test drove a RS6 Avant

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JBE68

Original Poster:

246 posts

147 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I test drove the latest RS6 at Walton Audi this afternoon and despite my initial enthusiasm for its looks, presence and power, the "I really want one of those" has subsided. I specced a car with privacy glass, Dynamic Pack, larger wheels and panoramic sunroof which priced at £85k+. Audi offered a £6k deposit contribution, PCP @ 4.9% APR which to be fair is competitive against other brands (aside from 0% on M5s). But, it just felt like a compromise and lacked character. Vs the smaller C63AMG estate that had me grinning like the Joker, the RS6 felt like a blunt instrument.

Am I alone in this opinion?

MitchyRS

288 posts

156 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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Yes, I think you are.

Not sure if there is a better all round package out there? If there is, can you point me to it? Something that will carry the kids, wife, dog and golf clubs, can be used all year around and offers the performance it does?

The engine is a marvel, performance is blistering. Click on the RS6 video below to see what it does to a C63 AMG Black Series, it scores very highly in the race the runway event and is only pipped by a couple of Hypercars.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/89264/drag-...



If you had done your research you would have been aware that there are good discounts to be had on these, far better than just £6k. At £85k list, you should be aiming for around £73k discounted. The car has only been out in the UK since Mid 2013. Tuning wise they will go upto over 700 with software which will enable them to dip under 3 secs to 60 and onto 210mph+ flat out. Incredible performance, but even as standard with 560, they are very quick with a mid 3 to 60.

Edited by MitchyRS on Saturday 21st March 20:46

andrewparker

7,899 posts

186 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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Latest Evo magazine has a hyper saloon test and placed the M5 top of the pile.

MitchyRS

288 posts

156 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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I had a new F10 M5 for a few months back at the tail end of 2013 and hated it. Although it was quick once it got going, I found it sub 60 performance and grip levels frustrating. The first rwd car I had owned and the only one I'll ever own. I just didn't gel with it.

It ended up spitting out a rod, I had a warranty claim on the engine (manufacturing defect in one of the rods), got it back after 2 months and then the transmission started playing up. Fortunately, I managed to reject the car and walk away. Back end was twitchy and unsafe in the lower gears under full throttle, my missus hated it after she went sideways on a roundabout with the kids strapped in the back. It may be fun drifting it around a race track but for a well planted day to day safe family car, it is not. I never got the chance to drive it in the snow, but chances are it would have remained on the drive. Looks wise, It just never had that aggressive stance for me, it could easily be mistaken for another 5 series.

RS6 on the other hand looks mean as hell with it's flared arches, no issues with traction and its low end performance is incredible. No issues at all about it biting you and sending you sideways but horses for courses I suppose. I prefer 4wd traction and stability, some others find rear wheel drive more exhilarating.

Looks menacing..





Chris Harris report on his long term RS6 (The ultimate all rounder in his words and that says a lot considering he has BMW in his blood)

https://grrc.goodwood.com/road/drives-and-rides/au...

Cant think of any reason why the M5 would pip the RS6 in the ultimate all rounder comparison other than biased journalism? (Evo magazine remember)

Back to the original post, Audi offer a very competitive 4.8% APR and a £6k Audi contribution on the car. That brings the basic car down to £72k before you start negotiating further discount with your dealer. You can get this down to £68k so around 13.5% discount on the £78k listed base spec car. Additional options on top can be had with a further 15-20% discount. An £85k specced car can be had for around £73k. Depreciation wise, Audi will guarantee its value at £43k (in base spec trim) for a 30k 3yr old car. £68k down to £43k after 3yrs isn't too bad at all.


Edited by MitchyRS on Saturday 21st March 20:52

andrewparker

7,899 posts

186 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
Just had a flick through my copy and it was actually the RS7 that featured in the test, and the M5 in question was the 30 Jahre. That probably explains it!

As you say, as an all rounder the RS6 is peerless. On a blast round the Evo triangle an M5 will be a more satisfying proposition for an accomplished driver, but for most situations the RS6 is the better car, as Harris found the out.

RGambo

847 posts

168 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
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I've had mine for about 6 months now. It just gets better and better. I love it. I still laugh out loud when I put it in sport and give it the berries, but as an every day , just get in a get you home car, it's faultless.
I had a busy day the other week, 5 am start, from home in cardiff,
On site in Birmingham for 1 hour, get back in the car, on to pontefract, onsite for 5 hours, back over to Sheffield, meeting with an architect for an hour, back in the car to Northampton. By 8pm.
I was tierd from the day, but the car was a pleasure. Quiet, comfortable.
I can throw the kids and the dogs in it and go off down the beach, or blow off pretty much anything this side of a GTR.
what more do you want from a everyday car. Ok, it's expensive on fuel, but I can truly say, I really don't care, I just fill up and enjoy.
I'd plan to keep it a year and then just move it on having ticked the RS6 box, but right now, I can't think of a car that I could replace it with.

Terminator X

14,921 posts

203 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
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What is this construction job you do Gambo that gets you in to a RS6?!

TX.

RGambo

847 posts

168 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
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Manufacture pvc windows smile

JBE68

Original Poster:

246 posts

147 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
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Thanks for all the feedback. I spoke to motoring journalist Andrew Frankel today at Goodwood and he said he thought the RS6 was epic. So, looks like I may go back for another test drive. Does anyone have an experience of a dealer offering an extended one?

andyeds1234

2,277 posts

169 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
JBE68 said:
I test drove the latest RS6 at Walton Audi this afternoon and despite my initial enthusiasm for its looks, presence and power, the "I really want one of those" has subsided. I specced a car with privacy glass, Dynamic Pack, larger wheels and panoramic sunroof which priced at £85k+. Audi offered a £6k deposit contribution, PCP @ 4.9% APR which to be fair is competitive against other brands (aside from 0% on M5s). But, it just felt like a compromise and lacked character. Vs the smaller C63AMG estate that had me grinning like the Joker, the RS6 felt like a blunt instrument.

Am I alone in this opinion?
No, you are not alone, it left me feeling cold too.
Undoubtedly immense in a straight line, but to me, no magic.
They do look great though, and if you really need a do it all car, there isn't much to compete.


ortontom

581 posts

260 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Big fan of BMW's here and having an RS6 at the moment (be it the v8) it has very little driving involvement...almost the thrill comes from hanging on.

Jump from the RS6 into the other halfs 911, love the involvement of the 911 so much more.

Straight line and charging up a slip road nothing beats that in an RS6 with a full boot of bikes, but how long are slip roads??

lol

Paying £85k for a car thats worth less than half in a few years - thats madness...IMO

i do like the look of rs6's but its just madness at those prices...

blueg33

35,577 posts

223 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
RGambo said:
Manufacture pvc windows smile
That's a pain.

RGambo

847 posts

168 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
RGambo said:
Manufacture pvc windows smile
That's a pain.
A pain, or did you mean Pane?
because it doesn't hurt biggrin

jackg

288 posts

271 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
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I bought a new Allroad bi-turbo in Dec and really love it as a car sizewise for my family car. I've had it chipped by superchips to around 380bhp allegedly. The only let down is the steering which is inert so I thouight I'd get an RS6. I test drove one 2 weeks ago and was mildly disappointed too. Bar slightly meatier steering it felt exactly the same as mine! it's identical inside. When in dynamic the performance is not that much different as the Allroad has much more mid-range and is therefore as quick in the real world. Oh and the clincher was mine does 40 vs 25 mpg in the RS6

so not getting one which is a shame but the new RS6 plus may change my mind if it is significantly better.

RGambo

847 posts

168 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
ortontom said:
Big fan of BMW's here and having an RS6 at the moment (be it the v8) it has very little driving involvement...almost the thrill comes from hanging on.

Jump from the RS6 into the other halfs 911, love the involvement of the 911 so much more.

Straight line and charging up a slip road nothing beats that in an RS6 with a full boot of bikes, but how long are slip roads??

lol

Paying £85k for a car thats worth less than half in a few years - thats madness...IMO

i do like the look of rs6's but its just madness at those prices...
BUT you are comparing a sports coupe, to a large family estate car, So I'm not surprised that the 911 is a more involving car to drive. As for spending £85k on a car to loose 1/2 the amount in a few years being mad, some would say spending £85K on a car is mad, period biggrin. Porsche are certainly not immune to loosing lots of value in a few years, I have experienced it first had myself.
At least with the RS6 I can get my money's worth out of it, the kids, dogs, bikes all get chucked in it, and I can use it for work as well.
It's not a car for everybody, that's for sure. But then I wasn't that impressed with the new M5. Lots of good points, but I found the lack of traction at so annoying, especially in the wet.
I'm certainly not going to defend the car and say it's perfect, No car is, that's the fun of them, But I stand by what I said, I haven't got a clue what I am going to change it for??

Yertis

18,016 posts

265 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
jackg said:
I bought a new Allroad bi-turbo in Dec and really love it as a car sizewise for my family car. I've had it chipped by superchips to around 380bhp allegedly. The only let down is the steering which is inert so I thouight I'd get an RS6. I test drove one 2 weeks ago and was mildly disappointed too. Bar slightly meatier steering it felt exactly the same as mine! it's identical inside. When in dynamic the performance is not that much different as the Allroad has much more mid-range and is therefore as quick in the real world. Oh and the clincher was mine does 40 vs 25 mpg in the RS6

so not getting one which is a shame but the new RS6 plus may change my mind if it is significantly better.
I've just picked up an Allroad biTdi too, similar decision process to yours, although I can't see myself chipping it for a while. The steering is the only aspect I'm a bit uncomfortable with but I suspect it's going to be similar to the 100S4 I had years ago which rewarded a thumb and forefinger approach to twirling the wheel. In the mid range it's very fast indeed. Great value against the S and RS cars IMO. Keeping the Monaro though, for simple petrol bonkers-ness, if I feel the need.

Gusto

606 posts

232 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
jackg said:
I bought a new Allroad bi-turbo in Dec and really love it as a car sizewise for my family car. I've had it chipped by superchips to around 380bhp allegedly. The only let down is the steering which is inert so I thouight I'd get an RS6. I test drove one 2 weeks ago and was mildly disappointed too. Bar slightly meatier steering it felt exactly the same as mine! it's identical inside. When in dynamic the performance is not that much different as the Allroad has much more mid-range and is therefore as quick in the real world. Oh and the clincher was mine does 40 vs 25 mpg in the RS6

so not getting one which is a shame but the new RS6 plus may change my mind if it is significantly better.
25 MPG? Not a chance in hell.

blueg33

35,577 posts

223 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
RGambo said:
blueg33 said:
RGambo said:
Manufacture pvc windows smile
That's a pain.
A pain, or did you mean Pane?
because it doesn't hurt biggrin
I considered which spelling to use and decided it didn't matter as the meaning was transparent. (Except in the bathroom where it's opaque)

MitchyRS

288 posts

156 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
RS6 discount can be negotiated down to £67-68k (including the £6k Audi finance contribution) This level of discount is then applied to any additional extras too so although they are expensive beasts, they can be fairly affordable if you take it easy on the options list.

Not sure comparing a diesel Allroad A6 to an RS6 was serious or not, completely chalk and cheese, the Allroad even with a superchips tune would not see which way an RS6 went? I'm sure they are punchy and have a good 1500rpm of good grunt but a bit silly comparing them to a raging fire breathing RS6.

25mpg on a run perhaps, I think most are happy with a real time average of 20mpg.

RGambo

847 posts

168 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
RGambo said:
blueg33 said:
RGambo said:
Manufacture pvc windows smile
That's a pain.
A pain, or did you mean Pane?
because it doesn't hurt biggrin
I considered which spelling to use and decided it didn't matter as the meaning was transparent. (Except in the bathroom where it's opaque)
rofl