What comes after?

[drybeer]

New M3 is a fantastic car. I had one and they are very quick. Cannot compare to an RS6, realiticly the M3 is quicker IMO.

A friend has one.

I'm still awaiting the outcome of a "private road" comparison between them.

I think on a small twisty road or a track day the M3 would be the victor, but not in straight line speed.

[Shoppinit]

I think on a small twisty road or a track day the M3 would be the victor

Unless it's wet

[MalcolmSu]

Lexus IS F

[drybeer]

I think on a small twisty road or a track day the M3 would be the victor

Unless it's wet

a good point well put!

[woodlum]

Lexus IS F

Yuk a max powered Toyota with fake tailpipes!

[alpinestars]

The E60 M5 is a lovely car. It is a better drive and is quicker than the RS6 (standard form).

I took one of these as a trade in a couple of months ago.

I looked forward to taking it for a spin before it went on the forecourt for sale.

I've not really been as dissappointed in a long time.

No torque. Anywhere in the rev range. Even in the M power "500hp" mode.

Traction light always blinking away telling you how much power you're losing to wheel spin.

I really didn't like it.

My current RS6 Avant would have despatched it easily.

I did however feel the cabin was way more modern than the C5, but isn't that why a C6 RS6 would be the perfect car? Modern and I really don't think the M5 would see which way it went.

I am lucky enough to own both, and can categorically say the M5 is quicker (except in the wet!) and a much better drivers car. The RS6 is functional in comparison.

I agree with the general gist of the post that there is very little if anything that will compete with an RS6 for "quickness" for the money ie, sub £20k or so, but there are certainly better drivers cars out there for less.

[drybeer]

I am lucky enough to own both, and can categorically say the M5 is quicker (except in the wet!) and a much better drivers car. The RS6 is functional in comparison.

I agree with the general gist of the post that there is very little if anything that will compete with an RS6 for "quickness" for the money ie, sub £20k or so, but there are certainly better drivers cars out there for less.

I don't agree that it would be quicker - this was not my experience at all however I'm happy to admit this is compared to my RS6 being remapped. However the traction of the M5 in any conditions is really what I'm disappointed in - it would make me skip this car for another quattro any day of the year - and this is just a preference - some others like your good self are talking about the throttle adjustablility of the BMW car and the handling balance which I feel on the road would be trumped by torque and traction. The track would be a different story with the M5 excelling I am sure.

[alpinestars]

I am lucky enough to own both, and can categorically say the M5 is quicker (except in the wet!) and a much better drivers car. The RS6 is functional in comparison.

I agree with the general gist of the post that there is very little if anything that will compete with an RS6 for "quickness" for the money ie, sub £20k or so, but there are certainly better drivers cars out there for less.

I don't agree that it would be quicker - this was not my experience at all however I'm happy to admit this is compared to my RS6 being remapped. However the traction of the M5 in any conditions is really what I'm disappointed in - it would make me skip this car for another quattro any day of the year - and this is just a preference - some others like your good self are talking about the throttle adjustablility of the BMW car and the handling balance which I feel on the road would be trumped by torque and traction. The track would be a different story with the M5 excelling I am sure.

I agree traction of a quattro is better, but only in the wet. The main driving advantages the M5 has over what you have said are steering and the fact that it does not understeer everywhere. It's de facto quicker in a straight line. 30-100 is early 7s, my rs6 does it in the 8s. But each to their own.

[GardinerG]

Nissan GTR

OMG!

At least keep it German!

Lol, have you driven the GT-R? It's blistering and more comfortable than the RS6, the only car I've driven that made my RS feel slow. It's a seriously good car for the money and yes I know it's a Nissan...

[Shoppinit]

Interesting perspective on the M5's. I've always liked them, and I like that you can get a manual. Not surprising it's quick given the extra horses and less losses in the transmission... Probably a bit pricey though, compared to a 6.

[drybeer]

Nissan GTR

OMG!

At least keep it German!

Lol, have you driven the GT-R? It's blistering and more comfortable than the RS6, the only car I've driven that made my RS feel slow. It's a seriously good car for the money and yes I know it's a Nissan...

Yes it was meant with tongue firmly in cheek!

Awesome car. Would love to get a drive in one sometime

[sonny]

Decisions decisions, where do you go, once you have been in the ultimate car. OK the RS4 is no where near as powerful as the RS6 but RS4 I would be in the same boat. where does one go.

The e46 has been mentioned, try the CSL
C63, maybe in Avant form, I test drove one on the track and was amazed, however not sure it will be drivable in the wet or snow! (I took one on the skid pan)
C6 RS6, next Gen RS4, Beefed up B5 RS4?
..Or only other option is to go retro...RS2

[SteveH]

I had massive dillemma when changing from 3 years of RS6... test drove lots of cars and considered all the usual suspects RS4, AMV8, M3, M5, 911, M6... I kinda fell for the M6 and shopped around quite a bit and someone suggested I tested the new 635d, to which they didn't get a very pleasant response from me to be frank. After I'd driven quite a number of cars, I realised that if you're looking for a similar feel to Rs6, then your struggling as there are so many other dynamics at play relative to weight, accelleration, cornering, braking.... If you want a similar feel to RS6, then buy an RS6!

Like the Aston, it looked stunning inside and out, drove well, but it felt sooo slow!? the sound was there, but it was deceiving as with all the sound, mentally I was expecting all the grunt, which it lacked. I bet the AMV12 is an absolute stunner, shame about the price.

It was a strange experience driving the 635, as soon as I drove it I knew I wanted one. And now after a year and a half of it, I have no plans to change it for a considerable time (which is a first for me, as 3 years of RS6 was longest I'd ever owned a car), its a fantastic bit of engineering!

[paul_23]

The RS6 is a good car but it is 7 yrs old and not really up with modern cars but it offers excellent value due to the low cost to purchase (shame about the maintenance).

E39 and E60 M5 are a better drivers car but does not have the oomph of a turbo. I really liked the E39 when I had one.

What about the E60 Alpina B5S - supercharged V8 with 500hp and 500lb ft of torque plus BMW dynamics - this would be my choice over the E60 M5 and good value these days. Or the new blown BMW V8s in the new range of M cars and top end 5 Series... like the 550.

Not driven a jag XFR but good press on it so worth a try if you can get over driving a jag....

[Golffather]

Paul, the Alpina B5S is a good shout and much more appealing than an M5.
I too thought my old E39 was a superb package but just lacked real ooomph.

I'd even consider an E39 B10 V8S if a very late example came along at the right price........