Anyone else NOT impressed??

[eclimax13]

just got back from driving a new a4 and overall i was expecting a lot more..interior is blah, not finished well at all and very plasticy..and i was disappointed with what i saw on the outside...single side exhaust for the 2.0t?...the car from the front looks great but from all other angles it just isnt interesting...anyone feel disappointed?

[AudiA4Style]

I didn't get to drive it but I too was expecting more out of the B8.
The interior is definitely an upgrade from the B6/B7 interior. The front end is on point, but the rear doesn't do it for me. I would've liked to see something more similar to the A5's rear end.

[b6onboost]

i share nearly those exact same thoughts.

to me it looked and felt like a smaller A6, inside and out. i know audi's plan was to make it larger and more upscale than the C-Class and 3-Series...but to everyone who loves their B5, B6, or B7 A4 for its small, sporty qualities...the B8 will disappoint.

oh yeah, a fully loaded B8 2.0T pushes $45k.

[eclimax13]

more a5ish would have been great...if you sit in it and really look and feel the interior...there are a lot of unfinished and just plain cheap feel part, especially where the two silver pieces overlap the black near the gauges...i actually almost prefer my b6 interior

[Anthony]

I didn't get to drive it but I too was expecting more out of the B8.
The interior is definitely an upgrade from the B6/B7 interior. The front end is on point, but the rear doesn't do it for me. I would've liked to see something more similar to the A5's rear end.

The lines of the A5/S5 coupe and A4/S4 sedan are very similar, other than the fact that one's a coupe and one's a sedan. This is especially true of the back end!





I guess I'm easily impressed, because to me the B8 is a great step up in design, inside and out. It not only looks better, but handles/drives much better as well. The fit and finish didn't appear to be a step down to me.

And yes, it is a bigger car. Traditionally, every new model grows an inch or two. Although visually I find it less bulky looking than a B6.

And my three year old fully loaded B7 2.0T was pushing $45k.

[doomedromance]

I don't like how they went with the take the clay model and pinch, stretch, and elongate everything design that BMW did for their current few years of cars. I loved the fat boxiness w/o being bubbly like Toyota's around the '04 model Corolla/Camry. I really hate the curved left and right edges of the hood. It really looks like gay ass BMW 5 series crap. I'd still take the new a4 any day over any other non Audi car. I'd like to have one of those A1 Metroproject cars though. =)

[Syrus5o]

I was at the audi dealership yesterday actually, and I really didn't like how the car looked in person. Interior had some nice features but something didn't feel right. Looking at the side profile of the car really makes it look huge. It was just awkward. Im test driving one on Friday, maybe that will change my opinion of the car.

[Tiluleshpingen]

The lines of the A5/S5 coupe and A4/S4 sedan are very similar, other than the fact that one's a coupe and one's a sedan. This is especially true of the back end!





I guess I'm easily impressed, because to me the B8 is a great step up in design, inside and out. It not only looks better, but handles/drives much better as well. The fit and finish didn't appear to be a step down to me.

And yes, it is a bigger car. Traditionally, every new model grows an inch or two. Although visually I find it less bulky looking than a B6.

And my three year old fully loaded B7 2.0T was pushing $45k.

i concur having an a5 in the family and just saw a b8 a4 2 days ago, i say the rear is very much like the a5 and i dunno where the OP is coming from saying that the interior is very "PLASTICY" maybe u are used to the MB scene where you are engulfed in stitched leather that makes no sense in a base model car.But non the less the interior of the new B8 cars is to drool for

[AudiA4Style]

My local Audi dealer had a B8 A4 and A5 side by side and the rear end is similar but not quite the same. Im not sure what it is, maybe the A4's rear end looks a bit too narrow. It just doesn't have the same stance.

Here's another comparison pictures from different angles.





It does look very similar...but not quite IMO.

[eclimax13]

i concur having an a5 in the family and just saw a b8 a4 2 days ago, i say the rear is very much like the a5 and i dunno where the OP is coming from saying that the interior is very "PLASTICY" maybe u are used to the MB scene where you are engulfed in stitched leather that makes no sense in a base model car.But non the less the interior of the new B8 cars is to drool for

go sit in the car and tap on the pieces..especially the silver piece around the display..tap on the pieces around the shifter...then go sit in an is350 and do the same...you will see what im talking about

[GottaAudi2]

Went to see the B8 today. Car looked pretty good, looks like a fairly well equipped 2.0 can be had for about 40K. Lease residual is 59%! Not ready to spring yet until the sticks come out and I can drive one. With such a high residual value maybe the monthly nut will be reasonable. BUT here's what I don't like: space saver spare tire (salesman says Audi claims the steel wheel is more protective in a rear end collision - right), and cheap looking trunk hinges. I like the struts on my B7 that don't enter trunk space, the ones on the B8 look like they're lifted from a '75 Impala. And the instrument panel design - don't know what to say that hasn't been said already.

[Anthony]

Went to see the B8 today. Car looked pretty good, looks like a fairly well equipped 2.0 can be had for about 40K. Lease residual is 59%! Not ready to spring yet until the sticks come out and I can drive one. With such a high residual value maybe the monthly nut will be reasonable. BUT here's what I don't like: space saver spare tire (salesman says Audi claims the steel wheel is more protective in a rear end collision - right), and cheap looking trunk hinges. I like the struts on my B7 that don't enter trunk space, the ones on the B8 look like they're lifted from a '75 Impala. And the instrument panel design - don't know what to say that hasn't been said already.

The excuse the salesman gave was a good guess. I believe the main reason for the small spare is to make room for the battery.

[Tiluleshpingen]

go sit in the car and tap on the pieces..especially the silver piece around the display..tap on the pieces around the shifter...then go sit in an is350 and do the same...you will see what im talking about

what do you expect to have around there stuffed leather?
that's how trim suppose to me that's why its called ex: aluminum trim or carbon fiber trim or wood grain.u don't expect to have leather around do you?

[Tiluleshpingen]

[eclimax13]

^^^not the interior i sat in...have you even sat in one..or are you just basing you useless argument to my opinion on photos..

[ImitationOfLife]

I like the B8, but the new interior looks incredibly busy.

[Tiluleshpingen]

^^^not the interior i sat in...have you even sat in one..or are you just basing you useless argument to my opinion on photos..

that's my car i sit on it everyday

[eclimax13]

where are you from...cuz the us model does not look like that inside

[Tiluleshpingen]

new jersey but thats on my a5 which is similar to the a4

[Anthony]

^^^not the interior i sat in...have you even sat in one..or are you just basing you useless argument to my opinion on photos..

Perhaps you were in a bare-bones base model?

[toothysaw2]

i too was slightly disappointed when i test drove the 3.2 b8 a4. the interior was very nice, but did feel a bit busy. the MMI wasn't easy enough to figure out during a test drive, but i kinda liked it. what did freak me out was the orientation of the speedometer. on my b7 i'm used to 40-50mph being near 12 o'clock. in the b8 it was at about 9 o'clock and i kept wanting to go faster.

that being said... i thought the transmission was a little finicky. gear shifts were quick, but happened abruptly when letting my foot off the gas. acceleration was smooth, but not sporty. the ride was comfortable and enjoyable, but not exciting. however, i put a huge * by that because the s-lines haven't arrived at my dealership. let alone one with audi drive select, which i hear is AMAZING.

the test drive made me appreciate my b7. the size and sportiness seem just right. the b8 felt bigger, and badly needed sportier suspension. but i do find the styling (in and out) and fit/finish beautiful. as for the price, i think you are getting a lot more for the price compared to the B7. 43k for a 3.2 prestige gets you just about everything except s-line, nav, and drive select. of course all that and you're pushing 50k... ouch.

ok, my review got a little long... but hope it's helpful to people considering b8. personally, i'm gonna hold out for S4 :) and if that doesn't do it for me i'll go A5... which was a stunning drive!

[Tiluleshpingen]

^^^^ me too my 80mph was at 12o'clock on the old a4,on the a5 its 120mhp made me want to pseed up. and also if drivin at 60mhp u feel liek ur doing 40- 50 such a quiet ride

[CX-7&A4]

I loved the 2009 A4 I sat in, couldn't have any more plastic than the B7, even the seats are "leatherette".

[eclimax13]

new jersey but thats on my a5 which is similar to the a4

wow...your arguing with my opinion and your not even talking about the same car ...yet in your defense i do love the a5 and am hoping that the 2.0t comes to the u.s....interior is better and overall design is much better than the new a4...once again only my opinion

[eclimax13]

I loved the 2009 A4 I sat in, couldn't have any more plastic than the B7, even the seats are "leatherette".

the idea is to make plastic parts not look and feel so much like plastic which was done very well in the b6/b7's ...also done well in the new a6 models and a5 models

[boomer]

Base model I looked at didn't knock my socks off but my wife's new A4 prestige package came in last Friday.I haven't had a chance to see it or pick it up until tomorrow. I will give a side by side comparison to my S5 given all the concerns reported here.

[tquattro2004]

SO wait.. You have a half aluminum half wood interior???
Aluminum on dash Wood on console?
Didn't know they made a dual option

[dreamcar=rs4]

I saw one at my dealer yesterday. Definitely not impressed with the front...IMO it doesn't flow at all. But on the other hand I have fallen in love with the side profile, and also the back.

[nealRlett]

not really feeling the new style. looks as though a 3-series BMW raped an A5.

[Tiluleshpingen]

wow...your arguing with my opinion and your not even talking about the same car ...yet in your defense i do love the a5 and am hoping that the 2.0t comes to the u.s....interior is better and overall design is much better than the new a4...once again only my opinion

dude i sat in one also 2-3 days ago and am going for a test drive on Monday.
and the interior is exact replica of the a5

[Tiluleshpingen]

SO wait.. You have a half aluminum half wood interior???
Aluminum on dash Wood on console?
Didn't know they made a dual option

i know it was weird to but it dont look bad since the wood trim is a little dark

[eclimax13]

dude i sat in one also 2-3 days ago and am going for a test drive on Monday.
and the interior is exact replica of the a5

absolutely is not...i sat in 2 different ones they had...one was a 3.2 and the other a 2.0t...same interior...same disappointment...ill have to wait til the 6 speed with suspension control comes out...but as it stands, (and im not the only one) this car is a huge let down...i have friends that are audi techs saying the same things

[Tiluleshpingen]

absolutely is not

oh NO

[Tiluleshpingen]

klik there http://images.motortrend.com/feature...4+interior.jpg

[CX-7&A4]

They're a few differences but the interiors are basically the same.


The plastic they used in the B6/B7 interior falls apart after so much wear so I'll take some "cheaper" plastic or harder plastic in exchange for more long-term durability.

[Tiluleshpingen]

absolutely is not...i sat in 2 different ones they had...one was a 3.2 and the other a 2.0t...same interior...same disappointment...ill have to wait til the 6 speed with suspension control comes out...but as it stands, (and im not the only one) this car is a huge let down...i have friends that are audi techs saying the same things

that's what everyone was saying when the b7 came out that it was a let down and it wasn't and Audi any more.. but look at them now they love it

[George@Revo]

the interior is exact replica of the a5

Only on Premium-Plus and Prestige level cars. Premium level cars have the MMI interface in the center stack. Premium-Plus and Prestige cars put it at the base of the console like the A5/S5. Launch cars currently at the dealers are Premium level with basic options. Not the smartest move IMO as I, like most of you it sounds, was not impressed at all after driving it. I would have thought Audi would put it's best foot forward and provide Prestige level cars for launch as it's painfully obvious that the cars they're using are nowhere near comparable to their 3-series and C-Class peers. On the other hand, a fully optioned Prestige level car is far more car than comparably equipped 3's and C's. And just to add insult to injury, Audi isn't offering the B8 A4 with a manual until spring of '09. You can't even order it as an option until Jan '09. For someone who was ready to buy / order the day the launch vehicles arrived, these seemingly nonsensical decisions by Audi have really made me re-think my next car.

[eclimax13]

that's what everyone was saying when the b7 came out that it was a let down and it wasn't and Audi any more.. but look at them now they love it

its all cool..you dont have to try to convince me that your right...its clear you are perfectly happy spending 40k on a car and sitting in cheap interior...im not...which is why im looking to other brands right now..like i said...ill prob wait to see the upgraded model that ARE NOT available right now...for but someone who was ready to buy this week..im hugely let down...especially after waiting a year for its release and i cant even get a 6 speed

[boomer]

Picked up my wife's new 2.0 A4 last evening. Quartz gray metallic with black interior in prestige package with nav and drive select. Whereas the base car didn't impress me this car is very, very nice and is impressive from a driving standpoint although very limited evaluation so far. Parked next to my S5 it has many similar characteristics although a little less aggressively stanced. Interior as always is top notch and I just don't get where some of you are coming from in regards to the interior comments--maybe you have just seen base model because this interior is very similar to my S5 which I love. Frankly, I was supremely impressed with the overall package. Audi should have forgotten about the base package (looks like fleet car) and used only the upgraded packages--even just putting window trim on base would have helped.

[RLM]

^care to share some exterior and interior pics?