EDWARD CONROY

Fresh from getting a real kick out of the Mustang drubbing by the E55 on Kev's website, my wife brings me home Sports Car International which has a head to head with these two great cars. The most glowing review I've read about the new E55, and while they praised the RS6 they felt it paled in comparision. More competent and easier to deal with in the turns, more comfortable ride, much nicer interior, better seats for a performance car, but most of all just blown away by the speed.

W210

I read it too, good stuff!

bzliteyear

not sure about you guys, but i don't know anyone who owns hi-end Audi's. For most people in this country who don't like to waste money, dealing w/ Audi's resale value and their reliability once the warranties expire...who needs that? Where MBs and BMWs are known for 150k+ miles, I haven't heard too many people w/ strong testimonials...esp. the Audi owners w/ S-series.

ajoe

That review was right on. The RS6 does pale in comparison and the fact that it costs more is totally insane!

stephens

Yes, but it far more exclusive than the AMG cars.

bzliteyear

funny thing about human nature...a balance between wanting to "belong" to a group and yet still wanting "exclusivity" and significance. to me exclusivity in itself is not a big deal. a lotus esprit is exclusive and so is pink porsche...and yet you can't give either one of these away. at this level, performance is obviously important but i think the "perception" of what the car represents probably overrides all other factors. my $.02.

fabio1

Hi,

Audi RS6 can never be a match for the AMG, does not carry any respect!

amg55

Same as a clean Ford Pinto.....but that doesn't mean I'd want one (just kidding).

I have to believe that supply and demand are the main determinants of the Audi S series production numbers.
Do you think Audi would limit production to current output if they could sell twice as many S4's S8's etc?
Demand for these cars is very limited.

Heck, at least 90% of people living in the USA have no idea what an AMG car is. I don't live in Southern California or Florida, but in the past 3 years I've only met one person in casual or professional encounters (outside my circle of car buff friends) who even knows what an AMG is if the topic of cars comes up. One.
I can only guess how much farther below the radar screen the Audi S's fly.

irishman

Well, having been in both a stock E55 and a modified RS6 with about 520 bhp, if you think the E55 is hardcore then the RS6 simply blows it away, although it's a close thing in stock trim, but I'd still go with the Audi, although I am a big Benz fan? Why? Exclusivity, the fact that you can get it in wagon form (although I presume Benz has an E55 wagon on the way) , the fact that you can easily mod it for 520bhp+ just by chipping it, and more if you add an exhaust/bigger turbos. Try doing that with an E55!

PS: Although resale values might not be as good, most people will acknowledge that Audi quality and reliability are generally far better than that of Mercedes. Just compare the quality of the S-Class with the new A8. I had more problems with my SLK than any other car I've owned, although I still love it

W210

What I like about the RS6 is the AWD but I will never buy it due to the poor resale value and the new model around the corner.

I tend to disagree about Audi quality, they look like they are made of high quality material with good workmanship but at the end of the day, you still have various problems.

We have a 2002 Audi A4 3.0 Avant Quattro and we're having serious rattles in the A-pillar which the dealer simply can't fix. The car has been in the dealership 6 times on and off since July 2003 and they're still working on it. Perhaps it's the dealer's incapable technicians, I don't know.

I can just imagine the headaches with warranty repairs I assure those Audi technicians would blame it all on the chip.

It drives well though. But the E55 is better, of course.

westsidewagon

The RS6 is the first RS to be made in a sedan version. The RS6 Avant is offered outside of the USA. Somehow, Audi S and RS Avants look more fasionable, more hip, and more up-to-date than the sedans.

Just check out this petition for the RS6 Avant! I would imagine not every single person that petitioned actually would buy an RS6 but there has to be some potential petitioners in there.

http://www.petitiononline.com/RS6A/petition.html

hellcat

Personally I find Audi's to be boring and dull. The W211 is an absolutely gorgeous car. From all angles inside and out it is beautiful. Audi hasn't changed the look of their cars in a while and the look they're sticking with is a dull rounded shape. They don't look at all special. Whether it's an A6, S6 or RS6 they all look about the same and not interesting at all. I have never seen a single audi turn somebody's head before. And then the E55 is faster, cheaper, more prestigious and better resale. There is just no comparison.

westsidewagon

From all angles? The new E Class has rear lights that just happen to look very similar to the new Honda Accord Coupe. MB has WAY TOO many cars that overlap eachother and are redundant and pointless. For example...
The Mercedes Mclaren SLR and the SL55 AMG. One costs $450,000 while the other costs $300,000 less. The SLR is a supercar with an automatic. That is the SL55's market!

The CL600 and CL65 AMG. The new Aston Martin DB9 looks ASTONishing while the CL65 is overkill. Take a look at the DB9's interior. It is a work of art.

What is the point of the SL600. I mean, if you're going to get a convertible, why not get a convertible that is at least somewhat fun-to-drive? SL55 is both beauty and the beast while the SL600 is pointless.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK and the Chrysler Crossfire share the SAME platform and the SAME engine!

The S55 AMG and the S600. With these two cars, the S600 makes more sense.

The CLK and the C Class Coupe. Why not have a coupe version of the E Class like the wonderful W124 E Class (86-95...but AMG made W124 convertibles into 97).

The G55 AMG. Are you actually going to go off road in that thing even though it is more road-based than the G500. The G Class is an awesome off-road machine.

http://www.bsmotoring.com/2002/02oct26_2.jpg

hellcat

What in gods name did any of that have to do with the E55 vs RS6?

westsidewagon

The topic was about the Sports Car International review of the Audi RS6 vs. the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG.

I fail to see how Audis are dull and boring when, right now, Mercedes-Benz is pumping out some pointless cars.

Mercedes is having a power war with AMG! It is getting old.

That picture of that E class shows a not-so-elegant view of the E Class sedan.

Mercedes-Benz outsells Audi by 3 to 1. Audi has this "wagon" thing down.

westsidewagon

Audi has this wagon this "down" as far as style and performance goes.

There is the "old" RS2, the RS4, RS6 Avant, new S4 Avant, old S4 Avant, S6 Avant, the mid 90s S6 Avant, and the mid 90s S6 Avant "Plus" that came with a V-8.

I guess Audi enthusiasts find wagons to be excellent cars while Mercedes-Benz entusiasts well, don't even though MB wagons are great cars.




I guess there is the mini-van ML and flashy G for others.

BlownV8

"Mercedes is having a power war with AMG! It is getting old."

Uh, they are one in the same. How can they be having a power war? Anyway, power wars never get old. More POWER...More POWER! ARR, ARR, ARR!

Dr Chill

Maybe it's me, but I haven't the faintest idea what westsidewagon is trying to say.

norb

MB doesn't have many wagon sales because they sell SUVs. Audi doesn't have an SUV to sell, not a real one anyway. The SUV has replaced the wagon in America.

westsidewagon

Unfortunately, the SUV has replaced the SUV in America as far as sales go in the minds of businessmen but not in the hearts of enthusiasts.

Escalades, G classes, and Porsche Cayennes may be in style today, but common sence NEVER goes out of style.

Which of the following would you rather own and drive:

A 2004 E55 AMG Wagon or a 2004 G55 AMG?

Name one performance SUV avilable for less than 50 that you could take to the drag strip or race track....

Same question but with wagons: Audi S4 Avant and the Volvo V70 R. Also, the 1.8T in Audi A4 Avant can make over 300 hp and lots of torque along with great reliability and fuel economy.

W210

Same here. All I know is that I picked the E55 over the RS6. The interior of the latter is a bit dated, and the ride too harsh for my purpose.

EDWARD CONROY

There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who drive wagons...and those who wouldn't be caught dead. Well, maybe that's a bit harsh. To each his own. But I can tell you that from my point of view, if I wanted the practicallity of a wagon I'd also have another 50 grand in the bank.

norb

I wouldn't haul any of the stuff I do in my SUV that I would in my MB, even it were a wagon. Also, you'd have to get an S class wagon to get the room you do in an SUV, never mind the off road capabilities, like a high ground clearance and awd. So true you won't win many drag races in an SUV but why would you want to?

ThemisN

You want my answer? the G55. I HATE wagons. I feel they look like my mohter should be driving them. How they look appealing, I have no idea. I say let audi have that market. Do we use SUV's for their true purpose? No way, but who said we have to. If its looks and space...SUV wins out. You want something I find unappealing and has what you think has more function? Go for the wagon. You are in the minority and it has nothing to do with marketing.

Now how does your comment about a perf suv for less than 50 relate to the creation of a e55 wagon? clearly that wouldnt be less than 50 grand, and neither is the RS6 Avant.


And back to the whole talk about quality...At the beginning of making a model, audi always has siginficant issues. I feel the current A4 bodystyle had less than the previous, but all Ive heard are nightmares about electronic gremlins from audi. Benz also has them at the beginning of producton runs, so they are not exempt, but but audi is hardly superior in that aspect. Lets not forget the issues audi had with protecting brakes from excessive heat in the RS6. Luckily they solved that one before it was released to consumers.

westsidewagon

Basically, some MBs are dull and boring.