So I picked up an 05 S600 last month and I cannot believe how badly it smokes my RS6.

[DaveyKid]

I mean it wasn't even close. I know it's a fast car and I know I wouldn't attempt a fast turn with it either but for flat out acceleration it was embarassing.

So, a buddy of mine and I drive down from Chicago to pick it up from an MB dealer in Bowling Green, KY and we drive my RS6 down there. For the ride home my friend (DH Press on the audiworld board) drives my RS6 while I drive the S600 home. Ok, so it has a HP and TQ advantage on the RS6, but it's also 600 pounds heavier so I figured that would more than negate the difference. Nope. We tested them both from varying speeds and not once could the RS6 keep up with it, and I'm not talking like 1/2 a car length either. From 70-120ish I was ahead of the RS6 by a minimum of 4 car lengths. Off the line I had him by 3 car lengths to around 80. From 100 -??? (ok, maybe 140 or more) the S600 pulled like a freight train and whooped my RS6.

Can't blame heat soak as both are twin turbo charged. Can't blame varying temperature conditions as these were side-by-side comparisons. I was stunned.

Yes, my RS6 is in perfect working condition. No, the S600 is not chipped. Yes we were launching at the same time and I even gave the RS6 the advantage of launching before me only to reel him in and walk away from him. The RS6 couldn't even get off the line much better where I thought he would walk me, to a point.

That S600, when on full throttle starts to spin the wheels around 25 mph. It's strange as the full boost/torque kicks in around then.

Assuming the E55 is a little quicker, the SL55 even quicker, then you have the S65 and the grand daddy of them all, the McLaren SLR, I can't imagine what that must pull like. Speaking of S65, there was one on the lot they were trying to sell me. The guy flips me the keys and tells me to take it for a spin while they are finishing the inspection on the one I am buying. I tossed them back and told him no thanks. I didn't need to drive out with that one instead.

I'm a member out at Autobahn Country Club as well as a driving instructor for a group out there that sometimes helps out with larger events. I had the opportunity to take the S600 on the north track when it was empty and do some off the line drag runs and it's neat how the limited slip works with traction control off. I left alternating patches down a straight, off the line, equally spaced. As one wheel started slipping the other grabbed and the other released. Then vice versa and so on and so forth. Left about 12 alternating left/right black patches down the straight.

Oh well, so my RS6 is now my 3rd fastest in my driveway. Oh yeah, did i mention my R32 is now HPA turbocharged? 450 horses in a nice small 2900 pound package.

[Klint]

Those big forced inductioned Mercs sure fly.

The S class is in the 'class' above the RS6, it'd be fairer to place the S8 against the S600.

[mi021le]

ur talking about a biger motor and a lot of things. 264 ci rs6 motor to the 351 ci e55. theres no replacement for displacement.

[BBGT2]

The Benzes make the Audi RS6 look like its not even accelarating.
The S8 would not have a chance in hell against the S55 or the S600.

Bajo

[Klint]

Originally posted by BBGT2
The Benzes make the Audi RS6 look like its not even accelarating.
The S8 would not have a chance in hell against the S55 or the S600.

Bajo

Bajo,

Very true. I started to think the same soon after posting.

The S55/65s and S600 are in a class of their own when competing with Audi.

[Erik]

Thanks for the story. You have a nice taste for cars.

[DaveyKid]

$80K car to a $130K. Just found it interesting.

[clam]

I'll need to put it in my signature: "quattro is an acceleration disadvantage, with the expection of low grip conditions". As both are heavy cars that put a lot of vertical force on the tyres, I don't think the tyre's grip will be exceeded. Electronic traction controle will have perform better than quattro as it doesn't need to rotate and carry 100kilgrams of AWD driveshafts and differentials. Quattro is all about accelerating out of a corner.

That, a 270Nm deficit (Porsche Boxster engine), and a 3 year technology-evolutionairy gap*... makes the outcome of the race no surprize. In fact I think the E55 that co-exsisted with the RS6 was already faster to accelerate, and cheaper to buy. Though not as smooth a ride.

*The automatic transmission of the new MB cars shifts faster than a manual. Almost as fast as a double clutch transmission. That has a big impact on its acceleration performance.

[DaveyKid]

torque at 590 to handle it. The S55 does however use the new 7 speed transmission. The S600 still uses the old 5 speed.

Yes, I'm well aware of the quattro disadvantage having owned a few Audis in the past and currently the owner of an S4, R32 (same principle) and an RS6. Off the line acceleration in the S600 still requires throttle feathering/modulation while the RS6 is a mash and go proposition. I expected the RS6 to have the advantage off the line but even with wheel spin the S600 is so much faster the wheel spin was negated by the additional pulling power.

[Benman]

Originally posted by DaveyKid
$80K car to a $130K. Just found it interesting.

AH... and there's the key. Great write up though.

Ben

[Hy Octane]

Also, the RS6 is actually only getting about 360+hp at the wheels whereas the MB will be making at least 450hp...plus the torque differential and the above mentioned items..
But the RS6 wins in the looks dept..

[DaveyKid]

The R32 is lowered and it gives it that wide aggressive look, plus the fenders are flared like the RS6. No doubt my RS6 is my favorite car.

[Benman]

Originally posted by DaveyKid
No doubt my RS6 is my favorite car.

Despite all the extra power the new Merc makes, he still has a spot in his heart for the Ol'

Ben

[DaveyKid]

I would never sell it and I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to drive it. It's truly a 365 day/yr car.

[absent]

Originally posted by DaveyKid
[B] The S55 does however use the new 7 speed transmission. The S600 still uses the old 5 speed.
]

S55 uses 5 speed tranny as well,the new S550 uses 7 speed....

[DaveyKid]

To be honest, I'm not even sure which MB uses the 7 speed. Sounds like a nice trans though.

[BBGT2]

Originally posted by DaveyKid
To be honest, I'm not even sure which MB uses the 7 speed. Sounds like a nice trans though.

AFAIK all AMG cars use the 5speed due to torque handling issues, dont know about the new AMG63 series though. The early ones though had to use the AMG tuned 5 speed gearbox, whereas all the other Non-AMG cars had the 7speed slushbox starting in 2005 I think.

Bajo

[DaveyKid]

lineup let alone engine and transmission options!

My one criticism is that they have WAY too many options. It's as though someone criticized them for being too boring and predictable a few years ago and they went wild with new car offerings, engine options, changes every year, etc....

I can't keep up with it.