Grudge Match: C5 RS6 v E60 M5 v W211 E55 AMG

[YSSMAN]

I'll be frank, I'm in the mood for another one. I was really surprised by the number of votes in favor of the B13 Sentra, and in the end, the thread was pretty one-sided. So, I'll give everyone a couple of extra options, and turn the heat up just a bit. It can get a bit personal with these three cars, each catering to a very specific kind of driver. Technology forerunners, Autobahn bruisers, and perhaps the beginning of the end for the horsepower wars in Germany. Let's get this started...

Grudge Match: C5 Audi RS6 vs E60 BMW M5 v W211 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

C5 Audi RS6

Keep in mind that little more than a decade ago, Audi really didn't mean much in the German luxury market. Although they had found their niche by selling AWD vehicles, it wasn't a Mercedes or a BMW, and sales reflected that. But, with impressive products and proper marketing, they became a world-class automaker. The RS6 was dropped on the big sedan market like a Daisy Cutter. It was completely unexpected, and blew everything away. With it's BiTurbo 4.2L V8, and 444 BHP on tap, the AWD RS6 destroyed the competition. The E39 was on it's way out, the E55 had only just showed up, and the RS6 was on top of the world. Well, until Audi killed it in 2004.


E60 BMW M5

Picking up where the E39 M5 left off, the E60 had it's work cut out for it. Whereas it's predecessor had otherwise represented motoring in it's purest form, the E60 pushed forward with a new engine and transmission, a fancy suspension, active steering, and a bunch of other drive-by-wire technologies that removed a lot of driver involvement from the vehicle. The 400/500 BHP V10 was different, the 7-speed SMG was different, the Bangle styling is different, the iDrive was different. Still, the performance of the car was substantial, and set a very high bar for the segment. One that is still attempting to be bested to this day.


W211 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

As a response to the E39 M5, the E55 went a bit overboard. When the RS6 showed up, it took the Merc's lunch. The E60 M5 got all the press, but the E55 continued to be a strong performer until the very end. The AMG was the forgotten contender, despite having the power of Thor under the hood. Billowing out of the exhaust pipes came the thunderous roar that only an AMG V8 could produce. A 5.4L Supercharged masterpiece, good for 469 BHP and 542 lb-ft of torque. The E55 may not have been as finely-tuned as its competition, but it got the job done. Mjöllnir, indeed.

 

[Keef]

RS6 for sure. It's turbo, it's manual, and it's usable year-round. Plus I think it's the cleanest and best-looking of the trio.

 

[astrosdude91]

Oh man, this is gonna be a good one!

Ugh, I can't decide! I may need to sleep on this one.

 

[Carlos]

Rs6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[YSSMAN]

Despite the lack of a manual gearbox, the E55 would be my ride of choice. The complete lack of sophistication wins me over in this case, by a landslide. The sound that comes out of those pipes is the kind of stuff that destroys small countries, and overthrows dictators. Although Mecedes did their best to keep the car civilized, it just... Isn't. That's what makes it awesome.

 

[Boffin]

Seeing as they are all limited to 155mph, and they way they get there is generally the same, I'm going off driver dynamics and handling.

Theres only one in that list who's character all the way through its generations has been dubbed a brilliant driver's car - period - disregarding size or shape.

As Clarkson said of the XFR " I'm not going to say its better than an M5 - but its as good as, and praise doesnt come any higher than that."

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Despite the lack of a manual gearbox, the E55 would be my ride of choice. The complete lack of sophistication wins me over in this case, by a landslide. The sound that comes out of those pipes is the kind of stuff that destroys small countries, and overthrows dictators. Although Mecedes did their best to keep the car civilized, it just... Isn't. That's what makes it awesome.

This.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Hmm.. To me it would have to be either M5 or RS6. While I'm pro RWD party member, I will go for RS6 due to it's subtleness, and AWD abilities.. Then there's always RS6+ and Avants..

So, RS6 it is.

 

[Luminis]

Well... For me, this is an easy one. The M5 is my sporty luxury sedan of choice.
It basically is the definition and benchmark of that segment nowadays; it offers the power, the comfort, the style and, most importantly, driving dynamics and handling that usually wouldn't be found in such a heavy, high powered, rear wheel driven boat.

Plus, out of the three, it's the only that doesn't look totally bland, in my opinion. Personally, I found it somewhat ugly when I first saw it, but by now, I appreciate the fact that it broke the mould a bit and dared to deviate from your usual, conventional design of the earlier M5. It was different, in a somewhat radical way and by now, I like it.
And it didn't try to be a sleeper, either. As soon as you saw it, you knew it had power. Lots of it.

Oh, one additional thing: The S85B50 is one hell of an engine.

 

[MatskiMonk]

M5 with no question,

Most of the time I'm not of fan Jeremy Clarksons opinions, but this jumped straight into my head for this grudge match,...

"You want to take it on?... don't bother, it doesn't matter what you've got, it doesn't matter what you've ever driven, this is quicker, it's faster, it's more astonishing..." (at least that what he said when he finished whinging about the M5s indicators!)

V10 for the win!

 

[Jim Prower]

Well, let's put it this way...

The RS6 is eliminated by being an Audi. In particular, a model you-know-who loved.
The M5 is eliminated by having a V10 that isn't a truck engine, thus is "F1-inspired," and sounds...yuck.
And, really...I'm still mad at Mercedes for Ruining Chrysler, so....

Meh. Bimmer.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

RS6 for me... The "simplistic" styling isn't quite bland enough to be boring and instead seems (to me) to exude class. Add in Power By Bonkers and you get a winner.

Somehow the Benzo doesn't come off as being quite so classy and the M5 isn't exactly a looker in my eyes...

 

[X-Power]

I voted for the Audi. It's appearance is the best of the three in my opinion, plus I've always been partial to an RS Audi. I don't like the BMW because I don't like the looks or the company that makes it. I don't like the Merc because it's a tad too over the top in my opinion. Although I voted for the Audi, I personally wouldn't choose any of them, I'd have a Jag instead.

 

[Prince.M5]

I'll take the M5 for some obvious reasons. To me, it's a looker, sounds great (am I the only one?) and so many other factors. Overall, it's my best choice but let's not forget that all of them are great cars. Just that the M5 got the edge on me...

 

[Philly]

I'll take the M5. I fell in love with that engine (and the car) as soon as it came out.

I think another factor is that the E60 was still able to fight with the next generation of both of the other competitors. I'd have taken the C6 or E63, but this M5 is just awesome, compared to these two.

 

[exigeracer]

It was a close call between the BMW and the Audi. They're both great brands, and both cars can be absolute beasts with a very light tuning if you needed some "distinction". The M5s sing like racecars with a little exhaust work, but the AWD temptress took my vote. I feel the Audi's looks will age far better than the M5 too. Most recent Audis have been just too heavy to be very sporty under any trim under RS, but this one in particular has enough hp and then some. I'll take the Avant, but I'll even settle for the sedan.

Then there's always RS6+ and Avants..

So, RS6 it is.

All three were available as estates/wagons (although only the MB was available in North America).

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm really surprised by the lack of fanfare for the AMG. I fear that the E63 was so much better that no one really remembered the E55. Maybe the AMG models only appeal to a certain type of person...

 

[Kent]

Maybe people get hung up on things like being auto-only? Thats my guess. Many people like to think shifting for yourself means your more of a driver. Part of the reason I went M5 with my vote was the manual transmission and rwd. Im sure the mb would fair better if it had a stick shift (atleast on a board like the gtp).

 

[Rotary Junkie]

I'm really surprised by the lack of fanfare for the AMG. I fear that the E63 was so much better that no one really remembered the E55. Maybe the AMG models only appeal to a certain type of person...

I prefer the E55 to the E63 actually...

But I'd still rather the RS6. Which is also auto-only. And really, the M5 is the only one of these I'd actually want a manual in as it's a high-strung screamer to the other two brutes.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

All three were available as estates/wagons (although only the MB was available in North America).

Indeed they were, but if I'm not quite wrong, Audi has made a hot wagon version a tradition, which started from S/RS2?

 

[exigeracer]

Indeed they were, but if I'm not quite wrong, Audi has made a hot wagon version a tradition, which started from S/RS2?

Yes, and I heard that the wide majority of RS6's were Avants anyways.

Strange fact: in North America, they never sold the C5 RS6 Avant, but they only sold the S6 as an Avant.

 

[Stotty]

E55 for me, preferably an estate... the sound they make is fabulous, and it's as good at cruising as it is at hooning.

The M5 is a brilliant car, ruined by a rubbish gearbox.

The RS6 has amazing performance, but it is ruined by the usual rubbish Audi handling.

 

[JCE]

Despite the lack of a manual gearbox, the E55 would be my ride of choice. The complete lack of sophistication wins me over in this case, by a landslide. The sound that comes out of those pipes is the kind of stuff that destroys small countries, and overthrows dictators. Although Mecedes did their best to keep the car civilized, it just... Isn't. That's what makes it awesome.

QFT

E55, and it's not a hard choice. The RS6 is awesome indeed but the E55 is just like riding shotgun on a thundercloud. The M5 is ok, I'd buy a pre-owned one but the AMG is just what I ask for in the perfect car.

 

[Keef]

Who the hell came in here and voted for the E60, that clammy-handed, hatchet-faced robot of a car?

 

[Azuremen]

Who the hell came in here and voted for the E60, that clammy-handed, hatchet-faced robot of a car?

People with taste.

Obviously, there is only one real choice here and that is the M5. I don't think I really need to explain why beyond the fact it is just better and awesome.

Yup, so now that is settled I think we should just close the thread.

 

[Dan_]

None of them are really my cup of tea but, the Bimmer would have won me by the sleek body styling, aura of sophistication and undeniably advantage of more cylinders on tap to blab about it to your buddies at the usual friday meeting at the pub, but at the end of the day coming back from work to home, I would get the sense that this car doesn't represents me at all, I'm not that sophisticated, I don't like to attract too much attention to myself and therefore the M5 isn't my choice here.

The Mercedes has the power, massive torque and gruntness only seen in a true AMG brute before, I would love to blaze straights on deserted highways throughout the whole night, stopping just to refuel ( constantly... ), but the styling just doesn't attract me at all, it isn't my choice either.

The Audi on the other hand is everything I would want from a fast, big sedan, it has enough power, discrete but quite pretty styling and a secure AWD drivetrain, pretty good for relaxed driving in traffic. It also has massively flared wheelarches, c'mon you must have a heart of stone to ignore them...

It may be not as luxurious as the competition but my luxury standards aren't that high on the bar, though. So, I would stay with the Audi.

 

[astrosdude91]

I went with the BMW. I would've gone with the Benz if it were the 6.3 liter version. I know it's a knob's car, but you can't deny that monstrous V10 under that hood.

 

[Jim Prower]

Who the hell came in here and voted for the E60, that clammy-handed, hatchet-faced robot of a car?

Best of three evils, man. If it were the E39, Hands Down winner.

 

[niky]

I'll be frank, I'm in the mood for another one. I was really surprised by the number of votes in favor of the B13 Sentra, and in the end, the thread was pretty one-sided.

There was a thread on the "classic"? Where? *scoots off to find it and add vote to the landslide*

It's been years and I still think the M5 is butt-ugly.

But when you're at the wheel... who cares what it looks like? Revs like a racecar, sounds like a racecar, handles like a racecar, shifts (ouch) like a racecar, and rides (double-ouch) like a racecar.

Manic thing. If I absolutely needed a big saloon, it's one of the few that wouldn't make me feel like I'd given up on my misguided youth.

 

[YSSMAN]

Who the hell came in here and voted for the E60, that clammy-handed, hatchet-faced robot of a car?

When I checked the poll this morning, I was shocked. I mean, the Audi doing well, I can understand, it is a fantastic car. But the M5? No way. But, has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like? I mean, really?