Test Drove new Audi A4 3.2 Ultra Sport

Accounting4Speed · 10-08-2005, 11:26 AM

Well, I got off a little early from work yesterday and figured I'd drive down to my local Audi dealership. Given that the Audi website sucks, and never updates their information to appropriately reflect their current models, I had no idea what the A4 Ultra Sport was. Here's a brief rundown: it's basically like the m-sport package but for Audi. You get 18" RS6 replica style wheels and the S4 body kit, oh and a very nice sport suspension and seats. On a side note, I looked at a few new S4's, they now come stock with 18" BBS CH wheels

.

All that aside, this one I drove was loaded, MMI, 6-speed tiptronic (no DSG yet). It handled very well, I was pretty impressed. I must say I think I like tha Audi interior a little better than the BMW's, something that Audi typically does better. MMI v. iDrive, well for those who have tried using both and like iDrive, I'm sorry for offencing you ahead of time, but MMI is far superior. The functions are much more user friendly and the display qualty and menus screens are much better done on MMI. One cool feature, behind the display are 2 SD memory card slots for playing MP3's, I thought was very cool.

So the drive, unfortunately I didn't get to open it up as much as I wanted, but it was decently quick. It has paddle shifter (standard with tiptronic). As far as speed compared to the 330i, it felt slower. Granted it was smooth, but there was definite lag between putting my foot down and getting up and going. Most likely a combo of the quattro. But from 0-60, the 330i will win. As far as ride quality, it was superb, very little body roll, and the quattro does what you expect it to do.

A few other neat features I noticed, on dash control to turn on and off DRL and some other little quarks. It looks like Audi listens to a lot of the forums people post about what they do and don't like about their cars. All in all, it's real close, they are both fantastic. If you want a more premium interior and love nav. go with the Audi. If you want something that is a bit more edgy and has a bit more speed, the BMW is your choice.

Choon · 10-08-2005, 11:35 AM

i totally agree

nice write up!

Nikki · 10-08-2005, 11:54 AM

Ultrasport? Was it used?
The new cars have an S-line package.

Accounting4Speed · 10-08-2005, 11:56 AM

No it's new, S-Line is also called Ultrasport, sorry for not specifying that.

Nikki · 10-08-2005, 11:57 AM

Oh, well they used to be called "Ultrasports" but they switched over to the "S-line" name for 2005.5.
It's a nice car, but the 3.2s aren't available with a manual, so that was eliminated as an option for me.

ska///235i · 10-08-2005, 12:01 PM

A4 3.2 Auto Tiptronic quattro

$49660 Fully Loaded

Accounting4Speed · 10-08-2005, 12:08 PM

According to the dealer, the 6-speed manuals of the 3.2 won't be in the U.S. until December/January.

Nikki · 10-08-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska

A4 3.2 Auto Tiptronic quattro

$49660 Fully Loaded

As is a fully loaded 330i.

If I price out an A4 3.2 with everything I am getting on my 330i, it comes out to exactly the same price, $41,500. The only difference is that the A4 comes standard with the Auto tranny, and the BMW is an option, so the A4 is cheaper. The A4 3.2 also comes standard with AWD.

Nikki · 10-08-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accounting4Speed

According to the dealer, the 6-speed manuals of the 3.2 won't be in the U.S. until December/January.

Correct, and the A3 might see a manual sometime soon as well.

Choon · 10-08-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska

A4 3.2 Auto Tiptronic quattro

$49660 Fully Loaded

crazy expensive!

i thought it was below 45G's..

Nikki · 10-08-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choon

crazy expensive!

I thought it was below 45G's..

The A4 3.2 Quattro starts at $36,760, fully loaded $49,660
The 330xi starts at $42,395 (including automatic), fully loaded $52,800

Choon · 10-08-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

The A4 3.2 Quattro starts at $36,760, fully loaded $49,660
The 330xi starts at $42,395 (including automatic), fully loaded $52,800

is this the msrp or the invoice?

Nikki · 10-08-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choon

is this the msrp or the invoice?

those are msrp from bmwusa.com and audiusa.com without taxes.

ZenDriver · 10-08-2005, 02:27 PM

You know, Audi needs to start releasing a cogent product lineup. This whole 2.0T, 2.0T Quattro, 3.2, 3.2 Quattro, Avant, S4, RS6, RS6 S-Line Ultrasport 2005.53284 is just confusing BS.

It makes me think that Audi really doesn't know what the hell they are doing with the product lineup because they seem to keep needing to trump themselves with different versions of the same car.

ska///235i · 10-08-2005, 03:47 PM

Did someone said....RS4!!!!

aw_330i · 10-08-2005, 04:05 PM

wow! :rocks:

Choon · 10-08-2005, 04:06 PM

the M5 will easily take it over

(RS4, i mean)

stressdoc · 10-08-2005, 05:16 PM

I am hoping for a similar, maybe more tasteful and subtle, interior for the 335i.

ZenDriver · 10-08-2005, 05:18 PM

Nice VW...

Kurupt1811 · 10-08-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choon

the M5 will easily take it over

(RS4, i mean)

i think the rs4 is aimed more at competition with the m3. if you want to see competition for the m5 then look at the rs6

arn · 10-08-2005, 06:04 PM

I also test drove the A4 3.2, pretty nice car expecially with the quattro. The dealer that I went to quoted me 41k for a fully loaded 05 version, I guess they were in a rush to get rid of it? Anyway, I still picked the 325i over the A4 3.2

duddym · 10-08-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska

Did someone said....RS4!!!!

10-08-2005, 11:26 AM	#1
Accounting4Speed Kind of a Big Deal 33 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Test Drove new Audi A4 3.2 Ultra Sport Well, I got off a little early from work yesterday and figured I'd drive down to my local Audi dealership. Given that the Audi website sucks, and never updates their information to appropriately reflect their current models, I had no idea what the A4 Ultra Sport was. Here's a brief rundown: it's basically like the m-sport package but for Audi. You get 18" RS6 replica style wheels and the S4 body kit, oh and a very nice sport suspension and seats. On a side note, I looked at a few new S4's, they now come stock with 18" BBS CH wheels . All that aside, this one I drove was loaded, MMI, 6-speed tiptronic (no DSG yet). It handled very well, I was pretty impressed. I must say I think I like tha Audi interior a little better than the BMW's, something that Audi typically does better. MMI v. iDrive, well for those who have tried using both and like iDrive, I'm sorry for offencing you ahead of time, but MMI is far superior. The functions are much more user friendly and the display qualty and menus screens are much better done on MMI. One cool feature, behind the display are 2 SD memory card slots for playing MP3's, I thought was very cool. So the drive, unfortunately I didn't get to open it up as much as I wanted, but it was decently quick. It has paddle shifter (standard with tiptronic). As far as speed compared to the 330i, it felt slower. Granted it was smooth, but there was definite lag between putting my foot down and getting up and going. Most likely a combo of the quattro. But from 0-60, the 330i will win. As far as ride quality, it was superb, very little body roll, and the quattro does what you expect it to do. A few other neat features I noticed, on dash control to turn on and off DRL and some other little quarks. It looks like Audi listens to a lot of the forums people post about what they do and don't like about their cars. All in all, it's real close, they are both fantastic. If you want a more premium interior and love nav. go with the Audi. If you want something that is a bit more edgy and has a bit more speed, the BMW is your choice.
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10-08-2005, 11:35 AM	#2
Choon Boost Me! 13 Rep 108 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA iTrader: (0)	i totally agree nice write up! __________________ i love my car
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10-08-2005, 11:54 AM	#3
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Ultrasport? Was it used? The new cars have an S-line package. __________________ Nikki
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10-08-2005, 11:56 AM	#4
Accounting4Speed Kind of a Big Deal 33 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	No it's new, S-Line is also called Ultrasport, sorry for not specifying that.
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10-08-2005, 11:57 AM	#5
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Oh, well they used to be called "Ultrasports" but they switched over to the "S-line" name for 2005.5. It's a nice car, but the 3.2s aren't available with a manual, so that was eliminated as an option for me. __________________ Nikki
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10-08-2005, 12:01 PM	#6
ska///235i ***** noob 1369 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	A4 3.2 Auto Tiptronic quattro $49660 Fully Loaded __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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10-08-2005, 12:08 PM	#7
Accounting4Speed Kind of a Big Deal 33 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	According to the dealer, the 6-speed manuals of the 3.2 won't be in the U.S. until December/January.
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10-08-2005, 02:27 PM	#14
ZenDriver Do Not Taunt Zen Driver. 12 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 325i w/ MT, ZSP in Graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	You know, Audi needs to start releasing a cogent product lineup. This whole 2.0T, 2.0T Quattro, 3.2, 3.2 Quattro, Avant, S4, RS6, RS6 S-Line Ultrasport 2005.53284 is just confusing BS. It makes me think that Audi really doesn't know what the hell they are doing with the product lineup because they seem to keep needing to trump themselves with different versions of the same car.
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10-08-2005, 03:47 PM	#15
ska///235i ***** noob 1369 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	Did someone said....RS4!!!! Attached Images __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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10-08-2005, 04:05 PM	#16
aw_330i Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2016 AY M4 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Toronto / Richmond Hill iTrader: (1)	wow! :rocks:
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10-08-2005, 04:06 PM	#17
Choon Boost Me! 13 Rep 108 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA iTrader: (0)	the M5 will easily take it over (RS4, i mean) __________________ i love my car
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10-08-2005, 05:16 PM	#18
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	I am hoping for a similar, maybe more tasteful and subtle, interior for the 335i.
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10-08-2005, 05:18 PM	#19
ZenDriver Do Not Taunt Zen Driver. 12 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 325i w/ MT, ZSP in Graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Nice VW...
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10-08-2005, 06:04 PM	#21
arn Private First Class 23 Rep 109 Posts Drives: E90 325i\|06'RX400h Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Philadelphia <-> NYC iTrader: (0)	I also test drove the A4 3.2, pretty nice car expecially with the quattro. The dealer that I went to quoted me 41k for a fully loaded 05 version, I guess they were in a rush to get rid of it? Anyway, I still picked the 325i over the A4 3.2 __________________ 2006: 325i: Monaco blue with black interior, step, nav, premium, xenon, cold weather, sat.
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