Aronis
February 23rd, 2004, 13:50
First the Brief Comment on an Oil Change for an RS6 - Pain in the A__.
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Now the long story.
As stated on this board before, I like to do my own basic automotive service. The most basic thing is an oil change, besides just checking fluid levels, etc.
I am a strong advocate of frequent oil changes for high performance cars, or any car for that matter! I did my own automotive maintenance since I began driving. I have swapped out transmissions, changed cams, changed brakes, changed exhaust systems, chipped a few cars, changed alternators, water pumps, radiators, etc.
Basic maintenance of any mechanical system is important to its longevity, just as basic medical evaluations on a yearly basis are important to a human’s life.
When an Engineer (of any kind) designs a mechanical or electrical device/machine, he/she MUST consider the basic maintenance in their design. Thus with a car, if you don't have any major problems, the only thing is should need besides gas and other consumable fluids is an oil and filter change on regular basis as well as a look for wear problems. Thus the more often a type of service is needed the EASIER it should be.
For example, anyone familiar with the layout of a BMW Engine? Basically you can change an oil filter in any BMW with a suit on and not have a haste getting at the filter, why? Intelligent design, not only do the M cars perform like pros, they are serviceable!
I have been the victim of a careless “expert” service person twice. Once on my 1982 Honda Accord during the service of a rusting suspension component, the pro ruined my transmission. And again during the 30,000 mile check on my 1997 M3 when the expert only put in 2 quarts of oil for a 7 quart system, fortunately no damage done!
To Err Is Human, I did not go suing anyone, I simply try to avoid problems mainly by keep my car out of ‘their’ hands whenever possible.
Thus my view is that if I do the most frequent needed service myself I can avoid problems!
But, not with the Audi A6 line design. No. They make a great product, but I think they failed in their design with regard to maintenance. Changing the oil in an A6 4.2 is a pain due to the tight position the oil filter is in. You have to basically dump the oil on yourself to get the filter out! Messy but doable.
The RS 6? Very different. The oil filter is in the same awkward position but only worse! The filter CANNOT be removed from its nest without removing the mount for the suspension cross member! If I am wrong, someone tell me, I tried removing it via the wheel well, no way, etc….
So, it’s doable, it took me an hour, mainly due to that F)(*&)*( plastic shroud that covers the underside of the engine, those four plastic screws in the wheel well are a pain to get at! I am sure it is MUCH easier with the car up on a lift, but I don’t want to buy one of those!
My concern is that the more steps there are needed to do basic maintenance the higher the chance of a mistake. Audi should KEEP IT SIMPLE.
**************************
Now the long story.
As stated on this board before, I like to do my own basic automotive service. The most basic thing is an oil change, besides just checking fluid levels, etc.
I am a strong advocate of frequent oil changes for high performance cars, or any car for that matter! I did my own automotive maintenance since I began driving. I have swapped out transmissions, changed cams, changed brakes, changed exhaust systems, chipped a few cars, changed alternators, water pumps, radiators, etc.
Basic maintenance of any mechanical system is important to its longevity, just as basic medical evaluations on a yearly basis are important to a human’s life.
When an Engineer (of any kind) designs a mechanical or electrical device/machine, he/she MUST consider the basic maintenance in their design. Thus with a car, if you don't have any major problems, the only thing is should need besides gas and other consumable fluids is an oil and filter change on regular basis as well as a look for wear problems. Thus the more often a type of service is needed the EASIER it should be.
For example, anyone familiar with the layout of a BMW Engine? Basically you can change an oil filter in any BMW with a suit on and not have a haste getting at the filter, why? Intelligent design, not only do the M cars perform like pros, they are serviceable!
I have been the victim of a careless “expert” service person twice. Once on my 1982 Honda Accord during the service of a rusting suspension component, the pro ruined my transmission. And again during the 30,000 mile check on my 1997 M3 when the expert only put in 2 quarts of oil for a 7 quart system, fortunately no damage done!
To Err Is Human, I did not go suing anyone, I simply try to avoid problems mainly by keep my car out of ‘their’ hands whenever possible.
Thus my view is that if I do the most frequent needed service myself I can avoid problems!
But, not with the Audi A6 line design. No. They make a great product, but I think they failed in their design with regard to maintenance. Changing the oil in an A6 4.2 is a pain due to the tight position the oil filter is in. You have to basically dump the oil on yourself to get the filter out! Messy but doable.
The RS 6? Very different. The oil filter is in the same awkward position but only worse! The filter CANNOT be removed from its nest without removing the mount for the suspension cross member! If I am wrong, someone tell me, I tried removing it via the wheel well, no way, etc….
So, it’s doable, it took me an hour, mainly due to that F)(*&)*( plastic shroud that covers the underside of the engine, those four plastic screws in the wheel well are a pain to get at! I am sure it is MUCH easier with the car up on a lift, but I don’t want to buy one of those!
My concern is that the more steps there are needed to do basic maintenance the higher the chance of a mistake. Audi should KEEP IT SIMPLE.