I don’t even mind the XM looks but the driving behavior felt terrible to me. In Sport+ it felt jerky, overly aggressive (while not be very quick) and non-linear in its acceleration.

Too odd for the money and I’d take the X5M instead.

 

The 2025 M8 Gran Coupe would be my choice over the RS6 or upcoming M5 Sedans or Wagons. Its technology and performance spec has been around for a minute but is a proven commodity. Make mine Isle of Man Green or White. Hopefully can find a leftover in 2026 if it is discontinued or future Spec is strapped with an unnecessary Electric Motor and Battery Ballast.

 

BMW’s Isle of Man Green is epic and a color I would definitely get on an M car. I’m not one to get flashy colors, but that color is awesome.

Yeah, have a few more years on my lease. Not sure what I want next. But it’s fun to think about it.

Right now it’s another S, RS6 or an Isle of Man Green M car.

 

M5 Touring. Even though it weighs a metric ton, I would get this over the RS6 I think. Isle of Man Green is epic on the sedan but it just doesn’t do it for me on the estate/touring. I would get either frozen grey, black or just white. I like!

 

I was driving next to the new M5 (not the Touring) with the same Isel of man color and didn't mind the way it looks. That color is definitely NOT for me but the bolder look of the M5 works with the edgy shapes. That said, the weight is a definite turn-off. Makes EV's look light

Audi's new model strategy has effectively killed off the RS6 as-is although it may resurface as a RS7 station wagon in the future. All even Audi model numbers are now BEV's and all uneven ones ICE's. The new A6/S6 is now some clunky looking EV hatchback with even more black plastic inside. Audi also killed off the last convertible they had when the A4 became the A5.
Given the change, I would stay away from getting a RS6. As previously mentioned, the BMW M8 outperforms the RS6/RS7 anyway and is a better driving car any day of the week.

 

I thought I had read that the M8 is on the chopping block soon too? Like in the next year or two. But the coupe will still be produced.

 

Yeah, as much as I desire the current RS6, it’s getting dated. I know a new RS7 Avant is coming but I don’t like how Audi is doing the new interiors.

I actually like the idea of a plug-in hybrid of the M5. Most of my driving is within 10 miles and, other than those momentary lapses in speed limit judgment, I can EV around for those short trips. I know purists are scoffing at it, but the weight really doesn’t bother me other than it will probably need new tires every 5k miles lol. I’ll option the carbon ceramics because I know they will last so much longer trying to slow this behemoth.

 

That's the word. I for one love the looks of the M8 coupe and it feels like a feather weight compared to the M5 while being quicker as well. I understand that manufacturers have to come up with more complex and less ideal solutions to keep up with regulations but it is disappointing nonetheless as a car enthusiast. I hope the M8 sticks around for a bit...

 

I've seen a couple of these lately. Funny thing to run into this thread. One of them was blue/grey with aftermarket yellow wheels. The stance from behind was amazing...it looked super sporty!! the other looked exactly like the car in the original post. I love the wheel arches. In my opinion it looks AMAZING!!!

I had an A8 years ago, and didn't really like it, so I'll probably never buy an Audi, but still admire it from a distance.

 

I just went to check out one yesterday. Black on black with a satin ppf. MSRP is $150k. Dealer is asking $180k and won't seem to budge. Makes me come to the conclusion that this car is not for me. Maybe people that are made of money lol.

 

Mercedes has also decided that wagons are worth an insane amount of money lol. The last E63 wagon I saw was marked up to over $200k!

 

I don’t believe there will be any ADM by the time my S-Class lease is up. I think they’ve alienated a lot of original core M5 buyers with the massive weight gain, so maybe the demand just won’t be there, which is fine by me. RS6 no longer command any ADM.

 

I don't know, these are really rare.

 

That's strange, here in Canada these aren't selling, although there are no further discounts but at least there is no mark up.

When this vehicle was first announced, there was a waiting list of like up to 3 years. Then apparently people bailed and not only the waiting list disappeared, it is not popular/selling anymore.

I see way more E 63 S wagons here in Toronto.

There are no reported quality issues with this vehicle right? Then why is it not selling? I mean, the RS 6 doesn't exactly look that bad.

 

They definitely are. I've heard MY 2025 might be the last.
This particular one has been listed for nearly 2 months. I think the hype is slowly dying down here and some dealers are trying to keep the hype alive by creating allure that really isn't there.

 

In that case they are really wasting money because floor planning (basically as you know renting car from Audi USA) is wasting them money (as you know already, through interest payments) the longer they keep it on the lot. Unless they really think buyers are dumb and someone will fall for it : (

 

Right. I told the salesperson that I'm not willing to pay over sticker. They then proceeded to tell me how rare and performance oriented the car is. I'm not returning until they agree to sell it for sticker.

 

They don't care about how long it sits. That E63 wagon that was ADM'ed over $210k was a prior year!

They know somebody will come along who has to have it and they will buy it.

 

Yeah, I honestly don’t think the M5, sedan or touring, will sell well. This model has alienated the stereotypical core M5 buyer. However, I’m not a stereotypical M5 buyer, and I don’t mind it weighs as much as an Escalade lol.

I would wager that any ADM will be gone by this time next year. I almost guarantee that there will be no ADM in 2026.

 

Interesting forecast, I don't disagree. Discounts off MSRP on new ordered builds for MBs are relatively common now.

 

I’ve expanded my search for my next car:

Here is what I’m considering in no particular order.

1. Mercedes S500
2. BMW M5 Tourijng
3. Porsche Panamera 4 e-hybrid
4. Porsche 911 Carerra

I don’t want to spend more than $150k and all of these can be configured under that fully loaded (or nearly fully loaded for the Porsches lol).

 

I own a 2021 Audi RS7 tuned to 760 hp and it's one of the best sports sedan I've owned. No issues with it and everything is perfect after almost 4 years compared to my 2022 S580 which is now running great without any issues after few updates and tsbs. I will keep this Audi RS7 long time and Audi will be releasing the next generation RS7 in avant like the current RS6 and sportsback RS7 version. The even numbers in the Audi lineups will be electric and odd numbers will be gas. Audi is much more fun to drive then the gt AMG 4door we had in our family few years back.

 

My previous 2012 Audi A8l was the best ran it to 250k miles before getting this S580. The S cannot compare to the smooth solid ride of the A8l on 20s wheels and tires. The V8 in the a8 was much more responsive.

 

I would say otherwise. The Audi v8s lately are way better then the Mercedes non AMG v8s.

 

Based on what info? Reliability, performance or ability to tune? And what does lately mean?