2006 Audi A6 S-line Everything's Nice...but the Price

Well the E550 isn't a perfect work of automobile engineering either.

It's interior doesn't match the A6's for ergonomics, materials quality or layout.

The handling isn't quite as sharp as the A6's either.

The 550i wins in this segment for driver appeal. The 5-series interior places dead last in my book though.

If I was to buy on luxury alone: Audi clearly wins

If I was to buy on driving dynamics: BMW clearly wins

I just wouldn't get the E550, period. It doesn't have the best of anything.

What's wrong with the E550? It has a beautiful interior that's almost on-par with the A6, and the engine has 30 more horsepower. It's a true cruiser car, and I wouldn't mind an E550 4Matic myself.

The E550 doesn't have the best interior or the best driving dynamics.

As a result I just don't like Mercedes very much because those are the two categories which I use when buying cars.

I've gotten the best of the interior with my Audi and now it's time for driving dynamics with the BMW.

I love the A6 and would love this configuration.

But I hate to agree with all the Paris Hiltons who go on about heritage --- in this case, I think to spend $60K you should be getting some of that, and you aren't with this particular Audi. The A8 perhaps.

This is just too expensive for this Audi. I would dump $5/10 k into heritage if I was this rich! Or better yet, give it to a poor African family.

i would buy the E550 over the bmw and the audi for sure. but then again, if lexus was in the picture, id buy the soon to be GS460

The BMW has its own compromises. No all wheel drive. Ugly exterior. Below average interior.

If the 550 is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

This guy is relatively rediculous. Ther is a reason why you can't get both the S Line package and the air suspension. The S Line package gives you a very sporty suspension. Most magazines say that it gives great handling but is borderline harsh. Not sure how it isn't "rough" enough for him. The air suspension is made a a balance of a cushy/almost S Line level when adjusted to Dynamic. In the future Audis magnetic ride will be able to come close to what he wants.

Germannut,

Well the E550 isn't a perfect work of automobile engineering either.
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No car is.


It's interior doesn't match the A6's for ergonomics, materials quality or layout.
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I beg to differ. The E-Class has a pretty sweet interior. Quality is deinitely top notch, both material and construction wise. The A6 interior is just slightly better IMO. So what? At the end of the day, they're both good interiors.


The handling isn't quite as sharp as the A6's either.
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All new reviews have said that the E-Class handling is now much improved. And even if it's not as sharp as the A6's, who cares? You think your 70 year-old grandpa who buys an E-Class actually cares about that?


The 550i wins in this segment for driver appeal. The 5-series interior places dead last in my book though.
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I agree with this - except that the 5-series interior still beats that of the Cadillac STS and Lincoln...



And Germannut, quit the Audi-biased crap. Seriously.

Germannut (again).

The E550 doesn't have the best interior or the best driving dynamics.
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Again, your full of shit. The E-Class interior is a quality interior. Driving dynamics are fine and improved. Who really cares? Do you drive your superdooper Audi A6 on the track everyday or what? The E-Class drives very nicely. Heck, I own an E39 BMW 530i here in Albany and I was in Europe less than a month ago. Guess what car I rented? A new Mercedes E280 CDI. Handling was fine - this coming from a BMW driver. So Germannut, I would advise you to actually DRIVE the car before making dumbass comments.

Chewy,

The BMW has its own compromises. No all wheel drive. Ugly exterior. Below average interior.
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The BMW 5-series interior is a quality interior - BUT, the competition just has better interiors by far. The 5-series cockpit can't match the A6, GS, E-Class, RL and M. It does win over the Cadillac STS and Lincoln IMO though.

That said, BMW interiors were never "oozing with class" IMO. BMW interiors have always tended to look a little drabby, almost spartan in some cases. I guess this epitomizes the sports feel.

This Audi-biassed crap will never end.R u smoking Audi fans.A6 is good,but the E550i is simply on another level.

JUGNU

And one more thing,E550 is a normal/regular MB,not an AMG model,so don't bring the S or RS ATLEAST HERE.
382BHP E550,is simply awesome.Regular A6 335BHP can't match it.

JUGNU

I think Jugnu you meant that the Audi interior and handling is on another level (a level above) the E550.

Logical, BMW itself is a compromise with cheap, low quality interiors

I think Jugnu you meant that the Audi interior and handling is on another level (a level above) the E550.
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Sniff sniff....I smell bias...

but the E550i is simply on another level.
I said this u fools.
A level above is E550 than the A6.

JUGNU

E550i ? Jugnu is this your new BMW-MB hybrid?

BMW530i......sniff sniff, I smell another BMW defense that will fail as I give you proof left and right that the Audi A6 interior is best in class and its driving dynamics are better than the E550.

BMW530i......sniff sniff, I smell another BMW defense that will fail as I give you proof left and right that the Audi A6 interior is best in class and its driving dynamics are better than the E550.
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Why am I defending BMW when the topic here is about the MERCEDES E550?

Germannut, you're so full of shit, seriously. In every post, you bring up "Audi interiors are so much better than....". The driving dynamics of the facelifted E-Class are superb, I've driven it in Europe and I own an E39 530i so I know what I am talking about. You on the other hand don't seem to have even driven, nor checked out the car.

Fact is, the new E-Class:

1) Handles nicely for a car that is biased towards comfort.

2) Has a quality interior, definitely up there with the best.

I'm nto saying the E550 doesn't do or have the qualities you mentioned.

I'm saying

1) The A6 handles better for a car that is also biasex towards comfort

2) The Audi, has a quality interior also. I think the A6 interior is the best in class and the handling is also better than the E550's, while the A6 is geared towards luxury just lik the MB.

Germannut,

You're obviously biased towards Audi, fine. I like BMW's, but I have an open mind when it comes to other carmakers. The E-Class drives very nicely and has a quality interior. Whether or not it exceeds the Audi's qualities or not is debatable. I just want you to understand that the E-Class is a pretty competent handler now and still has a nice interior.

Also, who really cares about handling in these cars? The 5er, E-Class and A6 all handle virtually similarly in daily driving situations (the city, and more or less in rural areas). Except, the 5-series has the edge on both of these cars when it comes to driving dynamics.

Why do u people even post reviews.... specially american reviews.... honestly whenever I read american car magazine I can see why some of you people think this way

Last time I read one they said Audi's MMI is an improved version of BMWs iDrive!!! When in reality all they have in common is maybe wires connecting circuts!!!


Edmunds: THERE IS NO PERFECT CAR, AND AUDI A6 IS PRETTY CLOSE!!

I am leaving Autospies, this here is just pathetic

actually just to give some of u guys some new info , MMI means : My Method of Idrive :p

Cars in lot: 2006 A6 4.2 (non s-line), 2006 E350 4MATIC, 2006 Range Rover LR HSE.

I compare the

oops --- submitted post above accidentally.... anyhow, i test drove a 530XI, a LR Sport, and an A6 3.2 before deciding on getting the 4.2. My opinion the 4.2 has by far the best interior in the cars i test drove, however the LR HSE in the family surpasses even the 4.2. The MB has a really nice interior as well but it ranks slightly lower than the A6 but above the 530XI. My purchase decision was based on the 4.2 engine/power and the interior. The LR Sport is too 'rough' for me while the 530XI's interior does not appeal at all. If i wanted all sport i would have purchased a BMW 550 -- but i looked for overall high marks with emphasis on the interior, hence the 4.2.

side note -- to add to the exterior i'm purchasing audi front lip, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser.

m