I think everyone here has made some logical valid arguments. What amazes me is that Audi for one waited so long to release the car period and second that with all that time they didn't make more of it.

Honestly, it is underwhelming and that kind of pissed me off as an Audi fan.

I can pick up a pretty loaded brand new M3 through the dip sales program and it'll cost me a little over half of what I'd pay for an RS5 (assuming the $90-100k mark is accurate, which is reasonable).

At the $90-100k range there are so many other choices out there that make this car just look quite plain. I guess to each their own in the end but I couldn't see myself spending that much on it after reading all the reviews.

When even the German car mags are unimpressed and herald an American car as better...well then it's time to sit down and take note. With the new M3 likely launching (in Germany) in 2013 it'll be one more blow to Audi when their two year old car is getting crucified performance wise by cheaper competition. They need to pull their heads out of their asses and look around.

 

I feel like this so called 'refresh' is going to have to be a major overhaul to make the car better than the m3.

We all agree that Audi's newest sports coupe, the rs5, shouldn't be faster than the r8. However, the rs5 should definitely be faster than its intended target, the m3.

In all of the reviews that I've read, when these two cars are paired against each other, its always the m3 that comes out on top. For the money that they are asking for an rs5, I would expect the car to blow the m3 out of the water.

It seems as if you're paying just for the exclusivity of the "RS" badge on the car, but in my opinion, it doesnt even look like an rs model, just your standard s5 with a different trim option. What happened to the widened fenders or the slots in the bumpers.

I guess the only way for an rs5 to beat an m3 is on a frozen lake where quattro can kick some ***.

Anyways, we'll wait and see how things pan out. Maybe they'll fix the understeer problem that all of the testers complain of with some front diff trick, and crank up the HP. It is a very good looking car tho, I'd certainly drive one if someone gave it too me but I dont think I'd spend the money on it.

 

As the owner of an '03 RS6, which I have been contemplating what to do about replacement, I can say that I am supremely disappointed in a) ANA and b) my local BIG dealer.

ANA for bringing us such a good first product, then for seemingly going AWOL.

My local BIG dealer for failing to have anything more than base model A4s and A6s on the lot. If you want people to buy, you have to give them something to get excited about. Seriously, the dealer's GM is a finance guy, and he can sell MB C300s and A4s all day long at nice profit margins. But, what's exciting about that? Sure, special order, but I want to look, touch and test drive them before I write a big check.

STUPID!

CW

 

I had be anxiously awaiting for this car, as either a replacement, or an addition to my RS 4, but I have grown very cold to it for the following reasons:

1. Way too much time to bring it to market
2. DSG only
3. Pricey (most likely), given a talked about price tag, would rather have a 2-yr old R8 (or a new TT-RS in 6-spd which is coming this yr)
4. Reviews have been awful. Evo, Car, TopGear have hammered the car badly. Did you guys see the TG episode against the M3?
5. Highstrung NA FSI engine would lead to Carbon Buildup, and I am sick and tired of doing a scrub on my car every 15K miles...