[s-cars] RS6 vs M5 and some NAC

[Pram]

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Guys:

I really believe between the MB, BMW and Audi, they really consciously
tried to differentiate their  product in terms of what the customer
perceptions.

The Audi S-Car are different than the MB AMG and the BMW M cars. . .  by
design!!!!

With regards to Audi will always be nipping at M's heels 3-4 years
(depends on where, USA or ROW).  BMW has always been more willing to try
new things on their cars,sometimes at the expenses of the consumer due
to shorter development/trial basis.

Look at the problems with M5s clutches and vanos leaks and also the M3s
(engine failures www.mfailure.com).  How does it feel to have your M5
clutch fails with 1500 miles only to be denied warranty since BMW tells
you that you that you cannot drive stick.   Or to have bought a used M3
from a BMW dealer to have the engine fails in less than a week and
denied warranty since the ECU is saying that the car was overrevved
(nobody knows when, previous owner or current owner).

I was going to buy a M3 SMGII until I started learning about the current
M3 problems.

I have an E55 and I also have tried the new C32.  Both of them are
automatic but I wish MB had installed the new tranny logic on the C32 on
my E55.  It is simply a faster responding unit which also prevent
downshift in higher g's cornering.

I would expect the RS6 to have an even more aggressive auto tranny
programming .

On an MB event in which I had a chance to be driven by a professional
driver thru a tight autocross track in your choice of E55s, CLK55s or
ML55s, I was so amazed at the ability of the car.  The prof driver told
me that he can drive faster since he does not have to worry about
shifting thru the tight track.

A big part of the equation lies on the auto tranny programming.  The
adaptive nature of the current auto tranny as in my E55 might gives a
driver a wrong impression if he/she was not given more times really
trying out the car.  Example, there are times that I felt my E55 tranny
responses are too slow but those are because I have been crusing for
awhile.  Once the tranny start noticing a more aggressive throttle
inputs, it is going to adapt. I wish it adapt faster.

The current S6 avant/S8 have to pay gaz guzzler tax while the E55 does
not have to pay gaz guzzler tax.  I believe part of it are due to the
auto tranny programming.  I have been offered by RennTech to alter my
E55 tranny map to make the car shift more aggressively (of course at the
expense of mpg)

I personally still prefer a manual shift but with the advent of more
sophisticated auto tranny programming I am not going to limit my car
choice to manuals.

BTW,  Audi cannot sell a $80k car with the "feel" of the old sport
quattro.

Pram



On Thursday, June 27, 2002, at 06:16 AM, JShadzi at aol.com wrote:

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> Scott, what you've predicted is already true, there are rumors of BMW
> rolling
> out a 5-600hp V10 for the M5 in the near future.  I don't think Audi
> has or
> ever will compete with the M-devision, they will always be nipping at
> M's
> heels 3-4 years behind as has been the case.
>
> Frankly, I don't see the RS6 as a real M5 competitor anyway, the
> pedestrian
> Tip-tranny kills that for me right off the bat.  Seems like Audi is mroe
> interested in building road going "space" ships these days,  "look, the
> car
> accelerates and you can't hear or feel a thing!".
>
> Bring back the days of the Sport Quattro, or release a car somewhat
> resembling the road feel of my 80tq, then I'll plunk down some new-Audi
> money...
>
> Javad
>
>> I personally read these comparos with a smile on my face.  Remember,
>> right
>> now the RS6 is being compared to the *current* rolling (not new) M5,
>> available in 400hp trim in the US.  The RS6 might come here (US), but
>> if
>> history repeats itself in Bavaria, a pre-emptive strike at the RS6 will
>> undoubtedly happen, another hat trick if they get the 'beater' into
>> customers
>> hands before I-stot delivers the first.  And if history repeats itself,
>> audi
>> will then try to distance itself from the M5 comparos.
>>
>> What would really rock the boat, just might be the M version of the X5.
>> The
>> lap times at Nuremburg of the non M version are enough to stir up the
>> fanatics of any marque.
>>
>> My .02, and not holding my breath, hoping to be proven wrong
>>
>> Scott J
>>
>
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