Considering changing the RS6... but to what?

[gumball996tt]

Hi all

I am a regular viewer but irregular writer and thought it was time to put pen to paper!

Like many of you I am a lucky owner of a rather nice Black RS6 avant and due to my bad habit of liking to change my cars frequently am thinking of what next to buy.

My recent cars have included a CSL and a string of 911's but now with growing family a big car is a must.

I suspect that my thoughts are similar to many of you who have or have had an RS6 in that it does everything so bloody well. For those readers who haved not had the RS6 ownership experience let me describe some of my personal likes about the car.

The design (A6 shape) goes back to around late 1997 yet it in my mind still looks as good as any other estate car on the market.

It's very discrete and does not really wind people up yet amazingly regularly gets admirers and thumbs up from those enthusiasts in the know

The performance is fabulous and compared to my previous 997 TT and E60 M5 is almost as quick and has fantastic V8 twin turbo torque by the bucket load!

It is beautifully appointed inside and again has stood the test of time
It is very well engineered and in my case (03/53 and 36k miles) has no rattles and has been very reliable including sailing through it's MOT last week.

With kids, a wife and in for me a wheelchair to consume it's cavernous boot is ample without the need of a Q7 or equivalent 4X4 monster.

On the downside it does like a good drink of Optimax, but then like most of you I knew that when I bought it and it compares to the consumption of other previously owned performance cars.

450 BHP is all you really need, but when there are tempting options on the market to enhance that BHP figure it is rude not to explore some mild tuning! DMS have recently done the necessary to the engine and gearbox and it regularly gives me the giggles when I get the chance to overtake. If you are ever thinking of tuning the RS6 just do it, it is great value for money and gives the car that extra bit of oomph right across the rev range.

So as you will see I am rather attached to the car. So what next? M5 touring? Nice but another £35K on top of my car for something that while newer is not fundementally better (and I did not really like the SMG11 in town coupled with a very small fuel tank). A new RS6 avant... probably my car plus £50K... getting rather pricey and I struggle to find the logic to put £80k into an fast depreciating estate! BMW 535D... Nice car, pretty quick, but somehow does not have the wow factor. We had a RR Sport, again a nice car, but we preferred the RS6 to drive and did not need an off roader.

In summary unless one of you can think of something I have missed it looks like the RS6 will be staying under my ownership. If you have any good ideas please let me know and I will consider parting with my car!

For those interested here is my spec: 2003/53 RS6 Avant in Metallic Black with Black seats and white piping. On top of the standard options it has a sunroof, 19" alloys, RNSE widescreen Sat Nav. Dechromed (optics pack)
FASH, 2 year warranty and only 36000 miles. Oh and recently tweeked by DMS to around 525 BHP

Regards to you all

Jonathan

[skiwi]

there is nothing else quite like it. unless you want to change "modes" i.e. big saloon. the issue with the m5 is mainly image - it would be a fine car, without the grunt, in other ways...

[Lig]

Hi Jonathan,

I know exactly what you mean - good write up too!!

I am not thinking of parting just yet but when I do I would look at a new shape S6 and an RS4 (if i can down size), which at the moment are starting at around 40K??

Cheers,
Lig.

[GardinerG]

There are the Merc AMGs, but I think the E class is ugly like the M5. Shame as they are both great cars. I think it's just as skiwi says, unless you want to change modes there's not much in the same league as the RS6, let alone that can beat it (combination of sound, size, practicality & performance) - even for loads more dosh. IMHO of course,

I reserve the right to change mine for the new RS6 of course!

[W8PMC]

Only options are as you describe & that's M5 Touring or new RS6.

The SMGIII in the M5 is plenty better than SMGII & apart from one failure i suffered on my saloon, the box is great. Also the M5 tbh has a bigger fun factor, but that's really limited to better conditions, as it is more driver & sports focussed than the RS6, however that does not make it quicker. Tis also of course alot more modern which can be a good/bad thing.

The new RS6 looks awesome & i'm holding the Pole slot at my dealers for the 1st Saloon (i really don't want/need an Avant), however as you say the depreciation will be heavy, but it's the same with the M5.

How about the RS4, as that ticks most of the boxes & really is a drivers car. You'll lose a bit of boot space & rear legroom, but not enough to concern greatly.

[rsdarryl]

Great Post !!

I am at a loss too !! I dont know what to do ... I transferred a old deposit from Audi yesterday to put my allocation order in for 2008 Avant - Mug Blue - Optics - 20 " alloys" - sunoof.

But i agree with you is 50k really going to give me the wow factor over the current albeit now classic RS6.

Have anyone else put deposits down ?

I sold my Mugello RS6 Avant last year and went the RR Vogue 4.4 route and to be honest havent enjoyed my motoring since ...

Im open to suggestions from you guys !!

And is it me are AUDI confusing the brand with all these new models and engine specs what HAPPENNED !!

[PaulF]

I would keep the present RS6 and maybe spend a bit of cash on a toy. Your call: Caterham, big bike, hardcore off roader. Just think of the depreciation you will save.

[RS6Jamie]

Good write up! Have only had my RS6 4 1/2 months but am already thinking about what to have next!! Think you have hit the nail on the head regarding negatives - its lust for V-power is the only thing that niggles but then you can't have it all.. I'd echo the above the comments and keep your current steed.

[CliveH]

Keep the RS6!

[skiwi]

life is short.....

[SteveH]

I would keep the present RS6 and maybe spend a bit of cash on a toy. Your call: Caterham, big bike, hardcore off roader. Just think of the depreciation you will save.

Good thread this... on my way to three years of ownership now, this is the longest I have ever owned the same car for, as its scarily addictive to own! I've tested an RS4 and an AMV8... which are possibilities but inevitably to me they would only be stop-gaps on route to new RS6 ownership.

I reckon Pauls right though, I'm sorely tempted by an Exige S or have toyed with the thought of an S2000 as a tinkering mobile to fit supercharger to etc etc... my problem is that I don't have the luxury of space to keep mechanical toys (already bought a bike this year so that did the trick for this summer and looking like winter too if the weather continues as good as it is) perhaps I need to invest in one of those elevator car park things that you can install into your drive, shame is I bet you'd not get much change out of £100K, much cheaper to move house!