RS4 Avant or M5 Touring - anyone had both?

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After a gap from Audi (for good reason!) and a spell with something nice & italian, I'm looking at getting something more 'practical' Short list so far is an RS4 avant, S6 avant (V10), M5 touring (V10) or a disco 3 (yup) all second hand around 2006/7.

Whilst I know it's not quite going to be objective on here, anyone had an M5? How does it compare? Also, anyone driven the V10 S6 - is the handling as bad as they say? I need to get a test drive but the reviews seem pretty damning.

More importantly too.. how are Audi being these days? My last car (S4 avant) was written off as a result of the audi tech that did the belts leaving a bolt loose in the covers, putting something suitable in to hold the tensioner instead of finding the bolt. Audi UK & the dealer in question were terrible. So much so that I vowed never to go back - a couple of years on, I figured I should look at the whole market as I do like the current RS4 but reading the forums is still seems like they are being a bit sticky.. Any comments?

Cheers!

[Contigo]

The M5 touring is a great car but for me it's downside is the extremely poor fuel consumption and it's awful SMG box. Around town the 7 speed SMG is a nightmate to live with even in it's fastest gearchange.

I was getting 12mpg out of the M6 around town and 18mpg on A road runs!!!!! The RS4 avant is so much better and 30mpg is not unheard of on long motorway runs.

I'd take alot of the reading and rolling roads figures on this forum with a pinch of salt, the car feels every bit as quick as a 400bhp machine and the handling is second to none.

[Condor24]

I've got a 6 year old RS6 V8 & a new RS6 V10.

Prior to buying the new RS6 I drove an M5 & hated the gearbox ... it seemed to lurch without much control.

Also drove an S6 which was like driving a bowl of porridge.

I was impressed with the RS4 for which I just loved the gearbox & acceleration from zero, although once past 60 miles an hour, or for mid range punch, the car was just a little disappointing.

The Merc E63 (now previous model) was a joy to drive but I just could not see myself with a Merc.

The R50 Touraeg was a good drive if you like the upright high drive, although the VW was even more teutonic than the Audi finish.

I'd suggest you find a well looked after V8 RS6 .. "an all round super car"

[lengster1]

Disco 3 are very good especially if you do any towing,M5 superb engine if very thirsty not the ultimate in the handling department though and then theres that not really concentrating moment with your full family on board and arse end decides to let go!!!!!!!! New s4 well i suppose were back to "do you need or want superb handling" The rs4 doesnt have the midrange punch of a turboed car and never will its a different animal,it is however the most surefooted easy to drive fast cat ive ever owned,The RS6 has never been an option for me even though the rear legroom would of been nice on occasions,theyre another straight line machine imo

[lengster1]

Have you considered a 335d or 535d remapped they are supposed to be very useful with economy too! I have chence of a salvage stolen recovered one that just needs putting back together im very tempted if the figures add up

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is the SMG box really that bad? I'd have thought it would be okay - though I've not actually driven a recent SMG yet. The gransports Cambiocorsa (F1 box out of the F430) is odd at first but once you get used to it is both rapid & easy to live with so I gues the question is - bad or just not used to it?

RS6 V8 - never been inspired by the looks. RS4 B5 - gorgeous but a bit long in the tooth now, RS4 V8 - looks nice but I do have my doubts. As for BMW - the M5 has caught my eye but don't really know anything about it yet. I do need to get a drive in them all to decide, but handy to rule out any cr@ppy ones before wasting my time.

Interesting poing on the Toureg R50 - could be a whole lotta fun. Essentially occasional towing would be useful. Ability to put a dog in the back & carry a couple of mountain bikes is a must. I think I've decided I'm not a merc man lol.

[Condor24]

is the SMG box really that bad? I'd have thought it would be okay - though I've not actually driven a recent SMG yet. The gransports Cambiocorsa (F1 box out of the F430) is odd at first but once you get used to it is both rapid & easy to live with so I gues the question is - bad or just not used to it?

RS6 V8 - never been inspired by the looks. RS4 B5 - gorgeous but a bit long in the tooth now, RS4 V8 - looks nice but I do have my doubts. As for BMW - the M5 has caught my eye but don't really know anything about it yet. I do need to get a drive in them all to decide, but handy to rule out any cr@ppy ones before wasting my time.

Interesting poing on the Toureg R50 - could be a whole lotta fun. Essentially occasional towing would be useful. Ability to put a dog in the back & carry a couple of mountain bikes is a must. I think I've decided I'm not a merc man lol.

Admittedly I drove the M5 in 2007 .. the gearbox was jerky & I certainly felt that I was not fully in control.

I very much enjoyed my B5 RS4 but agree its rather dated. The B7 RS4 has its limitations.

I drove a BMW 540 saloon for some time which was perfectly functional but lacked character & personality, and often appeared more common than a 'blue oval'.

Fair comment that your personal taste does not extend for the looks of the RS6 V8, but for taking the dog, a pair of bikes & the family, I find my RS6 superb to drive & highly practical.

No doubt the BMW forums suggest you buy an M5 & your bikes & dog will fit quite happily.

[HYFR]

surely the R50 will have shocking fuel consumption also. . i was looking last night at the 5.0 V10 tdi Touareg, its extra urban fuel consumption is 28.6, worse than the RS 6 !!

[approved]

m5 is a great car, and smg is a great gearbox once you have learned how to make use of it properly.

however, M5 is ruthless with the juice and the petrol tank is puny.

i used to fill mine up every 2 days, which just did my head in.

the r50 is also a great car, but the ride is rock hard, and will do your head in after a couple of days.

rs4 avant is awesome, however not as practical as you might think, as the rear seat space is limited with sports seats, and if your 6ft or above, it practically disappears..

have a look at a bmw 550i touring if you want fast practical and reasonablt economical all rolled into one.

or get a new rs6 avant.

old one's were good in their day, but are shown up by quite a bit of stuff these days, and cost the national debt to run.

EDIt - try new shape 4.8is x5 or ML63...

both proper tools if you need space and speed in one package

[Contigo]

Nah the M5 box is simply <beep> whether you get used to it or not, it's fine when you hit the MNsport button but for around town driving and starting it makes you lurch forward and stutter alot. It's jerkier than a box of Beef Jerky.

[toomuch]

Nah the M5 box is simply <beep> whether you get used to it or not, it's fine when you hit the MNsport button but for around town driving and starting it makes you lurch forward and stutter alot. It's jerkier than a box of Beef Jerky.

The gearbox is not that bad . if it is used in its manual selection, then its fine, the auto side is utter tosh though.

If driven properly its very very smooth. Mines going as after 5 years of driving without a clutch pedal i was craving driving 'properly' again.

But if you like going fast then effing hell they are bleeding quick

[Contigo]

Not disputing it's speed, it's an awesome machine. Even in manual pushing forward and pulling backward on the stick, in fast and slow mode it's just bleugh!

[m5killer]

t i had a v10 tdi and the fuel consumption was better than 28mpg urban and you can get them mapped aswell which makes fuel consumption even better aswell as the extra100nm and 50hp rise

[svassileou]

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrou ... mw_m5.html

[ChrisCSL]

I had an M5 saloon. The SMG is amazing when you're on the move. When in traffic it makes you look like you've not passed your driving test. It's almost impossible to drive it smoothly slowly. The MPG is single digit. Also with a small fuel tank so you end up filling it up more than once a day if you go anywhere. Also (like an RS6) you cannot disguise it's weight. All this sounds bad, it is actually a great car. I now have an RS4 as it's much more fun to drive!

Chris