Advice wanted - S4, S6 or E55 AMG?

[Nitrous_Lover]

All, I am new to this forum and come seeking advice...

It is time to sell my 04 Mondeo Diesel and purchase a proper car, I am looking at something fast but practical hence the S4, S6 & E55.

I wish to avoid the Mar 2001 onwards tax hike, so it would have to be a B5 [facelift] S4, the C5 S6 or 2000/2001 E55.

Basically the criteria was sub 6 to 60, NOT an 'M' car [insurance] and look 'respectable'.

I don't know anyone with any of the above cars but would welcome honest opinions on them - issues, things to look out for etc.

Thanks in advance,
Graham

[PWE]

If you dont mind the juice the E55 goes as good as it sounds.... Not lived with one though so cant comment on reliability.
My father has a C43 AMG which hasn't missed a beat in nearly ten years only covered 50k in that time though!
Had an RS4 which was excellant and would highly recommend owning one even with higher miles(Full history a must though)
Good luck which ever you decide!

[EvoSlayer]

E55 everytime!

[Nitrous_Lover]

Interesting, two posts in the Audi forum stating that the E55 is the best out of the three options!

I'll have to take all three for a test drive to make sure though, thanks for the input.

[pat_y]

I wouldn't discount a C5 S6 to quickly, that 4.2 V8 motor is a real cracker, with the Torsen diff 4wd and specific 'S' suspension, very much a covert uber barge.
Haven't tried the E55 AMG, but something about that V8 motor would make me want to try it.
The S4 (B5) is a great car, but not that quick in standard form, happily there are a few trusted specialists around who can make a 2.7 V6 S4 into a very entertaining beast for the cost of a few hundred quid.
Also, have you seen S4 prices??? I have, makes me sob into my cornflakes in the morning.

[Nitrous_Lover]

pat_y said:

Also, have you seen S4 prices??? I have, makes me sob into my cornflakes in the morning.

I have seen the prices, that's what is tempting me! Although, I have seen a B6 S4 advertised with 90k on the clock for a few hundred over my 8k limit - it is very tempting, but tax could be a problem in the future.

You mention that the B5 S4 is a tad slow, it appears faster than the C5 S6 although the true 0-60 for the S6 is varied to say the least 5.7-6.8!! depending on where you look.

The S4 is my preferred car as it is the only one with a real gearbox - more control and much easier on the fuel. But the S6 and E55 score highly with V8s and the plush interior.....

[JamesK]

Why would an extra £200 or so a year be a problem in a car that costs you the best part of ten grand and does under 20mpg??

Stuff the tax, save an extra £20 a month and just buy the best car you can afford!

[RainerM]

Hi

Listen to the E55 sound :-)) then decide....and check that the after-sales
service is up to it's standard ;-)

Rainer-CH

[S2AVANT]

Try putting the power down in the E55 in anything but dry weather and then buy a Quattro instead.

[EvoSlayer]

Having owned numerous Audis, driven an E55 and owned a CLK55 for 4 years which never missed a beat, all I can say is make sure you drive all three before deciding. As for not being able to put the power down in an E55, unless you're doing drag strip starts you won't have a problem.

[C2HYM]

That would be my b6 s4 in the classifieds probably. Very subtle cars, sound fantastic, go like stink and are bullet proof. 29mpg on a run isn't unheard of either.

[AndyS2]

I was just in a similar situation, I was looking for a C5 S6 or and E55 pre 2001. I really wanted the S6 but there were/are so few around at sensible prices that I opted for the E55. Apart from the slight issue of traction ( I've been running Audi S2 & S4 for the past few years ) I'm really pleased with the E55. If you look on the Mercedes section you'll see my post about E55 buying advice. Looking at the classifeds again the S6's still seem to be around the 8k mark and there arn't that many were as there are loads of good E55's around for around 6k, or if your lucky you could get one for 4k like me!
Try to test drive both before you decide as they are both great cars.

[istoo]

its a tougher choice but depends on circumstances. the S4 is manual which is my personal preference for something fun, plus i know the tuning potential for this is enormous. I have heard some of these and they also sound bloody fabulous. If i wanted a wafty fast relaxing car i would probably take the E55 over the C5, on the grounds that big luxury fast exec is mercedes territory with the exception of some of the newer audis... HOWEVER you can go back if you are willing and look at C4 V8 S6plus, ok a bit older but these are all manual and sportier setup.

[C2HYM]

B6 S4 came in Auto/tip too.

[phlap]

E55 is best for grunt and noise but I chose an S6 Avant for the combination of space, handling, grip and value. Ive not been disappointed.

Ive 2 mates with S4s who both love them but it is a little bit cramped if you need to carry kids or clobber. All good choices though.

[istoo]

got to add i own a C5 A6 avant, not an S but a poverty spec 1.8T with some tweaks. its a bloody good all round car for the cash, great family wagon, reasonably cheap to run, not as slow as you would think, it does do everything well. And we are struggling to find a replacement then only thing that we can find to match/ be better is an E60.

Manual vs Auto is the issue for me personally on that basis i would choose an Audi for th manual box and the Merc if it was an Auto.

Can you shed anymore light on your requirements, ie family, carrying capacity, saloon/ estate? manual/ auto. Big note is locality, i live in the relative sticks and for a few weeks of the darker months the mercs/ bimmers car through fences/ walls/ ditches... its the one thing the quattro does well, immune to weather.

[Nitrous_Lover]

Hi Guys, thanks for all of the advice!! It has certainly given me much more to think about for sure.

To give a few more requirements, I would prefer a saloon but would have no issues with an estate. Would prefer a manual box for the control [and better MPG] although my daily commute is only 17 miles each way with 15 done on a motorway so this is neither here nor there. No kids or pets to worry about [yet] and I never come near to filling the Mondeo boot with kit.

I tend to go mountaineering, climbing, walking etc all year round so the quattro could be very useful when there is a lot of snow / ice around.

C2HYM said:

That would be my b6 s4 in the classifieds probably.

Yes Chris, I looked and it is your green S4. Very nice, if I had the money in the bank and not have to rely on a PX I'd take a run down to have a look. I think the comment about ignoring the £20 a month in tax is worth baring in mind - I was more concerned about possible re-sale, but I don't want to rule out a very suitable car for that reason.

Edited by Nitrous_Lover on Thursday 18th December 20:45

[EvoSlayer]

Have you tried posting the same question on the Merc forum? Might generate some interesting opinions from a different point of view, good luck with whichever you choose.

[Nitrous_Lover]

EvoSlayer said:

Have you tried posting the same question on the Merc forum? Might generate some interesting opinions from a different point of view, good luck with whichever you choose.

Good idea, I'll post one there now