Motor Trend: Audi S6, BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The Surprising Winner Is?

I won't make you wait any longer:

1ST PLACE

AUDI S6
Effortless V-10 power, unfailing quattro stability, supreme comfort and style. Frankly, far more entertaining to drive than we expected. Makes $74K seem like a bargain.

2nd PLACE

BMW M5
Enjoy race-car moves-if, that is, you can deal with the cyborg interface. The Terminator sedan for those who like to tweak and fiddle.

3rd PLACE

MERCEDES-BENZ E63 AMG
What Zeus would drive. Fast, rowdy, thunderously powerful, though a bit of a blunt instrument compared with 1 and 2. The choice for rocketing across Germany at V max.

If you take a look at the data panel you will see that the Audi S6 was not the quickest in the straight-line but did have the best braking and handling; edging out both the M5 and the E63.

This test would not be complete without some track action and once again the results are surprising.

"A master of momentum-management, the S6 posted a lap time just one tenth of a second behind the almighty M5 (on our shorter, tighter Figure Eight test, the S6 won handily)."

"You'd love the E63 on the autobahn, but around the track and in the Figure Eight, it finished a distant third."

Click the link to read the complete article along with all of the specs and more pictures.

Here is a short video of the three cars on the race track.

http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0701_hammer_2_audi_s6_bmw_m5_mercedes_e63
Read Article

IamEvilHomer - 1/30/2007 3:44:32 AM

+1 Boost

the S6 lost by one point

didn't Car and Driver pick it?

that E63 has a big engine I would like to drive it

I love my S6 and in the $70k range not bad

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 4:36:29 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah, save the real bodykit for the RS6.

Love the S6. The LEDs are the coolest in real life- they make up for the lackluster bodykit. Were it not for that feature, it would look almost exactly like an A6 S-Line.

sewingmachine - 1/29/2007 10:29:51 PM

+8 Boost

s6 still looks bland, i'd take the m5.

GTR35 - 1/29/2007 10:38:55 PM

0 Boost

Same here but I'd still keep the MB is 3rd. Good thing they offer unlimited roadside assistance on the S63, buyers are sure gonna need it.

GTR35 - 1/29/2007 10:39:56 PM

-2 Boost

Correction: "E63"

chewy - 1/29/2007 10:51:12 PM

0 Boost

Anyone that has ever seen the S6 in real life knows that the LED Driving Lights make a very bold appearence. You can see the S6 coming from far away, something that no body kit can do.

Agent008 - 1/29/2007 11:17:38 PM

+4 Boost

Unless it has a 6-foot park bench wing on the back...

Rupert - 1/30/2007 6:38:58 PM

+1 Boost

we'll leave that to Scion.

SixxFive - 1/29/2007 11:32:34 PM

+2 Boost

I agree with other posts that the S6 looks very sleepy and virtually undistinguishable from a A6 which costs 55% less. Otherwise it's a nice car. Sounds like MT didn't like the M5 due to cost and the fact that they actually had to use their driving skills to test the car.

trd1 - 1/29/2007 11:37:26 PM

0 Boost

the M5 looks sharper and meaner then the s6, but i guess the S6 is better, i like both of them not so much the E63. good thing its last where it belongs.

02WRX - 1/29/2007 11:38:51 PM

+3 Boost

If the S6 is a match for an M5 around a track, I'd love to see what the new RS6 is capable of. These horsepower wars never get old...

Matthew1 - 1/29/2007 11:43:55 PM

+3 Boost

Considering the S6 is not even the A6's hero model, I would not expect it to shout loud. Wait for the RS6 to do that.

I saw a grey S6 parked the other day, and while it looks 'sleepy' when compared to the M5, when you compare it to the regular A6, the new grille treatment and new front apron give the elegant A6 enough attitude without flaunting it.

I think the S6's styling perfectly matches the demeanour of the car, after all it has a relaxed V10 engine, the styling suitably low-key.

I am surprised the S6 beat the M5 out on the track, however I still think the M5 is the sharper driving tool, no doubt about that.

However the S6 and E63 are such amazing cars that any decision on purchasing one would be after sampling them all, for the E63's track performance result may slip from memory after you become addicted to its moon-moving grunt and sheer relentless urge the V8 supplies.

chewy - 1/30/2007 12:06:31 AM

0 Boost

Yep, I was really surprised that the S6 was only 1/10 slower than the M5 on the track. The time has come that an Audi handles better than a BMW, Quattro FTW. In fact it is likely that most drivers will get better times with the S6 as they aren't "proffesionals" This likely means just about everyone here.

The RS6 should be awesome with some "extra" 150 hp or so.

Agent63 - 1/30/2007 1:14:29 AM

0 Boost

I saw a comparison. I'm not sure if it's the same one you saw. I think the E63 came in 2nd instead of 1st and M5 came last.

IamEvilHomer - 1/30/2007 3:46:28 AM

0 Boost

you are right
it was r&t or Car and driver

golfer38 - 1/30/2007 10:53:13 AM

+2 Boost

Automobile mag. also had this comparison with the E63 finishing first, and that's with the paddle shifting M5. I mention that because one of the more recent comparisons complained about the "new" 6 spd. manual.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 4:40:15 PM

+1 Boost

Okay, ONE of the three had Merc at #1, Audi at #2 and BMW finishing last. I remember it clearly.

Lexus - 1/30/2007 12:24:52 AM

0 Boost

I have to admit it the best looking car out of the three too.

Lexus

Lexus - 1/30/2007 12:29:06 AM

+1 Boost

The Audi S6 that is

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 4:45:20 PM

+1 Boost

I agree.

Autoegr525 - 1/30/2007 12:48:28 AM

+2 Boost

For the price the S6 is unbelievable. I'd love any of these cars but there's just something about that Benz that makes me want it the most, despite that BMW is usually my brand of choice.

MunichRob - 1/30/2007 1:08:18 AM

+3 Boost

The Benz would be my choice. I'm not a fan of the M5's styling but love the classiness & raw power of the Benz. The S6 just isn’t very exciting for this class...Go big or go home.

I’m blown away by the S6’s lap time though, especially when it didn’t post any faster times through the corners than the M5 on the track.

It’s almost as if BMW didn’t tune the M5 as aggressive as they should or would have, had they known that one of their competitors would actually bring a fight this time around...One thing’s for sure, the M5 is still the most fun to drive.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 4:46:41 PM

+2 Boost

THE S6 ISN'T IN THIS CLASS.

Gawd, how many times must we say it?

Wait for the RS6, and then talk about excitement.

We can say it over, and over, and over, and nobody listens...

If Audi wanted to compete, it's suspicious that they put a LESS powerful engine than what was in the previous RS6, no?

Agent63 - 1/30/2007 1:20:10 AM

+2 Boost

Audi S6: very bland design but the numbers are impressive. it's understated luxury with great performance. two thumbs up!

Mercedes E63: a classy look with some aggressive attributes to distinguish it from the rest of the e-classes out there. it's a classy man's sports sedan. two thumbs up!


BMW M5: not impressed with design, although looks better than the normal models because of the rims, good performance, - for the SMG tranny, overall good car but falls short in styling. one thumb up!

My top two picks would be the S6 or the E63. Not to leave the M5 out they are great cars, if not they wouldn't even be in this comparison. I guess it comes down to brand loyalty and how biased the reviewers are.

Gennissen - 1/30/2007 3:38:10 AM

+2 Boost

If given that 90% of us will probably spend 99% of our driving time on the road/highway and not on the track (which is a reasonable assumption), i would have to pick the between the M5 and E63 (leaning more to the E63)

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 4:44:36 PM

+3 Boost

M5 and E63? What?

The M5 is the LEAST everyday-oriented of the three, having annoying submenus and disappointingly cold performance. I have to defend the S6 here. It and the E63 are the easiest to live with, and nobody is really going to notice the performance difference between the three in everyday driving.

MunichRob - 1/30/2007 4:13:05 AM

+2 Boost

"jmr07A4" you'll find the corner speeds & times in Moter Trends Febuary magazine issue currently on stands...I happen to have it.

M53R - 1/30/2007 6:20:48 AM

+2 Boost

I think the M5 looks the best, thats why I bought it. I love the looks of the 5 series thats why. Anyway as Agent63 said, it comes down to brand loyality to choose between any of them. and for the millionth time, the S6 isnt ment to compete with these two.

weaponX - 1/30/2007 10:03:55 AM

+1 Boost

I was gonna buy the M5, but that SMG tranny makes me pause. I don't want to be in Terminator mode all the time.

I have to admit the S6 is your best friend in a snowstorm. That's if you can live with the low resale value. The 19 in. optional wheels also remind everybody that it is not a normal car.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 4:42:45 PM

0 Boost

Why is there this lingering perception of low resale? Audi has better resale than Mercedes, and is very close to BMW.

weaponX - 1/30/2007 8:56:38 PM

+1 Boost

I talked to an Audi dealer cause the S6 sorta appeals to me due to the 4WD traction. I drive primarily on stop-n-go traffic so an automatic suits me more. I'm not saying I'm gonna get it, it's just an option. It's hard to leave the spinning propeller brand.

The resale value of the S6 is at least 10% lower than either the E63 and M5 (based on % of original MSRP).
Go figure.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 11:41:06 PM

+2 Boost

If you can afford a car like an M5 but need AWD, I have a proposition for you:

Buy an S4/S6 and a secondhand 645i coupe.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 4:41:46 PM

+2 Boost

I think this is all down to each magazine's preference.

In this one, the S6 won, the M5 came in second and the E63 finished in dead last.

In another one, the E63 AMG won, the S6 was following, and the M5 brought up the rear.

In one final test, I believe the E63 AMG won again, the M5 came in second and the S6 was in last.

I'd take any.

Rupert - 1/30/2007 6:41:17 PM

+3 Boost

you americans are always complaining the S6 looks too much like an a6 s line, but how would you react if you could get the m bodykit for the 5 series? makes it look near identical, bar side vents and quad exhausts.
and really the s6 is easier to spot from my eyes. the grill looks completely different with those extra bars.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/30/2007 7:30:03 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, and there's also the E-Class Sport kit.

If there was an M bodykit here... that would show 'em!

I know Europe is infested with M'ed 320d's and such.

enthusiastx11 - 1/31/2007 12:34:34 AM

+1 Boost

car and driver did the same comparison and came to a polar opposite conclusion. their ranking: E63, S6, M5. thoughts?

my opinion: motor trend is giving value (i.e. price) way too much weight. the S6 is an elegant car (with the best interior of the three), but people buying cars of this caliber don't really care if it's $78K or $93K. and i have hard time believing it's more fun to drive the ferociously powerful E63 or sweet handling M5.

enthusiastx11 - 1/31/2007 12:35:40 AM

+1 Boost

'more fun to drive THAN the'

AUDIMAN4 - 1/31/2007 1:19:18 AM

+1 Boost

I wonder how the S6 sells in comparison to the M5 and E63, probably in fewer numbers.

It is a very capable car (despite having less power than the two), that lacks the recognition of BMW and MB.

I also never understood why Audi releases RS variants in the last year of the product life cycle.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/31/2007 8:59:30 AM

+2 Boost

enthusiastx-

"my opinion: motor trend is giving value (i.e. price) way too much weight. the S6 is an elegant car (with the best interior of the three), but people buying cars of this caliber don't really care if it's $78K or $93K."

I have to disagree here. People automatically think that when you're wealthy, you can afford anything. Well, I was going to buy my wife a $76K A8 (over $80K with tax and other fees), but the S550 4Matic (starting at $89,000 without heated seats or a backup camera) was still out of my price range.

My brother has a 2001 Audi S4. He wants to buy a $75K S6, but the next-gen RS6 (rumored to be about $85-90K) will still be too expensive for him.

You get it. Even when you pass the $100K mark, not everyone can afford a $190K car if they bought a $120K Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

enthusiastx11 - 1/31/2007 11:15:15 PM

+1 Boost

i hear you S4. you must be actually buying the A8. most cars over $60k are leased. and given that bmw and mercedes typically have considerably higher residuals than audi, the lease payments on these cars are often in the same ballpark. should have included that in my last comment.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/31/2007 6:34:09 PM

+1 Boost

Gogo2. Really. That is such OLD news, and nobody really thinks that any more. We've gotten to like most of his designs.

NARunner - 1/31/2007 9:38:29 PM

+1 Boost

i'm really dissappointed by the 6MT in the M5. All the reviews on it were very poor. I think BMW should have just left well enough alone and not offered the MT. The E63 doesn't have one, the RS6 won't have one, the GS-F (when/if ever it comes out) will not have one.

This is coming from a guy who loves manual and I have ordered my cars in manual (if available) since my first Wrangler. However, if I were to purchase an M5, i would stick with the SMG.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/31/2007 10:52:49 PM

+1 Boost

We actually don't know about the RS6 yet. The RS4 only comes with a manual- and that speaks volumes about Audi's focus with the RS cars. Perhaps the RS6 will only come with one, or, at the least, offer one.

quattro47 - 2/1/2007 2:10:53 AM

+2 Boost

i really, really love my S6 as a daily driver. especially since I live in Colorado and we've had a lot of snow. its really the only car out of the 3 that you can throw snow tires on and feel confident. I personally love the understated looks. had it up to 145 the other day and it felt like nothing. I have a feeling that if BMW got a DSG like tranny in the M5, it would move up in the rankings. I am getting a ML 63 AMG for my wife, and i got to say, that engine is awesome. test drove it the other day. i am hoping that Audi puts dynamic ride control, the ceramic brakes from the S8, and DSG on my next car, the RS6.

Carboy - 2/1/2007 2:47:30 PM

0 Boost

Motor Trend is dumb.
E63 is the way to go.