RS6 C6 Avant or S6 C7 Avant or E63 AMG 5.5 estate - which?
Discussion
Budget is up to 35k, want a very fast petrol estate car that is exciting, sounds good, rides well, reliable and will carry two young children and all their paraphernalia. Ideally, residuals are strong or likely to hold up (difficult to predict with the flight to electric I know.)
Here are my thoughts so far:
RS6 has the highest bork factor but is the cheapest to acquire. Save circa 3k per annum just in case? Had an S6 C6 and wasn't hugely impressed overall apart from the interior, which was nice. The car felt pretty slow and was pretty uninspiring in the corners. Fuel consumption was appalling at an average of 18 mpg, max 20 mpg on a long run without AC. Is the RS6 that much better than the S6? It did have a hewn from granite feel about it though.
S6 C7, stonking engine - seems very fast on paper and a wolf in sheep's clothing. Only sat in one. Newer tech, similar to the Q7 I had - how does it handle? MPG looks easier to stomach at 25mpg - 30mpg. Not the same visual impact as the RS/AMG and would I feel that I was missing out on owning an RS? (probably)
E63 AMG 5.5 bi-turbo (potentially can stretch to the S version too at the top of budget) - this is currently winning although I've never drive one only the 6.2 NA, which was hilarious. I gather the 5.5 bi turbo is faster, more usable as the power is lower in the rev range; seems to have very good reliability and the fun factor of RWD with 550 bhp!
What would you pick?
Here are my thoughts so far:
RS6 has the highest bork factor but is the cheapest to acquire. Save circa 3k per annum just in case? Had an S6 C6 and wasn't hugely impressed overall apart from the interior, which was nice. The car felt pretty slow and was pretty uninspiring in the corners. Fuel consumption was appalling at an average of 18 mpg, max 20 mpg on a long run without AC. Is the RS6 that much better than the S6? It did have a hewn from granite feel about it though.
S6 C7, stonking engine - seems very fast on paper and a wolf in sheep's clothing. Only sat in one. Newer tech, similar to the Q7 I had - how does it handle? MPG looks easier to stomach at 25mpg - 30mpg. Not the same visual impact as the RS/AMG and would I feel that I was missing out on owning an RS? (probably)
E63 AMG 5.5 bi-turbo (potentially can stretch to the S version too at the top of budget) - this is currently winning although I've never drive one only the 6.2 NA, which was hilarious. I gather the 5.5 bi turbo is faster, more usable as the power is lower in the rev range; seems to have very good reliability and the fun factor of RWD with 550 bhp!
What would you pick?
Edited by The Stiglet on Wednesday 25th May 11:25
Personally I'd discount the C6 RS6 from those choices - unless you come across a 'plus' model it will inevitably be an early car with 2G MMI which is now extremely dated. There's also a very small pool of examples that haven't already covered substantial mileages with the potential for significant bills (there are common faults which are a mix of mileage and age related, but none are cheap to do properly). They're also not 'exciting' to drive - they're very impressive in a 'how can a 2+ tonne car cover ground so quickly' but I wouldn't say it was actually 'fun' to drive, which is not normally a phrase associated with anything big and Audi tbh (and I say that as a long time Audi S junky!). Economy is also comically bad (and I say that as a previous S8 owner who lived with 16mpg on super unleaded) if driven as intended, and not much better if you try to be economical.
C7 S6 is where I'm looking at the moment and your budget should net a decent example (just watch out for the oil strainer recall/revised part date which starves the turbos of oil) but there's a lot of poverty spec ex-lease stuff in black (noting the spec isn't bad as standard)
Merc I have no experience of, but can see the appeal
C7 S6 is where I'm looking at the moment and your budget should net a decent example (just watch out for the oil strainer recall/revised part date which starves the turbos of oil) but there's a lot of poverty spec ex-lease stuff in black (noting the spec isn't bad as standard)
Merc I have no experience of, but can see the appeal
I went through the same a year ago and went for an S6 Avant. It just looks great inside and out, super quiet and comfortable but shifts off the line like a Tesla.
I test drove an E63 Estate before gwtting the S6 and if it wasn't for the looks and the added fuel consumption (and sticky alcantara wheel) I'd definitely have got that instead. Sounded like driving a low flying spitfire, the back end stepped out getting the power down out of a slow corner, great fun (till it went wrong no doubt!).
The S6 can eek 40mpg on the motorway, just incredible even with a stage 1 ~510hp. Think the AMG would have been 25% less most the time which over a year is a holiday in these cars. Or a the cost of fixing a minor problem.
In the end you just have to get the one you like best and the best example you find. History is everything with these. The V8 TFSI has a few common issues to look out for (as most Audis it seems!) not sure the AMG does.
I test drove an E63 Estate before gwtting the S6 and if it wasn't for the looks and the added fuel consumption (and sticky alcantara wheel) I'd definitely have got that instead. Sounded like driving a low flying spitfire, the back end stepped out getting the power down out of a slow corner, great fun (till it went wrong no doubt!).
The S6 can eek 40mpg on the motorway, just incredible even with a stage 1 ~510hp. Think the AMG would have been 25% less most the time which over a year is a holiday in these cars. Or a the cost of fixing a minor problem.
In the end you just have to get the one you like best and the best example you find. History is everything with these. The V8 TFSI has a few common issues to look out for (as most Audis it seems!) not sure the AMG does.
Worth noting the oil strainer has just been put out for official recall by Audi on the first week of May 22 so don't buy one that hasn't had it done.
Mine had the updated strainer part and new oil lines fitted when the turbos were replaced at 40k miles.
I'll be getting the recall done and inspecting the old ones on mine ASAP. Preventative maintainence at every opportunity on these.
Mine had the updated strainer part and new oil lines fitted when the turbos were replaced at 40k miles.
I'll be getting the recall done and inspecting the old ones on mine ASAP. Preventative maintainence at every opportunity on these.
tenmantaylor said:
Worth noting the oil strainer has just been put out for official recall by Audi on the first week of May 22 so don't buy one that hasn't had it done.
Mine had the updated strainer part and new oil lines fitted when the turbos were replaced at 40k miles.
I'll be getting the recall done and inspecting the old ones on mine ASAP. Preventative maintainence at every opportunity on these.
Doesn't the recall cover C7 RS6 and not the C6? Mine had the updated strainer part and new oil lines fitted when the turbos were replaced at 40k miles.
I'll be getting the recall done and inspecting the old ones on mine ASAP. Preventative maintainence at every opportunity on these.
Source: C7 RS6 owner
KungFuPanda said:
Pre lockdown you could get a decent post 2015 facelift S6 for early £20k. Now an avant is between £25k-£30k.
I’d definitely have a C7 S6 over an earlier RS6. A stage 1 remap with no further mods will get you around 550bhp. I did this with my S6 and managed 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds.
Everything has increased. I was looking at 2015 rs6’s at the start of lock down which we’re £42k at main dealers for low mile examples. They are now 45-50k with high miles from indi’s :-(. I’d definitely have a C7 S6 over an earlier RS6. A stage 1 remap with no further mods will get you around 550bhp. I did this with my S6 and managed 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds.
KungFuPanda said:
Pre lockdown you could get a decent post 2015 facelift S6 for early £20k. Now an avant is between £25k-£30k.
I’d definitely have a C7 S6 over an earlier RS6. A stage 1 remap with no further mods will get you around 550bhp. I did this with my S6 and managed 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds.
Yeah it's mental - the price increases but also the Stage 1 remap!I’d definitely have a C7 S6 over an earlier RS6. A stage 1 remap with no further mods will get you around 550bhp. I did this with my S6 and managed 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds.
I've always run my cars with extended warranties so I'd be worry about voiding that with the remap, however tempting.
Adrian E said:
Personally I'd discount the C6 RS6 from those choices - unless you come across a 'plus' model it will inevitably be an early car with 2G MMI which is now extremely dated. There's also a very small pool of examples that haven't already covered substantial mileages with the potential for significant bills (there are common faults which are a mix of mileage and age related, but none are cheap to do properly). They're also not 'exciting' to drive - they're very impressive in a 'how can a 2+ tonne car cover ground so quickly' but I wouldn't say it was actually 'fun' to drive, which is not normally a phrase associated with anything big and Audi tbh (and I say that as a long time Audi S junky!). Economy is also comically bad (and I say that as a previous S8 owner who lived with 16mpg on super unleaded) if driven as intended, and not much better if you try to be economical.
C7 S6 is where I'm looking at the moment and your budget should net a decent example (just watch out for the oil strainer recall/revised part date which starves the turbos of oil) but there's a lot of poverty spec ex-lease stuff in black (noting the spec isn't bad as standard)
Merc I have no experience of, but can see the appeal
All very good points and well experienced myself as a previous V10 owner. I was hoping someone might say the RS6 was something a bit more special but seems safest/wisest to discount it now given the competition on offer. C7 S6 is where I'm looking at the moment and your budget should net a decent example (just watch out for the oil strainer recall/revised part date which starves the turbos of oil) but there's a lot of poverty spec ex-lease stuff in black (noting the spec isn't bad as standard)
Merc I have no experience of, but can see the appeal
tenmantaylor said:
I went through the same a year ago and went for an S6 Avant. It just looks great inside and out, super quiet and comfortable but shifts off the line like a Tesla.
I test drove an E63 Estate before gwtting the S6 and if it wasn't for the looks and the added fuel consumption (and sticky alcantara wheel) I'd definitely have got that instead. Sounded like driving a low flying spitfire, the back end stepped out getting the power down out of a slow corner, great fun (till it went wrong no doubt!).
The S6 can eek 40mpg on the motorway, just incredible even with a stage 1 ~510hp. Think the AMG would have been 25% less most the time which over a year is a holiday in these cars. Or a the cost of fixing a minor problem.
In the end you just have to get the one you like best and the best example you find. History is everything with these. The V8 TFSI has a few common issues to look out for (as most Audis it seems!) not sure the AMG does.
Really good to hear about your feedback of both, thank you. I'm literally struggling to drive 5k per year at the moment so the fuel price isn't a massive issue for me and I hear the E63 will get 30 mpg on a run, which is fantastic for the power on offer. Saying that, it's still expensive to fill up these days.I test drove an E63 Estate before gwtting the S6 and if it wasn't for the looks and the added fuel consumption (and sticky alcantara wheel) I'd definitely have got that instead. Sounded like driving a low flying spitfire, the back end stepped out getting the power down out of a slow corner, great fun (till it went wrong no doubt!).
The S6 can eek 40mpg on the motorway, just incredible even with a stage 1 ~510hp. Think the AMG would have been 25% less most the time which over a year is a holiday in these cars. Or a the cost of fixing a minor problem.
In the end you just have to get the one you like best and the best example you find. History is everything with these. The V8 TFSI has a few common issues to look out for (as most Audis it seems!) not sure the AMG does.
I'm looking for excitement as well as practicality - was the E63 significantly more fun? Or does this version of the S6 behave a little bit more un-Audi than previous editions?
I've got to be honest, the Audi is a lot of things but apart from off the line it's hard to describe it as fun. It's impressive but not fun. The Merc would probably be more fun to drive in terms of feedback, responsiveness, balance and handling.
Think the main let downs for the audi are the lack of steering feel and throttle response (lack of). It's actual grip, composure and performance are incredible however.
Tend to go out for a blast on the Yamaha if I want fun these days.
Think the main let downs for the audi are the lack of steering feel and throttle response (lack of). It's actual grip, composure and performance are incredible however.
Tend to go out for a blast on the Yamaha if I want fun these days.
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