Currently driving a stock A6 2.7T 6spd with 120K miles, overall good working order.
Last week, I looked over a stock 03RS6 with 120K miles. Required maintenance in order, but looked like it needed valve cover seals, timing chain tensioner seals, and so forth. Suspension felt good.
The test drive was surprising, not in a good way. After all the talk and hype, I was expecting something truly monstrous. The reality was, it felt similar to an S5, until about 4K/4.5K rpm. At that point, I could feel the turbos helping, then it felt like my 2.7T, and then, finally, on the top end, it felt better than the 2.7T.
It didn't feel much different than my current car, until 4500rpm...sure, that car would outrun my 2.7T, but not by much, and the biggest difference would be at speeds well over the limit anyway.
Browsing the FAQ, I noticed the 4.2T is prone to boost leaks.
Question time...feel free to play along, or laugh and flame, whichever is more appropriate.
Where should the stock turbos begin to make a difference?
I see many chips offered, but not much (if at all) in the way of turbos, coolers, parts for the mill itself. Why not?
What kind of potential does this engine have? Overbore, H-beam rods, larger turbos, twinscroll...?
As far as the appointments, I was actually less impressed by the all-black + CF trim than the tan + two-tone + fake wood in the A6. Is there an alternative interior, or is it better to just DIY?
My goal is a significantly overpowered sedan, capable of hauling 3 or 4 people over the Continental Divide on a moderately snow- and ice-covered road, with snowboarding gear...then turn around and take a couple girls to the ballet/opera/theater in style. The 2.7T does that in stock form, but I want more, and the choices are RS6 +IPT and a good bit of parts and wrenching, or keep the A6 and go +0.3L, Frankenturbos, ICs and so forth.
Thanks in advance...still wondering if the additional two cylinders is worth giving up the 6spd manual and the interior I like. Help a guy out, eh?
Thanks,
Sean