Audi S6 vs. F10 M5?

[ihc]

Hi all, I am struggling with the decision to purchase an Audi S6 or a BMW F10 M5. I live in Chicago area where there may be a handful of days in which it may not be possible to drive the M5 even with dedicated snow tires. I need to drive the car year round, am considering the Audi S6 due to the AWD. Would prefer the M5. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[mwlmd]

Every S6 owner wishes they had the cajones to drive an M5. Don't settle for less.

[singularity]

Originally Posted by ihc

Hi all, I am struggling with the decision to purchase an Audi S6 or a BMW F10 M5. I live in Chicago area where there may be a handful of days in which it may not be possible to drive the M5 even with dedicated snow tires. I need to drive the car year round, am considering the Audi S6 due to the AWD. Would prefer the M5. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

S6 isn't even a competitor to M5, it's a competitor to M550d xDrive.

[nugent]

That depends. Do you play to tie or do you play to win? Do you settle for the brunette or do you go for her smoking blonde friend? do you two step, or do you lambada? Answer these questions and your choice becomes clear, amigo.

[wdimagineer]

The S6 is comparable to the F10 550xi. It is not a competitor to the M5, as much as Audi would like it to be. If Audi re-releases the RS6 (and brings it here), that would match up better.

I've driven a few S6 sedans and came away impressed in some areas and disappointed in others. I like Audi's MMI and the integrated Google connectivity [that is free]. I find the cockpit to be laid out nicely and like the large color display in between the gauges. This is where the night vision is displayed, if you get the innovation package. I'm also a big fan of the optional LED headlights that aren't yet available on the F10 (coming with the LCI next year).

What I didn't like was the numb steering and numb suspension. I also don't like that you have to lose the sport seats to get ventilated seating in front. I also wish Audi had some advanced driver aids, like top view and side view cameras.

The 550xi can chew through just about anything and would be my first choice. Plus, it's well optioned for less than the M5.

[inagua]

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

The S6 is comparable to the F10 550xi. It is not a competitor to the M5, as much as Audi would like it to be. If Audi re-releases the RS6 (and brings it here), that would match up better.

I've driven a few S6 sedans and came away impressed in some areas and disappointed in others. I like Audi's MMI and the integrated Google connectivity [that is free]. I find the cockpit to be laid out nicely and like the large color display in between the gauges. This is where the night vision is displayed, if you get the innovation package. I'm also a big fan of the optional LED headlights that aren't yet available on the F10 (coming with the LCI next year).

What I didn't like was the numb steering and numb suspension. I also don't like that you have to lose the sport seats to get ventilated seating in front. I also wish Audi had some advanced driver aids, like top view and side view cameras.

The 550xi can chew through just about anything and would be my first choice. Plus, it's well optioned for less than the M5.

+1. Drove the S6 and had similar feelings. It is not a competetor to the M5. M5 handles so much better and is a beast with power. Between the 550 xdrive and the S6 would be a tough choice. Guess it depends on what type of feel you prefer in handling and how the interior is set up. I personally do not like the MMI nav/entertainment system in the audi. Having an S4, M3 and X5 in our stable, I can tell you that I prefer the ergonomics of the BMW's idrive and controls and sport seats better. Some aesthetic things are nicer in the S6.
Drive both several times and then decide. Either way you cant go "wrong" its just a matter of personal taste and preferences.
Just dont compare the M5 to the S6.

[thebishman]

Get the appropriate set of winter tyres and the M5 will go everywhere you need it to unless the snow is so deep that you wouldn't be driving the S6 either.
Bish

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by nugent

That depends. Do you play to tie or do you play to win? Do you settle for the brunette or do you go for her smoking blonde friend? do you two step, or do you lambada? Answer these questions and your choice becomes clear, amigo.

I never settle for the brunette!

[cmhsam]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

I never settle for the brunette!

That's why you live in SD my friend. Blondes are way more fun.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by cmhsam

That's why you live in SD my friend. Blondes are way more fun.

LOL! Ain't that the truth. There's seriously more blondes around here than you can shake a stick at. Too bad 99% of them are flakes though. LOL!

Anyways, back on topic:

I think the S6 and S7 are both great looking cars, with some impressive stats. However, they are no competitors to the M5 I'm sure. I plan on test driving both just get a comparison to the M5. I am really interested to see however, what Audi does as far as the next RS6 goes, and I've heard some very convincing rumors that the next generation RS6 and RS7 is going to be offered for the American market. The reason why the last one wasn't offered here is because the twin turbo V10 was too expensive for Audi to certify for carbon emissions and such. So, as far as I can see, the next 3 to 4 years is going to be a very exciting time in the car world, especially with the next M3/M4 coming out.

[NlckyBlack]

I hate blondes, but the M5 is the winner between the two hands down. If you bought the S6 you wouldn't feel complete. Always wondering what if you got the M5, but if you get the M5 i doubt you'd be wondering about the S6

[FSHNGRY]

Originally Posted by NlckyBlack

I hate blondes, but the M5 is the winner between the two hands down. If you bought the S6 you wouldn't feel complete. Always wondering what if you got the M5, but if you get the M5 i doubt you'd be wondering about the S6

This.

[Sharpie12]

ihc, if you've driven the new S6 and havent driven the F10 M5 I'm pretty confident I'm getting mine this weekend, if not the next week for sure. You can take it for a test drive.

[s4awd]

I have a Prius which I will drive to the ground for long distance and crappy weather. This allows me to never compromise on the "nice" car.

[b0bab0i]

Wait for the 2014 E63, will be way more aggressive and come with 4wd.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11210194...-hp-and-4matic

[ihc]

Thanks for all the input. Am definitiely leaning towards the M5, will get dedicated winter wheels and tires. As many have stated it is just in a different class than the S6; just wish it would come with all wheel drive for those really snowy days that come around once in a while. I guess I'll be driving the minivan on those days...

[Sharpie12]

Ihc, I take delivery today i say pull the trigger

[///Michael]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I don't see why the S6 is not a competitor to the M5.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...s6-test-review

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 16.1 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.1 sec @ 115 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

[stealth.pilot]

Not in the same class. Think RS7 vs M5.

[cjackson1906]

Originally Posted by thedudeabides

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I don't see why the S6 is not a competitor to the M5.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...s6-test-review

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 16.1 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.1 sec @ 115 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

If you go by just stats, you could make the argument that the S6 is a M5 competitor. However, there's much more to driving and owning a car than just stats. For example, the steering feel in the S6 is loose IMO compared to the M5. The interior in the S6 is nice if you want to feel like you are in upgraded VW CC or Passat. The free maintenance pkg (4yrs/50k miles) BMW includes in the price of the car is well worth it. Even though Audi has improved it's reliability, it still will cost the buyer a nice bit of change every time there is an issue. The list of non-stat related variables are numerous (AWD vs RWD; lag time; handling; ride feel; price; etc.) and probably outweigh raw stat numbers for most consumers. An S6 feels cheap to me and doesn't look anywhere near as professional, sexy and downright nasty as my M5. But hey, that's just my $0.02, but please don't use stats alone as a measure of whether two cars are in the same class...

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by cjackson1906

If you go by just stats, you could make the argument that the S6 is a M5 competitor. However, there's much more to driving and owning a car than just stats. For example, the steering feel in the S6 is loose IMO compared to the M5. The interior in the S6 is nice if you want to feel like you are in upgraded VW CC or Passat. The free maintenance pkg (4yrs/50k miles) BMW includes in the price of the car is well worth it. Even though Audi has improved it's reliability, it still will cost the buyer a nice bit of change every time there is an issue. The list of non-stat related variables are numerous (AWD vs RWD; lag time; handling; ride feel; price; etc.) and probably outweigh raw stat numbers for most consumers. An S6 feels cheap to me and doesn't look anywhere near as professional, sexy and downright nasty as my M5. But hey, that's just my $0.02, but please don't use stats alone as a measure of whether two cars are in the same class...

SECONDED, I had many Audi's before being "Converted".
I had Two A8's Two S8's an S6 V10 shite, and finally B7 RS4 .
All drove the same, steered awfully. Never again.
Had 6 new BMW's to date and M5 coming september time, says it all for me.

[uhn2000]

I tested an S6 - boring but pretty and smooth.