New audi A4 (B8) is more expensive!

[tribe]

My car with pretty much all the options available had a MSRP of $40.850. I built a new A4 on the website with pretty much what mine has and it came down (up) to $48.000 . Ok, it has a rear view camera and a couple of added stuff that were not available on the '08 but now come included in either package.

My car is manual and I believe the new ones are still only tip so there you have 1.5K but still...

[Glassnpowder98]

With the B8, you're getting a little more car as well. But seriously, I can't believe they can ask almost 50k for an entry model sedan. For 50k you should be driving off the lot with a supercharged 6 cylinder under the hood...

[positiv_rate]

Yup, I know!

We got our '08 B7 (loaded, except nav) for 47 000$ CAD, and when I spec a similar B8 (w/ nav in order to have all of the Drive Select options), it comes out to 11 000$ more!!!

With BMW who reduced the prices on their "new" facelifted '09s, that means a 4-cylinder A4 is the same price as a loaded 335 xi ( 300 HP, twin turbo, inline-6)... right then.

I know the new B8 is a bigger, better A4, but not 11 000$ better than my B7!!!

[Bllzll]

with this price hike.. i think i would rathetr be in a 335 than a b8

[Allan T]

I must say your cars are cheap, here in Europe the prices is almost x2 of your prices.

[AUDILUX]

Yup, I know!

With BMW who reduced the prices on their "new" facelifted '09s, that means a 4-cylinder A4 is the same price as a loaded 335 xi ( 300 HP, twin turbo, inline-6)... right then.

2009 335xi starts at $42,825 w/ out any options.

2009 A4 2.0T starts at $32,700 w/ out any options.

BMW 335xi starts at $10k more than the Audi A4 2.0T. I don't think that it's a fair comparison, but I just wanted to point out that you are misinformed.

[b6onboost]

$40,000 for Prestige B8 A4
$2,450 for S-Line
$2,500 for MMI Navi
-------------------
$44,950 - Gives you pretty much ever option your B7 could have came with, plus the B8 options like Navi, S-Line, B&O sound system, ect are actually much improved over their B7 conterparts. Not to mention the B8 itself is bigger, faster, and handles better than the B7.

Aadaptive Cruise Control and Audi Drive Select were omitted, add them and you'll hit $48k, but the B7 did not offer those options.

Am I ever paying $40k + for an A4, probably not. But Audi's prices are about in line with the 328i, IS250, C300...ect. (For those who said they'd rather have a 335i, a similarly optioned 335i is $53k).

[vtracer20]

i would keep what every you have and wait another year or so when the first 335's are coming off leases.

[jmars]

BUT......... nothing gives me a 2009 MANUAL AVANT 2.0T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God that pains me, sorry had to vent.

Unreal that I can't get a manual.....come on Audi!

[Daft]

According to ETKA, the manual transmission cars will be assembled in January.

The 2.0T will be the only manual car though. 3.2L and Avants will all be tiptronic equipped.

[jmars]

I was under the impression that no Avant will come in as a manual. Can someone confirm or deny this? Thanks

[Doctor]

you are talking for money about 45k but $
Now how about thinking that here, prices are the same but....in EUROS...

So be happy with how you are...

[AudiWxGuy]

For 50k, you can gat a loaded 335i, 135i<---and have lots left over, an A5, and lots of other cars that are more powerful. I think 50k for an A4 is wayyyyyy too much with an engine that only puts out 200 hp

[redlabel81]

Hehe I laugh\CRY when I read this thread.....
Standard B8 2.0TDI avant without ANY extra. FWD, halogens = 67 000$
With that "little extra" you easily hit 99 000$ for a 2.0TDI avant FWD........

[tribe]

$40,000 for Prestige B8 A4
$2,450 for S-Line
$2,500 for MMI Navi
-------------------
$44,950 - Gives you pretty much ever option your B7 could have came with, plus the B8 options like Navi, S-Line, B&O sound system, ect are actually much improved over their B7 conterparts. Not to mention the B8 itself is bigger, faster, and handles better than the B7.

Aadaptive Cruise Control and Audi Drive Select were omitted, add them and you'll hit $48k, but the B7 did not offer those options.

.

$45,775.00 with side airbags and I think it's still missing bluetooth; it says bluetooth "prepared". If it's bigger and handles better, that's not an option; it's a characteristic of the new model.

I believe that the fluctuation of the dollar/euro had them start with a higher MSRP, but if they want to sell any amount of cars this coming 2009 they'll have to do a lot of rebates. My guess...

[b6onboost]

Performance is NOT the ONLY reason people buy cars.

Sure a 135i is fast, but how can you compare that small 2 door car to a B8 A4 sedan? The A5 is nice, but again its a coupe and some people need/want 4 doors.

If you want to spend about $45k on a premium german sedan, with leather, navi, and all the usual options you have 3 choices. 328i, C300, and A4 2.0T. I think the new B8 A4 easily offers the most car for the money out of those three.

For 50k, you can gat a loaded 335i, 135i<---and have lots left over, an A5, and lots of other cars that are more powerful. I think 50k for an A4 is wayyyyyy too much with an engine that only puts out 200 hp

[tribe]

Hehe I laugh\CRY when I read this thread.....
Standard B8 2.0TDI avant without ANY extra. FWD, halogens = 67 000$
With that "little extra" you easily hit 99 000$ for a 2.0TDI avant FWD........

I know what you mean... In Argentina, my native country I paid U$S 38000 for a new '93 Honda Civic Vti. That price in relation to the per capita income of the country is just madness

[gadumah]

I know what you mean... In Argentina, my native country I paid U$S 38000 for a new '93 Honda Civic Vti. That price in relation to the per capita income of the country is just madness

How much of that is taxes and how much is the actual price of the car? In most other countries taxes are extremely high (including where I'm originally from where you can expect to pay 100 percent tax).

[Daft]

I was under the impression that no Avant will come in as a manual. Can someone confirm or deny this? Thanks

For the United States, all Avants have been manufactured and are only available in "6A" which is the 6-speed Automatic.

You will see that the 2.0T quattro sedan will be available in "6S" which is the 6-speed manual. That will be starting up production in January.



If anyone wonders:

6A = 6-speed tip tranny
6S = 6-speed manual
SA = CVT tranny
HA = quattro rear diff


US spec FWD 2.0T cars and the euro spec B8 S4 begin assembly in November of this year.

[Rotond0000]

yeahhh this is where audi is going to lose alot of customers to BMW

[b6onboost]

My point was that even though the B8 A4 cost more than the B7 A4 (with similar options) that you DO get a lot more car. Yes, being larger and handling better is part of being a new model, but that is part of what the extra money is getting you. Navi, S-Line seats, Sound System...are all much better as well.

For example. Take your $40k B7 S-Line and imagine the extra cost IF you COULD have added B8 options like these: B&O sound system, S-Line sport seats with Alcantara, MMI Touchscreen Navi, ect. You'd probably rack up another $3K, hypothetically.

I am actually not even a big fan of the B8 A4, but I'll give credit where it's due.

$45,775.00 with side airbags and I think it's still missing bluetooth; it says bluetooth "prepared". If it's bigger and handles better, that's not an option; it's a characteristic of the new model.

I believe that the fluctuation of the dollar/euro had them start with a higher MSRP, but if they want to sell any amount of cars this coming 2009 they'll have to do a lot of rebates. My guess...

[redlabel81]

I know what you mean... In Argentina, my native country I paid U$S 38000 for a new '93 Honda Civic Vti. That price in relation to the per capita income of the country is just madness

What is the per capita income in USA?

[B7A4Sport]

I notice people repeatedly mentioning the B&O sound systems as some sort of rationalization for the price increase.

Let me be perfectly clear, ANY sound system that comes "stock" in a car as part of a package from ANY vender (B&O, Bose, HK, etc.) has been dulled down for more affordable mass production. This is perhaps one of the largest profit-margin areas that car manufacturers such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes have with option packages. You are better off just getting the lowest-of-the-line audio option, and then using the thousands-of-dollars you just saved to go get a real system installed.

Just my 2 cents.

[gadumah]

2009 335xi starts at $42,825 w/ out any options.

2009 A4 2.0T starts at $32,700 w/ out any options.

BMW 335xi starts at $10k more than the Audi A4 2.0T. I don't think that it's a fair comparison, but I just wanted to point out that you are misinformed.

True.

Even the A4 3.2 at $40,000 is still lower than the 335xi and comes with more standard features such as automatic and leather.

[dougyfresh]

For the United States, all Avants have been manufactured and are only available in "6A" which is the 6-speed Automatic.

That sucks! I won't buy a B8 just for that reason. Avant w/ manual transmission FTW!

[tribe]

My point was that even though the B8 A4 cost more than the B7 A4 (with similar options) that you DO get a lot more car. Yes, being larger and handling better is part of being a new model, but that is part of what the extra money is getting you. Navi, S-Line seats, Sound System...are all much better as well.

For example. Take your $40k B7 S-Line and imagine the extra cost IF you COULD have added B8 options like these: B&O sound system, S-Line sport seats with Alcantara, MMI Touchscreen Navi, ect. You'd probably rack up another $3K, hypothetically.

I am actually not even a big fan of the B8 A4, but I'll give credit where it's due.

Point taken, and I'm not really complaining. I love my B7 and it's an '08 so I'll probably keep it another 4 years.

On a side note, are you sure the MMI is touchscreen?

[Daft]

On a side note, are you sure the MMI is touchscreen?

The B8 A4 cars that I drove had MMI and the knob near the armrest but, the screen was not touch sensitive.

[wpg2.0T]

I must say your cars are cheap, here in Europe the prices is almost x2 of your prices.

Here's a pic of a B8 Avant that I saw at a Glasgow dealership on my recent trip to GB. ( It was a 2.0T, 6M, and fairly loaded ).



43,623 Pounds Sterling. ( incl Tax ). That approx $78-79,000 US.

[Silverbird]

Including about $14,000 tax at 17.5% - so about $65k to be comparable to N.A. Prices - still unpleasant, just like every other premium brand in the UK.

Here's a pic of a B8 Avant that I saw at a Glasgow dealership on my recent trip to GB. ( It was a 2.0T, 6M, and fairly loaded ).


43,623 Pounds Sterling. ( incl Tax ). That approx $78-79,000 US.

[08A4BringinIt]

I had an 09 A4 w/ nav as a loaner for the past couple of days. There was nothing touchscreen about it. Overall I was unimpressed, but then again I drive a 3.2 6MT and this was a 2.0T autotragic. I cannot imagine paying that kind of money for that car. I like the b7.

[08A4BringinIt]

I notice people repeatedly mentioning the B&O sound systems as some sort of rationalization for the price increase.

Let me be perfectly clear, ANY sound system that comes "stock" in a car as part of a package from ANY vender (B&O, Bose, HK, etc.) has been dulled down for more affordable mass production. This is perhaps one of the largest profit-margin areas that car manufacturers such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes have with option packages. You are better off just getting the lowest-of-the-line audio option, and then using the thousands-of-dollars you just saved to go get a real system installed.

Just my 2 cents.

You are dead right. I was an MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) installer for my four years of college. Spending thousands on upgraded factory systems is absolutely ridiculous. Sometimes to get the options you want though, you get one jammed down your throat as part of a "technology package" or some similar nonsense. You win some, you lose some.

[positiv_rate]

Now, now, read the message as a whole... I quoted the prices we get on the Audi & BMW Canada websites for a fully loaded A4 vs. a fully loaded 335xi. They both have MSRPs at 58K & change. I know they don't start out at the same price, but to my great surprise, these are the numbers I got after "building" them. And you can't argue the fact that the new B8 went up in price where BMW (Canada anyways...) reduced the pricing on their new '09s. No doubt, if you compare base models (or lightly optionned cars), then the A4 has the most value.

But all those new additions such as Audi Drive Select (2500$) (which requires NAV/MMI (3500$) in order to have all of the functions (i.e. Individual settings), B&O sound (1100$), Sport Package (1800$) & Technology (2200$) packages add up to a whopping 11 100$ CAD in individual options... get it?

That's how you end up with a 4-cylinder A4 that costs nearly as much as similarly equipped 335xi. What you can't take away from Audi: the quality of their interiors. They really are at the head of the class in that department. Just my 2 cents.

But I still love my B7

[quattro.it]

There is no question you can load up the B8 A4 with alot more options than were available in the B7 A4 that will push the price near $50k. A B7 2.0T A4 with Bose, Premium, Convenience, Bluetooth, Cold weather, and IPOD was $37.7. A Premium Plus B8 A4 is $38k. A base 2009 BMW 328xi Sedan is $35.3k, the 2009 A4 2.0T is $32.7k or $2600 < BMW. It's pretty hard to backup the claims that the B8 A4 is way more expensive than the B7, or the competition.

There are some people who don't want to mess around with the trouble and expense of an aftermarket sound system. It is too bad the B&O upgrade isn't available as a stand-alone option for $850 like it is in the A5/S5. That 505 watt 14 speaker sound system is well worth it and good enough for me.

[khmerguy978]

so being an owner of a b8 a4, i can chime in here.

i've been lookin for a new car for a year and the b8 did it for me. i never thought i'd buy an audi but look at me now!

why? i compared it to a mb c300 awd sport and a 328xi, with the same options i got for the b8, they would have been 44-46,000 compared to the 40,000 a4 prestige.

i tested other cars like cadillac cts awd, lexus is250 awd and the acura tl but we're very impressed with any.

the audi was a lot roomier, looked better, came with all the things i wanted and just did it for me.

OH YEAH! the prestige model comes with the bang & olufsen, which sounds AMAZING! If you haven't listened to a b&o system, I recommend you give it a try, but I like it more than the bose system in the infiniti m35. the prestige also included Side Assist, parking system, smart key and 18" wheels.

cheers... rocco