Brave pill - C6 RS6 or E55?

[prtyqwerty]

Hi,
I have a brave pill choice for the ages lined up.

2005 facelift E55 Estate 120k miles or 2008 C6 RS6 Avant 120k miles

C6 RS6 has what seems to have a good history 105k - although there is no way of being certain without translating all the 40 odd invoices from Audi as it was serviced in Bratislava up to 105k. The last 15k miles have been patchy. DRC service, oil and filters. No mention of coolant pipes or gearbox service. I understand 120k miles is the "danger zone" for new turbo's. Looks very clean in pictures.

E55 looks similarly clean. Have yet to review service history. Will test drive tomorrow hopefully.

Heart says RS6 but head says E55.

Any strong opinions either way? Has anyone lived with both for a reasonable period of time?

[Pegscratch]

RS6 will have the better interior, the E55 by far the most addictive of the powertrains. Also I believe it is more robust a vehicle at this age, which is impressive for that genre of Mercedes. You're also far less likely to be dragged out of the E55 than you are the RS6, and it sails much lower under the radar.

My choice would be the E55. As much as the RS6 would interest me.

[2Btoo]

E55 if you want to do anything other than sit in it and admire the stitching. It's the better car by a country mile.

[shiversaint]

Pegscratch said:

You're also far less likely to be dragged out of the E55 than you are the RS6, and it sails much lower under the radar.

Does this sort of thing actually happen with any sort of regularity? Lots of comments about thefts and things on PH but haven't read many real reports, let alone carjackings.

[fflump]

Pegscratch said:

RS6 will have the better interior, the E55 by far the most addictive of the powertrains. Also I believe it is more robust a vehicle at this age, which is impressive for that genre of Mercedes. You're also far less likely to be dragged out of the E55 than you are the RS6, and it sails much lower under the radar.

My choice would be the E55. As much as the RS6 would interest me.

Car jackers are rare, and ones that risk their liberty for £15k super-sheds even rarer.

IMO the RS6 looks a little more modern than the E55 since. While Audi changes its front end every couple of years the Merc's front end nevertheless differs more from modern ones to my eye (bug-eyed lights, pointy star mounted on the bonnet etc).
Pretty minor stuff. Another consideration is whether you'd prefer to have 500 bhp go through 2 wheels or 4?

[Pegscratch]

shiversaint said:

Does this sort of thing actually happen with any sort of regularity? Lots of comments about thefts and things on PH but haven't read many real reports, let alone carjackings.

No, regularity is pushing it but it does happen and one of the guys I know had to clean the blood off an RS3 that the owner was stabbed several times to relieve him of.

[Pegscratch]

fflump said:

Another consideration is whether you'd prefer to have 500 bhp go through 2 wheels or 4?

There's only one right answer to that question on this forum.

[prtyqwerty]

I don't live up the side of a mountain so 4 WD is not something I am massively concerned about.

The main concern is the ongoing cost of ownership. I have an e92 M3 and Mk1 987 Cayman already so I am used to the relatively high cost of keeping both of them on the road.

It would be RS6 without a second thought if it wasn't for the horror stories of 7/8K a year in maintenance before you even fill up a tank.

Happy to swallow 2/3k but I don't want something that will break my heart.

[TREMAiNE]

prtyqwerty said:

It would be RS6 without a second thought if it wasn't for the horror stories of 7/8K a year in maintenance before you even fill up a tank.

Happy to swallow 2/3k but I don't want something that will break my heart.

From that, it sounds like you want the RS6 then.
Just go for that and we'll all keep our fingers crossed for you.

[prtyqwerty]

Its the E55 - the dealer is refusing a test drive due to COVID which is understandable to some extent but has also refused a pre-purchase inspection at a local Audi Center. Walking away.

[Pegscratch]

Yeah, the Audi can spit some silly stupendous bills.

[samoht]

prtyqwerty said:

Its the E55 - the dealer is refusing a test drive due to COVID which is understandable to some extent but has also refused a pre-purchase inspection at a local Audi Center. Walking away.

Sounds like the Audi dealer has a good idea what the PPI would show up and knows it would lead to you walking away when you got the report!


I think the E55 is a safer bet in terms of maintenance because it's a standard FR layout, unlike the Audi whose engine is squeezed up against the front of the bay. The M113K engine is generally relatively robust; I think the Sensotronic brakes and air suspension are two significant points to watch out for. A 2005 E class is at least galvanised, so build quality rises to the heady heights of mediocre, as opposed to the depths of rustiness 1997-2003 approx.

[ZX10R NIN]

The E55 isn't the biggest brave pill especially when compared to the RS6, my friends wallet still shrinks at the mention of his RS6.

He now has a V10 R8 that's actually cheaper to run.

[Schermerhorn]

Don't W210's have a rust problem?

[samoht]

Schermerhorn said:

Don't W210's have a rust problem?

Yes they do, and that's why it's a good thing the OP is buying a W211.

[ZX10R NIN]

Schermerhorn said:

Don't W210's have a rust problem?

OP's looking at a W211

[Walter Sobchak]

I had an E55 a few years ago and it was between the same cars when I was looking.
Went with the Merc because it’s by far a less expensive proposition maintenance wise, servicing wasn’t too bad, the only real worries are the aromatic suspension struts which were 400/500 a corner back then but may well be less by now and I had the charge cooler pump go on mine which means the supercharger cut out when it got hot, not that costly to sort.
Brakes and tyres aren’t the cheapest but then they’re not likely to be on an RS6 either.

[stamper]

Walter Sobchak said:

...the only real worries are the aromatic suspension struts which were 400/500 a corner back then...

Aaaah. The sweet smell of a w211...

[prtyqwerty]

Thanks guys, how do I check if the suspension is ok? I heard it just a case of going through the settings during the test drive and making sure the suspension responds to the differing modes?

At 120k miles I am walking into it with my eye wide open, there'll be few bills to get her right I am sure.

[fflump]

You're eyes will be fully open if you get a PPI rather than DIY from forum advice.