Did anyone ever consider a used M5 vs a new S6?

[Vishnu]

I know this might be a controversial topic to post on an Audi forum but it is a real situation I'm currently in. I put a refundable deposit order on a 2016 Sepang BO S6 but in my waiting I've found a couple used 2013 BMW M5's with 5k-12k miles that are starting to try my patience. The M5 is loaded with executive package etc while my S6 order is basically base plus BO & Sport package thus resulting in both being the same cost.

I'm hoping others have gone through this same comparison before given they are the same price... So I'd love to hear your pros vs cons of each in an attempt to maybe learn something. I should also note I haven't found a 2016 S6 to even test drive, the closest a dealer near me had was a 2015 S7.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CanuckRS]

they are both excellent vehicles and you can't go wrong with either. in the performance department they are pretty darned close, i suggest you drive both and then pick the one you can't stop thinking about. if you are open to tuning a new vehicle then the S6 has huge potential. if you're going to keep stock either will make you very happy imo.

[Guitarmageddon]

You can get that m5 in a 6 speed too, although Ive read mixed things about how nice it is to drive.

[yeuchau]

Why not find a used S6 to test drive. Just to get a feel of it?

[VeryBadman]

One thing that BMW M cars always edge Audi S/RS cars is steering feedback (not necessary handling btw) but the current F10 body is very notorious for having big body roll. I have never tried M5 but I drove 6 series a couple times and I can clearly notice more body roll in 6 series than the S6 I used to have. It might not bother you that much but it did me so when I got a chance to get either M6 GC or RS7, I picked RS7 even though I actually have to pay more.

Another thing you may want to consider if you live where there is snow season is M5 is RWD and with its power, it will be more difficult to drive in snow compare to S6 with AWD counterpart.

[Ara]

I had an S6 and have some seat time in an M5. Imo the S6 drives lighter. The M5 feels faster in stock trim. The M5s steering felt pretty disconnected compared to the previous gen and was unnecessarily heavy. The M5s gearbox is better than the S6s. All in all, the S6 is a better overall package in my opinion. I'd rather have a new S6 than a used M5. But, you really need to drive both to decide.

[gk1]

I know it is not a direct comparison but there was a 550xi M-sport at the dragstip the other day and it was 4800 lbs, 200 MORE than the S6 (I know the M5 is maybe 50lbs lighter but still that would make it heavier than the S6.) Seems like the S6 is a more apple to apples comparison with the 550xi considering both are AWD 420-445 HP hot-vee8's and roughly the same price new. (BTW its ET was a full second slower than the S6.) The M5 is the next level and would be more comparable to the RS6/7 if they offered an M5x...(probably next year).
As others have stated the S6 seems like a better balance, and I too would rather have a new S6 over a used M5. Also I live where it does snow and AWD is important to me. :)

[grc]

Here is a comparison review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNW7l9XIOSA

Your location shows Kirkland, WA, so I assume it rains a lot where you live. AWD can be handy in rain.
Btw, if you are considering some used vs new S6, I would also consider a 2012 certified Panamera Turbo for about the same money. Its exterior might not look as good but it is far superior car to drive than both S6 and M5. And it is AWD

[chucky0731]

like the previous post, the BMW will have more sportier and agile feel. But I think the Audi has more of "refined and understated" feel to their performance.

It really depends on what type of car you are looking for.

For me... luxury wins over performance. I just love Audi's interior finishes.

But I don't mind kicking a M3/M5 in their asses also with a straight way take off. My 16 RS7 due to arrive this summer and I can't wait.

[wwhan]

Why not find a used S6 to test drive. Just to get a feel of it?

I would like to do that.

In Northern CA, new or used C7 S6 for sale, are rare. There is One new S6 in San Jose (for now) & one very used 2013 S6 (62k miles) in Sacramento. Otherwise the closest C7 S6 are in LA area, 285 miles away.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Audi/S6/Mountain+View+CA-94041?endYear=2016&makeCode1=AUDI&mmt=[AUDI[S6[]][]]&modelCode1=S6&numRecords=100&searchRadius=0&showc aseListingId=0&showcaseOwnerId=50876687&sortBy=dis tanceASC&startYear=2013&Log=0

[Qweklain]

Not to make it more complicated, but if you do test them out and find you really like the M5 to the point where you would consider new, they are moving to AWD in the M cars. AMG has already done it with some of their models for 2016, and BMW is or will be doing it very soon.

[VVG]

I know this might be a controversial topic to post on an Audi forum but it is a real situation I'm currently in. I put a refundable deposit order on a 2016 Sepang BO S6 but in my waiting I've found a couple used 2013 BMW M5's with 5k-12k miles that are starting to try my patience. The M5 is loaded with executive package etc while my S6 order is basically base plus BO & Sport package thus resulting in both being the same cost.

I'm hoping others have gone through this same comparison before given they are the same price... So I'd love to hear your pros vs cons of each in an attempt to maybe learn something. I should also note I haven't found a 2016 S6 to even test drive, the closest a dealer near me had was a 2015 S7.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The biggest problem with the M5 is that the RWD platform simply does not have enough traction for this amount of power and torque in a large front engine sedan. To me it an engineering design flaw. The car is too big and heavy to really take advantage of RWD driving dynamics anyway, so why not at least give it the proper traction it should have. I have test driven an M5 twice. Stability control was kicking in ALL the time.

[Vishnu]

Thanks guys, great feedback. I'm still looking to find an S6 (new or used). My dealer mentioned they may get one that I can drive later in the summer. I figure mine which was ordered in early May won't come until September but you may know better what my real wait will look like?

I definitely love the interior of the S6 much more (from pictures) - the M5 interior is just blah to me despite the performance. I do now live in Kirkland/Seattle after moving from Miami so having AWD assurance seems like a good thing. I currently drive a Honda Odyssey so I'm looking for a world of improvement either way, although my car previous to this was a 2008 Corvette which I loved and was sad to part with. On the bright side I got two little girls out of it. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ensoniq]

Thanks guys, great feedback. I'm still looking to find an S6 (new or used). My dealer mentioned they may get one that I can drive later in the summer. I figure mine which was ordered in early May won't come until September but you may know better what my real wait will look like?

I definitely love the interior of the S6 much more (from pictures) - the M5 interior is just blah to me despite the performance. I do now live in Kirkland/Seattle after moving from Miami so having AWD assurance seems like a good thing. I currently drive a Honda Odyssey so I'm looking for a world of improvement either way, although my car previous to this was a 2008 Corvette which I loved and was sad to part with. On the bright side I got two little girls out of it. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I came from a 2008 Z06 myself and looked hard at an M5 or M6. Strong power and great interior in both the M5 and M6. I didn't like the transmission as much as the ZF. It was a bit clunky in regular driving situations but great under heavy acceleration. This is one of the reasons I went RS7 rather than s7.


I don't think you could go wrong either way but I've got an Audi bias.

[subterFUSE]

My previous car was a 2005 545i with SMG transmission. It was fully loaded and an awesome car to drive.

I had an opportunity to drive the E60 M5 on the racetrack at the BMW Performance Center in SC. It was was the same body style as my 545i, but with the V10 engine. OMG it was incredible.
It had so much power that it felt like riding a motorcycle, but the biggest standout feature to me was the steering. The steering just felt amazing. It made the car feel so light, agile and athletic.
So much more fun to drive than my car.

From what I have read, the new gen M5 doesn't share the same steering quality as the previous one that I drove. That would be a real shame because it really was the biggest thing I noticed from the experience of driving the E60 M5.

[eyeloveteeth]

honestly the two aren't that comparable.

The M5 is a true bonafide go fast car that's just ridiculous on all accounts. The S6 would be like the more conservative step-sister.


It really depends on what YOU want - and if you need AWD.

[amelen]

I test drove and compared both. The S6 seemed to be a better fit as a daily driver. If I was tracking my cars and didn't need AWD, I might have considered the M5 more seriously.

[eyeloveteeth]

I test drove and compared both. The S6 seemed to be a better fit as a daily driver. If I was tracking my cars and didn't need AWD, I might have considered the M5 more seriously.

do you ever think maybe a custom order Macan Turbo would've been better? I saw one yesterday and felt that way for a few seconds. It really is such an awesome looking CUV

[amelen]

do you ever think maybe a custom order Macan Turbo would've been better? I saw one yesterday and felt that way for a few seconds. It really is such an awesome looking CUV

Ehh. I love my S6, way more than I did my Macan S. Not sure if the extra 60HP from the Turbo would have made enough difference vs. the S6.

It's a great SUV/CUV - I'm just more of a sedan person. Luckily, my wife loves SUV's - so we an ML350 and she's already on the lookout for something bigger :)

[grc]

If you want both AWD and great power then buy a 2012 Panamera Turbo. It should cost about the same money as a new S6.

[agent47]

Well I'll just throw my 2 cents in- for a lot of people its just the name/model of the car that becomed the biggest reason to buy that particular model. There are people who absolutely dont consider the pros/cons or which is better than the other and what perspective you are looking at. I'll admit- I sat my a$$ in the M3 when I was cross shopping. Its one hell of a beast. But the interior looked like one from 135i and the rwd just cant put the power down right. But there are enough people out there who'd buy it just so that they can say they have an m3/5. For instance, I passed an rs7 yesterday. I got kind of excited to finally see one nearby out on the road. And when I saw the way he was sitting/driving- I can bet my life on it that he hasnt floored his has pedal once or hit triple digits.

[VeryBadman]

Well I'll just throw my 2 cents in- for a lot of people its just the name/model of the car that becomed the biggest reason to buy that particular model. There are people who absolutely dont consider the pros/cons or which is better than the other and what perspective you are looking at. I'll admit- I sat my a$$ in the M3 when I was cross shopping. Its one hell of a beast. But the interior looked like one from 135i and the rwd just cant put the power down right. But there are enough people out there who'd but it just so that they can say they have an m3/5. For instance, I passed an rs7 yesterday. I got kind of excited to finally see one nearby out on the road. And when I saw the way he was sitting/driving- I can bet my life on it that he hasnt floored his has pedal once or hit triple digits.

On the contrary to that RS7 guy, I have floored mine multiple times and often get myself in jail time speed LOL I wouldn't say I have never been interested in the M3/4/5/6 (damn, that's 4 numbers) and have also tried the M3, it's a pleasure to drive machine when you want to go nut but I prefer a car that I can also sit in comfortably when I just need to haul my a$$ from once place to another more. Not to mention BMW dealerships around my area are mostly cocky that one of many rich folks in Bay Area will get one regardless of the price or whatever BS they put up so the deal wasn't appealing either.