Pre-Purchase Questions

[lswing]

Um, what? Seriously? With whom are you insured?

Also along the insurance lines... anyone done a Hagerty guaranteed value policy on their RS6?

GEICO, clean record, 38, went from ~$450 with the WRX to ~$650 every 6 months, ballpark numbers...actually feel I should pay less, although I just got my first...speeding....ticket....ever....

Oh yea, get an aftermarket warranty for $3-4k or so if you can, Fidelity Platinum comes to mind.

$200 dollars every 6 months with this car is like $20 compared to another, it's nominal.

[DHall1]

Black one for sure. Get records of the last timing belt and full ppi

Hey guys I'm really considering buying an RS6 but I'm very worried that the tranny will fail on me. I test drove this example with 51k miles and it shifted very well, I'm wondering if I just do a MTM TCU chip it will increase the life of the transmission?

Here is the car: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-RS6-Base-Sedan-4-Door/251572175006?_trksid=p2046732.c100040.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107095009%26meid%3D7969738333124468623%26pid%3D100040%26prg%3D20140107095009%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D151336712686




Here was one other car that I saw with 80k miles but it had an upgraded IPT Transmission. I just don't like the fact that it has 30k more miles, here is that one:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-RS6-Quattro-2003-AUDI-RS6-QUATTRO-NAV-ENHANCE-EXHAUST-CARBON-FIBER-RARE-ONLY-84K-MILES-/171368317523?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27e6590253&item=171368317523&pt=US_Cars_Trucks



Do I go for the car with lower mileage and a later VIN or the car with the earlier VIN, more miles and the upgraded tranny? If you guys could give me any advice I would really really appreciate it!

[G2]

It's a journey, like buying anything older and special...Is it safe to assume you've personally looked and driven both cars?

That will and should speak volumes. BE SURE to closely monitor engine sounds, tailpipe smoking, excessive engine roughness on COLD start up. I drove about 5-6 before buying mine with 72K miles (early VIN, original trans), now 96K. All were different and unique. Some blew too much smoke on startup (turbo's and/or rings), or were down on power (worn turbo's), shuddered in the corners (suspension issues; rear= driven way too hard). Some owners thought it was OK to drive the tires off but yet still only change the oil at OE/10K intervals (black and nasty=not buying it, sorry). That owner was perplexed and despite it looking very, very nice, sat on the market for another 18 months that I was aware of.

Personally, I'd say buy one from an enthusiast that cared for the car (I did). And not some dealer that will say whatever you want to hear. If buying from a dealer, get a warranty but don't let them gouge you. Shouldn't cost more than 1/2-2/3 of their asking price.

You'll see similar information poking around this site. And threads addressing all common ailments.

Best advice I could offer to avert driveline problems (not just the trans....) is to change all the fluids. Change mine every year, and a full trans service every 2 years. If and when I part with this car, someone will get a solid machine. It's a High Needs car, but compared to all the Ferrari's at my friends shop, is faster and nicer that most of them (the "affordable" ones) , and far cheaper to own.

BTW- I'd try to get a West Coast car if you can. Or one that hasn't been driven in the salt. Recently did a bunch of work on a late model jag from Chicago and it was a pain to service. Lastly, get it checked out be an Audi specialist. Good luck (it's a factor with these cars...) and cheers. We love these cars for good reason. Kudos to VAG for being 10yrs ahead of the game.

[DHall1]

Uhhhh, ^^^^what Gary said + 50000

And lswing....I pay 208/6months for full coverage on my RS6s. Same for the SQ5

[Bigglezworth]

It's a journey, like buying anything older and special...Is it safe to assume you've personally looked and driven both cars?

That will and should speak volumes. BE SURE to closely monitor engine sounds, tailpipe smoking, excessive engine roughness on COLD start up. I drove about 5-6 before buying mine with 72K miles (early VIN, original trans), now 96K. All were different and unique. Some blew too much smoke on startup (turbo's and/or rings), or were down on power (worn turbo's), shuddered in the corners (suspension issues; rear= driven way too hard). Some owners thought it was OK to drive the tires off but yet still only change the oil at OE/10K intervals (black and nasty=not buying it, sorry). That owner was perplexed and despite it looking very, very nice, sat on the market for another 18 months that I was aware of.

Personally, I'd say buy one from an enthusiast that cared for the car (I did). And not some dealer that will say whatever you want to hear. If buying from a dealer, get a warranty but don't let them gouge you. Shouldn't cost more than 1/2-2/3 of their asking price.

You'll see similar information poking around this site. And threads addressing all common ailments.

Best advice I could offer to avert driveline problems (not just the trans....) is to change all the fluids. Change mine every year, and a full trans service every 2 years. If and when I part with this car, someone will get a solid machine. It's a High Needs car, but compared to all the Ferrari's at my friends shop, is faster and nicer that most of them (the "affordable" ones) , and far cheaper to own.

BTW- I'd try to get a West Coast car if you can. Or one that hasn't been driven in the salt. Recently did a bunch of work on a late model jag from Chicago and it was a pain to service. Lastly, get it checked out be an Audi specialist. Good luck (it's a factor with these cars...) and cheers. We love these cars for good reason. Kudos to VAG for being 10yrs ahead of the game.

Ditto. +2

[jedy617]

It's a journey, like buying anything older and special...Is it safe to assume you've personally looked and driven both cars?

That will and should speak volumes. BE SURE to closely monitor engine sounds, tailpipe smoking, excessive engine roughness on COLD start up. I drove about 5-6 before buying mine with 72K miles (early VIN, original trans), now 96K. All were different and unique. Some blew too much smoke on startup (turbo's and/or rings), or were down on power (worn turbo's), shuddered in the corners (suspension issues; rear= driven way too hard). Some owners thought it was OK to drive the tires off but yet still only change the oil at OE/10K intervals (black and nasty=not buying it, sorry). That owner was perplexed and despite it looking very, very nice, sat on the market for another 18 months that I was aware of.

Personally, I'd say buy one from an enthusiast that cared for the car (I did). And not some dealer that will say whatever you want to hear. If buying from a dealer, get a warranty but don't let them gouge you. Shouldn't cost more than 1/2-2/3 of their asking price.

You'll see similar information poking around this site. And threads addressing all common ailments.

Best advice I could offer to avert driveline problems (not just the trans....) is to change all the fluids. Change mine every year, and a full trans service every 2 years. If and when I part with this car, someone will get a solid machine. It's a High Needs car, but compared to all the Ferrari's at my friends shop, is faster and nicer that most of them (the "affordable" ones) , and far cheaper to own.

BTW- I'd try to get a West Coast car if you can. Or one that hasn't been driven in the salt. Recently did a bunch of work on a late model jag from Chicago and it was a pain to service. Lastly, get it checked out be an Audi specialist. Good luck (it's a factor with these cars...) and cheers. We love these cars for good reason. Kudos to VAG for being 10yrs ahead of the game.

I test drove the black one and everything seemed perfect on it, and I'm going to check out the blue one Saturday. It seems like the engine I'd pretty reliable compared to the transmission though...turbos dying isn't super common is it? Both these cars have not been tuned so no extra boost

[jedy617]

Guys I know this is a bit random, but along with the Blue RS6 I think I'll also be checking out a 2008 S6 with around 80k miles on Saturday. I know it isn't as fast as the RS6...but from a maintenance standpoint I'm expecting it to be a good amount more reliable, and the interior is a pretty nice upgrade. Thoughts?

[Bdubs]

Guys I know this is a bit random, but along with the Blue RS6 I think I'll also be checking out a 2008 S6 with around 80k miles on Saturday. I know it isn't as fast as the RS6...but from a maintenance standpoint I'm expecting it to be a good amount more reliable, and the interior is a pretty nice upgrade. Thoughts?

I owned a 2007 S6 so can speak from experience. It's not as fast, not as mod-able (really not much you can do, outside of a tune that is overpriced and eeks out a few more HP/TQ, an exhaust, air filters and sway bars) and not 11 years old - so it's likely going to be more wallet friendly on repairs and it doesn't have the "major" issues the RS6 can have. However, I loved my S6. I had a non resonated milltek exhaust and between the sound and the always on torque of the car, it was a blast to drive. If you buy one, put on the best summer rubber you can afford, because the car is massively nose heavy and it feels like it in the turns. I would have eventually upgraded sway bars, if I had kept it. As for the comfort/tech, it was great.

You will need to do a carbon cleaning at some point...pretty common maintenance item on the car. You also have 10 cylinders to maintain...I believe the 55k mile service would have been around $850 at the dealer, maybe more (cheap for the guys on this forum, I suppose)...I was able to do it for half that through a friend/audi tech. I never had to do brakes or tires in my ownership, and other than a seat belt sensor in the back seat that went bad, I had no issues in my ownership - just gas and oil changes (had it for 2 years).

If I was buying now, though, I would go RS6. I've always wanted one, hence my lurking on this site...but I went 2007 S6 to 2002 S6 and now, to quiet the demons of my car buying disease, I'm leasing a 2014 Infiniti Q50S through December 2014...then, I hope...it's into a used S6 or S7...

[lswing]

Would stay away from the S6 myself. Get an S4 with 4.2V8, sounds more up your alley? RS5 with manual?

Here's a thread from when I looked into the S6. Issues, along with weight and sub-par looks kept me away.

http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/26...v10?highlight=

[DHall1]

Except the V8 S4 blows up at 100k. Search timing chain

C5 RS6 if you can find a clean one

B8 S4 if your worried about maint costs.

Would stay away from the S6 myself. Get an S4 with 4.2V8, sounds more up your alley? RS5 with manual?

Here's a thread from when I looked into the S6. Issues, along with weight and sub-par looks kept me away.

http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/26...v10?highlight=

[jedy617]

For some reason the S4 doesn't do anything for me...although there is a clean A6 with a 3.0t that I could get and through a tune on, but I like the rarity factor of an S or RS. I guess it's going to come down to reliability for me between the blue rs6 and the s6. The trans has been replaced in the RS6 so I'm wondering if I would run into any problems, it doesn't seem like there are many besides the DRC? I'll be kicking myself if I buy the RS6 and have huge maintenance issues, and I'll kick myself if I get the S6 and I'll lose my interest in it quick due to it not being as fun. Either way I'm going to check them out both in person and see which one speaks to me more.

[jedy617]

I owned a 2007 S6 so can speak from experience. It's not as fast, not as mod-able (really not much you can do, outside of a tune that is overpriced and eeks out a few more HP/TQ, an exhaust, air filters and sway bars) and not 11 years old - so it's likely going to be more wallet friendly on repairs and it doesn't have the "major" issues the RS6 can have. However, I loved my S6. I had a non resonated milltek exhaust and between the sound and the always on torque of the car, it was a blast to drive. If you buy one, put on the best summer rubber you can afford, because the car is massively nose heavy and it feels like it in the turns. I would have eventually upgraded sway bars, if I had kept it. As for the comfort/tech, it was great.

You will need to do a carbon cleaning at some point...pretty common maintenance item on the car. You also have 10 cylinders to maintain...I believe the 55k mile service would have been around $850 at the dealer, maybe more (cheap for the guys on this forum, I suppose)...I was able to do it for half that through a friend/audi tech. I never had to do brakes or tires in my ownership, and other than a seat belt sensor in the back seat that went bad, I had no issues in my ownership - just gas and oil changes (had it for 2 years).

If I was buying now, though, I would go RS6. I've always wanted one, hence my lurking on this site...but I went 2007 S6 to 2002 S6 and now, to quiet the demons of my car buying disease, I'm leasing a 2014 Infiniti Q50S through December 2014...then, I hope...it's into a used S6 or S7...

Great info, thanks!

[JayB]

I dunno... seems like an easy choice....

Just get whichever one has the most turbos

[jedy617]

I dunno... seems like an easy choice....

Just get whichever one has the most turbos

Or the most cylinders

[DHall1]

Rare 90k German hotrod costs money to keep it running as a daily.

C6 A6 3.0t is a good choice for a daily on a budget.

I just hate the V10 S6. IMHO. I only have two RS6s sitting in the garage. Wth do I know.

For some reason the S4 doesn't do anything for me...although there is a clean A6 with a 3.0t that I could get and through a tune on, but I like the rarity factor of an S or RS. I guess it's going to come down to reliability for me between the blue rs6 and the s6. The trans has been replaced in the RS6 so I'm wondering if I would run into any problems, it doesn't seem like there are many besides the DRC? I'll be kicking myself if I buy the RS6 and have huge maintenance issues, and I'll kick myself if I get the S6 and I'll lose my interest in it quick due to it not being as fun. Either way I'm going to check them out both in person and see which one speaks to me more.

[JayB]

Or the most cylinders

BOOST >>> dispalcement

boost is very addictive and way more fun.

[lswing]

For some reason the S4 doesn't do anything for me...although there is a clean A6 with a 3.0t that I could get and through a tune on, but I like the rarity factor of an S or RS. I guess it's going to come down to reliability for me between the blue rs6 and the s6. The trans has been replaced in the RS6 so I'm wondering if I would run into any problems, it doesn't seem like there are many besides the DRC? I'll be kicking myself if I buy the RS6 and have huge maintenance issues, and I'll kick myself if I get the S6 and I'll lose my interest in it quick due to it not being as fun. Either way I'm going to check them out both in person and see which one speaks to me more.

TC, Trans, EGT's, O2's, alternator, AC, hoses, temp sensors, bufkin oil/coolant pipe (read about little plastic pipe), coolant leak, power steering...myriad of things that can be around $1k to $5k. IF it's not tuned the trans should last, IF you don't hammer on it. Tuned, I lost a trans in a year, not sure what went wrong...

You need a good mechanic, or friends, or I wouldn't recommend the RS6. Even then it can add up...BUT, you may get lucky, and it's an amazing car!

[Bdubs]

TC, Trans, EGT's, O2's, alternator, AC, hoses, temp sensors, bufkin oil/coolant pipe (read about little plastic pipe), coolant leak, power steering...myriad of things that can be around $1k to $5k. IF it's not tuned the trans should last, IF you don't hammer on it. Tuned, I lost a trans in a year, not sure what went wrong...

You need a good mechanic, or friends, or I wouldn't recommend the RS6. Even then it can add up...BUT, you may get lucky, and it's an amazing car!

I think I remember why I keep not buying an RS6...haha. I even talked myself out of an S8 back in December because my friend with the garage/lift is moving to AZ in a few months so I was losing the garage where the audi tech I know could work on my cars on the cheap. Plus I know myself...I hammer on my cars...it's just how I'm wired, so I know I'd break something expensive sooner or later...