I want it. Should I buy it?

[vitalian]

Calling all RS6 owners! I am strongly considering buying a 2003 RS6 (81K miles, one owner who took great care of it). Oh, how I love this car. My heart is still fluttering from the test drive.

The only thing that gives me pause is the cost of maintainance and repair (especially given Audi's not-so-great reputation in the reliability department). I really want to buy it, but I'm not a billionaire.

I'm looking for honest feedback from owners as to how reliable your cars have been. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
vitalian

[ben916]

Where are you located? Please update your location.
Which car is it?
Where is it?
When/what was the last service?

Who says that "who took great care of it"? The owner? The shop? The dealer?

Can you turn a wrench?
Can you open your wallet?

Look at the STICKY threads at the top of the RS6 / S6 / S8 thread http://www.rs6.com/forumdisplay.php/2-RS6-S6-S8

There are tons of threads on this topic.
Please search upon the following words:
DRC,
Tranny (that word makes me shiver)
Timing belt,
Rotors,
KWv3,
Statis,
PSS9,
Turbo,
PS2,
Mileage vs. Cost
Aftermarket warranty.

That should about do it!

Is this your first Audi?

[vitalian]

Thanks ben916. I'll search the terms you suggest.

I'm in the US Pacific Northwest, and the car is local (so no rust issues).

Car is at a dealership, all repair records available, all recommended maintainance done at appropriate times. The guy even had the car professionally cleaned and detailed about 6 times a year. Last maintainance was 75K service last January (no issues) and routine LOF in June.

I can turn a wrench on basic things, but I'd be opening my wallet for anything beyond basic.

Thanks for your help!

[speedtrapped]

I will add a little tale for ya....If u are worried about cost, buy rs6 with a solid warranty(i did not, but I also didnt mind dropping $$$)....car at stock is awesome, add mods and look out...car is sick. but remember car is 7+ years old so there could be maintenance issues....I built my beast up to a 424/505 at wheel gonzo mobile....but in process I may have blown driverside turbo....expensive to fix.......still I am sellimg my S8(07' CPO) because I enjoy driving the RS6 that much more! Its a blast and a love affair.

[covertw12]

A few other suggestions:

Can you look at the history for repeat issues.... especially tranny or o2 sensors ? Was the full 75k done ? I'd assume so but....... last ime it had fresh rotors/ pads ? they will eat them every 15-25k and it's expensive..... DRC recall ? I'd try to build room for KW3's in your offer.... you'll need them at some point. Front end ? upper control arms and joints are on borrowed time unless they've been done.

And after all that I'd REALLY suggest a warranty unless like Speedtrapped you are addicted to pain and speed ( perhaps not in that order....)

That said - it's the most bang for the buck you can find with 4 doors and all-weather capability.......plus there is the whole understated stealth factor....

Keep us posted on how you make out.....

[vitalian]

Thanks for the input, Beast Lovers! Still researching, but have never driven a car that spectacular! Looking at repair history, all recommended service was done at the recommended times, but will research the specific parts and issues you suggest.
Thanks again for the help!

[hahnmgh63]

Vitalian, I've seen that car your talking about at Barrier and it does look nice but I would offer them at least enough less to either walk out the door with or to cover an aftermarket warranty. Being that you are from the NW you know that Barrier is pretty much always overpriced and the NW in general. There was a beautiful one but with multiple owner but 16K less miles on the East coast recently for $21.5K. I hope you did get the Mx records as I see the carfax on lists Wash/detailed and no Mx shown.

[vitalian]

Barrier has the original owner's maintainence records - last major service was 75K service, and it had a lube/oil/ filter in June.
What I'm hearing from everyone is that the car is several K overpriced, which is no surprise with Barrier, and that I should definitely bargain down and get a warranty.

Thanks! You folks are great.

[DHall1]

There was a fairly low mileage unit at a local high end dealer a couple weeks back. I want to say it was that dealer in Seattle or a burb of Seattle. Avus/silver and 40k ish miles.

[vitalian]

Thanks for the tip!

[ben916]

There was a fairly low mileage unit at a local high end dealer a couple weeks back. I want to say it was that dealer in Seattle or a burb of Seattle. Avus/silver and 40k ish miles.

Fortunately, I know Seattle fairly well:
If you know where the Ferrari dealer off of 12th and E Madison, the one that Dave is suggesting is around that area, within a 2 block radius...
Upon searching Autotrader, it seems to be no longer available.
There are some excellent low mileage examples available...

[vitalian]

Yes, I looked on Autotrader also and the only one that came up near Seattle is the one at Barrier.

[vitalian]

Okay, here's the deal. I've done a ton of research and heard all the horror stories. I've been trying to talk myself out of buying this car for two days. The rational side of my brain says to buy an A4. Still, I can't get thats RS feeling out of my head.
My question to you is this: Is the pleasure worth the risk?

[ben916]

Okay, here's the deal. I've done a ton of research and heard all the horror stories. I've been trying to talk myself out of buying this car for two days. The rational side of my brain says to buy an A4. Still, I can't get thats RS feeling out of my head.
My question to you is this: Is the pleasure worth the risk?

YOU can answer that question by driving an A4 and then that RS6...
Another question to ask yourself: If you did get an A4, how much/many mods are you planning on doing?

With every horror story, how many XXX stories do you read about here??? Besides, we can't post every single great time or boost or kill or power slide or or or or....

[vitalian]

That's the spirit, Ben! Not every decision has to be rational.

[Ben74]

I have an oil cooler leak right now. Repair cost is $3,500. Thanks to amazing work by the service department at Carousel Audi in Minneapolis, MN it is covered by my warranty. Otherwise big cost... or live with very slow coolant leak. My experience is that it is a very costly car to maintain. I hope I can afford to keep driving it for many years to come.

Ben

[vitalian]

Thanks for the comment. More food for thought.

[ben916]

Now it is more of a question of WHEN versus IF...