Which do you like better at rest (interior/exterior styling)? Which do you like better to drive? Any chance you could get both?
You have a VR-4 (coincidentally, that was my first car) so you already have your toy with AWD, right?
Like others have said, these are enviable cars any way you slice it. If you really want a nice E39, you will find it. It just may not be in your own backyard. I spent half a year and drove four of them before I found a very cherry, one-owner, Carbon Black '03 that was still under warranty. It was 200 miles away, but they are out there. Not too long ago, I saw one for sale in CT with <30k miles. Good luck!
I am abandoning the idea of having multiple cars, I tried it and it's just not working out for me, that's why I want a good "all around" car that I can have some fun and also pick up my dad at the airport.
I have already driven the RS6 and the low end torque from the turbos are intoxicating. I need to drive a M5 or sit in one to feel the difference.
With my research so far, the RS6 seems to be solid cars with very minor issues, but from a mechanical stand point I do like the BMW better as they are more logically engineered and easier to work on by an amateur like me.
If it was me, the RS6 wins for the feel inside the car for comfort and style and interior.
The M5 is a much more fun and aggressive car to drive. The M5 interior kinda sucks in contrast to the Audi's, even more so on the 2003 and later models.
Now if You could give me an M5 with an RS6 interior, that would make a perfect car
__________________ .: 2000 BMW M5 ::
HRE C21 19x8.5 and 19x10, Toyo Proxes T1R 255/35/19 (f) 285/30/19 (r), Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, Britalman X-pipe and Exhaust system, Britalman intake system, Exotics Tuning carbon fiber front lip, Range Rover 16:9 Nav screen, Dice ipod adapter, Ecode Angel eyes Xenon, LED rear tail update, black vinyl roof
Van Wilder: You shouldn't take life to seriously. You'll never get out alive.
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2002 Audi A4 Avant
19x8.5 BBS RS-GT, Toyo T1R 245/35/19, GT27RS turbo kit, Revo software, Sportec front and sideskirts, S4 rear bumper, custom exhaust, Topspin Design sport seats, H-Sport S4 swaybars, AWE boost gauge
I took an RS6 plus for a test drive and was totally underwhelmed. The steering was so light it felt artificial, it didnt feel much faster and the ride was so hard. It just felt uneasy to me. Ill be keeping the M5.
This is a never ending opinion debate.... Post this on an Audi forum and those guys would be ripping the E39 M5 a new one...
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2001 Imola Red on Black Lux with Titanium Trim
AFE CAI & AA CAI
TMS/Conforti Tune
SS Headers
OEM Cats
SS Xpipe
GTHaus Meisterschaft Cans
Dinan 3.45
Dinan S2 Suspension
Dinan Strut Tower Brace
Dinan Rear Sway W/ Beastpower Brackets
Rogue SSK w WSR
PS2's
Two problem areas on RS6'es: DRC (suspension) and the transmission (can have torque converter problems). Both are big-tickets problems. Plus, any maintenance to the motor almost always requires dropping the motor. So much so, the guys on the forums have dubbed something like "WTMIO" (while the motor is out). Things like starter, etc. Annoying.
DRC is getting a retroactive Audi action, I think. Check the forums.
But I agree. RS6 has a better interior, and of course, AWD.
I couldn't see the RS6 being any cheaper than the M5 to maintain, and I would have to speculate that the M5 will serve you better in terms of reliability and time spent in the shops.
if the RS6's funky suspension set-up and awd (awd can be extremely handy) are tickling your ticklish bits then there you go. drive both and go from there. but as previously stated, the E39 M5s are such good value right now. It's a buyer's market
Good point. And I'm sure you're right about the Audi forums. In fact, I think they may be a little bit worse with how biased they are. I am probably more biased towards Audi though, as BMW currently only makes one vehicle I would even consider (X6). I am amazed that you didn't find the R8 more engaging, as I have also driven it and found pretty much what most of the magazines said. That it is better than the GT3. I've driven them both and love them both, but the R8 had an edge to it for me. Either way, whether you buy BMW, Audi, Mercedes, or Porsche they're all great cars.
Didn't mean to insult you. I do apologize. Guess I was just used to the M3 boards where God help you if you say anything that could insult an M3, you're called a bunch of names that I won't mention on this forum. That's why I only visit this forum and RS6.com. Much better environment.
No offence taken, don't worry. Having never driven a GT3 I would have no basis to do that comparison too. I think you summed it up well, Audi, BMW, Merc and Porsche are great cars in their own right, and each has it's own dedicated following I know what you mean about the M3 thing, same thing happens on MTorque, god help you if you have a normal M3 and post in the CSL forum or if i post in the e60 forum and disagree with one of the mods there! LOL!
cheers
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Alex
2002 M5 - TotalBMW Feature car September 2008
2000 Land Rover Defender - Land Rover World Feature Car June 2007
1989 VW Golf GTI - Track Car
Drive both and you can then form an opinion on what you like best. Thats the most simple answer lol. If your a power sort of guy then it has to be the RS6 as its very easily moddable to get 540+bhp. Not sure what the weather is like in NJ come winter time but if it does snow and rain a lot then that AWD will come into the equation very quickly. As for the M5 it's definatly more of a drivers car. The feel and handling of the car is fantasic and when you hit that corner sweetly you'll feel rewarded
Titanium silver
I know what you mean about the M3 thing, same thing happens on MTorque, god help you if you have a normal M3 and post in the CSL forum or if i post in the e60 forum and disagree with one of the mods there! LOL!
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