Went to the Dubai Motorshow yesterday. Saw all the usual over-the-top cars (Koenigsegg, Veyron, SLR722, the list is long)

Anyway, the cars I was interested in were; C63, M3 and the RS4, in that order.

The merc ppl were very nice, lots of info on the C63, gave me a press kit etc. However, the car just felt a bit plain. Admittedly I was not even allowed to start it, but in the end I did not walk away with that WOW feeling.

The BMW ppl were stunningly beautiful (the stand girls) ...but not real experts on the car. The M3 looks nice in person, but this experience as well was a bit bland.

The Audi stand did not show the RS4, I guess since the new A4 is a different body shape. However, when I explained what I wanted to one of them, they went out of their way to get me into a RS4. So whisked out of the hall, to the parking lot and into one of their brand directors RS4. Frankly, the interior on the RS4 is a bit 'dated' compared to the new C63 and M3, but it is a really nice place to be. The engine sounds excellent, the car feels solid and very powerful (as much as you can tell in virtual gridlock).

I was also given an offer on the car I drove; 2007 Daytona Gray, w. gunmetal wheels, 5000miles but with a 'as new' warranty, whatever that means. Est. price $64k for this car.

Some pricing background. The C63 and M3 are in the $90k+ range here. A 997 C2S starts at $80k. The wait for any of these is 3-4 months minimum.

Based on this; I loved the car, really liked the looks and think the price is ok => I am very very tempted to pull the trigger and replace my trusty GTI with a RS4 as a DD.

The drawbacks? Old bodyshape, 'demo' car, anything else?

Please talk me out of this!

 

We have an RS4. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

The current issue of Car and Driver has the comparison of the 3. If you can't get a copy, I can scan you mine.

 

Thanks guys!

CKit; is there anything you regret / do not like about the RS4? Is it fun to drive daily? Do you look forward to a 'long way round' drive to the grocery shop in the RS4?

stevespai; I think I've read all the articles about the 3 cars and they all seem to place them into the M3>C63>RS4 order. This does not really worry me too much though...

I like the RS4 because it is not 'flash' but still a very nice and fast car. It does not reflect on the radar here like a 911 would.

 

I'm sure you'll love the car.
I wish I can get a chance to drive one.

Dan

 

I think the RS4 is a great car. It's not going to win in a straight line vs the Merc and it's not cheap. If on a tight budget, there are better performance values. But for the stealth factor and the manual transmission, we like ours very much. In some ways it's kind of like the last gen M5. It's a fun car and if I had a longer or more urban commute, it'd be among my top picks for a daily driver. As it stands, my commute is short and has not much traffic. On most days I'd rather drive the SC S2000. If they were all the same price and I lived in Dubai, I'd get the M3. For your situation, with the prices and the wait, I think that RS4 is an excellent choice. If you're on a budget, a 335 sedan or STi Limited, perhaps.

I regret that we get the non-Euro version... do they have the Avant in Dubai?

I also regret that it snows quite a bit here... making my choices for a daily driver clearer.

 

Thanks again. The budget is a difficult question, imho all of these cars are so expensive that they are not rational choices, but rather emotional ones. That said, my budget can handle a C63 or M3 or 997, but if I can get almost/exactly? the same car experience for 25% less money then the emotions are even more positive...

The Avant can only be special ordered in Dubai. People who want a wagon here drive 4x4s.

The reason you would go for the M3 is because its the new kid on the block? Or because you have already experienced the RS4 and would like to try something new?

 

The latest MotorTrend magazine also has a comparison of the three. Here ya go. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans...ison/video.html

 

I love the RS4. It may not be the beast that the C63 is or the gazelle (relative) that the M3 is but it's just an amazing car. I love it.

 

[QUOTE=DesertRat,Nov 15 2007, 12:46 AM] Thanks again. The budget is a difficult question, imho all of these cars are so expensive that they are not rational choices, but rather emotional ones. That said, my budget can handle a C63 or M3 or 997, but if I can get almost/exactly? the same car experience for 25% less money then the emotions are even more positive...