DST
April 8th, 2013, 00:01
Greetings -
I am anxiously awaiting arrival of my recently purchased '03 RS6 (Avus Silver Pearl, Black/CF interior, SE exhaust, 64k miles), from the Seattle area. It's been on a barge inside a shipping container for the last 10 days, delayed by a storm as they headed across the Gulf of Alaska. Supposedly landed this weekend. Can't wait to receive the car - should be Monday or Tuesday. I'll post a few photos if I can figure out how (new to forums).
I was looking to upgrade from current DD - older Subaru w/ 211k miles. In my research for a newer subaru, I checked other alternatives for an AWD, 4 door family car that will safely and comfortably carry the family (wife and 2 kids) such as A4/A6, Allroad. I came across a local RS6 for sale on CL and started checking into it.....hmmm this looks interesting....then I drove it!!!! AWESOME........My fate was sealed. :love:
I casually floated the idea of the RS6 to my wife ...."it is really safe with traction control and has front and rear air bags, I can get home from work faster, etc, etc." she saw my excitement right away and luckily supported the idea - she says hasn't seen me this excited in a long time. It was just a question of which one and further research. I now have a 3 ring binder 2" thick full of my research info tabbed by category - (I can't help it, I'm an engineer).
After looking around CL on the west coast, and looking/driving a few, I found a very clean RS6 in Everett, WA on CL, well cared for, 64k miles, recent timing belt/pulleys/crank seal/WP/T-stat, adjustable A-arms, new summer tires, transferable warranty (National Warranty, $0 deductible, 27 months/34k miles remaining). The seller was a great guy to deal with - definitely went out of his way to assist with my purchasing remotely (I was able to test drive during a SEATAC airport layover). I had a dealer check it out pre-purchase - found only a couple things 1) noisy driver-side front wheel bearing 2)valve cover gasket - weeping oil 3)transmission pan gasket - weeping. Discussed with Nat Warranty - they said they would cover these items. So I figured paying extra for the optional warranty transfer was a no brainer (esp after reading here).
Ben916 checked the VIN, it was new to the list. (Thanks Ben for checking and providing a pre-buy inspection list a few weeks ago).
There is a local indy shop here in Anchorage - apparently there are 6 or 7 RS6's in the area. The owner of the shop has an RS6 and loves it, a great guy, he provided helpful input in my selection and let me know what I'm in for ($$ maintenance), in addition to what I learned here.
My Plan - After spending some time to get to know her, I'll start making a few mods - not planning on major performance upgrades at this time (maybe later, esp. if trans has problems) - it will be my DD so I want it to be (fairly) reliable.
Immediate Plans:
Oil and filter change - Redline oil purchased, need to find a filter and plug gasket (from dealer??)
VagCom - purchased, waiting on shipment
Bluestar/costar - purchased, waiting on shipment from Keith Bloom
Repair items (covered by warranty)- wheel bearing, valve cover gaskets, transmission pan gasket (will do trans fluid/filter change at this time also)
Winter tires - 255/40T/R18 Blizzaks purchased, still need winter wheels
Considering:
Sportec air vent mod - anyone in northern climates done this mod? I'm concerned about snow/winter muck getting in there/on the belts, etc. Confirmation of winter performance would be great (I'll post the question under the sportec thread). Some input on actual winter performance would be great. I sometimes have to drive through unplowed deep snow before plowing/snow blowing (typically 8" or less) We don't get hotter than 75F in the summer normally so this mod may not be that important here in AK, but still, cooler = better.
Autostart - considering doing this before winter. She be garaged during nights, but autostart is great for cold days heading home from work. Sounds like a few here have experience with this - I'll have some questions as it gets closer.
This is a great forum - I love the RS6 community here and I've learned an incredible amount about the awesome Beast in the short amount of time. I'm sure I'll learning much much more over the years and getting to know you all.
What's that I hear in the distance........a train?
I am anxiously awaiting arrival of my recently purchased '03 RS6 (Avus Silver Pearl, Black/CF interior, SE exhaust, 64k miles), from the Seattle area. It's been on a barge inside a shipping container for the last 10 days, delayed by a storm as they headed across the Gulf of Alaska. Supposedly landed this weekend. Can't wait to receive the car - should be Monday or Tuesday. I'll post a few photos if I can figure out how (new to forums).
I was looking to upgrade from current DD - older Subaru w/ 211k miles. In my research for a newer subaru, I checked other alternatives for an AWD, 4 door family car that will safely and comfortably carry the family (wife and 2 kids) such as A4/A6, Allroad. I came across a local RS6 for sale on CL and started checking into it.....hmmm this looks interesting....then I drove it!!!! AWESOME........My fate was sealed. :love:
I casually floated the idea of the RS6 to my wife ...."it is really safe with traction control and has front and rear air bags, I can get home from work faster, etc, etc." she saw my excitement right away and luckily supported the idea - she says hasn't seen me this excited in a long time. It was just a question of which one and further research. I now have a 3 ring binder 2" thick full of my research info tabbed by category - (I can't help it, I'm an engineer).
After looking around CL on the west coast, and looking/driving a few, I found a very clean RS6 in Everett, WA on CL, well cared for, 64k miles, recent timing belt/pulleys/crank seal/WP/T-stat, adjustable A-arms, new summer tires, transferable warranty (National Warranty, $0 deductible, 27 months/34k miles remaining). The seller was a great guy to deal with - definitely went out of his way to assist with my purchasing remotely (I was able to test drive during a SEATAC airport layover). I had a dealer check it out pre-purchase - found only a couple things 1) noisy driver-side front wheel bearing 2)valve cover gasket - weeping oil 3)transmission pan gasket - weeping. Discussed with Nat Warranty - they said they would cover these items. So I figured paying extra for the optional warranty transfer was a no brainer (esp after reading here).
Ben916 checked the VIN, it was new to the list. (Thanks Ben for checking and providing a pre-buy inspection list a few weeks ago).
There is a local indy shop here in Anchorage - apparently there are 6 or 7 RS6's in the area. The owner of the shop has an RS6 and loves it, a great guy, he provided helpful input in my selection and let me know what I'm in for ($$ maintenance), in addition to what I learned here.
My Plan - After spending some time to get to know her, I'll start making a few mods - not planning on major performance upgrades at this time (maybe later, esp. if trans has problems) - it will be my DD so I want it to be (fairly) reliable.
Immediate Plans:
Oil and filter change - Redline oil purchased, need to find a filter and plug gasket (from dealer??)
VagCom - purchased, waiting on shipment
Bluestar/costar - purchased, waiting on shipment from Keith Bloom
Repair items (covered by warranty)- wheel bearing, valve cover gaskets, transmission pan gasket (will do trans fluid/filter change at this time also)
Winter tires - 255/40T/R18 Blizzaks purchased, still need winter wheels
Considering:
Sportec air vent mod - anyone in northern climates done this mod? I'm concerned about snow/winter muck getting in there/on the belts, etc. Confirmation of winter performance would be great (I'll post the question under the sportec thread). Some input on actual winter performance would be great. I sometimes have to drive through unplowed deep snow before plowing/snow blowing (typically 8" or less) We don't get hotter than 75F in the summer normally so this mod may not be that important here in AK, but still, cooler = better.
Autostart - considering doing this before winter. She be garaged during nights, but autostart is great for cold days heading home from work. Sounds like a few here have experience with this - I'll have some questions as it gets closer.
This is a great forum - I love the RS6 community here and I've learned an incredible amount about the awesome Beast in the short amount of time. I'm sure I'll learning much much more over the years and getting to know you all.
What's that I hear in the distance........a train?