Upgrade S7 or upgrade to rs7?

[SenRen]

Hey everyone. I currently have a c7 S7 that I truly enjoy. However, with the weight and 420(ish) whp...it feels too sluggish for me. I have a list of upgrades I’d want to do with it such as: Stage 2 apr, upgraded cooling, and eurocode sway bars to deal with body roll in turns. Obviously a stock rs7 still beats stage two, and going stage three(even two) isn’t cheap. Is it worth doing any of this? Or should I just upgrade to the rs7? Also, i managed to land a two character license plate (S7) which I happen to love. You rarely see two character license plate and when you do, it’s a big deal, maybe lol. What do you guys think?

[flyfishing]

I personally enjoy upgrading a car and it causes me to keep a car longer.

I have a 2013 s7 and eventually upgraded to stage 1, then 2 and now acquiring parts for stage 3. it's just fun to me. I could just have bought an rs7 (and mod it), but for myself personally, I enjoy creating a "rs" myself.

[JGood]

I am in the same boat as you, I am currently APR stage 1 and that is a huge upgrade over stock. At this point, I think an RS7 is a better car overall, but to find one with the options that I have it will cost me at least $20k more than my car is worth. I would much rather put a few dollars into my car making it stage 2, and upgrade the cooling. I think that will be enough for me. Every time I think about it I wonder what the point is. Do I really need the extra few tenths of a second to 60? maybe a second more down the 1/4? As I sit right now I can hit 60 in 3.5, 1/4 in 11.7. There aren't many cars on the road that can touch that with the level of refinement and comfort that the S7 provides. I'll stick with what I have for now.

[A6sport]

I personally enjoy upgrading a car and it causes me to keep a car longer.

I have a 2013 s7 and eventually upgraded to stage 1, then 2 and now acquiring parts for stage 3. it's just fun to me. I could just have bought an rs7 (and mod it), but for myself personally, I enjoy creating a "rs" myself.

I like your thinking, I too enjoy the hunt for parts, and the anticipation of what to expect with each Mod. It really gives the ability to make the car "personal." Although, starting with an RS would be quite nice?

edit<but I love my A7+>

[flyfishing]

I like your thinking, I too enjoy the hunt for parts, and the anticipation of what to expect with each Mod. It really gives the ability to make the car "personal." Although, starting with an RS would be quite nice?

It would, but I thought about this prior to getting an s7. Rs7 is nice (and of course this is all relative), but a tuned RS7 is way more power than I ever need. Not to say that a stage 3 s7 isn't either, but the initial cost + mods that I would do to rs7 was not financially prudent. Again this is all relative as financial prudence means a Hyundai or something. Haha. I also like saying that I have a stage 3 car.

[doughboy17]

If you like it, keep it and mod it. Although I am unsure whether there is much of a difference, it may be interesting to see how much more in insurance you would pay for a RS7.

[SenRen]

Thanks for all the replies! To those who have had stage 2 tuning...how has your car handled it? More particularly the drive shaft / transmission? I’m a bit scared to try it- knowing that the rs7 is “built to handle more power”

[Indepth]

Thanks for all the replies! To those who have had stage 2 tuning...how has your car handled it? More particularly the drive shaft / transmission? I’m a bit scared to try it- knowing that the rs7 is “built to handle more power”

Looks like you're local to me. Do you plan on using HS Tuning for your flashing needs?

[overclocked]

It would, but I thought about this prior to getting an s7. Rs7 is nice (and of course this is all relative), but a tuned RS7 is way more power than I ever need. Not to say that a stage 3 s7 isn't either, but the initial cost + mods that I would do to rs7 was not financially prudent. Again this is all relative as financial prudence means a Hyundai or something. Haha. I also like saying that I have a stage 3 car.

In many third world countries a Hyundai would have been considered a luxury car some time ago. First world problems!



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[ItsLarryG]

Looks like you're local to me. Do you plan on using HS Tuning for your flashing needs?

Everything I have goes to HS, highly recommend.

[JASCOTT9]

Not trying to be mean or anything, an upgraded S7 is not an RS7 as I upgraded my S7 before trading it for my RS7 my upgraded S7 was running 11.7s all day but costing to run in the 11s and my RS7 a week old to me and my very first trip down the track ran an 11.34 . I've been there by owning the S7 and adding mods and in the end you'll have a highly modified S7 that still can't compare with a simple modded RS7.

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[MadAboutCars]

I bought a C7.5 S6 over a C7 RS6 and spent the whole time I owned it wondering if I should have bought the RS6. The C7.5 bits were nice, but it wasn't an RS. Also it depreciated way more than the C7 RS6 would have. Now I'm in an RS6, I know it was a mistake. The S6 is a great car, especially tuned, but it can never be an RS without doing a huge amount of mods.

[1flossedS4]

Love my RS7, you won't regret it.

[Wkraus]

An upgraded s7 is still an s7. Just my two cents. It’s like when someone says yeah well my buddy has a Honda that could beat you from a roll. That actually makes me laugh out loud. It’s still a Honda at the end of the day! Buy the rs7 and have a better platform to build from. Then you’ll have no regrets. You can’t look back and say I wish I would have.....

[scott99c2]

I went through the same thing. I owed like $15k on my S7 and would have owed $45-50k on an RS7. That right there was enough to convince me just to upgrade.

I also drove an RS7 and besides power, it was too similar to my own car. I already have a car with B&O, night vision, HUD, low miles, carbon fiber, and in the colors I wanted. I still would need to do wheels and suspension on the RS7, plus any other mods. AND I would still need to take it apart for the stupid ass screen TSB.

Do a spreadsheet and look at the math. Look at all of the costs, and decide based on the numbers what you think. To me it was pretty black and white. I just didn’t love the RS7 $50k more.

[ilikecooltech]

I owe a more extensive review to the forum. Had a S6,S7 Stage 2 AWE track exhaust and now a RS7 Stage 1 w/ miltek. The RS7 is amazing - no regrets - the engine is a beast and as far as new tech it has CarPlay. Not sure what else is out there even comes close.


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[JASCOTT9]

From Estoril Blue S7 to Estoril Blue RS7 fully optioned minus DRC

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[davepjr71]

How would a S7 with RS turbos compare to the RS7? Is that the only difference between the 2 engine wise?

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[MadAboutCars]

How would a S7 with RS turbos compare to the RS7? Is that the only difference between the 2 engine wise?

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Here's a video about it:

[davepjr71]

Here's a video about it:

Great, so if you install the RS turbos you need to do some of the other additions like the extra cooler. Has anyone changed out the cam shafts and such as well or not possible. thank you.

[Barritia]

The other thing to remember is the RS tax. You pay vastly more for the RS parts when you need them. The S parts ain’t cheap by any means but they still ain’t RS prices by a long way.

[Shuga]

From Estoril Blue S7 to Estoril Blue RS7 fully optioned minus DRC

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Honest question did people realize you got a new car? Or did they just think you tuned it lol. Beautiful color though


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[1flossedS4]

Great, so if you install the RS turbos you need to do some of the other additions like the extra cooler. Has anyone changed out the cam shafts and such as well or not possible. thank you.

More than that, engine has different internals (forged).

[Marc R]

I have upgraded from S6 stage 3 to RS6 ABT version, at the time I bought the S6 i thought it was just a minor difference but now I realise the RS6 is a much better car overall.

Gearbox is better for the power compared to the S-tronic and it feels like the engine "breaths" much better, also the brakes are better imho (both cars had ceramics)

[JASCOTT9]

Honest question did people realize you got a new car? Or did they just think you tuned it lol. Beautiful color though


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Most people never realized it was a different car


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[coop3422]

From Estoril Blue S7 to Estoril Blue RS7 fully optioned minus DRC

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My favorite colour! Wish my A6 was Estoril Blue instead of black.

[dab]

I have gone from stage 1 s7 to stage 1 rs7. Stage 0 rs7 was faster than stage 1 s7 and cost wise when I bought the 14s7 it was maybe 2k less than what I paid for the rs7 which is a 16. Both had 17k miles, the s7 was cpo. The rs7 with stage 1 is a monster, so much torque from 516 to 735, it also handles flatter less body roll and the sport exhaust is amazing. I started with stage 1 rs6 as my first audi.

[Shuga]

I have gone from stage 1 s7 to stage 1 rs7. Stage 0 rs7 was faster than stage 1 s7 and cost wise when I bought the 14s7 it was maybe 2k less than what I paid for the rs7 which is a 16. Both had 17k miles, the s7 was cpo. The rs7 with stage 1 is a monster, so much torque from 516 to 735, it also handles flatter less body roll and the sport exhaust is amazing. I started with stage 1 rs6 as my first audi.

Really only 2k more for the RS7? Hmm this has me thinking.


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[gta7]

Really only 2k more for the RS7? Hmm this has me thinking.


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When I was liking the price difference was much greater.

I went from ‘16 A7 bought new, to ordering a brand new S7 after the CPO S7 I tried to buy couldn’t be sold. While waiting for the new S7 the dealer got a low mileage RS7 CPO. It was still more than the brand new S7 but I am so glad I did it. It was love at first site and start up.

Got really lucky that the dealer couldn’t sell the CPO S7 due to the airbag recall that would have been a big mistake. It was pretty rough in hindsight but was a cheap deal from the A7.

I drove the A7 for a year and put 13k miles on it but it was still a very expensive mistake.

[dab]

When I was liking the price difference was much greater.

I went from ‘16 A7 bought new, to ordering a brand new S7 after the CPO S7 I tried to buy couldn’t be sold. While waiting for the new S7 the dealer got a low mileage RS7 CPO. It was still more than the brand new S7 but I am so glad I did it. It was love at first site and start up.

Got really lucky that the dealer couldn’t sell the CPO S7 due to the airbag recall that would have been a big mistake. It was pretty rough in hindsight but was a cheap deal from the A7.

I drove the A7 for a year and put 13k miles on it but it was still a very expensive mistake.

never buy a new car, let somebody else take the depreciation hit, my rs7 had a 120k sticker and I bought for right around 80k with 17k miles.

[coop3422]

never buy a new car, let somebody else take the depreciation hit, my rs7 had a 120k sticker and I bought for right around 80k with 17k miles.

I don't think I'd ever buy a car brand new. I can't justify it and would rather someone take the depreciation hit. The unfortunate thing about it is then you never truly get what you want. With most cars out there being black, white or silver, it's impossible for me to find a color I like with the options I like. But a new A6 spec'd like my 2015 is upwards of $80k. That's insanity, I paid less than half for my 2015 with 55k km on it. I can live with black for the next few years lol.

[97B518TQM]

I was also very divided between getting a S6 vs RS7. The difference in price was pretty much double for the RS7. I ended up buying my S6 completely stock from an older guy for $28k. In six months I spent ~$8k more to get it to what it is now, full stage 3 along with upgraded sway bars, 21lb wheels (compared to the stock 30lb bricks), and the way I want it to look. It comes with all the options I wanted to, including the stitched seats. So all in I am at about $36k for a car that dyno'd at 571whp, does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds time after time, does 1/4 mile in 10.8 consistently, and replacement parts won't empty my wallet.
True, it's not an RS car still and never will be, but I have $24k in the bank that I would have spent if I had gone with the $60K rs7 I was considering at the time.

[Shuga]

never buy a new car, let somebody else take the depreciation hit, my rs7 had a 120k sticker and I bought for right around 80k with 17k miles.

I don't think I'd ever buy a car brand new. I can't justify it and would rather someone take the depreciation hit. The unfortunate thing about it is then you never truly get what you want. With most cars out there being black, white or silver, it's impossible for me to find a color I like with the options I like. But a new A6 spec'd like my 2015 is upwards of $80k. That's insanity, I paid less than half for my 2015 with 55k km on it. I can live with black for the next few years lol.

New cars are amazing and I think everyone deserves to experience them! I know people who are in their 70’s who have never gotten exactly what they wanted because they don’t want to take the depreciation hit.

Well life is short guys, sometimes we gotta take the hit to get what we want. It’s the price we pay (literally )


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[coop3422]

New cars are amazing and I think everyone deserves to experience them! I know people who are in their 70’s who have never gotten exactly what they wanted because they don’t want to take the depreciation hit.

Well life is short guys, sometimes we gotta take the hit to get what we want. It’s the price we pay (literally )


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If I did that, I wouldn't be driving an Audi though since what I'd want would be out of my price range lol.

[digdah]

I bought a new car once and I never ever will again. Simply just not worth it particularly if you go with a luxury car. Depreciation is absurd in the first 3-4 years so that's when I will continue buying them.

[dab]

I was also very divided between getting a S6 vs RS7. The difference in price was pretty much double for the RS7. I ended up buying my S6 completely stock from an older guy for $28k. In six months I spent ~$8k more to get it to what it is now, full stage 3 along with upgraded sway bars, 21lb wheels (compared to the stock 30lb bricks), and the way I want it to look. It comes with all the options I wanted to, including the stitched seats. So all in I am at about $36k for a car that dyno'd at 571whp, does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds time after time, does 1/4 mile in 10.8 consistently, and replacement parts won't empty my wallet.
True, it's not an RS car still and never will be, but I have $24k in the bank that I would have spent if I had gone with the $60K rs7 I was considering at the time.

2.8 and 10.8 could be the fastest s6 out there, have you put your timeslips into the database? Cause it didn't happen if you don't....

[Indepth]

2.8 and 10.8 could be the fastest s6 out there, have you put your timeslips into the database? Cause it didn't happen if you don't....

Also in for his complete mod list and what tuner he's using...

[coop3422]

2.8 and 10.8 could be the fastest s6 out there, have you put your timeslips into the database? Cause it didn't happen if you don't....

Those numbers sound crazy impressive if true.

[Shuga]

Those numbers sound crazy impressive if true.

No need for an RS7 at that point


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[kpriv]

Those numbers sound crazy impressive if true.

Also in for his complete mod list and what tuner he's using...

I don't think that's crazy. Sounds about right. From a timeslip standpoint, I would guess those are his dragy numbers, not track. But a couple different folks are well into the 10s at the track with stage 3 S cars using APR ECU/TCU. The fastest is 10.55 with race fuel with stock rs7 airbox, downpipes, upgraded hx (I believe he also removed his spare tire). So 10.8 is very doable.

I don't have a dragy and I'm not a track guy (just someone who caught the mod bug and had too much spare time in the garage the past 12 months), but I was shocked at how different the cars pulls from a launch stage 3 vs stage 2. It is a night and day difference. Right now I am running:
- stage 3 ECU / TCU
- CA 91 octane + e85 to get to e23 blend in order to run the 93 octane file (measuring e-content with zeitronix ethanol sensor)
- RS inlets and airbox
- AMS heat exchange
- AMS downpipes
- AWE touring exhaust
- eurocode sways, links, AK, mounts, etc