26 Votes

They Say WE Like Starting Flame Wars. How About This One From Audi?

Agent001 submitted on 11/14/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:39:23 PM

62 user comments | Category: Spy News | Source: www.autospies.com

Tag Links: Audi A4, BMW C300 4Matic, BMW 328xi, Lexus IS250

In case you haven't noticed I love people with passion and drive (no pun intended), so I love it when someone is proud of their product and isn't afraid to pick a fight with their competitor

But in an intelligent way, say via ad campaigns.

So I want to give a shout out to Audi for doing some great smack talking in their banners, running on our site and others.

It's one thing to imply superiority but it's another to have the guts to just come out and whack your competition.

A while back 00J talked about the claim of fastest in the segment.

Here's a link to it for reference-

Audi Advertisements Claim New A4 Is The Fastest Car In Its Segment. Do YOU Believe That?

But I would like to focus on what they say here about the others:

Here's what they say when they compare the new A4 to the rest of the segment

MB C300 4Matic- predictable efficiency

BMW 328xi- moderate cabin size

Lexus IS250- adequate acceleration

The New Audi A4- The biggest, fastest, most fuel efficient car in its class.

If you were running the campaign are these the flaws you would have pointed to when you were positioning YOUR car?

And are they fair assessments?

How would YOU have described the flaws of their cars?

Let us know what your bullet points would have been...and do you think ads like this REALLY work?

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They Say WE Like Starting Flame Wars. How About This One From Audi?

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FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.
— Agent001 (View Profile)

User Comments

Those commercials are rubbish. When they say that their rivals are less fuel efficient, it then says at the bottom it is comparing a A4 2.0 with a 328i and C300. The 328 and C300 are a whole litre bigger. Very misleading. I still prefer a C-Class or 3 Series to an A4.
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/14/2008 11:29:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

And they also used a 328xi? Did they just walk into a car dealership and buy whatever model they had and hope the A4 was better than it? God knows they will be testing the A5 against the Mercedes CL-Class sooner or later.
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/14/2008 11:35:40 PM | | Votes: 0

Looks like Audi is talking about entry-level all wheel drive premium imports. While the A4 has a four-cyliner motor, the output is about the same because of the turbo. I must say that I'm not too fond of this muscle-flexing, though.
— Dustbuster (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 12:13:09 AM | | Votes: 2

The A4 and the IS250 make similar performance figures so in that regard putting aside the engine size it is a fair comparison. As for the 3er and the C class it's the closest models to compare to the Audi.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 7:18:32 AM | | Votes: 4

"When they say that their rivals are less fuel efficient, it then says at the bottom it is comparing a A4 2.0 with a 328i and C300. The 328 and C300 are a whole litre bigger."

Now that is just a stupid way of thinking. Don't let the four-banger deceive you. It IS quicker than the 328xi, C300 and IS250, by a significant margin. It is also far more efficient. Audi just took a much smarter route than the other brands, and they deserve credit for it.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 1:34:22 AM | | Votes: 3

The one that kind of mystifies me is the comment about the C300... 'predictable efficiency'

What's wrong with that?

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/14/2008 11:40:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I think they are saying merely "predictable" instead of "surprising" or "astonishing".
— Dustbuster (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 12:14:31 AM | | Votes: 4

'Predictable efficiency' should have been the descriptor for the IS.
— macrocaus (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 4:02:17 AM | | Votes: 1

They're saying it's predictable because MB's historically have had lower efficiency than comparable competitors. Saying that it's "predictable" is saying that it's not surprise that the fuel economy is subpar to mediocre at best.
— Foreigner (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:53:29 PM | | Votes: 1

Why does this keep being brought up? I've seen this ad on the side of so many pages online, like autotrader and ebay. This ad is nothing new.

Why are you adding evidence to a point we've already discussed? Can't you just find new things for us to argue over?

I really don't need to read another one of amazinbimmer's responses.
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/14/2008 11:46:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

We have not discussed the comments against the competition, if they are valid and are there better zingers they could have thrown at them.

We only talked about their claim as the fastest in the 'segment'.

001

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/14/2008 11:53:40 PM | | Votes: -4

Yeah, one more amazinmoron response, and I might lose it. I've owned cars from both brands and worked for BMW and Audi in one capacity or another and let's face it, no car will ever be perfect because compromises have to be made. But before we get to complaints about VW parts, all German cars go to the same group of suppliers and I've seen the same issues across brands. Window regulators, fuel pumps, cam sensors...oh well, this is my Friday rant.
— Dustbuster (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 12:08:55 AM | | Votes: 7

Well desperation in advertising? The A4 although is a well balanced car, its no fun. Acceleration and performance goes to BMW while luxury and class heads the way of Mercedes. Lexus is also in the luxury side but beaten by the Mercs. Audi? I guess they dont know wht they want. A luxury or a performance brand. Hence they stay in the middle. I dont blame them for that but i contend that their advertising is misleading and inacurate. Shame.
— darzav (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 12:58:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

"Acceleration and performance goes to BMW"

328xi 0-60:

6.9 (M), 7.1 (A)

A4 2.0T Q 0-60:

6.5 (M), 6.7 (A)

These are all the manufacturers' figures. It would be easy to say that BMW underestimates its acceleration times, but Audi does the same thing.

"luxury and class heads the way of Mercedes."

Prove it. All of the publications have been saying the new A4's interior sets the standard for the class. That's totally subjective, though.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 1:39:02 AM | | Votes: 2

Seriously,
the C300 interior is disgusting, about as bad as BMWs. I went and looked at it last week. I like the exterior though, not sure about the giant merc sign though.

Therefore,
Interior: A4
Exterior: A4
Performance: A4
Size: A4
Fuel Efficiency: A4

Winner: B8 A4.
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 2:16:30 AM | | Votes: 1

actually S$, almost every review states that the interior is Audi-like but most notice that cost-cutting was made. Even B7 owners agree that their materials were better to the touch and the new A4 seems "more plastic-like".
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 9:04:47 AM | | Votes: 2

"actually S$, almost every review states that the interior is Audi-like but most notice that cost-cutting was made. Even B7 owners agree that their materials were better to the touch and the new A4 seems "more plastic-like"."

Absolutely, I agree. I'm disappointed with the new interiors. They're still better than anything else though.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:39:12 PM | | Votes: 1

I'll tell you from personal experience if you haven't driven the 09 you need to.

Lightest, most agile Audi a4 yet...if it had a 335-like engine in there, look out.

And that's coming soon.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 1:24:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

...that is called the S4 and it has already been reviewed btw. There have been murmurs of the new A6 engine making it's way over as the 3.2 replacement though.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 9:06:33 AM | | Votes: 1

well i like audis but for this segment i would pick either the 3 series or c class anyday rather than the A4!
— Harrimantutu (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 2:23:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

All that from a Predictable car company like Audi, from the same group compan as VW who used to make racist TV ads about Japanese car makers in UK..
— mpls (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 3:03:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The Japanese are probably the most racist people on the planet.
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 9:43:03 AM | | Votes: 0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si-lSLv9b4E
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 9:58:33 AM | | Votes: 0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3NvFzXbAHA&NR=1
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 10:31:16 AM | | Votes: 0

mpls- Please grow a pair... You need to be able to take a little ribbing and not call it racist. Just because YOU may not like the message doesn't mean it is racist. Don't hide behind racism when it never was an issue.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 10:19:05 AM | | Votes: 1

OK, who is going to be first here?

What one-liners who you have said in the ads against the competition?

I'll do one to inspire you all...

Mercedes C300 4Matic- Your father's Mercedes

Let's get creative boys and girls and have some fun on a Saturday!

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 3:44:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Ok,

A4- hey look its an A8, oh wait, its an A6, NO its Jetta on steroids.

328x- wow its ugly

C300 4matic- wanna be benz

IS250- WHAT HELL IS THAT?

How was that..

— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 4:50:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

+1.....for getting the last 3 right.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 12:27:53 PM | | Votes: 2

"The only reason why Audi can claim the most fuel efficient is because they offer smaller engines than the competitors"

You say it like it's an excuse for their efficiency. Absolutely not. The A4 2.0T is also the quickest car in this class. In this case, smaller is better... way better.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 1:40:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"Anyway, Audis car is a whole generation ahead of BMW and Lexus, so it is easy for them to be ahead."

Bitter? Why weren't you (or people in general) saying things like that when the 335i came out and it was compared to the A4 3.2? That is ALWAYS true.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 1:41:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Sailor, the 335i competes with the S4 NOT the 3.2 A4. I'm pretty sure that the last-gen S4 (340HP) will still beat the 335i. And diesel will be here very shortly in the US BMWs, so then we can truly compare them.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 9:12:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

"I'm sorry S4, but I think that you are somewhat biased here and you are wrong and wrong! The Audi 2.0TDI is a step in the right direction, but that is it! It is their first common rail engine... THEIR FIRST COMMON RAIL ENGINE - IN 2008 FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!"

What are you even talking about? I'm talking about the 2.0T petrol which is hands down better than the small six-cylinder engines from iother brands.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:40:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"...Where did I ever compare the A4 3.2 to the 335i?! Or the S4 for that matter?!"

Uh, here where you said "..As to the 335, yes, I like it and yes I thnik it beat every Audi at the time of it's premiere, but at the same time, I was saying it wasn't a fair comparison because the Audi was an older car and that the 3-series was built specifically to better the A4!"

So I responded that the older S4 HAS beat the 335i before in comparos, and that the A4 competes with the base level 3-series.

— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 9:48:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

...and I'm not a fanboy since I've owned an S4, and currently own a 335 cabrio.
And here is a link to the "underpowered" 335i vs. S5:

http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/05/21/audi-s5-vs-bmw-335i-it-all-comes-down-to-pricing/
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 10:00:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

A(0) Another invisible Audi, the trademark aero shaped invisi-mobile since 1985
— dodgedart (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 6:31:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The BMW does have a diesel car in the US. It's called the 335d, on sale for $45,000.
— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 11:39:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Agreed.
— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 12:19:26 PM | | Votes: 1

I am sooo glad that everyone is so narrow minded that the all new Infiniti G37 has better fuel economy and is larger and stronger than all the competitors in its class. Maybe you should have a better look around next time!
— biglloydsG35 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 12:16:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

The G37 gets awful MPG.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 1:42:12 AM | | Votes: -1

How come it's only bimmer nutcases that goes crazy when their rivals produce seemingly fraudulent advertisments, but when BMW does it, no one really seems to give a sh*t? You'd think it was the GOP vs. the Libs.

No, the Audi A4 is not the fastest in it's class, and NO, BMW's 335i does not have 300hp. You gotta give it to Audi though, their ads are great...I can't say the same for BMW's.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 12:24:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

The IS250 looks better handles better is more reliable and has better quality than all of them.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 1:17:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Edmunds:

"What the IS 250 really needs is a little Lexus quality applied to the sound of the engine, the action of the shift linkage and the feedback from the steering, and then it might be a stronger alternative to the European sport sedans."

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Followup/articleId=121228
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 5:09:18 PM | | Votes: 3

Ever check the exterior gaps between panels on the IS? So you sold European cars? Then you should know that Euro cars are about all the details...but I agree that the Lexus is perhaps more reliable. But I'd pick the 3 series or A4 over the IS because of the driving feel and the designs that will still look good in 10 years.
— Dustbuster (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 6:03:23 PM | | Votes: 1

Our new amazingmoron has arrived.
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 2:55:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

EVERYTHING is an opinion. You have your opinion, he has his. Deal.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 7:02:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Some people just don't have an eye for quality.I sold european cars for eleven years.In the U.S. their getting killed on price so they had to make their cars cheaper to compete.Mercedes are so cheaply made parts and switches feel like there going to fall off in your hands.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 5:42:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

This is what Car and Driver said about the 2008 Mercedes C350 Sport they tested:

"Materials of the elegantly simple interior are pretty much up to the standards you'd expect in a car costing well over $40,000, although we did get a minority of test staff niggling about some of the plastic trim."
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 3:37:08 PM | | Votes: 2

the A4 does nothing for me... This is what i would buy...

1. G Sedan
2. 3 series
3. IS
4. CTS
5. C Class
6. A4
— nikejk (View Profile)

Posted on 11/15/2008 6:12:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

you have unbelievably bad taste...
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 2:21:40 AM | | Votes: -5

I can't understand why someone would buy a C-Class over an A4. It's better than it was before but it's still perfectly average, for an above-average price. The only C that I would buy is the C63 AMG, because it's amazing.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 7:03:19 PM | | Votes: 1

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They Say WE Like Starting Flame Wars. How About This One From Audi?

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