To Black Optic or not to Black Optic...Stock vs not Stock...Daytona Gray

[mattybumpo]

Hello All,

First official post here (not including welcome post to get access)! Thank you for everyone's help thusfar. I am located in Los Angeles and I tried calling every dealer in California and Nevada and most of them are upcharging 25-50k above sticker! There happens to be a Nardo Gray with cognac coming to a local LA dealership and I had such a hard time submitting an offer for $15k above asking. The management didn't even blink, they said its got to be $20k above to be even considered. So that lead me to google " MSRP /RS6/ Forum. Thankfully I did and I reached out to a few East coast and Southern dealerships. In the end, had a great connection with George from Audi of Atlanta and placed my build order with him. I'd wait 12 months to save $25-50k

I have had such a hard time picking the color for outside and inside. Thought I wanted black on black, then Nardo Gray. In the end I picked Daytona Gray and Cognac leather interior because it seems to be timeless. At first I thought I would be all in on the black optic package, but recently i've been noticing some amazing pics on the stock look. I'd appreciate people's input and opinion as the deposit was taken, but it technically hasn't gone to factory yet so there is room for change. Which do you prefer?



rs61.JPGrs62.jpgrs63.JPG2020_audi_rs6_avant_5_1920x1080.jpg

[YashaR8]

I prefer Black optics myself but happen to think Alu-optic looks good to, esp. on darker colors for contrast. There is one catch for me though. I think this car is nose to tail gorgeous, except the rear mustache, which looks quite prominent when specced alu optic

[monugs]

Go black optics, but opt for the titanium wheels. Gets you black trim but some contrast on the wheels. Daytona is versatile.

[mattybumpo]

I prefer Black optics myself but happen to think Alu-optic looks good to, esp. on darker colors for contrast. There is one catch for me though. I think this car is nose to tail gorgeous, except the rear mustache, which looks quite prominent when specced alu optic

Agreed. I am normally a black out everything chrome delete...but something about the Alu optic stood out. But i get confused when I see this video L

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0WPc2nrlls

LoL

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if we go black Optics, will it come with the 22" titanium wheels ? What are your thoughts on Nardo vs Daytona?

[19_hole]

I vote FOR Black Optic, but I really don't like the look of chrome or bright trim on any car.

[Ace22]

Daytona's such a great color! I also vote for Black Optics

[yang88she]

black optic/but I'm biased.

[6sigma]

I went Daytona with black optics and think it looks great. Classic color and the black trim gives it an aggressive look.

[YashaR8]

I’ve always felt like the affinity for black optics vs chrome debate tends to break down along generational lines


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[KJ-RS]

Black optic for me for sure, that's what I went with!

[AZDucrdr]

Agreed. I am normally a black out everything chrome delete...but something about the Alu optic stood out. But i get confused when I see this video L

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0WPc2nrlls

LoL

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if we go black Optics, will it come with the 22" titanium wheels ? What are your thoughts on Nardo vs Daytona?

I agree, there is something about the look of the Alu optic with Daytona. I’ve seen a RS6 in person at my dealership in that combo and it looked great. I’m sure it would look good with the Black optic pkg also. Ultimately, it’s your decision and there isn’t a wrong answer.

For 2022 I believe the Black optic pkg came standard with the 22” Anthracite black wheels, but you could optionally spec the 22” titanium wheels. Not sure if that has changed for 2023.

[Dicecal]

Have the same color combo on order in AZ, no markup either…Agree would not pay a markup..just crazy. My only issue is with the seats, no lateral adjustment and I find them slightly too wide for me. The only way to get adjustable side bolsters is to go with the contour seats- but then black only. So at this point i may not take the car after all, make a decision once the dealer informs me my order has been allocated.

Also have black optics with the titanium wheels, I don’t care for the aluminum highlights either.

[carguyshu]

Have the same color combo on order in AZ, no markup either…Agree would not pay a markup..just crazy. My only issue is with the seats, no lateral adjustment and I find them slightly too wide for me. The only way to get adjustable side bolsters is to go with the contour seats- but then black only. So at this point i may not take the car after all, make a decision once the dealer informs me my order has been allocated.

Also have black optics with the titanium wheels, I don’t care for the aluminum highlights either.

There's always audi exclusive. You can do just about anything you want colorwise there, but it's gonna cost you and the wait is gonna be longer

[carguyshu]

I have a Daytona gray coming in and I went with black optics and the standard silver/black wheels. I didn't option the silver/titanium as there didn't seem to be enough contrast looking at pics and videos. I didn't want to pay a grand for black exhaust tips and think that still being silver will look good with the wheels especially since I don't like the black badging on the grill. Makes it so you can't even see it. I'm either gonna go with a chrome illuminated Audi badge on the front (as well as chrome RS6 badge in the grill) or paint the RS6 lettering and Audi badge in the grill Daytona gray. To me the silver trim all over the car makes it look more like a regular A6 Avant. The black optics make it more sinister.

[NPuter]

I’ve always felt like the affinity for black optics vs chrome debate tends to break down along generational lines


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Breaking down generational stereotypes. I love the mustache

Audi RS6 Forgeline GTD1 Front by Nick Gangemi, on Flickr

[mattybumpo]

I agree...something about the Alu trim does stand out and i am ok with non black out. I wonder if its because i've done black out on almost all of my recent cars last few years. Or is it because I am in the 40 year old club these days

[mattybumpo]

So is the Sport Exhaust just black tips? or does it make it louder? I've been watching some videos on muffler delete and the car sounds beastly.

[yang88she]

So is the Sport Exhaust just black tips? or does it make it louder? I've been watching some videos on muffler delete and the car sounds beastly.

Just the black tips....that's it

[Nsd991]

I actually like the Alu trim on Daytona. No wrong choice, both will look good.

[mattybumpo]

oh lawda mercee....can we just plastidip it or are we too old for that? loll

[mattybumpo]

I actually like the Alu trim on Daytona. No wrong choice, both will look good.

. I agree...on Daytona looks refined.

[Jimminez@Nemesis]

Just the black tips....that's it

I’d speculate that there is more fake exhaust noise via speakers too, to justify.

[6sigma]

Breaking down generational stereotypes. I love the mustache

Audi RS6 Forgeline GTD1 Front by Nick Gangemi, on Flickr

Love those wheels, and the no tint glass - looks sharp!

[mattybumpo]

BTW, has anyone seen a daytona Gray and Nardo Gray RS6 in person side by side? if you have...what did you think?

[monugs]

BTW, has anyone seen a daytona Gray and Nardo Gray RS6 in person side by side? if you have...what did you think?

Really not much to compare. Daytona is a rich metallic with many different hues sparkling in the light, whereas Nardo is simply flat gray. Pick your preference there.

[Group_B]

Really the bottom line is you can go Black Optic like everyone else or go aluminum and stand out. The merits of either choice are down to personal preference.

[NPuter]

Love those wheels, and the no tint glass - looks sharp!

Thanks! 30% tint though, which is the lightest I've done and the prefect level here. You can't do no tint in South Florida! ;)

[mattybumpo]

Really the bottom line is you can go Black Optic like everyone else or go aluminum and stand out. The merits of either choice are down to personal preference.

yes, its always the smaller details that cause the delays!

[hrpfg2]

To be honest, for me, the black optic is a must. Much more sportier looking.
I had it on my Nardo A6 and on my current Daytona s6.
As far as Nardo or Daytona, Nardo is definitely a head turner. it was very exclusive until just about every manufacturer coming out with their “Nardo”. Daytona is not as eye catching but don’t get me wrong, it is still a beautiful color.

[[email protected]]

I might be partial, but black optic for sure IMO.

Congrats!

[sandwich_artist]

I personally am not going black optic on my order. But I also think it depends on the color you choose. If it was a chrome/polished trim I would definitely go black optic, but I like the aluminum personally, and feel it's very classic.

[mattybumpo]

I personally am not going black optic on my order. But I also think it depends on the color you choose. If it was a chrome/polished trim I would definitely go black optic, but I like the aluminum personally, and feel it's very classic.

What paint will you go with ? Daytona?

[sandwich_artist]

What paint will you go with ? Daytona?

White actually lol. I know black optics on white will look sportier and more aggressive, but I'm just a sucker for aluminum trim. Heck, even on one of my cars I went back to amber side markers and the chrome trim around the grilles.

[marklar182]

I went back and forth on Carbon Vs Black Optics Vs Alum Optics for my order.

I went with Alum, mainly as a nod to the original US Spec RS6 Sedans.

[Tengorazon]

The mustache kills the alu for me.

[hiroshikato1]

I choose Daytona with AO because it is more traditional in my eyes. I also ordered it with 21's and run OEM Hypersilver 22's in the summer. The interior is Cognac which compliments the car quite well. Black Optics and black interior with red stitching is sportier but I wanted a more subdued classic look. Can't really go wrong.

[mattybumpo]

I choose Daytona with AO because it is more traditional in my eyes. I also ordered it with 21's and run OEM Hypersilver 22's in the summer. The interior is Cognac which compliments the car quite well. Black Optics and black interior with red stitching is sportier but I wanted a more subdued classic look. Can't really go wrong.

That's really the diff...sporty or classic...BOTH are beautiful.

[gooter]

I think the alu trim package on daytona would look really good with just the window trim being blacked out.

[NPuter]

I think the alu trim package on daytona would look really good with just the window trim being blacked out.

I was looking into this before I got the car. Thought I wouldn't like the alu window trim but ended up not minding it.

The black optic window trim is actually surprisingly inexpensive considering the rear quarter trim and glass are one piece that you have to replace.

[nimprojects]

BTW, has anyone seen a daytona Gray and Nardo Gray RS6 in person side by side? if you have...what did you think?

Yes. I own a Nardo car and have seen at least 4 different Daytona grey cars out and about. As for what I think, well it is obviously my personal opinion (so not sure what's that worth, maybe nothing) and these things are very subjective, but since you asked here's my long story on grey:

Daytona is probably the most subtle color of all the options, a great color if you want to blend in. For example, maybe you drive to work and don't want attention from coworkers as some folks have mentioned here. See attached photo — spot the RS6. If you want to stand out more, the silver trim (with silver or titanium wheels) lifts it, but I get not everyone digs it (especially on the back "diffuser").

Nardo is a bit more distinctive and sporty, a good choice if you want to stand out a little more but don't want an actual color. It also hides dirt and dust well if you don't want to wash your car all the time. As someone mentioned, every manufacturer has a "battleship / primer" grey these days, and the trend has trickled down to more mundane cars, but Nardo is a classic Audi RS color and it's still a less common look than the black/silver/white that most people buy cars in. One thing I would say is that the silver trim looks weird to me on Nardo, at least in photos, never seen a Nardo + Alu car in real life.

All that said should note I'm a bit biased against metallic paints — I generally prefer uni or pearl colors, as I don't like seeing the metallic flake. Ordered a PTS Fashion Grey 911 C4S and loved it, but never really loved the color of my Agate Grey GT3 Touring I ordered (driving experience of course is another story). My RS6 was originally meant to be an AE color (green) but I was one of the folks whose order got bumped after the AE paint for '21 was fully booked, so I made the decision to switch to Nardo rather than wait another year. Glad I did with all the supply chain issues.

Either way both Dayton and Nardo have very similar production number so both are common RS6 colors. I my case love Nardo but will be the last grey car I buy. Time for some more fun colors for me : )

PS: If you want Cognac interior I think it works a lot better with Daytona than Nardo but again personal opinion and have never actually seen either combo in person.