Why Audi Is Going to Beat Mercedes And BMW

Another agent 009 Audi endorsement post.

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 10:55:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 18   

you sound like amazingidiot

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 10:24:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

...a complete pipe dream. next.

— BimmerFan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 11:02:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

Who was this article written by? It looks even more like a joke after reading it.

Intentions alone dont get you across the goal and Audi is going to need a lot more than intentions. So far even Lexus is ahead of them in Prestige.

A5 A8 R8 and the RS line are all great models, the rest are nothing to lose sleep over.

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 11:05:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10   

Gas drops to .99 per gallon; Oprah elected president; Gay wedding held at bush's Crawford ranch....

These are just a few things more likely than Audi becoming Tier 1.

— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 11:11:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 14   

The RS4 is a beast of a car, but the cabrio version still looks like a chick car.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 11:17:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

LA beating running over the Celtics ... a black man becoming the Democratic candidate for US president ...Audi winning Le Mans (again in 2008) ...Polaroids as the way of the future... USA Today outselling the NYTimes...

These are just a few things uninformed, pessimistic, arrogant and ignorant people believed were impossible before they got punched in the face with reality.

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 11:19:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8   

What are you talking about? Audi leads in many markets in Europe over BMW including all of Eastern Europe. Furthermore, Audi's top premium models outsell BMW's premium models. Look at the data before posting opinion. The A6 outsells the 5, the A8 outsells the 7, and BMW has not answer for the R8. The A4 and the 3-Series trade places as best sellers in their sector depending on the year, and the A3 demolishes the A1. Audi is on a tear. The article was not written by Audi, but by someone from Esquire. So how do you equate these comments to something Audi officialy said. Seriously, you anti-Audi types need a lesson in fact finding rather than creating your own opinions and trying to spin them as truths.

— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 10:46:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

the bottom line is Audi has not always been a premium automaker but something along the lines of a German saab......it wasnt until the original A4 that Audi decided it would challenge Mercedes and BMW head to head...when the new A6 was redesighned after the first generation (name change) it than attempted to compete head to head with BMW and Mercedes, same with the A8 before that they werent seen no where in the same light as its supposed German competition...so lets be honest for a second....not to mention seeing as Lexus and Infiniti in 1989 jumped into the luxury car industry.....you could say in America at least that they have more clout here in America as an "established" "premium" car maker especially Lexus since both brands ironically decided back in 1989 it was going to fight BMW and Mercedes where as it wasnt until years later that Audi had a viable competitor......SO tier 1 far from not in America where for years they havent been much more than a slightly more upscale VW and not in the same league as the tier 1 or even tier 2 set..

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 12:09:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

BMW made JUNK until the mid 90's! Who are you to say Audi has not always been a premium car maker?

BMW sell due to ignorance and lack of taste.

— MadibaP (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 3:13:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

bmwdrvr
I think you lost touch with what matters, which is NOT the past. For starters Audi in Europe PRESENTLY outsells BMW in the sport/luxury segment and fight with MB for #1 in almost every market. In China, much different story, Audi is by far the best selling luxury brand. Similarly for other markets with the grand exception of the US.

So, the past image some people here talk about is completely irrelevant considering Audi competes and wins at the sport/luxury game.

We would not even be having this conversation if the American buyer weren't so gullible and naive (blame Hollywood) to fall for marketing schemes (BMW is waaaay overrated in the US IMO).

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 9:36:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

@Thesailor

Do you live in the same Europe, because then you must know that BMW recently introduced a new 316i with yes, a 1.6 litre engine. Whereas Audi has dropped the 1.6 engine and now has the 1.8 Turbo as a base engine.

Audi 80's and especially 100 tdi's are still pretty common site, i know someone who till a year ago still drove a 100 2.5 TDI and had 500k km on the meter. it's just that the E36's are more popular with the young crowed that you still see ehm more.

— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 10:43:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

the past may not matter to us here but the average consumer it does....but my comment was in response to the above as to why Audi isnt seen in the same light as BMW, and Mercedes.....blame it on marketing if you want but thats not true.....just as Cadillac struggled to find and build ground, and GM as a whole in the face of making years of uncompetitive awful cars that is the same reason Audi is not seen in the same way the rest of the cars are........Audi never was a premium automaker and it never has until the past 10-15 years decided to fight BMW and Mercedes well perceptions take time to erase, and sometimes never are....Audi in 2008 has just gotten to the point with its 08/09 models being able to say its models are honestly worthy of competing with the best in class...so why would you think that all of sudden they are now in tier 1, BMW and Mercedes can no longer rest on their laurels with Lexus fighting them toe to toe, and the much cheaper Infiniti delivering performance to rival them, Acura a hell of a value to some thats all that matters, or Cadillac with high qaulity now, great styling , and performance...it no longer is just about its a BMW or Mercedes so the past generation cars and current are very competitive and will continue to be so if Audi is just now in 08/09 getting to the point it is as fiercely competitive as everyone else than maybe in the next few years they will come up in perception but right now they just arent there yet

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 5:49:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

not to mention from a consumer stand point there is no real competitive advantage....many cars are awd now, they arent faster, they arent more efficient, they dont offer more space, they arent really cheaper anymore,there past reliability hasnt been great, and they poor resale values

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 5:56:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Why Do You Post Articles With Such Ridiculous Headlines?

— vladyxa (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 11:52:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I saw this a my eyes lit up. You got to love the BMW fanatics. Reminds me of 3rd graders arguing about whose dad is the best. Unless you own the stock/bonds...who cares. As long as the all keep making nice cares.

— Vantage (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 12:11:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

...As long as they all keep making nice cars...sorry about that

— Vantage (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 12:13:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I've owned a whole host of cars, 540i, X5 4.4, 745i and 750i and there is no question that BMW makes a fine car. However, my 08 S8 and 08 RS4 cab are exceptional products and are easily a match for anything BMW produces. Perhaps a little more discrete than an M3/M5 but Audi is now making some very nice cars and the future A7 and S5 cab will be world class.

— fm540i (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 12:16:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

This article makes no sense. Isn't Lexus the top selling premium car brand in the U.S.? Or are they talking worldwide? If they're talking about the U.S., they have to remember that right now, people are looking for fuel efficiency and Lexus has hybrids. They have six years to beat Lexus and the market is tipped to Lexus' favor.

— kut17 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 12:19:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Huh? Your comment is incoherent. If you think Audi has some lux, sit your bias ass in an A8 and you will see real lux unlike the sad thing they call a 7-Series.

— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 10:49:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

QUATTRO......... more amazinbullshit

— steve27t (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 1:25:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

No way

— Caraficionado (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 1:29:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

not sure about beating Benz, but overtaking BMW shouldn't be a problem (even without the 1% lease rates BMW has). Audi already has better build quality and styling inside and out, they just need a rwd plaform for better weight distribution. The time is right Audi, BMW is going nowhere fast, they're just consumed with creating and filing patents out of thin air for useless vehicles like SAVs, PASs, POSs and OMGs.

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 1:36:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

two things...

1. BMW can't match Audi's pocket to match the development plan Audi has in place. To top it off Audi ha surpassed BMW in profit per vehicle made.

2. Audi has the ICONIC TT, the R8 and matches BMW in every other category. BMW has nothing to match the R8. So, even for 1 car difference for AUDI it is ridiculous to claim BMW has more to offer.

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 10:11:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

@MeanVulcan

"ICONIC TT"

LOL... that's a good one...

— bimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 3:22:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

thanks, but I was not talking to the girls

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/28/2008 11:25:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I truely want an a/s5 the car is amazing looking but audi is way behind on performance. a 335 outperforms the s5 and is 6k cheaper and not that i would get one 328 outperfoms the a5. Audi should reprice or make better performing cars. I am talking about cars that are out now not futer rs models etc.

— markanthony0419 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 2:17:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

thats future models not futer sorry

— markanthony0419 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 2:28:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Audi is making good autos in terms of design inside and out. BMW better make improvments in interior. A7 looks great. Pressure is on for new 5/7 series.

— Dr550 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 2:30:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It's weird reading some of these comments. Audi are classed as a prestigious brand over here, not on par with BMW and MB yet, but not far off and a very respectable alternative.

— Czelinski (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 2:32:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Audi may have a chance. However, Audi has soooooo many things to work on.

— MZauto (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 2:57:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I'll never understand the whole prestige crap.

Does a Benz C class have more prestige than an Audi A8?

And for the consumer, who really gives a damn who is number one or what the sales volumes are. As long as the company is doing well enough to continue on, why care what spot on some sales list they might be?

This place sounds more like a disgruntled bunch of shareholders than a automotive news site sometimes.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 3:00:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Prestige:

1. reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes.

2. distinction or reputation attaching to a person or thing and thus possessing a cachet for others or for the public: The new discothèque has great prestige with the jet set.

"Does a Benz C class have more prestige than an Audi A8?"

You come to you own conclusion.

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 4:20:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

They still don't drive as well as a BMW and they don't have the prestige, heritage, history or appeal of a Mercedes Benz. Try as they may, Audi will always be the bronze winner, never the gold.

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 4:26:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Try an S8 on for size and call me in the morning. Crushes the last two 7's that I've owned.

— fm540i (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 4:57:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

By the way, the first 745 BMW purchased back from me. Still great cars, but even the BMW salesman said the S8 was HOT!

— fm540i (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 5:06:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

that's saying something for the most successful motorsports brand outside of Ferrari in the last 20 years!

I'll take a dog sled in navy blue with brick colored leather interior please!

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 10:24:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Didn't know a run of a mill, highly incentized with huge discounts 750iLs costs more than an S8? Your math intrigues me if you weren't so pathetic.

— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 10:56:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"., all Audis are screwed together in the Fatherland by real live Germans."

What??? Have all the Turkish and North African guest worker auto assemblers been granted German citizenship??

— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 6:53:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Let's see . In the stable now. 07 Range Rover Supercharged, 08 RS4 Cab, 08 S8.
Last years cars, 997 C4s and 08 Cayenne Turbo,. RR Sport Supercharged.

Loved the C4S but the RS4 actually drives better with just as much accel. The Cayenne Turbo, current model was a let down. Fast but no real soul. At least the S8 V10 sings when you get on it instead of a simple woosh. I guess I have a pretty good job after all,

— fm540i (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 6:55:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

It's hard to "outsnob" anyone when your car depreciates as fast as an Audi. All snobs aren't stupid.

— abqhudson (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 8:09:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

To little old ladies here in Irvine, Ca :-/

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 9:55:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

LOL! How is that possible? Lexus and BMWs numbers are very close in the USA. Worldwide, Audi outsells Lexus by more than 400,000 cars.

— audirevolution (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 12:00:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I would not say that too loud ... Lexus is on the decline since over a year ago. This year alone they've dropped 11% in sales in the US, despite their hybrid hype.

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 10:28:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Believe it or not Audi has a much stronger history than BMW. Auto-Union (the brand that eventually became Audi) were winning F1 races while BMW were still building Prop-plane engines. So from an automotive standpoint Audi has got BMW beat. From an engine standpoint, BMW has Audi beat. Back in the 1930's Prop-Plane engines were the most advanced engines in the world.

I'm considering the New S4 but knowing Audi it will probably perform as well as the 335 while costing $5-$8k more. So even while I don't think that Audi will pass BMW anytime soon. An Audi might be my next car.

But no, Audi will not surpass BMW. Not with 265hp.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 6/25/2008 9:49:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

"the most successful premium brand by 2015"

Does success mean most profitable, or most diluted image? If its the latter, then BMW is clearly winning that hands down.

All I'm gonna say is 1% financing rates on certified used vehicles.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 12:44:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

amazinbimmer, relax, it's just an internet forum. No need to get your blood pressure up.

— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 1:10:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Worst written article ever. Maybe she works for C&D?

However, Audi WILL really change when Porsche takes control. Audi will finally make a wave in America!

— JudasLease (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 2:30:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

thats a big comment for audi to make. who knows, maybe all this fierce competition will make for even better cars in the years to come.

as for outsnobbing mercedes... that will be quite hard!

— synx (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 4:37:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

VISO: "What are you talking about? Audi leads in many markets in Europe over BMW including all of Eastern Europe. Furthermore, Audi's top premium models outsell BMW's premium models. Look at the data before posting opinion. The A6 outsells the 5, the A8 outsells the 7, and BMW has not answer for the R8. The A4 and the 3-Series trade places as best sellers in their sector depending on the year, and the A3 demolishes the A1"

I want to know where you are getting your facts from? Please tell everyone here where you are getting the figures that you base the comments you made above on or the article... anything. Any shred of evidence that proves you are doing anything more than making-up figures.

Correct me if I am wrong, but is BMW not the largest premium car manufacturer in the world? Is America, where Audi can barely sell half the cars BMW does not the biggest market? Is Europe not their second biggest market? If not, please enlighten us. All these facts can be checked in articles from this site. So please tell us where you come from with so much attitude?

— C88C (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 7:20:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

what are you smokin, Audi is the industry benchmark in interior quality, design and ergonomics. Mercedes is not far behind. Can't say the same for BMW (they are cheap and ugly IMO.

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 10:46:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

@MeanVulcan

In your eyes, BMW might have cheap interiors. I don't think so. Ugly... no, but you can say they have the most conservative design, IMO.

— bimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 4:01:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Size wise:
Audi A8 ~ BMW 7 series ~ MB S-class.
Audi A6 ~ BMW 5 Series ~ MB E-class.
Audi A4 ~ BMW 3 Series ~ MB C-class.
Each car is similar but different based on where the car manufacturer wanted to place their emphasis and what options the buyer wants to pay for. Is one truely that much better than the other? Only in the buyers head.

— Eyecarehawaii (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 9:03:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

After reviewing comments I've noticed that the words "prestige" and "snob appeal" are frequently repeated when referring to these European standards. It amazes me how much empahsis Americans seem to place on these traits when it really should come down to do you like the car or not. All of these cars are expensive but not anything special. IMHO you don't really hit this category until you buy a car that's been customized to your tastes like a Maybach, for instance.

— Eyecarehawaii (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 9:14:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Eyecarehawaii
I agree with your observation. Prestige, snob appeal or any other subjective criteria used to choose a particular car are ilogical and make no sense.

The weakness of this comment though is that you assume that most people (at least most people in this forum) buy cars based on logic. Completely untrue, otherwise we would all be buying the Honda Civic natural Gas version. So, accepting the truth may help us all go back to discussing our "subjective" points to no end.

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 10:51:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

VISO/Meanvulcan....I'm starting to think your the same person? Maybe its coincidence you 2 always post on the same thread. I dunno.

Anyway you two headed Audi freak.EVERYTHING YOU POST IS BIAS AND TWISTED TRUTH.

"However BMW, a much smaller company, has also made major mistakes, Bangle design, buying/selling Land Rover AND it does NOT have the capability to match the massive development program that Audi has in place (not to mention Audi us much more successful than BMW in motorsports and is currently on a product tear)."


BMW has won more championships and races than AUDI in its History.You obviously know nothing about BMW, and the products that have yet to be released.

I dont really want to reply to all your posts b/c they are all lies and fan boy ranting"nonsense". No matter how many times you post this crap its doesn't make it true....er oh yeah. BMW IS THE NUMBER ONE PREMIUM CAR MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD. god, i love saying that.

— 911gt2 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 11:38:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

only if that made sense.

— 911gt2 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 11:59:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Audi is a cheap POS, rebadged Volkwagens a A8 is a Pheaton and R8 is a Gallardo Audi TT, a Q7 is a VW SUV, Audi is a economy car Without VW audi is nothing, in fact with VW, Audi is a POS. Keep dreaming Agent 009 and rest of you audi fans go enjoy your Audi A1 rebadge VW Polo

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 12:40:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

meanvulcan,
You'd better reread my post again. and yes, BMW is hurting. 11% increase in sales but an 18% drop in net profit, specifically because they're offering low financing due to their car's inability to sell itself.

amazing-BigManWheels,
I could've settled for some poser $30K BMW, but I decided to go upscale in a Jeep with real heritage instead.
I know I have money, I don't need a little plastic propellor to pretend.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/26/2008 6:32:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I find it so fascinating that you are such a douche, yet you don't seem to care at all. How does one reach such staggering levels of douche-ness? Were your parents douchebags or did you decide early on you were going to break the mold and become a douche of biblical proportions? I can almost smell the Summers Eve through my monitor. How wonderful it must be to be so comfortable and secure in your douchebagittude. I suppose every family has a douchebag cousin or uncle that they wish would just go away, but he still shows up drunk at Thanksgiving every year and blatantly stares at your wife's rack at the dinner table. You're "that guy". You know, when your buddy is about to do something stupid, embarassing, or offensive and you suggest he not be "that guy"? You're like "that guy" with no one to tell you not to be "that guy".

Loser.

— jpighetti (View Profile)

Posted on 6/28/2008 10:21:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

That was a rather futile rebuttal. If this was some lame attempt at upsetting me, it's best you try again.

Come'on bigman, spin those wheels and show us some magic feel, unless you're afraid the propellor might pop off.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/28/2008 1:12:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Just because Audi isn't quite there yet doesn't mean that they can't equal or surpass BMW and/ or MB in the next 7-10 years. The are improving their quality, market share, image and desirability every year. ANyone with real experience with the the big 3 German manufacturers knows that they all have pluses and minuses, but the majority of them are subjective to the potential buyer. The fact that BMWs, in general, handle better than the similar Audi offering doesn't make them better cars unless that's what you're looking for. In reality, the vast majority of premium buyers are not looking for superb handling at the expense of ride quality. If they were, hard(er) riding sporty sedans would be the rule, not the exception. Most luxury manufacturers build cars that lean more towards comfort than sport. BMW has a niche that they fill nicely, but their cars aren't for everyone. Why that's so difficult for some the understand is beyond me...

— jpighetti (View Profile)

Posted on 6/28/2008 10:08:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0