CarMad Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Ok .. so who was it that said Audi's are a complete waste of money... Anyone. Bernd Pischetsrieder thats who, boss of the entire VW group and all its companies. In a presentation to analysts in London he was quoted as saying 'You can get the same transportation performance fuelled with the same speed from a much cheaper car, Audis are just merely dressier, more expensive Volkswagens. Article is in Autocar this week.. just made me laugh really, as it says Ratner said that about his crap jewelery a few years ago and look how well that went down. So for all us Audi owners, oh and he says the same about BMW and Mercedes by the way are being ripped off just for the class of the car. Oh what a surprise, but still surely thats a daft thing for him to say to keep the premium the cars apparently demand, or we all seem to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 He's got to say something to get the Golf MkV and Phaeton sales to pick up. As for Audi's being a complete waste of money - if you make it "Audi Dealers and service departments" he got it dead right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Yeah they did a survey of changing the same part on 4 different 1.8 5valve engines a year or so ago. The Audi was twice as much to replace the same part and Labour than the same engine in a Skoda. Seat was next and then Golf all exactly the same engine / part, time to do it everything. But we all want the premium brands. Goes to show more Germans are buying more Skodas than ever before as they want value value value it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Transverse engines and FWD from an 'prestige' marque, he may have a point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 What I find funny Lodders is that so many people on this forum have obviously read this thread and just don't want to reply to it. I have an Audi, its a good car, got it for many reasons, but my choice is on lease rates not value as such so I am in a bit of a different boat. Seems maybe that lots of people don't want to think there car is over priced over a VW / Seat or Skoda being as the boss of the company says is almost the same car. His comments were to do with the fact that more people are waking up to this an buying lower valued cars Seats, Skodas etc. but they make less money on them than the Audis and as a result they are going to have to be more outlandish cars to justify the price tags and or they are going to have to close down plants to keep profits up or should I say make some in most car makers cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Well I went from a rare type of A4 Quattro to a thing that looks like a Golf... Does that put me in the category of "waking up"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 The comments seem strange when there is now very little overlap between VW and Audi. In the UK VW and Audi are in very different markets (with the odd exception( Golf GTi being the most obvious example)). Additionaly Audi is in the process of moving further up market and this process takes time. The average invoice price of new and used Audis in the UK is now £23000. This is double what it is for VW and is the best indicatr of there relative positions. There is a major parallel with the A3 / Golf ranges, but the price differentials are not that big. The A4 / Passat ranges have distanced themselves even more with the launch of the latest transverse engined Passat. The Phaeton / A8 is probably the only example of an Audi being overpriced compared to a VW. But there again VW loose money on the Phaeton. The fact of the matter is there is some additional engineering that goes into Audis. If you can feel it, and you feel its worth paying for then buy the Audi. If you dont then buy something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I think if you look at it in terms of value for money then both VW and Audi are overrpiced when you take into account dealer support and aftersales........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 When I came out of a company car scheme I looked at all sorts options. I chose Audi over VW for a number of reasons: A more prestigious brand Less of them on the road The higher residuals meant the true cost of ownership for me over 3 years was almost identical The build quality was better at the time. I sat in a mates brand new Passat 2 weeks ago (the old shape). It still looked cheaper and less well put together. The price differences bewtween Audi and VW have closed over the years I think. So yes, I know a lot of the mechanical components come out of the same parts bins etc etc. But for me, wanting to buy a new family sized car and keep it for 3 years, I'll go for Audi over VW everytime thanks despite what any VAG exec says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrzed Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 If talking about the Golf and A3 I would tend to agree (even though I drive an A3). For the amount of dosh we dropped to get the A3 I could have got a better performing Japper but the Mrs has to keep up with the Joneses. In Japan, it's hard to beat a Euro for snob value. Even so, Audis are looked down upon by Benz and BMW owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Nothing to do with Bernd Pischetsrieder moving away from Audi and more toward VW / Skoda? Loddrik hasn't any ground to stand on, he hasn't even bought a BMW; Alpina, sounds like the scent of my bleach in the loo. Shows BMW can't even make a car he wants to buy. As for overpricing there is a fair point but I've driven a Skoda, a VW and Audi's in my driving history and my other half has a Seat Ibiza. The other brands are good cars, but I chose Audi on for the last three times because build and material quality is better in Audi than all 3 brands and apart from the R32 and Fabia vRS and possibly Leon Cupra R, the others don't build fast cars with or without 4WD. If they did I'd maybe consider them more, but none of the other brands have a performance V8 and the R32 looked like a pudding against the S3. AS for the rest of the Audi range IMHO they are still more of a premium feel but slightly overpriced, althogh there is no comparison for the TT or the A8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Loddrik hasn't any ground to stand on, he hasn't even bought a BMW; Alpina, sounds like the scent of my bleach in the loo. Shows BMW can't even make a car he wants to buy. [/ QUOTE ] Erm, I've had, like, a couple of BM's over the years. I'm glad you think that about Alpina, at least it means you'll never buy one, which is a relief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I feel relief when I go to the loo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Might as well argue that anyone who pays more than £50 for a watch is being ripped off as a £50 watch is perfectly acceptable quality and performance (ie timekeeping). However a lot of people want something more from a watch (extreme quality, status, style, design, what-ever) as do people buying cars. My brother in law bought a Seat Toledo around the time that I had my A3 and yes, same platform, engines etc. But fact is, the Audi is quite simply a nicer car. Nicer interior, better loking, more exclusive (if that important you you, I quite like it), nicer design details etc. Now if I decide that this is worth the premium how am I being ripped off? Bottom line is, Phishtrousers might be saying these things, but I'll bet you anything he doesn't drive home in a Skoda "because it's equally as good as the rest of the VAG products". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadwhitey Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 well ive owned a vw sharan and i think it was a great car a little under powered but thought the build quality was good as is the audi . When we bought the avant we had the chance of a year old passat estate for at least 50% less and what we paid for the audi [ was a company bank car from the wifes work ] but put them both side by side and the audi is far nicer looking. [ QUOTE ] Even so, Audis are looked down upon by Benz and BMW owners. [/ QUOTE ] no dont agree we have a bmw and audi in the family and there are things i like over the audi against the bmw and vice versa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I feel relief when I go to the loo [/ QUOTE ] You could use Alpina Bleach afterward! So you managed to drive BMW's and then moved to Alpina Loddrik... doesn't say a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Bottom line is, Phishtrousers might be saying these things, but I'll bet you anything he doesn't drive home in a Skoda "because it's equally as good as the rest of the VAG products". [/ QUOTE ] Too true, probably gets driven home in his chauffered Phantom or Flying Spur. Or better still, doesn't have the need for archaic modes of transport with four wheels, helicopter is his preferred choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] So you managed to drive BMW's and then moved to Alpina Loddrik... doesn't say a lot. [/ QUOTE ] Why would that be then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] So you managed to drive BMW's and then moved to Alpina Loddrik... doesn't say a lot. [/ QUOTE ] Why would that be then? [/ QUOTE ] Easy tiger, just pulling your leg! Each to their own and long may they enjoy their decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] In a presentation to analysts in London he was quoted as saying 'You can get the same transportation performance fuelled with the same speed from a much cheaper car, Audis are just merely dressier, more expensive Volkswagens. [/ QUOTE ] Well I don't give a flying feck what anybody says... I love my audi cab! can't fault it. and not many people can say that about their cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 A great thread idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] A great thread idea [/ QUOTE ] bring it on girls!! ....but don't give, if you can't take! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Oh I can take it baby OK, first fault, Chav's car is................... Oops, just nodded off there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 ( ) Sorry to whinge, but can we keep thread titles the same please? Its a horrible thing that just makes me think of audiworld where people end up communicating with thread titles We're so much better than that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] ( ) Sorry to whinge, but can we keep thread titles the same please? Its a horrible thing that just makes me think of audiworld where people end up communicating with thread titles We're so much better than that [/ QUOTE ] He mentioned "the other place"..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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