If you’ve been around here for even a short period of time you’ve probably come across a few threads with me complaining about certain aspects of the E63 and I probably should apologize for being a bit bitter...but I won’t apologize for being upset about what I feel are legitimate issues. The W212 was my 3rd AMG (two prior E55s) and the turbo platform was long awaited. The potential was going to be amazing. If a simple tune could get the biturbo to levels that it took a full bolt-on E55 to achieve, just imagine what could happen when we started to go FBO in the E63! And to top it off, AMG finally listened to a decade of us complaining about how slow the shifting was in their 5 speed automatic and gave us the MCT. They also listened to many complain (not me) about the airmatic system that was plagued with failures...well kind of I guess since they only got rid of half of it. So after seeing the initial tuning outcomes I eagerly jumped on board and planned on modding into a solid low 10 second daily driver. As we all know, besides the early tuner company claims of simple stage 2 cars running mid 10s, those claims were a bust. Stage 2s average around 11 flat and the money it takes to reach low 10s is astronomical! The tuning worlds lack of ability to crack the tq limiting software negated most any hardware thrown at it. Then came the MCT transmission with AMGs claims of millisecond shift times. What’s the point of having such lightning quick shifts if you have to cut most of the power to do it? It negates the whole purpose. And to have a luxury car that jerks so bad that your wife can’t even sip her Starbucks without fear of spilling it every time you approach or leave a stoplight is ridiculous! “Yes dear, I do know how to drive an automatic, why do you ask?” And with it’s adaptations, if your not constantly driving with the paddles, it’s almost never in the right gear, even in S+. Then we get to the suspension. Why only get rid of half the airmatic? Coming from previous gens, the ride became harsh. I don’t mind stiff but harsh is horrible. And the price honestly didn’t come with anywhere enough of a handling improvement to justify it. Our old GT-R was far more stiff but much less harsh. That harshness also came with another price. There were a lot more rattles and creaks in this car than I would ever expect out of even a low end luxury vehicle. I purposely avoided the pano roof because of the noises but at least I would have know where those noises were coming from!

With that said, I also need to point out that the E63 was utterly reliable. I put well over 100k miles on her, most stage 2 without ever worrying about anything. The exhaust note was probably one of the best V8s I’ve heard and that’s saying a lot considering it has turbos in between the motor and the exhaust tips!

So after enough complaining and several people telling me to move on already, I finally did. A 2016 RS7 is in the garage and since a few have asked, here are my initial thoughts. Now keep in mind, the RS7 is still stock so I’ll have to update the comparison after getting stage 2 installed.

Engine/power: I thought turbo lag was pretty minimal in the E63 in stock form and almost gone once the DPs and tune were installed but the RS7’s thrust is almost instant. Low end, the RS7 actually feels quicker than my Stage 2 E63 but without a tune and DPs the pull doesn’t continue like the E63. Stock to stock probably goes to the RS7 but stock power is really close.

Trans: not really a contest when we’re comparing a luxury sports sedan. The MCT with its jerky stop and go characteristics just doesn’t belong here imho. The ZF8 is smooth, shifts very fast for an auto, and you actually get thrown back during wot shifts. I never felt that with the AMG. Another thing, probably more software related than hardware, is that there was such a long delay between pulling the paddle and actually getting an upshift in the E63. That’s almost gone with the RS7. It’s not instantaneous but it’s significantly better. The one thing the MCT does much better than the ZF8 auto is the rev matching downshifts. It’s definitely the winner there, but that’s meaningless in the grand scheme of what you really need out of a transmission.

Suspension/handling: even though these cars are close in weight, the geometry is a bit different. The RS7s motor sits over the front wheels instead of behind them like the E63 so the front end does feel a bit more heavy. My RS7 does have the upgraded dynamic (coil) suspension instead of the standard air suspension. I was actually looking for air since it’s reported to be softer because I was so put off by the harshness of the E63. Surprisingly the Audi’s sport tuned suspension is still significantly more comfortable and less harsh, even in the stiffest setting. The comfort setting is much more fitting of a luxury sedan than the E63 and the dynamic setting is more stiff and sporty. I won’t go as far as to say yet that it handles better than the AMG but it is a step above so far, even if the feel is a bit more muted. Audi did a far better job here than AMG. Keep in mind, the Audi feels less harsh on 21” wheels compared to the AMGs 19s.

Engine sound: stock to stock goes to the RS7 but likely only because this one came equipped with the factory full titanium Akrapovic exhaust. Once the E63 went catless DPs and res delete it kills the Audi. After the RS7 gets the catless DPs I’ll update my opinion. One thing I’m not a fan of in the Audi is the electronically controlled valved exhaust. Actually, I’m ok with it because it is super quiet with the valves closed and sounds great with them open but without an option to let me manually open/close them I’m a bit put off. It’s strange to have the car getting quiet then loud at its own discretion.

Brakes: I had standard steel brakes in both and besides the Audi pedal feeling a bit softer initially, stopping power is a wash.

Aesthetics/style: probably too subjective and many will say the RS7 should be compared to the CLS anyways. Either way it took me more than 2 years to finally accept the ass end of the RS7. It’s just not attractive to me and it needs help (which it will get). But the Camryesq posterior of the E63 wasn’t an instant love affair either. It took a diffuser and spoiler before I was ok with her butt too. I’m sure I’ll find the right pieces to make me appreciate the RS7 so I’ll revisit this in a few months.

Interior: this is a pretty close comparison. Dash materials are on par but Audi seems to prefer carbon fiber inlays instead of MB’s wood. I like both so I don’t have a preference as long as it looks good. The dash materials are about equal as well. The instrument cluster in the Audi is significantly better than the E63 with it allowing nav between the gauges and hud display but it’s 4 years newer than the MB so it’s not really fair. It also has night vision that I’ll probably never use but it’s kinda cool none the less. In the lap timer mode you also get a boost gauge and gear indicator in the hud display which I kind of like. I do prefer the dedicated transmission and suspension buttons in the AMG rather than having to go through the infotainment system in the Audi. I can’t say yet whether one infotainment system is better than the other, they’re just different and I’m still figuring out the Audi. I have the upgraded comfort seating do the bolstering and support is better in the E63 but the heating, ventilation, and massage functions in the Audi are markedly better. The leather in the Audi also feels a bit more supple but that may mean it shows wear worse as well. After 130k miles my AMG’s interior still looked brand new.

I’m hoping to get the RS7 to the track next month in stock trim before doing any mods so I’ll report back when I have that data to share. Let me know if you have any questions are there’s anything else you’d like me to compare. I hope you guys don’t mind if I hang around. I still have my first E55 that’s in my signature below if that helps. ;)

I assume you are using APR to go Stage II. Probably the most trusted and track proven tuner company in the Audi world. You will not be disappointed. Those mods will transform your RS7. The only real issue I’ve seen with the RS7 is their propensity to eat brakes. Mine were replaced at 10,000 miles and there are plenty of other owners with this same issue. Other than that, it’s a fantastic car. Congrats!! I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new addition.

Thanks bud! After the E55 being the straight line king I never thought AMG would force me to look elsewhere to go fast.Yes, APR is my only tuner choice. Being able to switch from street tune to mix or full race gas tune from the instrument cluster or phone app will be amazing after being stuck with zero options in the E63. I have read about the brakes and almost wanted to hold out for a Performance model with the CCBs but it just wasn’t a must have for me.

Thanks brotha!

The AMG sound once the DPs were added is untouchable. It was just a bit too muffled from the factory. In stock form it’s really not a fair comparison since the RS7 came with the full titanium Akrapovic exhaust. If it just had the standard or even sport exhaust I think the E63 would win there as well.

GIAC would be my second choice but it’s just hard to argue with APR’s record.

I agree with you on interior room. Even though the cars are both considered mid size the RS7 does feel smaller. The back seats are probably a better comparison to the CLS instead of the E. At 6’5” you almost have a foot on me and my kid is still in a car seat so I don’t need the room quite like you do. As long as the wife can get her massage (which she couldn’t in the E63 because MB somehow thought it was a good idea to quit offering it to the passenger) and I can fit a buddy or two with their golf clubs, it works for me.

I’ll get back to you on the AWD system. This will be my first and to be honest, if the RSteas offered in RWD I would have opted for that version. Admittedly I’ll probably get over that once I see how hard this thing launches on street tires. 1.5-1.6 60ft times seem the norm for this platform. That’s relatively unheard of from the E63s.

I’m looking forward to getting to know My first dance with Audi. Hopefully it lasts a while but that new F90 M5 is already showing serious potential and a next contender! I never thought I’d be straying from AMG but they’ve got some work to do to win me back!

For me and where I live, handling mountain curves isn’t needed and if I’m going to the local track to take on their road coarse I’d rather be on the bike anyways. I’d never thought a 4400lb sedan could handle as well as they do already so as long as it can take high speed sweepers Autobahn style I’m content. But I can respect others for wanting it to meet those requirements.

Another thing I just realized I don’t miss in my AMG is the sunroof cover flying back every time I go wot. How have they not fixed that since 2003???!!!

I had a pano on my second E55 and that came with its own set of problems like creaking over slow bumps and gears stripping but you’re right, at least the cover doesn’t fly back. ;)

Yeah, I too have read a handful of reports of axels snapping when launching above 2800 rpm. I snapped an axle launching my E55 so I know it’s a price one might have to pay when the car is willing to give it its all at launch.

chiro

love this thread and NICE writeup so far!! Keep the data coming and I totally agree with all your concerns about the w212 amg platform

cheers (and congrats!)

oh and pics please!!

Good read on your initial thoughts

i just came from a 13 S6 to 15 E63 and share some of your feelings on the differences. I have not been real impressed with the E63 transmission compared to the DSG in the s6. The first time I got that jerky take off in 1st gear in the E63 I was like WTF is that

cant go wrong with APR, but I had the Unitronic stage 2 tune and the ability to flash at home was really nice considering warranty implications... of which there were a lot, over $17k in warranty work in the 2 yrs I had it. I also snapped an axel at the track using launch control

as of now, some of the downsides I am seeing in the E63 compared to the S6 are being mage up for in the sheer muscle car feeling I get with the E63 (car is also tuned). I know you have the better power in the RS7, but the E63 just feels more raw in a good way compared to the S6 and the toque is just silly. I Was just s bit bored with the c7 platform and needed a change, but I am not sure I see myself keeping the E63 more than a couple years. It feels a bit more dated than I expected

I love the zf8 in my 550i.... wish the e63 had a torque converter

Thanks bud! I’ll keep updated as I get more familiar and add a few mods. I honestly haven’t even had a chance to take any decent pics with the rain. I took one today while running errands as the sun peaked out a bit but that’s about it.

For some reason my pics upload from my iPhone but don’t appear...???

Yes! The E63 is definitely more raw in a good way. The RS7 sounds very European V8 with a smooth scream while the E63 is more American muscle car V8 with a roar. I can’t wait to get the DPs in and be able to compare apples to apples.

My dream Audi - and C, I have no doubt you'll get yours sounding like this

That’s my dream car, period! So that’s catless DPs. I saw the stock mufflers but I couldn’t tell if it still had the resonator. Either way it sounds pretty mean. Maybe I’ll get even better sound with catless and the Akrapovic system. Can’t wait!!

benz can't make a smooth transmission ... my foot learned to dial out a lot of the lurching but it's super annoying