OK, So I work as a Creative Director for an Advertising agency. I can't say who the client is yet. But they are a MAJOR brand in car care chemicals. They're launching a full line of car care products for consumers for the first time (like 80 something products). Anyway, the owner of my agency was looking for cars to photograph for the packaging. So I donated my 07 Daytona Grey RS4 (don't worry, I stood by it during the shoot with a loaded rifle, LOL). They shot the interior and the front driver side wheel for interior care and wheel care packaging. Unfortunately they changed the silver piping on my seats to red to match the national brand's logo but you can clearly see the RS4 logo on the caliper housing in the wheel shot (hoping they don't re-touch that out). It's just pretty cool to have parts of your personal car used on a national brand like that and what's even cooler is they didn't want to use my M3 for the shoot calling it, "yesterday's news". So the bottom line is that Audi and the RS4 will be "representing" when this line of products debuts in the next 8 to 12 months. Check it out next time your shopping for stuff. If you're like me, you've been detailing your ride yourself. I can't even eat out without a couple of trips to the parking lot to check for sloppy parkers, scratches.... etc.

ON PERFORMANCE:
This car is f*&%$ing awesome! I drove an M3 for 3 years and I like it but it had tons of problems. I sold it to a dude at work and I happened to drive it the other day after driving the Rs4 for about 8 weeks and it felt really squirly. The shift linkage was so sloppy and the whole experience felt so totally primitive to me. I never noticed this before the RS4. Also, the exhaust note on the M3 sounds like crap. It's OK if you're inside the cabin but when my buddy takes off at the end of the day it sounds like there's a bunch of pissed off bees coming out the a#$ of the car.

I am a true believer in Audi build. This car is tighhhhhgggtttt! Great mechanics, flawless interior, awesome frame and body construction, amazing gap tolerances, superb electronics. The only problem I've had is one loose bracket on my rear window shade (fixed in 5 minutes by an Audi Sales Rep.). As for Mods, had Nitrofill put in the tires and am getting 3M front end film and overall tint. That's all she needs... far as I can tell. Maybe an exhaust when I get used to the incredible exhaust note. Am I the only owner who drives with my windows down and with the awesome sound system OFF just so I can hear the thing go????? I bet not!

So here's the break down on the fit and finish problems with the M3. Now, mind you, garage kept and I am totally **** about my cars! Check this out!

1. Trim around my window fell off not once but four times (both sides) They said that the quality of the glue wasn't made for South Florida. I was like what?????? They just kept replacing it never really adressing the problem.
2. Both BMW emblems and M3 emblems faded within a year. The emblem on the hood just flew off one day. I was shocked to realize it was a "sticker" with a clear dome over it. My dad's old Bimmer had an actual enameled emblem)
3. Engine light kept coming on. Took 3 years to send me a letter for a recall on the mass air sensor
4. Engines were blowing up so they did a recall on mine and replaced some major engine component that required them to beak all the seals on the upper engine. Mind you, a two year old car. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO PAID OFF. I was freaking out!
5. Driver's side seat leather cracked and came unstiched –year one and 3
6. Gear **** graphic peeled off – year 2
7. Carbon fiber around shifter came loose – year 3 (broken clip)
8. All the rubber seals for all windows cracked and literally disintegrated– year 3
9. Rear power window always leaked air and still does to this day
10. Finish peeled on both doors and center console
11. Rearview mirror broke
12. Side mirror finish peeled off around edges (like old mirrors you see at a garage sale)
13. Kidney grill came totally out

Guys, the list goes on. Don't get me wrong, I loved the performance of the car. Mechanically it was really superb and reliable with only minor problems. But this is BMW we're talking about. They became famous because their cars outlasted all others. That's why they charged, and still charge, a luxury and quality premium for their vehicles. While other manufacturers were practicing the industry standard of "this car has an expected life of 100,000 miles or 7-8 years", BMW and Mercedes were setting out to build cars that can go longer and people were willing to pay more for it. Not a bad business plan and brand strategy. Fast forward to 2006.... In my opinion, some of these manufacturers have substituted quality materials for plastic and crap and yet still command premiums. I Just don't get it.

Anyway. I just get pissed when I read Car and Driver and their lack-luster review of the RS4 and then they go on in subsequent issues of the mag. and put BMW on this throne. I have had a real world, long-term relationship with the "king of the 3 series cars" and it was extremely dissapointing from a quality-of-build perspective.

Bottom line: I love my Audi, it was absolutely the right choice for me. And for those BMW fans who say that the Audi lacks the "feel and conectiveness (sp?)" to the road" of a BMW, I say, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT THE ROAD FEELS LIKE IF YOUR CAR IS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP GETTING NEW WINDOW TRIM ETC?

Anyway. Peace Out! For those of you who drive the RS4, congrats. You have an awesome vehicle. For those of you who love it but can't afford it, we were all in that place at one time. Believe me! Keep working hard and you'll get your dream ride too! (or just borrow a crapload of money like I did! LOL)

Take Care!
James

 

I arrived at the RS4 via a BMW as well and couldn't agree more with what you've said. Congratulations!

 

congrats on your purchase and i look forward to seeing the products featuring your car.

yeah car and driver has always been partial to the propeller badge. i made note of it before but that RS4 article really nit picked a single point to death and served only to set up the upcoming V8 M3. not to mention the 3-series (aka Los Angeles Accord, cuz everyone and their agent here drives one) has been on that darn 10 best list since i was still playing with matchbox versions.

and a creative director driving an RS4?? i used to be an advertising "client" and i would have certainly made some reference at the prepro meeting: "we're using who's car? an RS4? our agency people are driving $74K cars??? cut their budget now!!!"

 

C'mon give us a hint on the product line.... starts with M maybe?

 

which "M" ??

though i suppose one "M" uses Maroon and the other "M" uses red. so it's the Red "M". i currently use the Maroon "M" but maybe i'll switch to the Red "M".

 

For the uninformed (namely me), what exactly is Nitrofill for the tires?

 

On Nitrofill:

I copied the URL for the benefits see below. Audi dealership offered it.

http://www.whynitrofill.com/benefits.php



James

 

For people wondering about the product line, Can't discuss the client. But you'll see. Don't mean to make it a big deal. I could possible get in trouble so I can't say.

Oh and to the guy who worked on the client side of the agency world; when we drive to client meetings we take a mini-cooper so the client doesn't freak. My business partner has a 911 and the other exec drives a Bentley Continental. We would definitely look "overpaid." My day job is not why I'm driving this expensive of a car. I sold a bunch of real estate at the right time... just got lucky.

PS The Cooper belongs to our receptionist Chelsea. We always bring it back full.... LOL

James