Need advice ASAP - 545i or RS6?

[Merzbow]

Need to decide today between buying a new 545i Sport or a used Audi RS6. The RS6 is famous for being easily upgradable; from what I read you can get an EPROM flash for $900 to bump the horsepower into the mid-500s. What I want to know is if I want more power out of my Bimmer a couple years down the line will there be affordable aftermarket options to give me that power, or are the Bimmer engines already so well-tuned that you basically need to spend $20k more for any kind of major HP upgrade? (Yes, I am a clueless Lexus owner, and no, an M5 is not an option because I drive automatic).

[SpecRaceM5]

new m5's will come in smg only. lol. do you go to the mountains at all? awd might come in handy if you want to go for a ski trip up to big bear or something. sure would be alot nicer riding in an audi up there then a truck.

[Dwayne]

Unless you add a supercharger to the 545, I think the RS6 is going to be easier to upgrade and have more potential. :dunno

[Skipper5]

the 545 will not come close to the RS6 in terms of hp numbers for any where near the $900 you quote for the big audi numbers. go with the audi. (wow, first time i've ever said that :)) the aftermarket for bmw is not affordable, especially for the new motors that take lots of R&D to build.

[Merzbow]

new m5's will come in smg only. lol.

Ahh cool, didn't know that. Can't afford the 100 grand though, or I'd wait. :(

Hmm, tough decision. Personally I'm skeptical of the RS6's long-term reliability and acceptability as a daily driver. I'm not one of those guys who has 10 cars that they replace every 2 years, this is one I'm going to be driving every day for at least the next 5 years. This is why I'm still leaning towards the 545i even though I'd love to experience the performance of the RS6.

[FireWalker]

Oh man, what a dilemma. :)
If you want brute performance, then it's a no brainer, get the RS. And I would also look at the MB E55 AMG. You can get a certified RS6 with 6/100K warranty if you're worried about reliability.
The 545 is in a different league and you may regret the lack of power in the future. It is also not that easily/reliably upgraded. But, you'll be driving home in a BMW! :redspot
Bottom line, get to drive these cars and you will have your answer.:thumbup:

[jimmyz2]

RS6 hands down,unless it is a E39 with 5.0L.

[heezyo2o]

If you get a good price on the audi and you have plenty of warranty left, then the rs6 for sure. Even though I have a 545 myself.

[Dwayne]

new m5's will come in smg only.You completely missed my thread talking about the new M5 being offered as a 6 speed in 2007. Doesn't help this guy though.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341051

[mpower06]

You could always wait for the 550ia coming out in September this year.........it's not 400+ hp but it is a few more than the current 545ia.......I think the 550 is 360 hp while the 545 is 325 hp........any extra horsepower is good horsepower I always say....... :D

[Kdog2112]

I lvoe BMWs but hate the new 5s....no offense...its an old lady car...go with the rs6....they def haul....will rip an m5....was in my buddies before...they are sick

[Andryuha]

you make it sound like driving stick is way too complicated. If you want to experience the car's real potential, why not learn to drive stick? It's not rocket science. Takes about 2 day to learn and maybe a few weeks to master if you're not a moron.

[Dwayne]

you make it sound like driving stick is way too complicated. If you want to experience the car's real potential, why not learn to drive stick? It's not rocket science. Takes about 2 day to learn and maybe a few weeks to master if you're not a moron.An option for the 545 (according to BMW's site) is actually the 6-speed SMG gearbox. That might be an option for him actually.

[Andryuha]

how does smg feel anyway? I've never driven one, so I wonder if it's faster than stick.

[sirtiger]

(Yes, I am a clueless Lexus owner, and no, an M5 is not an option because I drive automatic).

so the car you want has to be an automatic?

[ASCH MAN]

Have you actually driven both cars yet?

[marinakorp]

Rs6 Rs6 Rs6 Rs6