Edmund's new reviews of Audis are quite shocking

After looking at the A4 reviews and videos on their website I think that they are clearly declaring BMW the winner everytime.

About the A4:

The Audi A4 is comfortable, sporty, and surefooted on slippery roads. With a price tag a few grand less than a comparably equipped BMW 3 Series, it's a smart choice.

The A4 interior: But with a price tag thousands less than the Bimmer, a richer cabin than any of them, a wider choice of body styles and a well-rounded personality,

S4: Of the current crop of high-performance small luxury cars, the 2007 Audi S4 represents the best choice for buyers interested in both entertaining performance and real-world functionality.

Compared to its closest peer, the M3, the Audi is not quite as visceral, but in the real world of rush-hour traffic, potholes and precipitation, the S4 looms as the more practical choice for a compact super sport sedan.

Audi A8: Although its name doesn't have the snob appeal of its countryman peers, the 2007 Audi A8 gives absolutely nothing away to them in terms of luxury, performance or craftsmanship.

Brand awareness, marketing or perceived levels of prestige might all be to blame, but not the car.

Anyody want to challenge Audi interiors?????

Fight this:

Audi A3: True to its Audi lineage, the A3 features a cabin that boasts excellent materials and build quality.

A4: Artfully designed and furnished with high-quality materials, the A4's cabin impresses immediately and continues to do so even after one has had the car for awhile. The seats may seem too firm for some folks, but they prove supportive and comfortable on long trips.

A6: The 2006 Audi A6 offers one of the best interiors of any midsize luxury sedan. Besides offering standard leather and wood inlays, each cabin is filled with supple, high-quality materials. If you bought an A6 for the sake of luxury alone, you wouldn't be disappointed.

In practice, it's much easier to use than BMW's iDrive or Mercedes' COMAND and helps minimize cabin clutter.

A8: Whether you're driving or riding in the back, there's not a bad seat in the Audi A8 house, especially if you're in the L version, with its 42 inches of rear legroom. Everything you see and touch in the A8 bespeaks the highest quality.

Q7: The Audi Q7's interior is notable for its high-quality construction and materials. Much of the dash layout is similar to that of the A6 sedan, and Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) is standard.

Somebody try to say that Audi doesn't make the best interiors...PLEASE, so I can grill you to your grave on your crazy claims.

Everyone knows Audi makes the best interiors in the industry...this is no revelation.

About snob appeal, who cares about snob appeal. You say you drive an Audi, and people know you have money.

Now the next A8 may surpass the competition in every way, but if Audi doesn't market it successfully, it won't matter.

They really need to work on connecting with average US consumer, whose tastes and expectations are quite different from the German consumer.

And....

In researching Audi, I made some surprising discoveries.

1. Out of all of the luxury brands, Audi has the whitest customer base. Approximately 95% of all Audi's are sold to whites. Blacks prefer Mercedes, Asians prefer BMW/Lexus. Audi needs to work on reaching out to more minorities.

2. Audi spent the least amount of money on advertising in 2005 than any other automotive company. In the US, Audi isn't a household name as it is in every other part of the world.

3. A number of Americans still hold questionable opinions about Audi, and this directly relates to the Audi 5000 disaster more than twenty years ago. Even though it was proved completely false, many Americans still have apprehention about purchasing an Audi.

As I stated, America is just a very different market than Europe, and Audi hasn't catered to this customer enough.

Still, I will continue to be a trendsetter and purchase Audi's because they are some of the highest quality, remarkable auto's on the road today.

I do like Audi, but I think Edmunds is generally wrong when they say "thousands less than a Bimmer." If you option an Audi anything against a BMW, you will come out even most every time or perhaps even more at times.

I thought the benefits of Audi went beyond perceived savings. Using this line of reasoning plays into the hands of BMW fans who say, it's less than an BMW for a reason.

An Audi A4 is maybe $2K less than an equivalent 3-series

An Audi S4 is less than $2K less than a BMW M3

An Audi RS4 is $15K MORE than a BMW M3

An Audi A6 4.2 S-line is EQUIVALENT to a BMW 550i

an Audi A8L 4.2 is maybe $2K less than a BMW 750Li

an Audi A8L 6.0 W12 is MORE than a BMW 760Li and is MORE expensive than any car BMW has ever produced in mass quantities

the Audi R8 will be MORE expensive than the BMW M6

The previous generation RS6 was MORE expensive than the previous M5 or E55

So basically if you tell someone you own an Audi, they know you are in the range of BMW or in some cases as pointed out higher....so therefore your just as rich.

I have NEVER met a person that thinks because Person A drives a BMW and Person B drives an Audi, Person A MUST be richer or wealthier.

People automatically put Person A and Person B on the same playing field and their preference decides who has the "better" car.

Audi is at a point even in the United States as well as world-wide to the point where if you mention it, people know you have money that is equivalent to someone driving a BMW or in some cases as I've shown time and time again possibly MORE.

The beauty of competition has raised Audi's image.

Will, maybe Audi realizes they are no match for Lexus and doesn't want to waste their money on advertising. That isn't a bash either, that is true. You see way more Lexus' than Audis and no one can deny that. Although, the A4 sells pretty well.

LexusIS350,

Will, maybe Audi realizes they are no match for Lexus and doesn't want to waste their money on advertising. That isn't a bash either, that is true. You see way more Lexus' than Audis and no one can deny that. Although, the A4 sells pretty well.
----------------------------------------------------

LOL

Very funny...

Will,

They ignore the largest auto market! They do great around the world, but stop here in America, and Audi who?
--------------------------------------------

If Audi were "ignoring" the largest automarket, what are they doing in it then?

Audi's problem is IMAGE. Most Americans don't think of Audi as being in the same league as BMW or Mercedes or Jaguar for example. Audi is probably in the same boat as Lexus in the US. A nice luxury car with cool features but no image yet. That's Audi's main problem.

But Audi is also building an image worldwide and in Europe. The success of the R10 TDI race car is an excellent way of promoting oneself. I don't know how Audi is doing in DTM racing, but success there should be used to boost their image and engineering.

Audi also has China, where they're immensely popular.

Audi is MORE EXPENSIVE that a BMW or a Merc, so i dont know why u people consider them less of a car.

Come to Europe to get a better perspective of the status of the trio where it mostly matters

BMW530i,

That's the same thing I'm trying to argue. ;)

Audi has no image in North America, just as Will and I have been saying. They need to ADVERTISE!

I leased my first Audi about a year ago, an A4. I am completely enjoying the car and have had no issues with it at all. Outside of the small side view mirrors. Prior to buying the A4 I test drove a 325i, Acura TL, and Volvo S60. For me the Audi performed and handled the best out of the bunch with the BMW being a close second. However, I felt the Audi had a sportier drive out of any of the four, which I like. Example, the Acura was just to floaty, like an old man car.

When the lease is up I will again drive the BMW since technology changes so fast. However, I am looking forward to the new A4 which I believe is due out as a 2008 model. I also now crave an S4 which I will make possible one day.

Funny story, when I test drove the A4 with the sales guy he had me pull over in a large vacant parking lot and let me do donuts with the car to show off the stability of the quattro system. A pretty good sales technique I thought.

Hey LEXUSIS350,

I am waiting: http://www.autospies.com/news/Which-luxury-car-won-the-Popular-Mechanics-excellence-award-8218/

Your comments are full of bias and shit. I should ignore you, but hell, arguing with dipshits like you is fun.

Audi is MORE EXPENSIVE that a BMW or a Merc, so i dont know why u people consider them less of a car.
----------------------------------------

A more expensive Audi won't create a higher image. Image has to be earned and created over time with achievements. Audi has this, but time is what's holding Audi back. They're still "young" compared to BMW and MB.

Oh yeah, Lexus IS350,

Maybe you HATE Mercedes because of this:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35257

Yeah, I'd hate Mercedes too if my favorite car company had nothing to match THAT.

bmw530i
If u r faxourite company is MB or BMW it makes u no bigger than the person whose favourite is Lexus.

By the way get real," I'd hate Mercedes too if my favorite car company had nothing to match THAT."

I lnow u r pointing at lexus,but i think MB is the obe who can't match Lexus.

JUGNU

I know u r pointing at lexus,but it's the MB who can't match Lexus.

JUGNU

Jugnu,

I am giving IS350 some of his own medicine. If there's anything I hate amongst "car enthusiasts", it's BIAS. LexusIS350 is extremely bias and talks trash about Mercedes. In fact, he is not a car enthusiast. A car enthusiast would respect other brands, no matter what. LexusIS350 is a TROLL.

Now, I like Mercedes, Audi and other car companies and his insults and bullshit talk are unacceptable to me. On the other hand, I respect Lexus and other brands as well. I'm sorry if I cussed at Lexus in some of my recent posts, but I made it clear that I was going to "sound like LexusIS350" - in other words, lowering myself to his pitiful level.

And you need to watch what you say too. Mercedes is more than match for Lexus. Lexus is only doing well in the US because of a price difference and perceived quality. Other than that, they've got nothing on MB - especially on an international scale. Other carmakers have been making strides too: MB, Audi ettc.

Go to Edmunds Inside line and click on Long-term road tests.
1. Look at the Commander.
2.I think the blogs are EXCELLENT. They give real-world daily impressions. They comment about everything. If they don't like the seats, they say so, etc....
Both can be found at http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/

Audi is in fact older than both BMW and Mercedes so the being reltively "young" idea is completely false.

Secondly, those in the know about cars and the auto-world in general know Audis are the same price as BMWs or MBs and in a good amount of cases these days - Audis are more expensive.

Your correct when you say an even higher priced Audi won't create a better image. Audi cars are already in the range of BMW or MB in terms of price and in many cases Audi prices are higher than respective BMWs.

What Audi needs is achievement cars. Cars that show Audi is fully capable of providing an amazing driving experience, with unrivaled interiors, Quattro AWD and most importantly the cars need to be FUN to drive.

The Q7 is a good start as people have sad great things about it.

The RS4 is a HUGE progression for the brand.

If Audi is on with their R8 it will GREATLY help this perceived image problem.

The next A8L as reported by Edmunds, which will be out in Fall 2009 as a 2010 model will be looking to surpass the BMW 7-series and MB S-class in every category from acceleration, driving feel, braking, slalom, to standard luxury features such as advanced navigation, etc...

The new TT has received rave reviews compared to the older model.

Pretty soon with the release of the next generation A4, A5 and A7 which will all be using the rear-biased 40/60 torque split Quattro, Audi will have their entire lineup changed.

I think when that happens, in 2009, it will be the real turning point for Audi.

Most audi interiors are king, but the Mazda 3 has a nicer interior than the A3, if you ever test drove them.

People who say Audi needs a better image in America and people who say Audi needs to advertise in America are really saying the same thing. Audi has the product. They don't have the public's eye on them. Contrary to popular belief, the best products DON'T always win and they don't always sell themselves either.

Apple Computer, for example, was on life support just a few years ago. It took savvy marketing and a great advertising campaign (remember the "Think Different" campaign with John & Yoko, Picasso, etc.). This was before the iPod came out, back when their biggest product was the restyled iMac. They wouldn't have been around to create the iPod if they hadn't come back from the grave with a pretty-good product and some amazing advertising to showcase their company philosophy.

Audi doesn't need to advertise in a slick, false way. They simply need to invest in telling their philosophy to America. It does cost money, it takes 3-5 years to do right. You have to stand for 1 thing overall, which is hard for a company to settle on. It's not easy, but it is absolutely necessary. Even Porsche, which sells to rich people who generally know about them, has done great advertising in the past. You're not selling-out to advertise in American. You're using something as smart as quattro to make your brand better.

Germannut,

Audi is in fact older than both BMW and Mercedes so the being reltively "young" idea is completely false.
----------------------------------------

Huh???

BMW530i
I didn't noticed the LEXUSIS350 before,yes he was harsh on that post with MB.
But it's only your last line of the post whih made me react so quickly.

And u also repeated it,like u mean it.Gave the sentence an extra punch.

But i think not only we both but everybody on this site should get real.

JUGNU

Yes, BMW530i Audi has been aronud longer than BMW. Back then it was not known as Audi, the way we know it today bur August Horsch the man who created Audi was up to his ideas before BMW was in existance.

Audi is clearly on par with BMW and Mercedes in terms of performance, price, interior and quality of product.

Audi almost matches BMW's best performer (the M6) with the RS4 and will easily have FASTER ACCELERATION than any mass-produced current BMW product, when the R8 arrives in the spring of 2007. In V10 form the R8 will go 0-60 in under 4 seconds. The fastest BMW has managed is 4.1 seconds with a BMW M6 or M5.

In price the Audi A8L 6.0 W12 is actually MORE expensive than BMW's 760Li. This officially makes the Audi A8L 6.0 W12 MORE expensive than aANY car that BMW produces.

Audi interiors are BETTER than BMW's or Mercedes. Audi's interiors are the best in the mainstream luxury auto-world.

Audi's have the best build quality out of BMW and Mercedes. Audi's don't have any loose parts hanging around underneath the dash and the parts are put together with precision.

Based on that approach (which is the way cars are looked at based on their price, performance, interior and quality) Audi meets and in every case as well (price, performance, interior and quality) DEFEATS BMW.

The whole prestige factor is exclusively dependent on the individual consumer.

I HAVE AN IDEA! How about everyone just stfu about thier likes, nobody cares. Every brand has its fair share of strong points(except Jaguar, it just has prestige mostly). Stuff like the M3 vs RS4 is fun to argue about but not EVERY car.

Honestly who cares but....... BMW = wow hes loaded and or wow mum i want one of those so much AUDI = SNORE ....................dont believe come to australia and by the looks of it america aswell

Honestly who cares but....... BMW = wow hes loaded and or wow mum i want one of those so much AUDI = SNORE ....................dont believe come to australia and by the looks of it america aswell

AussieBimmerRep, that is the way Auid purposely designed their cars. They are designed the way they are so you don't go, "wow!".

Those who are knowledgeable about cars, in fact even those who aren't knowledgeable know Audis cost just as much, if not more than their comparative BMW counterparts.

Audi will have a faster car than BMW, two more expensive cars than anything BMW produces, every car with a nicer interior and better quality too.

Don't believe? Just look at the upcoming R8 for faster, the A8L 6.0 W12 and V10 R8 for price, any Audi for a better interior and quality also....

Okay, enough of this. Globally, Audi is as highly regarded if not more highly regarded than BMW and MB. I couldn't give two $hits if Americans think contrarily.

I just want to see more "brothas" driving the Four Rings.

audi, is not worth a damn, people buy more lexus, cadillac, volvo, acura, infinti. I don't no about what people drive in europe or china, i just now there a lot of cars in the US that are more impressive than audi. Audi A8 W12 I have never seen one on south beach, in fact Jaguar XJ is more popular than the a8. one step further the A8 is looks like the old e38 7 series.

BMW530i-

I am waiting: http://www.autospies.com/news/Which-luxury-car-won-the-Popular-Mechanics-excellence-award-8218/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've seen that before and like I said, that was a short term review, what counts is the long term review and Mercedes isn't well known for outlasting Lexus.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Maybe you HATE Mercedes because of this:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35257

Yeah, I'd hate Mercedes too if my favorite car company had nothing to match THAT.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't care about history. I don't think history has very much to do with how good a car is. In fact I know it has nothing to do with how good a car is. Look at Ford. They've been around for 100 something years and they're still pieces of crap.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________
I am giving IS350 some of his own medicine. If there's anything I hate amongst "car enthusiasts", it's BIAS. LexusIS350 is extremely bias and talks trash about Mercedes. In fact, he is not a car enthusiast. A car enthusiast would respect other brands, no matter what.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And you've never talked trash about Lexus? I never said I disrespected Mercedes. I hate their vehicles but that doesn't mean I disrespect them. A car company that can survive soley on image and not quality deserves respect. Especially since they're crappy cars that can still sell somehow.

Again, as usual Larry represents wrong facts. Larry, Audi sells more cars annually world-wide than Lexus, Cadillac, Volvo, Acura and Infiniti. In China Audi is the highest selling luxury brand. I've seen an A8L W12 on South Beach and in fact there are more people that buy A8L W12s than people who buy S600s or 760Lis per year world-wide.

One step further the A8 is credited as having the cleanest design out of the MB S and BMW 7-series.

Please people. don't listen to Larry. He thinks you spell know, as in knowledge, like no, as in no thank you. After I shut him down on another subject (see new Spy shots of Z9) he showed up here. I give him credit though; he keeps trying.

LArry you can think what you want and present all the wrong facts. The fact is, pretty soon Audi will sell 1,000,000 cars each and every year. I highly doubt all those 1 million people are all broke or dumb.

After all if you can drop $125,000 on the A8L 6.0 W12, you must have some cash reserves.

Audi has done well with pretty mediocre advertising in the US. Considering how little they spent on advertising here, their sales are actually good. Not having an SUV also hurt them in the US market.

AoA has stepped up the marketing with the Q7. The new TT should have a big marketing push too.

how many a8 w12 did audi sell in 2005? I know BMW 7 series out sells audi a8 50,000 to 21,500 in 2005. and I know BMW makes 3 times the net profit audi makes, 2.2 billion euro vs.663 million euro for audi in 2005. BMW gross revenue of 46.6 billion vs. Audi 26 Billion in 2005, source google. So where is all this revenue from those W12 sales? Audi sells about 50 A8 w12 per year. Second, Audi is not older than Mercedes- Benz. Horch 1899, Benz 1886, all these post and post so much wrong info. it drives you crazy that audi does not get respect like BMW or Mercedes, the truth is audi is on par with Volvo and Saab.

So using that logic, I could argue that the Maserati Quattroporte isn't as good as a 7-series because it didn't sell as many copies. Stupid logic.

Sales are not an accurate indication of product quality.

Go sit in a cheap-looking 7-series and then go sit in an A8 and then tell us who's "on par" with Volvo and Saab. Certainly isn't Audi.

Germannut,

Yes, BMW530i Audi has been aronud longer than BMW. Back then it was not known as Audi, the way we know it today bur August Horsch the man who created Audi was up to his ideas before BMW was in existance.
-------------------------------------------------

Eh....BMW started out as a manfufacturer of airplane engines in 1913. Audi was formally created in what? The 1960s? From a conglomerate of different brands such as DKW, Auto Union etc. Audi is NOT older than BMW or Mercedes. And August Horch used to work at Daimler-Benz at one point in 1895 or 1896 I believe. Yes, Audi's history technically goes back to 1899, but the name Audi (and therefore the brand), are not from that era.

Audi interiors are BETTER than BMW's or Mercedes. Audi's interiors are the best in the mainstream luxury auto-world.
----------------------------------

Audi interiors are good, but so are some of the newer Mercedes'. BMW's only good interior in terms of materials is the 7-series and perhaps the new X5.

Audi's have the best build quality out of BMW and Mercedes. Audi's don't have any loose parts hanging around underneath the dash and the parts are put together with precision.
--------------------------------

Eh, no. Audi's have great build quality, but statistics prove otherwise. Mercedes leads here when it comes to German cars.


You're being a bit too biased, Germannut.

Audiman,

Okay, enough of this. Globally, Audi is as highly regarded if not more highly regarded than BMW and MB. I couldn't give two $hits if Americans think contrarily.
------------------------------------------

No. BMW and Mercedes are still the kings here. Audi is slowly gaining the credibility they deserve. The majority of world citizens still lust for a Mercedes and then a BMW.

LexusIS350,

And you've never talked trash about Lexus? I never said I disrespected Mercedes. I hate their vehicles but that doesn't mean I disrespect them. A car company that can survive soley on image and not quality deserves respect. Especially since they're crappy cars that can still sell somehow.
--------------------------------------

Sorry, you're a TROLL, loud and clear. You hate MB cars, but you respect the brand? Those two things somehow contradict each other.

Ford has been around for a long time, but they're having problems. So what? Every maker has problems.

MB's are no pieces of crap as you claim. I only diss Lexus when you're around to give you a little feel of what you do to others. In this class, all cars are well built and built to last. Not only your Lexus.

Larry, yet again, do you not realize that I'm talking STRICTLY about the 760Li, MB S600 and A8L 6.0 W12. I'm not including the 750i/Li or 760i. I'm not including the S550 or S63 or the A8 4.2 or A8L 4.2.

Audi sells more A8L 6.0 W12 than BMW sells 760Lis and MB sells S600s per year worldwide.

The revenue from the A8L 6.0 W12 won't make a difference because BMW and MB outsell Audi by a HUGE margin.

Audi sells more like 150 A8L 6.0 W12s per year just in the United States, which does not include China, Audi's strongest market.

Larry why is your quote so blatantly false here, "the truth is audi is on par with Volvo and Saab."

Wake up and smell the coffee. Audi sells a MORE expensive car than anything BMW has ever mass produced.

Pretty soon Audi will have TWO cars that are MORE expensive than anything BMW sells.

Audi will have a car that is FASTER than anything BMW sells.

Audi already has NICER interiors than anything BMW sells.

Why are you trying to put Audi down. Listen, we've had plenty of experience with BMW, but the fact is Audi is a competiotr and offers a higher priced car, a faster car and better interiors.

Just get over the fact that Audi is a direct competitor to BMW and the R8 is going to be MORE expensive in V10 form, not to mention faster than anything BMW has to offer.

Larry I'm going to turn the tables on you.

Lexus, Saab, Infiniti, Volvo and Acura do not sell a car that is MORE expensive than Audi's A8L 6.0 W12.

Oh wait, neither does BMW.

Lexus, Saab, Infiniti, Volvo and Acura don't sell a car that is as fast as the Audi R8.

Oh wait, neither does BMW.

Lexus, Saab, Infiniti, Volvo and Acura have not won as many Ward's Auto interior awards as Audi.

Oh wait, neither has BMW.

Based on the information I have provided here BMW is on par with Lexus, Infiniti , Saab and Volvo.

BMW530i-
I respect Mercedes because somehow, they can still sell cars. I don't like their cars, but it is admirable how they still can somehow sell them. And I know every automaker has their problems. But in the prestigious luxury area, I think it is safe to say that Mercedes is pretty far down the list as far as reliability. And sure, Mercedes is built to last, but their cars don't accomplish that. They just try to build them to last but fail in the long run.

Diablo69-
"History is VERY important because it gives you an OPPORTUNITY to lead and excel through the build up of knowledge and experience."
------------------------------------------------------
Fine if history is so important, Toyota began in 1933 and produced its first engine in 1934. Through that knowlege and history came Lexus, using similar engines as Toyotas (the only difference is that they were bigger engines). I know that isn't as long as Mercedes but good crap, that's a long time. And though Lexus has only been around for 17 years, Toyota, who builds Lexus, has been around for 73 years. Toyota has 32 years more experience on Lamborghini. And, Porsche was founded around the same time as Toyota. So how's that for history?

hey Logical, I've told you what I drive. What in the world do you drive?

Son please......I'll get the last laugh when we will have owned more BMWs (7) than you have ever owned .

Don't tell me I don't know about BMW.

or can't afford one, because I've driven more BMWs than you'll ever have.

Like I said before, I am living proof that you can drive an Audi and a BMW. I'm also proof that people who buy Audi can afford to buy BMW (not just one but multiple BMWs)

They don't suck, they are both great. Even when I switch from the A4 to the new 3-coupe I still won't think Audis suck.

I can't say a brand sucks when they create a faster, more expensive and more luxurious feeling car based on interior than anything the company which I'm driving a car from can produce.

I hate Lamborghini because they don't sell as much as Ferrari and have cheap roots even though their cars cost well over $300K for the Murcielago.

The aformentioned example was the great use of Logic, used by logical himself.

Based on your logic of sales and cheap roots Logical (you truly are a moron), I can say Bentleys are awful cars because the don't sell as many cars as BMW and I can also say they are POS because even though they cost more than BMWs, they are owned by the Volkswagen group which automatically makes them terrible.

Audis don't have front-wheel drive they have all-wheel drive. Based on your super logic I can say the 911 turbo sucks becaue it has awd even though it is leaps and bounds ahead of any BMW on a track or in a straight line for that matter also.

BMW530i-

Audi was formally created in 1910 by August Horch- three years before BMW. Horch was kicked out of his own company for various reasons (he used to work alongside Daimler-Benz and designed their racing cars), and started a new company, Audi. The name is the Latin equivalent of his name, which means "light". Audi also has SIGNIFICANTLY better build quality than Mercedes-Benz-- the tank-like Benzes are cars of the past. That era ended with the introduction of the plasticky, unreliable 1999 S-Class.

diablo69- I'm an Audi fan, but no, Horch was founded in 1899. Also, the reason Auto Union was changed to Audi is because Audi was the only brand that actually survived the Union. It's not because they randomly chose that name to brand their cars with.

GermanNut-

At first, it was cool to see you defend Audi so much, but it's getting way to repetitive. It is not a good thing for Audi to be more expensive than BMW- you say it in every post, but Audi owners LIKE the value quotient that you get when you buy one. I'm actually GLAD I didn't have to pay $70,000 like I would've for an M3 convertible! If you're a true "GermanNut", you would still respect all German cars, like I do.

But, I did enjoy reading your satirical latest post on this page.

BMW530i-

You ignored a big fact in one of my posts. Audi was "formally created" in 1910, three years before BMW. That may not be much, but it's enough to gain momentum in the industry. Horch, Audi's predecessor and rival, was established in 1899. It was one of the first automobile brands ever.