RS6 questions from newbie [Archive] - RS6.com

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vinman

January 22nd, 2011, 08:38

RS6 team,

I think these are amazing vehicles and I’m planning to join your club. One key factor is how rare these vehicles are vs an M5, CTS-V or E55/E63 AMG. I live in NorCal, San Jose silicon valley area and I have only seen 2 or 3 RS6’s ever. If I had a dollar for every M5 or AMG I have seen I could retire.

I have another rare vehicle, I have a real 1970 Buick GSX (only 678 ever made), I bought it 15~ years ago when normal people could still buy REAL numbers matching muscle cars. It’s no garage queen and I drive it as much as possible, it even has car seats in the back since my 4 & 6 year old daughters love to drive in daddy’s loud yellow car.

Just wanted to say HI and if you have any advice, if there are known issues or concerns and anything I should know if I get one.

I fully support slight MODS and always do ECU programming, exhaust and any other basic bolt ons to my vehicles. Advice appreciated.

I see the MTM ECU program for $125 is a very good mod.

We have 5 vehicles now
Daily driver for me is an 07 SRT8 Charger (I know… it’s a dodge, but 4 years ago I was putting a lot of miles on my CTS-V). Actually this has been a very good car with zero issues and pulled 13.0 at 108 in the 1/4mile the one time I was able to run it
Prior to that I leased the 05 CTS-V and before that I drove a 99 740iL
Wife drives a Volvo XC90 twin turbo
We have a 84 suburban with a 454 in it and only 62k miles to tow things
I have the 70 Buick GSX and a 65 El Camino my grandfather bought new

Appreciate any advice

Thx
VinMan

speedtrapped

January 22nd, 2011, 14:08

Welcome, look for one with good service records, 2 weak links are the DRC(factory suspension which has a recall) and the TC. If you find one with both done, that's a good start. You can search and find a lot of info on service costs. It's not cheap, and parts tend to be pricey given the exclusivity of the model. The car is a beast, hence the reference u will see a lot. There are a lot excellent mods, the MTM u are referring to is the TCU mod, $125., and def a must if u plan on juicing the ECU.

ben916

January 22nd, 2011, 16:46

What I wouldn't do for a 1970 GSX!!!!
Those are on my long list of US muscle cars.

Anyways, welcome!
Take your time and find the color you want as the carbon/nav/wwp/cwp/se are/were the only options.

As Stephen stated, DRC and Trans/TQ are achilles heel of these cars.
The DRC can be replaced with aftermarket.
The Trans/TQ can be rebuilt or you can scrap it and go 6sp - but not many have jumped at that.

marklar182

January 22nd, 2011, 17:08

One key factor is how rare these vehicles are vs an M5, CTS-V or E55/E63 AMG. I live in NorCal, San Jose silicon valley area and I have only seen 2 or 3 RS6’s ever. If I had a dollar for every M5 or AMG I have seen I could retire.

Exactly why I love the RS 6!

My advice is have a PPI done on any car you are serious about AFTER a spirited drive. This will hopefully show any flaws if codes have been reset previously, ect.

Elevens

January 22nd, 2011, 18:45

Welcome vinman. In addition to what has already been said above, you should Invest in an Extended Warranty. I know I did. Didn't have to use it yet (had the car for a year now) But its comforting knowing that your covered, If anything does go wrong.

vinman

January 24th, 2011, 04:17

Thx for the feedback guys. I'm on my iPad so not sure how this reply will come through, some forums on iPad don't always work well.

I'm looking forward to spending quality time to find the right RS6 and spending countless hours on this forum and others learning all I can about this beast.

Thx

vinman

January 24th, 2011, 04:19

I'm sure I will have many more questions and thx for the info on DRC and trans.

I will send a link showing pics of the GSX and a YouTube video that I did so other buick bros could here the cam idle

Thx

vinman

January 24th, 2011, 04:28

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu293/vinmanss/P1040075.jpg

here's a link to a picture, 2nd try to get it uploaded here. I'm having one of those internet challenge days....also known as someone who took the little short yellow bus to school

vinman

January 24th, 2011, 04:31

here's a youtube link to the GSX, did this for some other Buick guys who wanted to hear what the TA290 CAM sounded like at idle and in gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iemJoSZkAE&feature=related

thx

ben916

January 24th, 2011, 05:04

here's a youtube link to the gsx, did this for some other buick guys who wanted to hear what the ta290 cam sounded like at idle and in gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iemjoszkae&feature=related

thx

sweet!!!!

mmaturo

January 24th, 2011, 06:21

Nice GSX. The RS6 is very fast when working right. It is VERY rare. The # is about 1200 in the US and i'm sure way less from accidents by now. I drive mine across contry and never see another. In Chicago we have tons of them as just my sales guy alone with my car was the 39th he sold so i think we by far have the highest concentration...so much so there is a Daytona RS6 identical to mine except the wheels in my condo parking garage and previously was a green one for 3 years till he sold it. Plus a blue one in the lot i park in for work. Rest of the US I doubt you will rarely ever see one. This car is amazing in all types of conditions.

Take a grain of salt with the service history as some things will just go whenever but low miles and an extended warranty are a win.

vinman

January 28th, 2011, 03:39

vinman

January 28th, 2011, 03:43

Do you guys know who that was?

If you're out there and live in this area, would be great to see the car and learn as much as I can, plus get a ride.

Take care

Thx
Vinman

DHall1

January 28th, 2011, 04:47

We are not worthy. So reminds me of the sound of my W30.

Any time you make it thru the Phoenix area we can take mine for a spin.

here's a youtube link to the GSX, did this for some other Buick guys who wanted to hear what the TA290 CAM sounded like at idle and in gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iemJoSZkAE&feature=related

thx

ben916

January 28th, 2011, 06:30

Guys.... After posting I have only seen 2 or 3 ever... Today I saw a red one while leaving where I live, Morgan hill and driving north up 101 for a lunch with a customer.

I followed him for a bit, wanted to wave say hi... Maybe hop on the SRT8 a bit side by side, but I was on a work con call. Plate read RLEACH or LREACH. I was driving and working, so couldn't pay total attention

With the current US VIN list at 427, there are only 8-10 Registered Misano Red RS6 in the US. There were 3 users that were active but since have sold for one reason or another.
Still waiting for the Spirit (or was it Sprint?) Blue to show up again and/or the black cherry one...

vinman

January 28th, 2011, 07:38

DHall1,
I will be in Phoenix next Thurs through Monday, long Super Bowl weekend, playing golf with the boyz. we play twice a day. The sat night we bought the UFC fight at the house we rented, Sunday we will only play 27 to make sure we're done in time to watch the Packers win. I'm not a Packers fan, unfortunately I'm a season ticket holder for the Losers... I mean Raiders. But I just cant root for the Steelers, I grew up watching them and the Raiders battle in the 70's and early 80's and the winner would generally go to the SB.... and WIN! the good old days when Al Davis was the man, now he's a mess.

Wont be able to catch you on this trip as its jam packed, but I do get there once a quarter for work. I plan to be there in March and take a customer to a spring training game, I'll let you know when and you can join us if you'd like.

Thx

speedtrapped

January 28th, 2011, 11:21

With the current US VIN list at 427, there are only 8-10 Registered Misano Red RS6 in the US. There were 3 users that were active but since have sold for one reason or another.
Still waiting for the Spirit (or was it Sprint?) Blue to show up again and/or the black cherry one...

Ben, M5 eater has a black cherry one, great color

Orangemig

January 28th, 2011, 14:49

Vinman, you've got nasty cams on the GSX. No wonder you do pretty decent time on the qu artier mile. What else do you have in there? I love the sound of a galloping American V8.

skribe

January 28th, 2011, 15:07

Thx for the feedback guys. I'm on my iPad so not sure how this reply will come through, some forums on iPad don't always work well.Thx

Jailbreak it > buy "Perfect Browser" browser app in apple app store, set in "desktop render" mode, spoofing Safari for Mac > then install "Frash" package for flash rendering.

Good luck with the hunt. Take the time to find the right one... good you're in cali, I went to santa barbera for mine, it had never even seen rain. A little smog residue on the aluminum bits tho :)

vinman

January 29th, 2011, 04:53

Orange, the 1/4m time and speed I listed was for the 2007 SRT8 Charger.

The GSX engine made 556 HP at 6000k and never peaked, no reason to rev it more. It made 552 or 554 tq at I think... 2600 rpm. With the drag radial tires on it, the set up and many other Buick guys with the same or similar combo, it would be a high 11sec car capable of high 1.60's to low 1.70's 60ft time with good launch, 1.80's if your a rookie. It's 40+ year old metal, so they are 1/8mile TQ dominated killers and stop light kings, but once you get up above 90MPH.... hold on..... it gets scary real fast and you respect the technology we drive today, even a honda or toyota. Even though I upgraded the front disc brakes with drilled rotors and sticky pads, without replacing all the lines and booster and moving to multi piston calipers.... you have one good stop, two decent ones and then..... you better have a back up plan because the car is not stopping!

Vinman out....

ben916

January 29th, 2011, 04:59

Ben, M5 eater has a black cherry one, great color

OK, this is the ONE and ONLY time I am gonna not as MaxRS6 for proof but I am gonna ask YOU for PROOF!!!
It looks black but in the sunlight it is dark cherry.... wicked...

ben916

January 29th, 2011, 05:02

Vinman,
what are you looking for?
color?
mileage?
stock?
mods?

There are several f/s here in San Diego county.

vinman

January 29th, 2011, 05:39

Ben,
I would like black or silver or gray.... this is a generic answer as I know there are specific codes for each color, I will do a search so I'm educated on color details.

Mileage.... that's easy, the lowest possible....:). I most likely would not buy one with more than 60k~ and would like to find one with 30k-40k~

stock vs mods... in a perfect world I get one that has basic mods from an original owner who spent time on this forum or others so I can research all details and ask questions after I buy it. I will not buy one from a dealer, no way.

I'm in no hurry, I have the cash and will patiently find the best situation for me. I have sold many cool high performance vehicles over the years with mods that even included NOS (my 98 SS LS1 camaro) and every time I have sold a vehicle I list in the add that the very first REAL buyer who wants that vehicle and see's how I take care of my car will buy it. Every vehicle I have sold has gone within a couple days.

Thanks for the very good questions, I'm at the mercy of you guys to steer me in the right direction.

Thx
Vinman

ben916

January 29th, 2011, 06:00

Vinman,
Your colors are:
Ebony Pearl effect
Avus Silver
Daytona Grey

There is also:
Goodwood Green
Polar White
Misano Red
Imola Yellow
Sprint Blue
Mugello Blue
and some exclusives

I found mine on Autotrader in Van Nuyes, CA (close to Beverly Hills Porsche/Audi and Keyes Audi).
That might be a decent place to start, set up an alert and it emails you.

Mileage - that sounds about right. Be warned that there is this weird coating on the door handles that is very easily pealed off. Every car has it coming off.
When you say dealer, do you mean Audi dealership or do you mean like mom/pops dealership?
Finding an original owner with low miles is going to be challenging but they are still out there...
Keyser Soze has a black one with 23k on the clock and I think there are little to no mods... search for his thread...

vinman

January 29th, 2011, 07:54

Ben,
thanks for the color info, each day I log in here I will learn something new. Just more useless info embedded in my brain that 99% of the people in my life could care less about, but important info to us car nuts.

I would get an RS6 from an Audi dealer, but still plan to buy one from a private seller. I will not get one from a no name dealer. I have no issues getting one from the second owner as long as he/she knows the history and can supply service info. I worked in an auto shop while in college doing tune ups, brakes and most all general services, even rebuilt a few turbo's. I still do brake jobs today for all our cars... my parents.... sister.... AHHHH.... since I have all the air tools. so I have a good idea on how to inspect a vehicle. Trust me, I'm many years past being a mechanic and it takes me 2x or 3x the time to do these things, but if I buy an RS6 from a private owner, it will be tough to pull the "wool" over my eyes.

Time for bed.
Thx
Vince

skribe

January 29th, 2011, 15:47

Love that Buick.

Your buying philosophy is right on. If you're really serious, think about getting and using a VAG-COM cable from ross-tech...

These cars are complicated as hell, like the opposite of your GSX. A car can have thousands and thousands of dollars worth of problems, yet throw no CEL and still drive well. Expensive things that can and do go are EGT sensors, 02 sensors (both a difficult R&R) torque converters, intercoolers, etc. These cars will also roll around in limp mode and never throw a CEL. That can be fixed for 250 miles with a hillbilly ECU reset - disconnecting the battery for a minute and reconnecting. You would have no way of knowing this if it weren't VAG-COMed.

If you a little bit versed in VAG-COM, you can do a quick scan and log of a prospective car and learn a TON, and avoid a money pit that looks like a cherry. I passed on three serious contenders before buying the fourth.

This car requires a ton of knowledge, for me that's pat of the quest.

JSRS6

January 29th, 2011, 15:57

This car requires a ton of knowledge, for me that's PAT of the quest.

Haha:hihi:

skribe

January 29th, 2011, 16:36

Too funny. That was an honest-to-goodness Freudian slip.

Brav

January 31st, 2011, 19:10

Dont buy a 30k mile RS6.. it will have more problems than the 60k+ example, on average. Buy one that is documented, loved, serviced, and DRIVEN. My $.02