Just registered and looking for insight from drivers rather than dealers as I research this car. Thank you in advance.

Long-time Acura owner (Legend Coupe then 2005 RL) looking to move up to something that has 0-60 in < 5 power but won't be in the shop a lot, is quiet and looks great. I need 4 doors and all wheel drive for New England winters. Commute 60 miles a day. I've loved the Acuras for their reliability and decent power and quietness in the cabin.

I've narrowed the list to the 550 xi and the S6 at this point. The RFT horrors on the 5 series have alerted me to a preference for not flatting and having good options when I (almost never) do. The Panamera was dropped from the list for no spare tire nor RFTs, and I don't want RFTs that drive harshly, are loud and tend to flat (a la 19 inch wheel 5 Series cars). I think I want at least 45 profile tires to maximize my ride comfort and minimize my low profile issues. That means, I think, 18 inch wheels on either the 5 series or the S6.

Question 1) Any reason to think 18 inch wheels on the S6 will be a mistake? What would the Audi dealer likely do for me if 19 wheels with 40 profile tires are standard but I said I wanted 18s with 45s?

Question 2) The A6 reviews as a fairly quiet car. Is Audi likely to ramp up the exhaust note on the S6 to make it seem sportier, or should I expect it to be luxuriously quiet?

Question 3) Reliability. I get the sense that Acuras are hard to match and Audis won't. What areas am I most likely to have problems with in the S6 given the A6 experience to date and Audis in general?

Question 4) What options would you NOT want on the S6 - don't work well, not worth the money, etc. Night vision is viewed as very poor on BMWs, for example.

Question 5) Audis seem to have low ground clearance vs. many cars. Anybody had a problem in the snow due to that?

Opinion - Given what I'm coming from and what I value, would anybody here think the 550 xi is a better pick once they fix the RFT issue (rumored within months)? Thought I'd give you an easy one

Thanks again.

 

I just came over to Audi after 10 years at BMW.

I now drive a 2012 S4 as a replacement for my 07' 335i sedan with sports package and 18'' RFTs.

While this is not a direct comparison to 550i/S6 I think the 335i/S4 comparison I did is very similar.

First, German Autos will not match Acura for service quality. However, they will absolutely out handle and out drive anything Acura puts out (except perhaps the NSX...lets hope they do it).

Quite Frankly I made the switch from BMW to an Audi S line car (this discussion pertains to S, RS, and R Audi cars only) as the Non "M" cars at BMW have lost focus.

This applies to the new 5 and 6 series as well as to the brand new F30 335i. BMW has taken their eye off the ball (spirited performace driving) and substituted it for MASS APPEAL.

The new 3, 5, and 6 are now trying to be all things to all people (e.g., the 335i now comes in sport, luxury, and modern flavors). Who wants a "luxury" 335i?

With respect to the new 5 series, the 550i has been beaten in the reviews by the last generation A6 as well as the new A6...as well as the 535i (which if going with BMW at least test drive a 535i with XDrive).

So the new 5 is getting beaten by Audi "A" line cars...it will not even closely be able to match the performance of the new S6. Why?

The 5, like the 3 and 6, have lost focus.

The 5 comits the biggest sin, its based on the 7 series platform. The result, it shows in just about every way...from steering, cornering, understeer,...the problem goes on and on. It's simply not a well balanced drivers car...because its on a 7 series platform.

Its fine if you just want power in a straight line and a cushy (very cushy) ride...like our Dad's cadillac.

However, do not attempt to drive against an S6 in the twisties...or even straight line as the 550i is over weight.


On some of the specifics you raised...

RFTs...better...but still a Major pain...especially for the 550i. The extra 300 lbs the new 550i is carrying around is murding both the rims (bending on small potholes) and the RFTs. BMW is trying to fix...but the new 5 needs a diet...not new tires/rims.

XDrive....for BMW XDrive is an after thought...it is no where near as balanced and capable as the Quattro with be on an S6 with sport differential.

In sum, the effort at BMW to make the 3, 5, and 6 all things to all people have left these cars without focus.

My guess is that they may be trying to push those BMW folks up to the M cars.

Given this....you may make the decision I did...if I truly want a focused sport driving experience....but do not want the next M3/M4 (450hp) or the M5 (550hp)...the Audi S line is the way to go.

The S line is FOCUSED, BALANCED, AND HAS KEPT ITS EYE ON THE BALL...SPIRITED SPORT DRIVING IN A GREAT GERMAN PACKAGE!!!

Go S6....you will be glad you did!

 

1centaur,

Just found this thread and was curious which car you ended up getting. I have a 2011 550 w/ the M-sport package and could NEVER recommend this car with the Goodyear RFT tires! In two years of owning the car, I have had 8 tires replaced due to bubbles/blowouts and two rims cracked and had to be replaced as well! I'm in the processing of breaking my lease and looking at possibly getting the S6.

Thanks,
Rich

 

I keep reading and thinking and have wandered to the S7 as a likelihood. My friend bought a 7 Series BMW and loves it and the dealer, but interior/exterior are so dull vs. Audi. Looking at my questions, I still think they're fair. I'll search for comments on the durability of Audi's tires as well as their ride.

 

I test drove the S6 this past weekend and liked the car a lot though the low-profile summer tires will be an issue for me (live in NYC). I asked the sales rep what options I have regarding this issue and he said that most people who get this car also purchase another set of wheels/tires for the winter. Crazy to think that if a person really wants this car, they have to spend so much money for the car and then spend another few thousand more to get the proper tires.

The S6 was fun to drive, with plenty of power and the sound from the exhaust was enough to make you realize it's a sporty car but wasn't too much to be overwhelming.

I still love my 550 but the low-profile GoodYear Eagle LS2 tires on the car get bubbles/blowouts too easily and has become a major safety issue for me. I doubt I would move into the S6 mainly because of the low-profile tires and my reluctance to spend thousands more to get winter tires.

Good luck with your decision; it's been a difficult one for me.