I drove an (ahem) Audi S6 avant today

[LTD]

People who own an S-Class and need an estate opt for delivery

 

[A-AvantGarde]

People who own an S-Class and need an estate opt for delivery

Or have both! My Dad runs an S and an ML

 

[LTD]

Or have both! My Dad runs an S and an ML

Your father is a wise man.

You have too many vehicles.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

You have too many vehicles.

That's not possible is it? I know you can only drive one at a time (like I tell my wife about her shoes ). I hear that Jay Leno has never sold any of his cars, he just keeps building a bigger building to store them in. Apparently he still has his very first car.

 

[stumpy1]

.
The negatives

• Lack of torque. I never thought I'd say a 400bhp car felt slow, but it did. Mine gives a greater shove in the back and in kick-down I didn't feel the S6 felt that much quicker, and not justifiably so given the extra fuel it uses over mine. Maybe that's how far modern diesels have come, but mine doesn't feel much slower if any. You need an Rs6 for your fast Audi estate or the RS4 (which I have not tried).

QUOTE]

Steve, I am driving 2 cars at the moment with near identical power (630) but very different driving characteristics. One needs winding all the way up to the red line to feel fast and the other is much gruntier lower down.

I guess the gruntier one is more fun to drive but wheelspin is a problem if you need to move off sharpish.

 

[Mactech]

Steve, as you have found, you have a great car already
But loads of torque?
Just wait 'til you remap or Brabus it....then you'll have torque

PS Both the CLS Grand edition and the latest R350 are coming out of the factory now with over 270bhp and better still over 600Nm of proper grunt

 

[st4]

Steve, as you have found, you have a great car already
But loads of torque?
Just wait 'til you remap or Brabus it....then you'll have torque

PS Both the CLS Grand edition and the latest R350 are coming out of the factory now with over 270bhp and better still over 600Nm of proper grunt

I am tempted to get this mod done to the car, although it ain't exactly slow

 

[wemorgan]

I am tempted to get this mod done to the car, although it ain't exactly slow

It's about fuel efficiency Steve With your mileage it would pay for itself in no time at all. That's how I would justify it.

 

[LTD]

Brabus Eco Power Extra Performance Kit Mercedes E 320 on eBay (end time 05-Aug-10 11:04:00 BST)

oops

 

[st4]

Giving it serious consideration

 

[flango]

Giving it serious consideration

Just be careful there are a lot of fake Brabus boxes out there from China with certificates. If you go the Brabus route then get it from the dealer but there are as good out there if not better for about £375 but you don't get the brabus badge. Also be careful how far you take it with the 7 speed box. MB with warranty would be the way to go IMHO

 

[st4]

TBH I find my car fast enough, for me anyway. Overtaking is a synch. Cheers for the heads up, often if its too good to be true then it probably is.

Maybe once I become "discontented" with the power I'll look at the remap/tuning box option.

 

[MUGGY]

Got to agree about the S211 E320CDI. Mine is IL6 but remapped and I am more than happy with the performance. Sometimes when I launch it up the road at max attack I actually feel sorry for the rear tyres - that's a lot of energy being transmitted !

I have also just had my wheel alignment done at Wheels In Motion - very impressed !

All in all my car now drives beautifully with great performance and reasonable fuel economy. The only car that might tempt me away in the future is the Jag XF but for now I am very happy

 

[st4]

Got to agree about the S211 E320CDI. Mine is IL6 but remapped and I am more than happy with the performance. Sometimes when I launch it up the road at max attack I actually feel sorry for the rear tyres - that's a lot of energy being transmitted !

I have also just had my wheel alignment done at Wheels In Motion - very impressed !

All in all my car now drives beautifully with great performance and reasonable fuel economy. The only car that might tempt me away in the future is the Jag XF but for now I am very happy

I feel the same. Kicked down onto the dual carriageway and the relentless charge to XXX mph was brilliant.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I am tempted to get this mod done to the car, although it ain't exactly slow

I feel the same. Kicked down onto the dual carriageway and the relentless charge to XXX mph was brilliant.

Already chipped?

 

[st4]

Already chipped?

Doubt it, its an MB dealer car. Standard BHP is 230 and torque 380ft/lb.

A remap would take this to 280bhp and maybe 430ft/lb torque.

I was out in Gordon Tarlings car which was remapped to 280bhp and it did feel faster, it hurt my neck with its power, mine isn't quite there but nearly. I'd love to sample the E420cdi or my engine in the C class-oh I did, I laughed at its speed, hilarious car.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I doubt the dealer flashes the ECU before retailing a car.

 

[st4]

Bobby, it could well be then as the MPG readout is very good, better than I thought and week in week out its costing me no more in fuel than my last car. Either way, I am delighted with it!!!

 

[crockers]

Steve, as you have found, you have a great car already
But loads of torque?
Just wait 'til you remap or Brabus it....then you'll have torque

PS Both the CLS Grand edition and the latest R350 are coming out of the factory now with over 270bhp and better still over 600Nm of proper grunt

I am tempted to get this mod done to the car, although it ain't exactly slow

As Will said convince yourself it's about fuel efficiency. I did and still get a smile. Reckon it's around 260 bhp. Torque no idea but more " grunt". Oh and on my hols to Austria / Germany averaged over 45 mpg. Before remap averaging 39.

 

[Whitevanman]

S6!

Why compare an S6 to our E55's its more like comparing with a S500 or something less.
I have a 2008 RS6 that spanks my E55 in every department!
So much so the wife drives the Merc!!

Whilst I was waiting on getting my windscreen replaced....

The car was a 2006 black 25k miler up for grabs for £23k.

What a lot of car for £23k.

Spacious, nicely appointed and crammed full of kit like Navigation, phone, auto changer, memory seats, xenon lights.

The positives:

• The engine. Sounds like an F1 car. The V10 is a reworked version of the engine used in the Lamborghini Gallardo. It pulls 5th gear at 30mph so very flexible.
• The gearbox: smooth and with paddle-shift fast acting and obedient (unlike the Manual mode in the merc which quite frankly does what its NOT told to do despite you telling it otherwise). The engine and gearbox work well together. Engine speed at 80mph is 2200rpm.
• The cabin. In some ways better than the 211, in other ways not. The seats are supportive but are set too high and the wheel doesn't give enough adjustment to be close to your arms if you want your legs stretched out. I'd never be comfortable. However the seats are comfy. The materials are nice and the tech A1. The dials are classy. This is a "surprise" and delight car.
• The consumption. This was a 5.2 V10 not owned by me driven in a mix of anger and relative ease. It got 23.3mpg. That's a miracle. I did drop it to 6mpg on the M8 (kick-down is addictive).
• Handling. Very good grip, unlikely to break traction. Steering constantly weighted and intuitive to drive.
• Body work. Doors "thunk shut", classy hinges on the doors and boot etc.
• Stereo. Bose. @nuff said.
• Full size spare in the boot. A welcome addition.

The negatives

• The ride. Bone shaker, Audi don't know what supple means. Its like a rally car to drive. Does resist roll well though. I imagine on a back road this is a car that can be driven hard.
• The controls. Accessing stuff on the trip computer is not easy. The merc system is very intuitive. This is not.
• Some of the materials are cheap and the MB has a solidity and consistency throughout the cabin.
• The driving position, doesn't work for folk with long legs. Sorry. Seat set too high, not enough headroom really. For small people.
• This is an "S" model. Looks too plain. On the other hand if you like your motors subtle then this is for you.
• The exhaust. Nice looking but not enough "bark". I want to be reminded there is a lambo engine up front.
• Lack of torque. I never thought I'd say a 400bhp car felt slow, but it did. Mine gives a greater shove in the back and in kick-down I didn't feel the S6 felt that much quicker, and not justifiably so given the extra fuel it uses over mine. Maybe that's how far modern diesels have come, but mine doesn't feel much slower if any. You need an Rs6 for your fast Audi estate or the RS4 (which I have not tried).
• The brakes. The 211's are MILES better. This car had been stood about for a while and needed some surface rust off the brakes. Once done a bit better but not a patch on the 211's. This is a performance variant. Not good enough. Sorry. Thats why you see Audi's tailgating, because they have just had enough time to stop without hitting your bumper.

Alas I just didn't feel at "home" in the car and once I got into my 211 and drove home I realise just what a wonderful car I have and why so many of us here are happy with our cars.

I also looked at the Porsche Panamera today as well. Didn't drive it, didn't want too would fall in love.

This is a lovely car but priced well above an S class. The quality of the materials, the seating and equipment levels put it in a class of its own. Build quality is beyond reproach. This is a fine fine car and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves. Boot space is good. Shame its so massive.