in quality, curb appeal, status, etc), so it's not the car to be compared to the M3. If they made the MISTAKE of coming with all that BS of the M1 rendering and come up with this lame excuse that they don't need to prove themselves agains that R8, it just proves how retarded and how biased this company is, from its fanboys to the people running it.

well said.

Dumbass,

BMW has tried to build a true high-line sports car and they failed (Z8). Even though it was an incredibly beautiful car, it wasn't a success and has been all but lost in automotive history. They do need to enter that segment and they will eventually, if not but to keep up with the Joneses. Lexus, Acura, Audi, and MB all have true sports cars either in production or in the works.

There's a HUGE difference between a sporty luxury car (M3) and a luxurious sports car (R8).

Now, don't you have some Centrum Silver to take, father time?

jpighetti,

Enjoy your deboosting.

Thanks, I'm thooughly enjoying it.

What did I say that was worthy of a deboost though? There's two point made there: 1) BMW eventually needs, and will produce, a true sports car to compete with the current and upcoming offerings from Audi, Mercedes, Lexus and Acura. The Z8 was a failure. It wasn't enough "sport" to be real sports car competition. I don't think anyone would argue that. I think it's an incredibly beautiful car. Concours D'Elegance beautiful, but that's it. It wasn't a successful car for BMW, and that's not just an opinion.

Point 2 - AmazinBimmer is an ass clown. He's a fiercely pathetic 41 year old douche bag who gets his rocks off by picking on other people, many a fraction of his age. He's a loser and an embarassment to auto enthsiasts everywhere. But that's secondary to my OPINION that BMW recognizes the need to produce a genuine sports car.

I think the "sporty luxury car" vs the "luxurious sports car" if a perfect analogy to describe the major differences between an M3 (or M5 or M6) and a car like the R8 (or 911 or SLR or Gallardo, etc)

BMW produces amazing cars, and I give credit where credit is due without blind fanboy loyalty, but they are not players in an important market, but I believe they will be soon.

Yes, no? Disagree? Agree?

LexSucks,

What was it that I was supposed to enjoy? It escapes me. Eh, I guess it's not important.

On a side note, can someone explain to me what +1, +2, +3 etc. means? Is that bad? Did I break something?

Dont feel a need to compete with the R8 because they are to busy competing with the AMC Eagle Vs the X6.

Maybe that's a part of EfficientDynamics lol.

yes the m6 should beat the R8 but it's a grand tourer. two different cars in two different segments. are you kidding me?

AROD,

You're missing the point. The M6 is a beast of a car, but, by the numbers, it's not faster than the R8 (R8 4.4 sec to 60 mph for the R8 vs 4.5 for the M6, 12.5 1/4 mile vs 12.8) unless you factor the potential for driver error, which it certainly sounds like you experienced. Sounds like your friend needs to learn how to drive that car, and he wouldn't get "shit and pissed on" (eloquent) by the BMW. Even if the M6 was faster than the R8, it's still not a competitor. Dropping $5000 into a Subaru WRX STi will get you a car that's faster than the M6, but it's not a competitor. BMW doesn't have a proper sports car. That's the point.

And don't embarass yourself by calling it a Volkswagen R8. The car is much much closer to a Lamborghini if you want to make a sensible comparison.

jpighetti -

once again, well said.

What's with all the name dropping and bravado about yourself? Are you that insecure just like your precious BMW? Didn't you mention once you were some time of investment banker. I'm sure you're not laughing all the way to the bank, but more liking crying. Better sell that ten year old M5 and that level entry X3 before it's too late.

Ok...

I suppose i failed to mention how much you make and that you have an MBA, since that has a significant bearing on the R8's performance figures. Sorry about that. You may recall from a similarly pathetic exchange, on your end, that I have a Lincoln SUV which i use to tow my boat, and a new boxster S.

I'm also 26 years old. How old are you, you loser? Was it 41? Are you kidding me? Thank god you make more than me, you've got 15 years on me! But I guarantee that at 26 you weren't even close. You're a pathetic, laughable, immature, loser.

Wow. 41. Damn.

amazinMoron stop making yourself look bad and embarassing your pathetic self with every comment you make.

Face it, loser, BMW doesn't have a sports car. Your M6 gets eaten alive on the track by the R8 not to mention it blends in unlike the R8.

The R8 V10 is rumored to set a new Nurburgring record and you people are comparing it to the BMW M3.

What a shame, AmazinMoron is getting scared that Audi is creating a ton of new niche vehicles such as the Q3, Q5, A7, and high-performance models that will bring dynamisim to the forefront of their mission.

13 straight years of sales growth and over 1 million cars will be sold in 2008. You people are trying to downplay Audi.

amazinMoron please send me pictures of your cars so I can embarass your sorry ass further. I'll take the fattest dump on your Wharton diploma and then shove it down your throat.

I would like BMW to focus on making a great, large coupe. The R8 is a fantastic car Audi needed for great press and it has worked. The S5 is also a homerun.

amazinJerkoff -

you do realize that the m6 is a v10? why can't we compare those cars? you're a real a$$.

Dream-on buddy! Pretty pathetic if you define yourself by how much you earn. You have some spiritual searching to do.

M3 is faster than the R8, amazinMoron? Provide facts you useless dump eater. The R8 has a higher top speed than the BMW M3 so therefore it is impossible for the M3 to be faster.

Investment Banking doing just fine?? I see you don't work at Goldman Sachs. Otherwise you would know that 1 out of every 4 people in the INvestment Bank was laid off.

So, what crappy bank do you work at amazinMoron? Citigroup? Morgan Stanley? Merrill Lynch? how about JPMorgan or some other plebian piece of junk that pales in comparison to the almighty Goldman Sachs.

Stop making yourself look bad amazinMoron. Look at how the new A4 has already dethroned the sorry C350 sport sedan from MB. Pretty soon the RS5 will do the same with your M3 considering the RS5 is packing 470 horsepower and the R8 V10 will set a new Nurburgring lap record.

Audi has had sales increase for 13 consecutive years.

spelling error no. 1 "no idiot in their right mind would ever belisve". spelling error no. 2 "FWD POS nose heavy VW idethroned the Merc" spelling error no. 3 "the only poepl" and this just makes no sense; "the m3 is faster (accelrating) to the r8"

MBA, please. amazinJacka$$, who are you fooling?

1.) Hey cum dumpster Moron sorry to burst your bubble but the Audi R8 has a faster top speed than the BMW M3 limited or not. Unfortunately, the BMW M3 is limited and therefore has a lower top speed than the R8 so by definition it is not faster.

2.) increasing sales on a small base with crappy fwd cars in china is no amazin feat." Give that China will be the number one car market in the world you jackass, it is obviously a market where BMW must grow but Audi is slaughtering BMW in China.

3.) Check the Edmunds Insideline article where the 2009 Audi A4 dethroned the MB C350 sport sedan feces eater.

4.) The Audi A4 is more expensive than the MB C350 sport so your arguement of the Audi buyers being the ones who can't afford the Mercedes is assinine just like your fictious MBA.

5.) I am convinced you are broke and I can wipe my ass with your college degree and then make you shove it.

6) The Audi R8 has gone 0-60 in 3.9 seconds which the BMW M3 has never done. So, you continue to lie that the BMW M3 can accelerate faster than the AUdi R8 when in reality it can't.


http://www.banks.com/blogs/auto/category/audi/

you speaking filthy like that really isnt necessary.....these are cars for gods sakes...if you get that angry over a blog you really should get off of it, and do everyone a favor...i mean this kinda crap isnt called for

I've driven the M3, the RS4 and the R8 on the track and although the first two are awesome vehicles, they just don't compare to the R8.

At the end of the day, I really don't care which boasts a faster 0-60 time because that only matters at the start. Once you get into the twists and turns, the R8 becomes the Master of the track!

Porsche AG is now the controlling parent behind VW group, that means it has influence on Lambo, Porsche, Audi and VW. I suspect that means that Porsche AG will not permit the performance of future Audi R8 (R10) to threaten 911 (the more high end versions S/GT3/Turbo) or the Lambo.

BMW should really reconsider as it can bring back the M1 that is both price competitive to the Audi R8 / Porsche 911 but offer substantial more performance as it doesn't have to reserve the most powerful performance car to another sports car brand name within the BMW Group (Mini).

What amazes me is that people are still buying R8's at 25K over list.

aarononymous said, "Ohh maybe they share headlight switches but I'll let you in on a little secret....Audi,BMW, or VW don't manufacturer many of the parts in their cars. They are bought from outside vendors."

I have mentioned this before to the BMW clan and they ripped me to shreds. You think all that German stuff is really made in Germany? The a lot of it comes out of Asia with a few suppliers making it.

yeah I saw a breakdown of some german car and it showed where all the major components are made and the stuff comes from all over the world. Why do you think VW wanted to be near the BMW & MB plants in the US?

They share vendors.

All service is covered to 50000 miles for 590 USD (no different than any other Audi if you buy the Audi Advantage plan. Insurance -- 1490 USD for one year. I'd call those figures a bargain. They also treat you like a rock star everytime you go in (yes, you did spend about 140,000 by choice), but that's no different than anywhere else you go. I wouldn't buy the car if you want to go unnoticed.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I love my BMW, but the R8 steering is almost telepathic, and it is an experience to drive everytime, whether for the real driving or just commuting (for better or worse). Just idling though a parking lot, people turn and smile. Kids sometimes jump in excitement. Women come up and talk to you (and no . . . I'm not looking for that), when usually only guys care about cars. Thumbs up come from every walk of life from Harley's to big rigs to crotch rockets, let alone the cars (#1 car with the camera phone out seems to be the WRX). In nearly one year of ownership, people have openly salaamed--I wish they would keep their hands on the steering wheel!

I've only gotten one thumbs down--on a long, 50 mph back road two lane straight from an older generation 3-series younger looking passenger coming from a distance, but you know what that means? It means the car was noticed! I've also had one 911 owner floor it past as his wife/girlfriend checked out the car, and a Ferrari owner continuously turn the other way at a light, I think. (Sorry it's so ugly to some Ferrari owners--ha ha!) That's the beauty of the R8--unmistakable visibility without over the top ostentation (at least in the Porshe vein), track competence, yet daily drivability as an Audi (don't know many people who occasionally drive their Ferrari's to work). I'll take the 99% adulation!

Cheers! (By the way, I wouldn't turn down a Ferrari or an M6!)