Drove my first RS6!

[Lancerator]

Well hello finally. Ive been lurking here for quite a while absorbing most of the threads here as I've been drooling over owning an RS6 since I first saw one in 2004. You guys here have some pretty sweet rides. Ive always wanted to own one but could never afford one or even get close to one here in Utah.
Well I finally might be in the market for one and one is up for sale here in Salt Lake. So Ive been digging up its history and want to run a few things by you and get your input. First off please excuse the noob questions Im doing my best here :-)
I called both dealers that have serviced it here in Utah and also have the car fax.
Looks like regular maintenence has been done oil etc. Had first timing belt change at 35k. Power steering rack was replaced. DRC was just replaced last month as well as Pads and rotors. Also it looks like the engine was replaced at 55k. Doesn't say why but was done at the dealer. Havent found out why yet. Look into it tomorrow. How big of a deal is that engine replacement. Car seemed to run well as expected. Has 92k on the car now. Car felt and grove solid. Havent found out if a recent timing belt was done since it should be due correct if engine pulled at 55K
Any way any suggestions would be great.

Also if your interested in my first impression of my first ride. Well after reading all the WOW factor on this car I was impressed but not blown away like I thought I was going to be. I thought I was going to be punched into my seat etc. And I really got on this thing. It was fast but I thought a little..thick and heavy on the torque(not a bad thing) I thought maybe its not fully warm yet etc. Just didnt fit what my dreams were expecting. I even took it back on the freeway and thought man this sure shifts soft. So I didnt know what to think. So I sat and stared at it for about 45 minutes checking under the hood etc.
Then walks in a guy named Hunter (fellow lurker here on the board who also has an itch to get into a RS) I tell him my concerns and that I didnt get what I expected on the test drive. He says did you put it in sport mode? I said huh? Man am I dense ...NO I didnt. So I grab the salesman and say Ive got to take it out again, he gives me the look like yea right, so we all jump in to try sport mode and then...YES there it is, the smile I had been waiting for! Exactly what I thought it would be, how awesome would it be to drive one of these everyday! So hopefully soon.:thumb:

[skribe]

Putting the gear selector in "S" is not going to make the car faster. It just holds gears longer on downshifts. That was either your imagination or coincidence that the car was happier at that particular moment and ran harder.

It depends on what context you're coming from as to how the car subjectively "feels." As in, what do you typically drive? Running properly, stock the car should feel dramatic, almost rocket-like in the sweet spot of the torque curve... and almost shocking if it has a good tune. Stock tune it should easily hit 60 in less than five seconds. You can informally time it on a test drive to see.

Many of these cars are not running properly. They are finicky. I suspect the one you drove had issues... the ECU will pull timing or go into soft limp and the car turns into nothing more than an S6. Not slow, but not super either.

I drove a half dozen on my search, it became obvious which ones were to spec and which ones weren't.

[54m]

Just so that you know placing it into Sports Mode does not increase the power at all or make it any faster for that matter, Sports Mode will only hold the Revs for much longer rather than upshifting earlier. IIRC on full throttle there is no difference in the way they shift in either Drive or Sports Mode.

Beaten to it! :)

[ben916]

Also if the car ISN'T warmed up (water temp and oil temp) - boost is limited

[lswing]

I still get the impression that sport feels a bit jumpier/faster due to the shifting and higher revs myself. Seems like the car you drove is bogging a bit for some reason or another. I drove two before buying, one was a rocket, the other so so. Of course the rocket was tuned, but the other felt as if it was missing some punch for whatever reason. Try and drive a few others if you can, sounds like that car has some mixed history.

My reference car before hopping in the RS6 was a 2006 M5, which is a beast also...

[Lancerator]

Yes Im aware it it doesnt make it faster. Sorry worded that incorrectly. But I do agree with Iswing it definitely felt jumpier and quicker. But as you all have said there maybe issues with this one. And it was definitely not warmed up on the the first drive. I wish there were more of these around in this area to drive but sadly thats not the case. Well I will keep my eyes open for one around here, I think I saw a guy on the board from park city, maybe Ill try and contact him for some comparison if he's willing.
Thanks guys for your input keep your eyes open for me if you see a deal this one was around 19k hoping to get it for alittle less.

[kismetcapitan]

in Sport mode, you're generally at higher RPMs, which reduces turbo lag. There isn't much with this car, but it's there. With the turbos already spinning, "throttle response" will feel a lot sharper as a result. You can get the same result in Drive by just clicking the paddle down one gear before getting on it.

Power delivery in the RS6 is very smooth. You really need to see objective numbers (time to 60mph, time to 100mph) to really wrap your head around how fast this thing is, because it's not really felt as dramatically as it is in other cars. I think the exceptional smoothness of the transmission helps. Stock time to 60 is 4.6 seconds, with tuned versions significantly quicker. I think people are getting about 4 seconds flat with ECU tunes?

A huge slam in the back usually comes with big turbos and lots of lag. Cars like that are either slugs or virtually out of control rockets. One car I have driven that didn't lag, yet was still manic and felt nearly out of control was the CLK-DTM. That is a scary car to drive, and the owner eventually wrecked it.

[marklar182]

As said it probably isn't running 100%. Also, the oil must be up to ope temp or full boost will not be reached :)

Extended test drives followed by a Vag-com scan is essential.

[Bigglezworth]

Save your money for a ride that accelerates like this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zirJXuQwmK8

[Brav]

WOT on cold engine = bad.

[Bigglezworth]

WOT on cold engine = bad.Car had more than 5 minutes of warm up to get fluids moving. No concerns. Oil is Amzoil synthetic which is what I've run in my rides for decades. 25 years+ and have never had any issues. :)

[Brav]

235k miles - gives me hope.

[lswing]

That's great to have so many miles, nice work caring for the car! I usually let my oil warm up before giving it a go, but each to their own. What have been your major issues over the years? Turbos, TC, Trans?

Wicked 0-40 in first gear there, speed!

[ben916]

That's great to have so many miles, nice work caring for the car! I usually let my oil warm up before giving it a go, but each to their own. What have been your major issues over the years? Turbos, TC, Trans?

Wicked 0-40 in first gear there, speed!

If you have headphones on, you can actually hear the engine rev in a non-linear fashion and perhaps some wheel spin/rubber!

[Elevens]

Good one Bigglezworth. Truly impressed with the Mileage. Your showing these Cosworth Motors to be Durable if Maintained correctly. If only the Transmissions were that good. Had mine rebuilt and still having major slipping issues. Pain in the Arse.....................

[Brav]

If you have headphones on, you can actually hear the engine rev in a non-linear fashion and perhaps some wheel spin/rubber!

For sure, watch it again and pay attn to the speedo, it jumps up to 60 fast, then goes back down to 40 once it gets traction again.

[Lancerator]

Wow that vid is impressive. I think I may go back and see if the guy will let me take it for an extensive ride and then to my mech for a scan and a look over. You guys give me a list of things to look for so I dont miss anything. Found out the engine wasnt replaced just pulled by the dealer when they did some work.

[NSU RS6]

235k miles - gives me hope.

No isht. The best thing about that video is all of the warning lights. "That one - nothin'. That one nothin'. That one? - nothin' either."

Damn impressive though.

[lswing]

Timing belt (when was it last done), Torque Converter (could go at anytime if you're above 50k miles, could be good for a while). I would get some sort of return/repair policy if you can. It's easy for them to clear codes that could come back soon after purchase. Drive it for a while then have your mech run the VAG, still won't get everything if there is something that takes a chunk of miles to show. Make sure it drives good in general, good luck!

[skribe]

Good one Bigglezworth. Truly impressed with the Mileage. Your showing these Cosworth Motors to be Durable if Maintained correctly. If only the Transmissions were that good. Had mine rebuilt and still having major slipping issues. Pain in the Arse.....................

I am going back to the stock tune for a while after my second transmission failure last week.

6-speed conversion with updated 01E is likely in the future.

[Elevens]

I am going back to the stock tune for a while after my second transmission failure last week.

6-speed conversion with updated 01E is likely in the future.


I feel for you Skribe. After spending more than $5000.00 I am still having major Slipping issues when I step on it. After checking the Fluid Level I found it to be more than 1.5ltr low. Whether this can cause permanent damage or not I don't know, but even after refilling she still slips badly under WOT. Don't know who to blame at this point. The shop who installed and under filled it or the Tranny Re builder. I am just hoping its that's its a simple problem such as a Valve Body which can be replaced easily, and not something which requires another engine pull. Oh well life goes on...................

[speedtrapped]

Holy shite!! Sorry to hear this, elevens I know u run a lot power, the level 10 in mine is 3 years old, so I assume the time the guy who now runs 517 did the work, as I beat on it hard sometimes, launches etc, and she is solid. If either one of you are interested, buy the extra I have, it was rebuilt, u
Rated valve body, $2500.00, but then I can drop it off at 517, then u have it beefed up to handle 700hp, and your golden.

[Brav]

Skribe what TC did you have?

[ben916]

I am going back to the stock tune for a while after my second transmission failure last week.

6-speed conversion with updated 01E is likely in the future.

Bummer on the tippy taking a dump...

On the bright side, yeah for 01E 6 speed!!!
IIRC, there are three players in this game:
StevenKen - East Coast, perhaps NC or VA
Raven MS in Long Beach California
The last guy's username escapes me at the moment...

[kismetcapitan]

if the 6-speed conversion was fully sorted electronically and a bolt-in kit, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[Brav]

The only thing you wont get is traction control or stability management. Its being worked on... ABS will work. Personally, that's all I need.

[skribe]

Skribe what TC did you have?

OEM, brand new. Lasted less than a year... Still can't figure how Audi NA avoided a recall on these transmissions, especially in these cars.

[ben916]

OEM, brand new. Lasted less than a year... Still can't figure how Audi NA avoided a recall on these transmissions, especially in these cars.

Maybe we need to get our axe-grinder CHUNG to swing a large info drop to NTSB... like the gas tank and the DRC and and and

[Amar]

Bigglezworth - 235k miles is impressive, are you on your original turbos/gearbox? I wouldn't believe you if you said you were on your original DRC.

[Bigglezworth]

Bigglezworth - 235k miles is impressive, are you on your original turbos/gearbox? I wouldn't believe you if you said you were on your original DRC.Have the entire service history on the car in a thick folder... Yes it has had the turbos and tranny both changed. Many many miles ago. That large folder was without a single repair record on the DRC however which leads me to believe it actually went the distance until I had it swapped to the 2nd gen as part of the AoNA service campaign. I ran a wet/dry compression test last summer and the numbers were all similar and less than 3% off OEM. That impressed me more.

.

[mmaturo]

OEM, brand new. Lasted less than a year... Still can't figure how Audi NA avoided a recall on these transmissions, especially in these cars.

I think us earlier owners should have tried harder like we finally did with the DRC with the NHTSB. Oh well, sorry to hear your car is acting like mine did. 5 Tcs, 4 trannys in 6 years. WTF. Strong as hell engine...and likely the cause besides my lead foot.

To the beginning of this thread I would wonder what the hell happened to replace an engine in an RS6...never heard of one having an engine go in all these years and turbo replacements are more a feature of being unable to remove them properly (studs stuck) when pulling the engine to get to the trans.

[NSU RS6]

Have the entire service history on the car in a thick folder... Yes it has had the turbos and tranny both changed. Many many miles ago. That large folder was without a single repair record on the DRC however which leads me to believe it actually went the distance until I had it swapped to the 2nd gen as part of the AoNA service campaign. I ran a wet/dry compression test last summer and the numbers were all similar and less than 3% off OEM. That impressed me more.

.

This post gives me hope. :addict:

[Antagonist]

Lancerator ~ I had a similar first impression when I test drove my car. I remembered thinking, "That's it!!?." I guess was hoping for that just kicked in the chest feeling that my brothers modded S4 gave me. I reluctantly lined up against my brother and to my surprise I ran away from him like he was dragging Oprah. What I'm saying is...the car is a lot faster than it feels. You also have to consider the demographic the RS6 was originally intended for. It's a luxury German car built to comfortably scream down the Autobahn. I still think they did a damn good job.

[Brav]

Has anyone tried to see if a V10 C6 tranny would fit?

[TozoM8]

I doubt it. The 6HP26 is a bit thicker and how would you control it?

[Lancerator]

Lancerator ~ I had a similar first impression when I test drove my car. I remembered thinking, "That's it!!?." I guess was hoping for that just kicked in the chest feeling that my brothers modded S4 gave me. I reluctantly lined up against my brother and to my surprise I ran away from him like he was dragging Oprah. What I'm saying is...the car is a lot faster than it feels. You also have to consider the demographic the RS6 was originally intended for. It's a luxury German car built to comfortably scream down the Autobahn. I still think they did a damn good job.
Thanks for the post! looks like my first thread got hijacked :-) Anyway I agree I felt the same way. I was hoping Id get the same rush as my friends cobra with the same ponies(of course its 2000 pounds lighter) but I must admit I was flying in that car. I had an open lane getting on the freeway and I was doing 105 before I got to merge. But I guess your right I need to look at what it was really intended for. I grew up with alot of race cars that my brother had built and these things were screamers, but just that race cars. Ive really been wanting to build a factory five GTM Supercar but Im physically a bit to tall to ride comfortably in one I think. Thats why the RS6 has always kept my interest comfort and power all wrapped up in one, plus I just really love Audi's. Im kicking around taking it for a longer drive and to my mech next week so we'll see how it goes.

[speedtrapped]

I'm surprised that some 1st impressions are Ho hum. That said 450chp is no longer a chest thumper. But the beauty of this platform is just a flash(cheap enough to do) brings out a decent amount of power. Add some filters, and gut pre cats, better DV's and the car can scream. Or u can go my route, and trust me, I have a stage 2 cts-V, my rs6 is faster. This car 60-120 will scare the shite out of a lot drivers, it's immediate.

[Brav]

FWIW, my stage 3 B5 S4 also felt "faster" but really wasn't as described above. This car is just a lot smoother. Roll at 25mph and floor it in s mode and it will take off.. if you ever get a chance to drive a manual RS6, it will have a lot more of that explosive feeling. Its mostly the slushbox. F

[ben916]

I feel there is a huge difference between DRIVING an RS6 and RIDING in an RS6.

As a driver, you know/aware when the acceleration is coming and you can anticipate it. You also have concentration focused on the experience and the road. To me, it initially dulled the senses/sensation of the first drive.
As a passenger, you aren't quite aware when the acceleration is coming. Also your concentration is more focused on holding on and the g-forces of the ride.

I found this the case, as a passenger, when I rode in Greg's RS6 (duckwingduck's -> Speedtrapped's) on the Julian run with DHall1 and Audi5000csqt and Benman.
I also found this the case, as a driver, when Greg was offering his car to me...

Also I think comparing an C5 RS6 with Tip to Cobra (superformance, factory five, AC, etc.) is not even close or fair comparison...
An RS6 IS a super sedan. It slides under the radar as far as being understated. There isn't bling, just some car porn here and there (big rotors, 8 pots, carbon, fenders, etc.)
A Cobra is/was a super car (don't get me wrong, I would love one!). It is LOUD, sexy lines, low, LOUD, fast, eye catching, etc. For some people, the world stops while watching one drive by as they are just more attention grabbing than most anything out there.

So go out and drive it again and then be a passenger in it...

[MaxRS6]

I took my car into a stealership for the gas tank recall last week. I drove 4 hours to Memphis in order to avoid going to the crappy, forked tongue, sorry excuse for service, shifty, abhorrent, odius, local (less than 15 minutes away) Parker Audi dealership. I hadn't been to the Memphis Audi shop for a couple of years. Therefore; the tech that worked on my car had not worked on it previously. When they completed the work, the tech asked if he could "take it for a test drive". When the tech returned (with the requisite sh*t eating grin), he told the SA that was the quickest car he had driven. He could not believe how quickly the heavy hog accelerated. We discussed it had a "few mods". Most of the add'l power merely comes from the APR chip.

I am regularly smoked by stronger cars- sometimes by less powerful cars but better drivers..;) - out on the track. However; for puttering around locally, it is rarely challenged and defeated. It is too much fun in a 4 door stealth machine pulling away from the unsuspecting. I can't tell you the number of times over the past 8 years that I have been asked "what is in that thing???". Sure there are faster cars out there today. But I am in a 8 year old car that still brings a lot of fun in day to day driving. And oh my- It is just a plain rocket cruise mobile on long interstate drives. It can easily handle 3 digits (at least that is what I'm told) for extended periods. I can't think of very many cars that you can buy today in the 25K range that offers the versatility (4 doors, AWD, cavernous interior space for toys -golf clubs, track wheels, luggage, etc) that "Crazy" offers for me.

I can take out a full crew for "business meetings/lunches" respectfully without looking like a middle aged fellow wanna be twenty something (nothing against you young fellows on this forum- and I certainly wish 30 years could be put back on my life clock). A lot of the other performance cars make someone of my maturity look very silly or having serious midlife crisis issues. I'll soon not need four doors, and the hunt may be on for a 2 door Max Machine. However; until then...

[Lancerator]

Thanks all for your refined and insightful experience. I really have an itch to get into one of these machines. Im a little nervous about the upkeep on the car unfortunately I tend to get a bit obsessive with mods etc once I get involved in whatever Im doing. But I tend to be a bit of penny pincher and find stuff cheap which is good. Is it possible to find mods for decent prices for this car? I sure appreciate all your guys input!

[Antagonist]

If you're on any kind of limited budget I would walk away now. It's not necessarily an expensive car to upkeep (mine hasn't given me a problem in 7 years) but when something does sh*t the bed...it's not cheap. Regular maintenance such as scheduled oil changes and replacing pads/brake rotors aren't cheap. It's a limited production specialty car so you can expect everything to be more expensive.

[Lancerator]

yea I was looking and pads and rotor prices definitely not on the cheap