Rapide versus Rapide S

[jander1]

I am contemplating my first AM purchase and given my height and the occasional need of useable rear seats for my two young children am leaning towards the Rapide. I am test driving a regular Rapide MY'10 next week but wondered whether I should include the Rapide S in the mix? More power, improved transmission with TT3(?), better satnav/infotainment system?

Are there any former Rapide owners who switched to the S that can share their experience and thoughts? Is the additional cost worth it? I will try and drive them back-to-back to form my own opinions but this forum has been very helpful in the past in informing my car purchasing decisions so I may as well tap the font again!

Thanks in advance.

[RobDown]

The problem is this : the Rapide is quite a rare car. So to find someone who has gone from a Rapide to a Rapide S is going to be very tricky indeed

I think the ultimate suggestion has to be to try to test drive both. I love my Rapide S; it's got practicality and power in spades. And the journalists thought the 8speed ZF box was a good step up (and the extra power). But you're going to pay a premium for the 8 speed box over one with the older 6 speed. So unless you've driven both only you will be able to decide whether it's worth paying that premium

Sorry I can't help more!