993 vs. Audi S4 and/or S6

The B5 S4 Avant is a bad-ass wagon, it's *quite* competant, nearly as fast around the track as the B5 S4 sedan was, which (in C&Ds comparo) was faster around the track than an E36 M3. The Cayenne is the best of both worlds, as competant on the track as many sedans, and as good or better off-road than most other 4x4s. But it's also way more expensive. But it really sounds to me like what you want is an AllRoad 2.7T 6 speed. Did the AllRoad V8s ever come out?

I doubt you're going to get the 911 feel in any wagon, but if you're going to get close, it'll either be in the s6 avant, or the bmw 540iT. Unfortunately I never got to drive the s6, but a family member recently got a 540iT with the sports package and it is one of the most fun cars I've driven. She got the auto, but I think it also comes with a manual. I'd say head out to the dealers and drive them both. But beware about the

540 -- bmw is redesigning the 5 series next year and many people don't like them as much.

-Aaron

David,

Being used to a 911 you won´t be happy neither with the S6 nor the stock S4. I drive a modified S4 avant (B5, 2000 model) with upgraded suspension, brakes and engine which gets very close to my ideal of a car. I wasn´t very happy with the stock version too, the engine was too lazy at all revs, the brakes faded too much when hot, loosing a dangerous lot of force. The suspension upgrade (lowered and stiffed) brought a tremendous amount of additional stability, going 160 MPH with that car is like sitting in the living room, coming along with excellent handling when cornering fast. That car would be close to the kick ass sports car you´ve mentioned (>350hp, 0-60 in 4.9 sec, top speed 180 MPH) and passing some of the "real" sports cars and pulling away off them on the higway caused a lot of long faces until today I guess ;-) After having done these modifications, I think it is the best car I ever had, although you have to take care of some durability aspects, like allowing to cool down the loaders before turning off. BTW: I still have the first clutch (75000 miles on the clock)... Lets consider it to be like a 911 with a large cargo bay.

I also drove the S6 auto for a few days, but was far away from feeling like being in a sports car either. The car weights too much for the power provided and isn´t that athletic one would think of. Suspension also is too smooth but will make a very nice car for cruising of course. The backseaters will be grateful having additional amount of room for their legs compared to the S4 , cargo area is more than sufficient in both cars.

just my 2 cents!

cheers Bernhard

Why not the RS6 Avant? Ah, unless you're in the US, where you can only get the Saloon (although there are reports of at least one RS6 Avant having been privately imported and federalised - total cost $120k!)

There seem to be a number of 911 owners in the UK who have swapped their porsche for an RS6 and are perfectly satisfied. I've never driven a 911 but I'm very happy with my RS6 Avant.

Thanks Bernhard, that's good to hear. I was looking on the web for modifications one could do to the S6. The S4 wagon looks good but I need to go sit in the back seat and see how much room the back has compared to the S6.

Thanks for all the info,

-dave

Cayenne...but,

David

A lot will depend on how you drive your car. If you're near the limits on the 993 (I'll eat my hat if you are) then you will not match that in any other car very easily. If you drive like most people do on the road, an S4 is more likely to match the 993 than the larger S6. There's lots you can do to modify the Audis as there are some great tuning companies around. You should also look at the BMW M3 and M5 as driving preferences are such a personal thing and they are also great cars.

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