Audi Tradition is noticeably absent from a significant portion of the U.S. market—but I believe that’s intentional. It seems their current strategy avoids market expansion due to limited product support. A good example is my recent experience sourcing parts for the RS4 1of1 restoration. Despite placing duplicate orders, several parts were already out of stock, and there’s no indication they’ll be restocked. If Audi Tradition were to open up fully to the U.S. market, the demand would likely overwhelm their supply chain.
As for the RS5 manual conversion, while it’s a compelling idea, the cost-to-value ratio just isn’t there—at least in my opinion. The market for that type of conversion is low-budget, and the resale value doesn’t come close to what you’d see with Porsche or Aston Martin builds.
Returning to the Audi Tradition discussion, the real opportunity lies in the reproduction of classic parts. Rebuilding the RS4 has shown me how many components are now NLA (no longer available)—like the front bumper or the increasingly rare door blades that aftermarket companies are trying to replicate. Considering these parts are already unavailable for a model as recent as 2007, there’s clearly a growing niche market. Reviving old molds to reproduce these classic components could be a highly viable and needed business move for Audi.
Would an RS 5 warrant the investment? Well, there are more of them on the road than RS 4s, and a coupe is worth more. A factory-supported manual conversion would likely up the value of the car. However, I believe that most who do the conversion likely aren't doing it for the business case. Like any classic car, the investment might pay off over time and appreciation of the old car, but that's not a guarantee. You do it to enjoy the car.
In the case of the RS 5, it's new enough to be accessible, safe and comfortable... something say an old 911 isn't on the level of the RS 5 to compete with. That era M3 maybe. It would be interesting to compare that era M3 values, or watch the previous era M3 values compared to comparable previous era RS or S cars also sold in the USA (B5 is an outlier because we never got it and there's effectively zero supply).
As for the RS5 manual conversion, it’s a solid idea in theory, but the cost doesn’t match the buyer interest. Most enthusiasts in that segment are budget-conscious, and the RS5—while a capable car—doesn’t have the rarity or cult following of the B7 RS4. With the RS5 produced in far greater numbers, it’s unlikely to reach the value or collector appeal that low-mileage RS4s have already earned. That kind of appreciation will take a long time, if it happens at all.
Bringing it back to Audi Tradition, the real untapped potential lies in reproducing classic parts. Rebuilding the RS4 has shown just how many components are now NLA (no longer available)—from the front bumper to the highly sought-after door blades. I just ordered two Euro Front Bumpers and shipped them to Puerto Rico since the US spec is not available. When parts for a 2007 model are already this scarce, it’s clear there’s a niche worth investing in.
I've met with Audi Tradition and discussed this issue in the past. It is a business for them and I think they'd prefer to have more sales. They sell to other markets like Canada no problem. In the U.S., the holdup seems to be somewhere between the importer (Audi of America) to create a retail pricing program and support distribution and the dealerships who (in the U.S.A. specifically) have very strict dealer franchise laws that keep even Audi from doing a lot of things. For instance, setting up a simple parts store here wouldn't work because dealers wouldn't get a piece of the business and their contracts I believe say they do get a piece if it's sold to their region. It's all very convoluted from the sounds of it.
How is it a business for them when NLA parts that have left their inventory are not replenished. They don’t have US-Spec front bumpers so I ordered two Euro Bumpers for example. I also ordered the disappearing door cards and they also never got replenished. Not much of a supplier IMO.
Audi Tradition is noticeably absent from a significant portion of the U.S. market—but I believe that’s intentional. It seems their current strategy avoids market expansion due to limited product support. A good example is my recent experience sourcing parts for the RS4 1of1 restoration. Despite placing duplicate orders, several parts were already out of stock, and there’s no indication they’ll be restocked. If Audi Tradition were to open up fully to the U.S. market, the demand would likely overwhelm their supply chain.
As for the RS5 manual conversion, while it’s a compelling idea, the cost-to-value ratio just isn’t there—at least in my opinion. The market for that type of conversion is low-budget, and the resale value doesn’t come close to what you’d see with Porsche or Aston Martin builds.
Returning to the Audi Tradition discussion, the real opportunity lies in the reproduction of classic parts. Rebuilding the RS4 has shown me how many components are now NLA (no longer available)—like the front bumper or the increasingly rare door blades that aftermarket companies are trying to replicate. Considering these parts are already unavailable for a model as recent as 2007, there’s clearly a growing niche market. Reviving old molds to reproduce these classic components could be a highly viable and needed business move for Audi.
Would an RS 5 warrant the investment? Well, there are more of them on the road than RS 4s, and a coupe is worth more. A factory-supported manual conversion would likely up the value of the car. However, I believe that most who do the conversion likely aren't doing it for the business case. Like any classic car, the investment might pay off over time and appreciation of the old car, but that's not a guarantee. You do it to enjoy the car.
In the case of the RS 5, it's new enough to be accessible, safe and comfortable... something say an old 911 isn't on the level of the RS 5 to compete with. That era M3 maybe. It would be interesting to compare that era M3 values, or watch the previous era M3 values compared to comparable previous era RS or S cars also sold in the USA (B5 is an outlier because we never got it and there's effectively zero supply).
As for the RS5 manual conversion, it’s a solid idea in theory, but the cost doesn’t match the buyer interest. Most enthusiasts in that segment are budget-conscious, and the RS5—while a capable car—doesn’t have the rarity or cult following of the B7 RS4. With the RS5 produced in far greater numbers, it’s unlikely to reach the value or collector appeal that low-mileage RS4s have already earned. That kind of appreciation will take a long time, if it happens at all.
Bringing it back to Audi Tradition, the real untapped potential lies in reproducing classic parts. Rebuilding the RS4 has shown just how many components are now NLA (no longer available)—from the front bumper to the highly sought-after door blades. I just ordered two Euro Front Bumpers and shipped them to Puerto Rico since the US spec is not available. When parts for a 2007 model are already this scarce, it’s clear there’s a niche worth investing in.
I've met with Audi Tradition and discussed this issue in the past. It is a business for them and I think they'd prefer to have more sales. They sell to other markets like Canada no problem. In the U.S., the holdup seems to be somewhere between the importer (Audi of America) to create a retail pricing program and support distribution and the dealerships who (in the U.S.A. specifically) have very strict dealer franchise laws that keep even Audi from doing a lot of things. For instance, setting up a simple parts store here wouldn't work because dealers wouldn't get a piece of the business and their contracts I believe say they do get a piece if it's sold to their region. It's all very convoluted from the sounds of it.
How is it a business for them when NLA parts that have left their inventory are not replenished. They don’t have US-Spec front bumpers so I ordered two Euro Bumpers for example. I also ordered the disappearing door cards and they also never got replenished. Not much of a supplier IMO.
Yes! Yes! Yes!