vinmanc32

As much as I love this C32, I am still awed by the Audi and the RS6 that is due in a few months is so tempting. My deposit is already in for the new E, and I am excited by the Pano roof option and the power but really not encouraged by some other things; mainly the CD ROM based nav system. Why not the DVD? Most likely I will keep my decision as it is and get the E but just thought I would share my concern at this point. Not that I think the nav system is that much better, but I am very enchanted by the AWD system with 450 ponies. Ouch....

Reading about the Pano roof and the unavailability is now really swaying my decision..

Tezta

What the comparison in price between the 55 and the RS6?

KrispyK

I'm having second thoughts as well. If the E55 is going to be 15% more than previous E55's, the pricing's going to be int he lower 80's. At that point, an Sl500 is looking mighty good.

MercManiac

I have the new E55 on order for delivery early next year. Must admit, the Audi RS6 looks like a "killer" car.....Audi has a great 4WD system......but I'm a Merc person in the end!

Mr. Xristo

If you do not have a deposit on the RS6 then I doubt you will be able to obtain one.

One of the largest Audi dealerships, Champion Audi, in Pompano, Florida is only receiving 15 TOTAL.. Their list is 40 people deep...

vinmanc32

I can get my hands on an RS6 for sure. The E55 should be about 75 grand now without the Pano roof. The RS6 is priced closer to 80 or better. I will always go four door so these are my only real choices now. The S Type R is not that exciting when you learn that those 400 ponies are not that spriteful. Im goin to the dealer today and have a discussion about the Audi. Im keepin my spot for the E but I just want to get some more info.

I thought I was a "Volvo person" since I owned them for about 16 yrs (still do) but Im learning that I am a "Get the best car for my money person".

E55 KEV

Most post on this board have said the Comand Nav system will be DVD. That is the reason the Nav system has been delayed for the E320 & E500 which are on sale now.

Wait for the E55 the Audi RS6 chassis is much older and been around since 1998 I believe.

mikE55

Both Australia and Germany show a big jump in price. If you visit:
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/preisfin...se/E55AMG.html
You will see the price is 87,580 EUR, that's about $85K US. The German price for the E500 is 56,492 EUR which is $55K US - just about what MRSP is for the E500 in the US.

So I agree, before spending $85K ($90K?? with some options)there's a lot of machinery that needs to be looked at. We'll just have to wait and see what the US MSRP really is.

mnh

My main problem with the Audi RS series (I had an RS2 for several years and loved it) is that Audi only bring out their highest performance cars at the end of the model run. You fork out big dollars and six months later the next generation car (albeit lower powered) arrives on the lot. Personally I think it is silly marketing.

I have had a C32 for a few months (my first Merc) and am getting a 211 E55 at the end of the year because there is nothing else out there at the moment that has its combination of practicality, performance and new generation technology. I even think its a bargain.

vinmanc32

for some reason the ML is the only one getting the DVD based system. I think this is nonsense but thats the skinny. I am really intrigued with the AWD and all that power. The stats are definately twisted.. the car is a sub five second to 60 so over 14 for a quarter sounds ridiculous. The 13 or under figures make alot more sense.

amg55

Have you ever owned an Audi vinmanc32?
Have you checked things like dirt poor resale value, aged looking interior, vanilla exterior design, lack of low end torque, etc?

Projected price on the RS6 is $86K from what I've read.
E55 sounds like it'll be low $80's.

e6tme

Just put a deposit on both, so when more legit info comes to light, you will have a better basis to make your decision... That's what I did. Right now I am torn, but I think I will know which car to go with by the time I see them in person...

vinmanc32

But they also had a bad rep many years ago. They have come up the curve significantly since then. I just like what I see and hear about it. Sounds like a very nice car for the money. I heard it was closer to 80 than 90 but nothing formal is out yet. Do you think that the new ones (in particular the RS6) will have bad resale as well? Unless it is a POS, I dont think so. Jury still out, but my deposit is still with the E.

amg55

As regards resale value:
if you compare the Audi S8 and the E55 you'll find the following.

1 year old S8 is valued at 61% of initial
2 year old E55 is valued at 71% of initial

Shocked?
I was when I tried selling my 3 year old Audi A8, which was worth 48% of its initial value.
Audi value retention is sieve-like.

E55 KEV

We have been led to believe that the RS6 will be $86k, however, European Car magazine (Nov 02) just reviewed it and no mention of price at all, but states that the only US options are:

Nav System
Solar Sunroof
Rear shade
Carbon-fiber interior

Motor Trend (Oct 02) listed the base price as $65k in their Buyers Guide. Road & Track (Oct 02) listed the base price at $66,050 in the "New For 2003" article, however their "First Drive" article same issue states:

"The car does'nt come cheap at $85,000".

How they got from $65k to $85k is beyond me, especially with the 4 options listed above.

amg55

The current review of the RS6 at Audiworld.com says the price will exceed $80,000.
AutoWeek says $81,000 without options.

C-Kompii

Although the RS6 is indeed a nice car... some obvious case against it would be:

- All new A6 will be out soon, which would hamper the resale value of the car.

- The E55 is more powerful. Especially when you compare the torque figures (700Nm to 560Nm). That is a whopping 140Nm difference.

-G'day-