Swapping Porsche 996 for Audi RS6

[Alan]

Gary,

I will only comment on 996 to RS6 transition as everyone above has covered anything else I can think of very well

I came to the RS6 in January 2004, from a 996TTX50.
I can honestly say that in a straight line there is very little difference in performance between the two.
I have the REVO code in my RS6, so 996TTX50 appx. 460-470bhp vs RS6 500-520bhp.
However, in the UK, I find the difference as a "daily vehicle" very marked indeed.
Whilst the 996TT is indeed the ultimate "useable" supercar, it really isn't that practical (as you are now finding ).

The RS6 is stunningly quick, very composed on all but the worst surfaces, and fairly understated toboot.
I've just returned from a two-week holiday in Cornwall and Devon with dog and the other half's luggage (not an inconsiderable load I might add) and we had an unbelievable amount of space left over.
I couldn't have considered this in the 996...we would've taken the Golf instead

Now whilst I am NOT for a minute saying the RS6 can live with the 996 (TT or other) when it comes to sheer enjoyment, believe me the switch is really is no "wrench" at all, I love mine, so much I have already had a pre-emptive word with several dealers regarding the new one

All in all I personally can't recommend the car highly enough, only problem I have had is with the condensation issue, see the thread relating to it, however if you don't have a Solar Roof then it won't exist in your car.

Go for it is my recommendation

[GaryC]

My wife and I went for a test drive in our first RS6 today. She loved it - the luxury, the ease of driving, the precision of the car compared to her octavia. I was less convinced - perhaps I was expecting too much, but the car really didn't grip me straight away. It certainly didn't feel as fast as I was expecting, the engine note was uninspiring compared to my 996, and the steering felt kind of numb. I finished the test drive not really convinced that I could justify spending 50k+ on it.

However it's likely I'm being a little unfair here. The RS6 was the first automatic I've driven in ages, and in hindsight it was probably never going to come close to the 996 as a pure drivers car. In many ways - perceived build quality, equipment, comfort, interior space it was perfect - and my suspicion is that it's the kind of car that the you longer you drive and own it, the more it grows on you - much like my 996 was compared to the constant adrenalin-rush evo 6 I owned before it.

So I guess I need to do a little more thinking, and possibly arrange a second test drive.

[Alan]

You need a longer test drive.

It will never even approach the porker in terms of being a "pure drivers car", you simply cannot approach it with that attitude or you will always be dissapointed, you have to judge the car on what it is.
Do this and you will soon come to view it as awesome.

Don't get me wrong, I'd have my Turbo back tomorrow, but the RS6 is for now simply the best bit of kit available for my needs

[RSClubsport]

I'd agree with Alan - have a longer test drive. I've had my MTM'd RS6 Avant for just over a year and nearly 30000 miles and it just gets better and better.

Sure you can buy more focused drivers cars but none of them has the overall practicality of the RS6, especially in Avant guise. Take my 1000 mile round trip to Germany and back one Saturday, saw 180mph on the way and came back with 300kgs in the boot. Amazing! Over 30k miles I've averaged 20.1mpg on the trip computer, and other than the usual warped disc problems (fronts and rears replaced under warranty) its been faultless.

You won't regret it!

[W8PMC]

Gary,

Try the same test drive, but spend a little more time looking at the speedo.

When you're in such comfort, its impossible to realise the performance without looking at the needle position.

I had my RS6 down at Bruntingthorpe & beat almost all the other cars in VMAX. Saw off Modena's, TVR's & every Porker with the exception of 1 GT3 RS with a VMAX of a genuine 178MPH (speed trapped, but ran out of runway so close to 200MPH would defo have been possible).

The many Porker Turbo's (including X50) did not stand a chance either in a straight line or on the back twisty section & my best moment was from a passenger (on one of the runs) quoting that he had never experienced such awesome refined speed & that down the runway at 170MPH+ he could have been reading the paper & sipping a Latte).

Its a tough compare between the 996 & RS6, as both cars have different appeal. The 996 Turbo was on my list of possible new cars, but i'd be scared shitless parking it anywhere, the RS6 just blends in.

My RS6 has been modified by AMD so is pushing out over 500BHP, so a stock car would be far closer to 996T performance, but as said above, just keep a closer eye on the speedo, as in an RS6 you really have no idea how quickly you're travelling in comparison to a more sports derived car.