FLU, I hope you know the AWD system in the G35 (soon to be G37) sedan is the same AWD system in the GT-R. Which means, w/out slip, you’re 100% RWD. Only when it sense slip does it start transferring power to the front wheels.
I do agree that Audi is starting to fix the overhang problem and the weight problem w/ the TT as well. Returning to bi-turbo in the S4 is also a great thing for them as well. I’m never a fan of Audi though.
I don’t agree with your competition analysis. Unless you’re referring to competition by power, then I agree. But I tend to compare them in price bracket instead. Which would make:
A4/A5 2.0T AWD -> C300 -> 328i/Ci -> G35sedan/G37coupe -> IS250
The base MSRP of these cars are $31-34k.
A4/A5 3.2L V6 AWD -> C350 -> 335i/Ci -> Nothing from Infiniti -> IS350
The base MSRP of htese cars are $36-40k.
What Audi did w/ the S4/RS4 is kind of odd in term of price because where the C63/M3/IS-F are priced similar to each other @ around $55k MSRP, Audi priced the S4/S5 @ $48-50k and RS4/RS5 @ $68k. So, while the current S4/S5 is still being spanked by the 335, it’s priced very close to the M3 range. I always find Audi to be the most over priced of the Germans. Maybe that’s why I like them least. There’s rumor of that Nissan is considering an Infiniti version of the GT-R, which would put it in the M3/C63/IS-F camp.
This is the reason why I got the G35 coupe, they priced the G in the 328/C300/S4 2.0T/IS250 camp but give the performance of the C350/S4 3.2/IS350.
In regards to maintenance, since it’s the same engine as all the other Nissan V6, I can bring it to Nissan dealer for maintenance if I want. I won’t get the “pampering”/loaner like @ the Infiniti dealer, but it’s also much cheaper.
