Moving to Germany and Thinking About Choices

[Gweezil]

What would you do if you were moving to Germany, had a $75K budget, and wanted the most performance fun for the money either new or used? I've spent the past couple of nights mulling options. Damn I wish you could get that new RS6 Performance for that price. Thoughts?

[Sudz]

RS6, Bitch!

Avant, has to be the Avant.

Understand my Avant want to be is a Toyota truck with a camper shell, it's Texas.

[Gweezil]

RS6, Bitch!

Avant, has to be the Avant.

Understand my Avant want to be is a Toyota truck with a camper shell, it's Texas.

I'm dumping a Toyota truck with a surfboard rack for whatever I get. Doubt I'll be able to land the new RS6 for $75K though. Anybody aware of any Euro spec sedans or avants worth pursuing?

[jran76]

I'm dumping a Toyota truck with a surfboard rack for whatever I get. Doubt I'll be able to land the new RS6 for $75K though. Anybody aware of any Euro spec sedans or avants worth pursuing?

What are your needs? Kids/family, need to haul things, lots of driving, etc. Also, where in Germany? Big city or more open area? How close to the Nurburgring?

[Laxinthe303]

Porsche 911 Turbo is 0-60 in 2 seconds. There are no other choices.

[S4NJ]

75$ K € or $?!


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[jran76]

75$ K € or $?!


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That's pretty close right now.

[4RingRook]

B7 RS4 avant.

[Willënskraft]

Anything with Quattro.

[Dimich]

Get that RS6!

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[jran76]

Get that RS6!

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A new RS6 starts at about $120k USD.

[lunamarA4]

x2.(minus the part about the Toyota and truck)

I am not sure this even needs to be discussed

RS6, Bitch!

Avant, has to be the Avant.

Understand my Avant want to be is a Toyota truck with a camper shell, it's Texas.

- - - Updated - - -

OH YEAH!!!...and I so wish I was you right now

[jran76]

This isn't directed at the OP as I don't know what his experience is in Germany, but here are some of my thoughts.....

My general comments would be that taxes/registration/insurance will be A LOT more as the engine size and emissions go up. Used cars are more of a hassle (at least at first) when it comes to TUV inspections/resgistration/etc. One good thing is most used cars purchased from a dealer have a one year warranty. Private party used cars do not. New cars have a much shorter warranty than we have here. New cars are also quite a bit more expensive in most cases than what we are use to (think $5-10k more for a comparable car, plus higher taxes).

If you drive a lot, you need to consider that gas is a lot more expensive. And, you'll drive a lot faster, and use a lot more gas. While the autobahn is not completely wide open, there are a lot of places to drive really fast. I've easily cruised for the better part of 4-5 hours at over 130 mph. If you plan to travel to certain countries (Poland, Czech, Turkey, etc.), cars like BMW, Audi, and MB can't go there in a lot of cases.

If you live in a large city, most have some pretty tight spaces, and a smaller car comes in handy. I've gotten stuck, or close to it, in larger cars. The roads are much smaller in older areas. They weren't built for cars. Parking garages and parking spaces are small and tight in a lot of cases.

No matter what car you drive, snow/winter tires will be a requirement which at least to some degree makes AWD less of a concern. You'll see more RWD cars than you can count that get around just fine in the snow/ice.

If you live close to the Nurburgring, I'd definitely consider a car capable of some laps. It really is that cool. That is going to be Frankfurt, and to the west/north. Munich, Berlin, Dresden, etc. are all a pretty good drive (I drove from Munich to The Ring and it took about 6 hours).

So, with that said, I think something like the RS3, S4 Avant, or RS5 Sportback are a good option in the $60k USD range depending on needs and size of car requirements. If you want more utility and space, an A6 Allroad/Avant is a good option around the same price. The S6 Avant starts around $80k USD, but it's nice too. Obviously, BMW or MB has a similar equivalent. The new M2 is around $60k USD, M3 about $75k starting off. The new C63 is around $80k USD starting off for reference.

[TDIaholic]

I would seriously consider the A6 4G with the nice 3.0 bi-turbo TDI. It gets good milegae and packs a nice punch, so you can go flat out on the Autobahn without guzzling 20l / 100km of fuel. Gas in Germany is around 1,3€ / liter at the moment, diesel is a bit cheaper.

[jokingjimmy]

I would seriously consider the A6 4G with the nice 3.0 bi-turbo TDI. It gets good milegae and packs a nice punch, so you can go flat out on the Autobahn without guzzling 20l / 100km of fuel. Gas in Germany is around 1,3€ / liter at the moment, diesel is a bit cheaper.

Yes, fuel price is a major consideration, and I agree with this. Those high performance diesels (any diesel) is the way to go. I'm not sure what your monthly fuel allowance will be, but seriously consider that.

Also size, Germany isn't as bad as France and Switzerland, but I'd consider something smaller like an A3 tdi/S3 hatch. Especially if you intend to travel and go to other countries on the weekends and such you'll regret anything bigger than an A4 and in many cases anything bigger than an A3.

Personally, for my needs, I'd absolutely go with an RS3, fuel economy be damned lol. A3 E-Tron/TDI if I was covering my monthly budget.

This is important though. Whatever you get, if you get anything higher line than an A series like an S or RS, make sure it's debadged. It's customary in German custom to NOT "show off" that you have an expensive car. Not the rings, but for sure the S/RS badges.

[RudyH]

why the heck would you buy anything available in North America, in Germany?

RS3 everyday anyday allday, especially if you are not familiar with Germany and Europe in general.
I would go as far as saying even RS3 > S4 Avant > S5 Sportback > RS4

[Gweezil]

A new RS6 starts at about $120k USD.

That's about what I thought it would be. Out of my range.

What are your needs? Kids/family, need to haul things, lots of driving, etc. Also, where in Germany? Big city or more open area? How close to the Nurburgring?

I should have stated this. No coupes, need something with 4 doors and AWD. That RS3 sure looks like a top contender.

[jran76]

That's about what I thought it would be. Out of my range.



I should have stated this. No coupes, need something with 4 doors and AWD. That RS3 sure looks like a top contender.

The RS3 would be my top pick.

[13allroad]

RS3 would get it here in NA but not available.


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[Dazman63]

just remember your insurance rates are based on the car's horsepower. I think I would buy something used and then bring a new car home, unless of course you're going to stay there.

[jokingjimmy]

why the heck would you buy anything available in North America, in Germany?

RS3 everyday anyday allday, especially if you are not familiar with Germany and Europe in general.
I would go as far as saying even RS3 > S4 Avant > S5 Sportback > RS4

I concur lol. That is a pretty good ranking of what to get.

[chaos2984]

id get the RS4 avant if you need a little more room than what the RS3 has to offer.

[The Fat Kid]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Golf R since it beat the RS3 in a head-to-head track test. This R driver posts a lot of videos from the Nurburgring.

The R will also leave you plenty of money for tires and gas!

[musasabi]

Yeah, I'm torn between the RS3 and the Golf R. The RS3 offended me with its track failings compared to the Golf R. Buuuuut, you can get a Golf R here.

Maybe spend some of your budget on a nice catback and an ECU tune. Then the inline 5 would win hands down. =)

[emnahum]

+1 on sportback or avant. Get something you can't get here.