Replacing the M3 with a fast, comfy DD ~$100k

[NikB316]

It just means that it is too slow for my liking? The Panamera GTS is considerably slower than the Panamera Turbo. 440hp on a 4400lb car. Only 30hp more than a Panamera S. It is fairly quick off the line with AWD but I can't imagine it being very fun on the highway compared to the other cars I've listed. Note the S7 is with the assumption of APR ECU tune = 580hp/tq.

Coming from my current car I don't want something that is too much slower. 500whp+ with hopefully the possibility of more. I like to rip my cars around on the highway to keep my drive interesting. I think I may have given the wrong image by saying highway "cruiser". Maybe highway beast with massaging seats is the best way to describe it lol.

[Parkanzky]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

Audi S7 FTW!!
Cheaper then M5, better looking IMO, AWD and 600lb-ft of torque with a simple tune, there's no better deal then this car I think!! One day I'll have one!

... and the interior

Attachment 861221
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There was an S7 at our most recent cars & coffee and it looked awesome. Not my style (way too big for me), but it's easy to see the draw.

If you go that way, budget for an exhaust immediately. You couldn't even hear the thing running...

[Dkhan23]

How you ever driven the M5? Things a beast. IMO the panamera looks ugly.

[991brothers]

M6 Gran coupe would be sick. Id say the M5 because the power, look, and comfortable.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by Parkanzky

There was an S7 at our most recent cars & coffee and it looked awesome. Not my style (way too big for me), but it's easy to see the draw.

If you go that way, budget for an exhaust immediately. You couldn't even hear the thing running...

An exhaust system is the first mod everyone should put on ANY car!

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by NikB316

It just means that it is too slow for my liking? The Panamera GTS is considerably slower than the Panamera Turbo. 440hp on a 4400lb car. Only 30hp more than a Panamera S. It is fairly quick off the line with AWD but I can't imagine it being very fun on the highway compared to the other cars I've listed. Note the S7 is with the assumption of APR ECU tune = 580hp/tq.

Coming from my current car I don't want something that is too much slower. 500whp+ with hopefully the possibility of more. I like to rip my cars around on the highway to keep my drive interesting. I think I may have given the wrong image by saying highway "cruiser". Maybe highway beast with massaging seats is the best way to describe it lol.

If you have'nt seen this before, it might help your descision!
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

[NikB316]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

If you have'nt seen this before, it might help your descision!
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

I've read it before but definitely a good refresher. When I read it before I actually assumed the Audi was a regular auto as they don't talk too much about the transmission. I guess this article just makes me need to drive them all even more. Basically says the M5 is more refined than before which is bad for M but good for me. Praises the E63 handling even with the RWD setup. All the new reviews of the AWD E63 says its by far the best handling E63. The S6 has a solid review but seemed possibly more of a better value than a better car. After pricing out the S7 to $95k I would really hope it blows me away. Never pictured spending $100k on an Audi. It will also come down to how far I want to take the car performance wise. The S7 will need the APR chip to compete with the stock M5 & E63. An ECU tune on the M5 or E63 would make either into a 600whp rocket. The possibilities of the AWD AMG could be ridiculous. I'll be driving the RWD version soon enough so I can revisit the transmission. Also will take another look at the CLS63 which I remembered as not being as comfortable as the E63. I think these are some solid finalists. Even with the Audi coming in at $95k fully loaded it still will be $15k+ cheaper than a fully loaded E63 or M5. The M5 w/ competition package and E63 S version will probably be closer to $120k.


Decisions decisions. I'll post more after driving...

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by NikB316

I've read it before but definitely a good refresher. When I read it before I actually assumed the Audi was a regular auto as they don't talk too much about the transmission. I guess this article just makes me need to drive them all even more. Basically says the M5 is more refined than before which is bad for M but good for me. Praises the E63 handling even with the RWD setup. All the new reviews of the AWD E63 says its by far the best handling E63. The S6 has a solid review but seemed possibly more of a better value than a better car. After pricing out the S7 to $95k I would really hope it blows me away. Never pictured spending $100k on an Audi. It will also come down to how far I want to take the car performance wise. The S7 will need the APR chip to compete with the stock M5 & E63. An ECU tune on the M5 or E63 would make either into a 600whp rocket. The possibilities of the AWD AMG could be ridiculous. I'll be driving the RWD version soon enough so I can revisit the transmission. Also will take another look at the CLS63 which I remembered as not being as comfortable as the E63. I think these are some solid finalists. Even with the Audi coming in at $95k fully loaded it still will be $15k+ cheaper than a fully loaded E63 or M5. The M5 w/ competition package and E63 S version will probably be closer to $120k.


Decisions decisions. I'll post more after driving...

I love the rear end of this car, it's so wide and low, it looks like an exotic from far on the road!!

[Black Gold]

Double check your info on tunes for the m5. Fwiw I don't think they have made much power from this motor yet

The Benz is the most proven, they are making massive amounts of power from that v8. It's the clear choice for big power from this group.

[Majin Buu]

wow, that interior in the S7 looks magnificent! Audi really knows how to make an interior

[N54andS63TU]

m5 allllll day long!

[NikB316]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

Double check your info on tunes for the m5. Fwiw I don't think they have made much power from this motor yet

The Benz is the most proven, they are making massive amounts of power from that v8. It's the clear choice for big power from this group.

Thanks Kenny - I'll check it out. I read the stock M5 dyno at 527whp so figured 600 was in reach. Is mbworld going to be my best shot for seeing what others have got out of tune with the AMG? Any particular tuners you are familiar with? I haven't been too up to date on the TT AMGs.


The S7 is stunning! Wow Audi is killing it in design. I totally agree with the interior and love the diamond style leather although with the comfort seat package it looks more like typical leather. Hadn't even considered it until this thread. Would be something if I ended up with it!

[mlambert890]

The S7 is nice but near 100k for an Audi that isn't an R8 just seems insane to me. I can't help but feel they don't have near the brand power to command those #s. I think most would just never think "100k car" if they heard "Audi". Then again for many that may not matter. I guess it's weird for me because I grew up in the era when Audi was what you bought if you either HAD to have AWD (quattro... xi wasnt around yet) or couldn't afford a BMW. That's obviously changed but Audi coming in HIGHER will always feel strange for me

[M3Denver]

I'm not a fan of bmws turbo engines yet.. So I will refrain from recommending them.

Mildly used Audi r8 v10s! Look great, go great, sounds great.

Lamborghini gallardo used.

C63 amg black series

Toyota Prius ..... I keed I keed

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by NikB316

Thanks Kenny - I'll check it out. I read the stock M5 dyno at 527whp so figured 600 was in reach. Is mbworld going to be my best shot for seeing what others have got out of tune with the AMG? Any particular tuners you are familiar with? I haven't been too up to date on the TT AMGs.


The S7 is stunning! Wow Audi is killing it in design. I totally agree with the interior and love the diamond style leather although with the comfort seat package it looks more like typical leather. Hadn't even considered it until this thread. Would be something if I ended up with it!

two quick examples of tuners for this car.

http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/697

and

http://www.modernhorsepower.com/cgi-...57MHPM157V3CDT

basically this motor is making in the low to mid 600 HP to the wheels and in the mid 700 ftlbs of torque to the wheels with just a tune. Not crank, wheels.

The extra displacement over the m5 motor makes a big difference in torque. Personally, I thought the m6 was really fast as is, but it would get walked hard by a tuned merc.

[NikB316]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

two quick examples of tuners for this car.

http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/697

and

http://www.modernhorsepower.com/cgi-...57MHPM157V3CDT

basically this motor is making in the low to mid 600 HP to the wheels and in the mid 700 ftlbs of torque to the wheels with just a tune. Not crank, wheels.

The extra displacement over the m5 motor makes a big difference in torque. Personally, I thought the m6 was really fast as is, but it would get walked hard by a tuned merc.

WOW. That Modern Horsepower tune is serious! 618rwhp 740wtq for $3000! Looking at the AMG build I could save quite a bit of money not getting the performance pack and going for this tune and a light exhaust instead. The only thing with the performance pack is the limited slip but how useful would that be on an AWD car to begin with?

It seems the AMG definitely fits the profile best of a "highway beast that can give you a massage".




The S7 definitely doesn't give the impression of $100k car. That doesn't really bother me but I totally agree. If I saw one and didnt know better I'd think $75k.

[Lalit@autocouture]

Originally Posted by NikB316

WOW. That Modern Horsepower tune is serious! 618rwhp 740wtq for $3000! Looking at the AMG build I could save quite a bit of money not getting the performance pack and going for this tune and a light exhaust instead. The only thing with the performance pack is the limited slip but how useful would that be on an AWD car to begin with?

It seems the AMG definitely fits the profile best of a "highway beast that can give you a massage".




The S7 definitely doesn't give the impression of $100k car. That doesn't really bother me but I totally agree. If I saw one and didnt know better I'd think $75k.

Limited slip is a must IMO. Don't buy the boat. M6GC or F10 M5, all day.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by Lalit@AUTOcouture

Limited slip is a must IMO. Don't buy the boat. M6GC or F10 M5, all day.

Boat? The BMW weigh 4500 lbs. they are all fat

The merc is the best highway bomber.

I wouldn't worry too much about LSD since its awd. It's beneficial, but not necesaary

[linearautomotive99]

Audi S7 FTW!! - Well, those interior pics are impressive. I will give it that...

[Transfer]

I'm in the S7 camp if you want to mod. The Smoking Tire did an S7 review a while back and Matt Farah really liked it.

[nal13]

e63 AMG. The car is going to have GT-R performance! Furthermore, if you are traveling 3000 miles a month, AWD gives that added security regardless of climate.

[Transfer]

Yeah but it's still plagued by imprecise and late shifts (according to Motor Trend) and transmission is a huge part of driving enjoyment.