SpinEcho
May 29th, 2004, 17:51
Since my Beast is not fully broken-in, this is a review (personal opinion only) of some of the non-performance aspects of the car. My reference point is my previous daily-driver, a BMW 330i (sport package), a bit of an apples to oranges comparison, but perhaps more relevant when you factor out performance.
Build quality
The press likes to go on and on about how Audi leads in interior quality. No doubt about it, the RS6 materials, fit and finish are excellent. But the 330i really doesn't lose anywhere in this regard. In fact, the RS6 plastics in a few spots are cheaper than the BMW's, for instance, the steering wheel centre cover.
I'm more impressed with the paint quality on the RS6. There is less orange peel. We'll see how it holds up to Canadian winters.
Advantage: neither
Seats
I'm not sure why there's so much fuss over the North America-spec. seats. The leather is not nearly as slippery as BMW's Montana leather. Although the side bolsters don't look very big, they seem to do a good job of holding me in place around corners. I'm pleasantly surprised - I had thought these seats would be a real disappointment. The lumbar adjustment and memory features are welcome.
The only area the 330i sport seats win is in thigh support. I can get OK support in the RS6 by tilting the seat cushion up at the front. Why don't more manufacturers include extendable thigh cushions like BMW does? Otherwise, the BMW seats may look more aggressively bolstered, but the combination of slippery leather and widely-spaced bolsters means the seats are considerably less supportive in corners.
Advantage: RS6 :addict:
Interior design
Of course, this is very subjective. But the BMW is clearly designed by engineers who are drivers. The gear lever falls perfectly to hand, as does the handbrake. Neither does in the RS6. For manual shifting mode, BMW's gearshift moves towards the driver (logical). In the RS6 it moves away :doh:
In the BMW, you feel cocooned. The console is angled towards you, and you sit 'down' in the car. In the RS6, the dash is more of a flat slab, and you sit 'on' the seats, not 'in' them. In the BMW, when you are driving, both elbows can rest on their respective armrests. Not in the Audi.
The BMW interior looks more sporty, but I have to say I have always preferred the more minimalist, cool, art-tech combination of Audi's interiors. And that Alcantara headliner, mmm...
Advantage: BMW :(
Sound system
No contest. The optional Harmon Kardon system on the 330i is better. Sounds are clearer at all frequencies. Bass is tighter. But the in-dash changer on the RS6 is a lot nicer than the trunk-mounted unit in the BMW.
Advantage: BMW :(
Ride
OK, this is sort of performance-related. I'm shocked that the RS6 is better. I put it down to a combination of superior damping and the longer wheelbase. Bumps and ridges in the 330i are a crashy, jarring affair. The whole car moves, not just the suspension. In the RS6, the same imperfections result in less jarring, and some tire noise (I can imagine the suspension moving up and down, almost as if it has more travel than in the BMW).
The only negative is less feedback, especially through the steering (a traditional Audi problem). But the BMW is no paragon of feedback. In fact, it feels numb compared to my TT. I'll trade the superior ride any day.
Advantage: RS6 :addict:
Tnat's it for now. When the car is broken-in maybe I'll post more (handling, grip, brakes).
Build quality
The press likes to go on and on about how Audi leads in interior quality. No doubt about it, the RS6 materials, fit and finish are excellent. But the 330i really doesn't lose anywhere in this regard. In fact, the RS6 plastics in a few spots are cheaper than the BMW's, for instance, the steering wheel centre cover.
I'm more impressed with the paint quality on the RS6. There is less orange peel. We'll see how it holds up to Canadian winters.
Advantage: neither
Seats
I'm not sure why there's so much fuss over the North America-spec. seats. The leather is not nearly as slippery as BMW's Montana leather. Although the side bolsters don't look very big, they seem to do a good job of holding me in place around corners. I'm pleasantly surprised - I had thought these seats would be a real disappointment. The lumbar adjustment and memory features are welcome.
The only area the 330i sport seats win is in thigh support. I can get OK support in the RS6 by tilting the seat cushion up at the front. Why don't more manufacturers include extendable thigh cushions like BMW does? Otherwise, the BMW seats may look more aggressively bolstered, but the combination of slippery leather and widely-spaced bolsters means the seats are considerably less supportive in corners.
Advantage: RS6 :addict:
Interior design
Of course, this is very subjective. But the BMW is clearly designed by engineers who are drivers. The gear lever falls perfectly to hand, as does the handbrake. Neither does in the RS6. For manual shifting mode, BMW's gearshift moves towards the driver (logical). In the RS6 it moves away :doh:
In the BMW, you feel cocooned. The console is angled towards you, and you sit 'down' in the car. In the RS6, the dash is more of a flat slab, and you sit 'on' the seats, not 'in' them. In the BMW, when you are driving, both elbows can rest on their respective armrests. Not in the Audi.
The BMW interior looks more sporty, but I have to say I have always preferred the more minimalist, cool, art-tech combination of Audi's interiors. And that Alcantara headliner, mmm...
Advantage: BMW :(
Sound system
No contest. The optional Harmon Kardon system on the 330i is better. Sounds are clearer at all frequencies. Bass is tighter. But the in-dash changer on the RS6 is a lot nicer than the trunk-mounted unit in the BMW.
Advantage: BMW :(
Ride
OK, this is sort of performance-related. I'm shocked that the RS6 is better. I put it down to a combination of superior damping and the longer wheelbase. Bumps and ridges in the 330i are a crashy, jarring affair. The whole car moves, not just the suspension. In the RS6, the same imperfections result in less jarring, and some tire noise (I can imagine the suspension moving up and down, almost as if it has more travel than in the BMW).
The only negative is less feedback, especially through the steering (a traditional Audi problem). But the BMW is no paragon of feedback. In fact, it feels numb compared to my TT. I'll trade the superior ride any day.
Advantage: RS6 :addict:
Tnat's it for now. When the car is broken-in maybe I'll post more (handling, grip, brakes).