Help Me w/Maintenance Budgeting

[BLITZEN]

I've seen this thread mentioned a couple times when new-b's have asked what problems RS's have. So, I wanted to post a follow up to what I tried to accomplish with this thread.

My original goal was to think of every wear & tear item on the car (stuff not covered by extended warranties) and then divide the cost of replacement by the expected life in miles. When unknown or driver dependent, I tried to error on the side of caution. Here's the spreadsheet I created (in US$):

JOB	Parts+Labor	Mileage	Cost/mi
Tires	$1,350	25000	0.0540
Front Brake Pads	$500	15000	0.0333
Front Rotors	$900	30000	0.0300
Rear Brake Pads	$500	30000	0.0167
Rear Rotors	$900	60000	0.0150
Oil Change	$250	10000	0.0250
Timing Belt -35k service	$2,500	35000	0.0714
Plugs/Wires/Cap/Rotor	??	35000	-
Transmission Service	??	35000	-
			$0.2454/mi.

So it makes me laugh when guys on this forum complain or compare notes on the price of gas and the MPG. Gas would have to increase another 50% from where it is now to even equal the cost of maintenance! Plus, repair and insurance are in addition.

I don't mean to dissuade anyone from owning one. They'd probably face the same costs if buying a 911 Turbo or equivalent car in terms of performance. I just wanted to inform myself and others so they don't get disillusioned.

Please though, help to provide feedback on my spreadsheet. Am I very far off anywhere? Or, are there potential cost savings that I am not aware of? Thanks!

[wm_sorg]

Great thread. Subscribing. I was curious about the oil being so expensive. Will mobil1 suffice?

[gjg]

Great thread. Subscribing. I was curious about the oil being so expensive. Will mobil1 suffice?

use factory or better - diesel oil specs are there for some reason ...

[gjg]

So it makes me laugh when guys on this forum complain or compare notes on the price of gas and the MPG. Gas would have to increase another 50% from where it is now to even equal the cost of maintenance! Plus, repair and insurance are in addition.

I don't mean to dissuade anyone from owning one. They'd probably face the same costs if buying a 911 Turbo or equivalent car in terms of performance. I just wanted to inform myself and others so they don't get disillusioned.

Please though, help to provide feedback on my spreadsheet. Am I very far off anywhere? Or, are there potential cost savings that I am not aware of? Thanks!

should get tranny flushed and oil replaced ever time you do timing belt - this will cost few 100's of $, no cap/rotor, just plug replacement ....

insurance cost in EU are higher (or should I say significantly higher?) that US ...

[crispix]

Great post..

Clearly what separates a man from a boy is the price of there toys..

I would agree Blitzen is dead on for prices in the US at a dealer..

I would prefer to change my oil every 5K.. Spec for RS6 is Castrol 50501 at about 20 per quart.. I've used it use it in my 04 B6 S4..

crispix..