New owner + maintenance log

[Foxmeister]

Which extractor sockets did you buy???

I had some issues with my front bleed nipples last year but it actually passed the MOT and didnt need bled, but i'd still like to get them changed at some point

[Mɐʇʇ]

Do you guys not just start with a 6-flat hex socket to crack them off? Have had one shear off once that was properly seized, but have never had the hex mangle up.

[dwh13]

Which extractor sockets did you buy???

I had some issues with my front bleed nipples last year but it actually passed the MOT and didnt need bled, but i'd still like to get them changed at some point

Here's the one I bought. For better or worse, in my state in the US we don't require any kind of MOT/inspection so you can pretty much drive anything you want that rolls!

[dwh13]

Do you guys not just start with a 6-flat hex socket to crack them off? Have had one shear off once that was properly seized, but have never had the hex mangle up.

In hindsight, that's definitely what I'll do, I've just never needed anything more than a spanner.

[Foxmeister]

Do you guys not just start with a 6-flat hex socket to crack them off? Have had one shear off once that was properly seized, but have never had the hex mangle up.

Mine were already rounded off when i bought the car, i didnt have molegrips to try them so asked a garage and they applied heat etc and couldnt get them to budge, i might get them off this summer and send them for refurb anyway

[dwh13]

Because I can't seem to leave this thing alone, and an 03 A6 Quattro popped up in the junkyard by my house, I decided to go see if there were any parts worth scavenging. Found a replacement mirror for $10 (new from Audi is $375), and a replacement headlight switch bezel.

The donor car - I might go back and swipe the aluminum strip along the boot lid since mine is oxidized



Weird to see something this new in a junkyard, my guess was it's a flood car (BMW 5 series GT, ~2015)



Old mirror had delaminated and got water between the layers, which had turned brown



Light switch wasn't a 100% match, but better than the scratched up original

[Gregstv]

Good find

[Shoppinit]

Boot strip will be chrome on the A6, though. Not brushed aluminium like on the RS6.

[dwh13]

Boot strip will be chrome on the A6, though. Not brushed aluminium like on the RS6.

Well damn. Thanks for saving me a trip back though!

[dwh13]

So I've officially had 2003's fastest sedan for 6 months now - she has yet to leave me stranded, so my fears about owning such a beast decrease a little each day...

Since it's been a year since the PO had the oil changed, I ordered a kit that included 10 quarts of Pentosin 5W-40 and a German filter. I spent a lot of time reading the various DIY posts and tips about changing the oil, people seemed split 50/50 about whether to drop the sway bar or pull the filter through the RH wheel well. For simplicity, I decided to try and just drop the sway bar. Once I was under there, I really didn't see a path for it through the wheel well. There isn't much leverage to get at it with a strap wrench, so I went with the old "hammer in a screwdriver" approach which worked nicely made quite a mess, but my understanding is that's unavoidable no matter what method you choose!



I also popped open the ABS pump motor cover to clean off the brushes to try and fix an intermittent ABS/BRAKE warning I'm getting when hot. Now the fault is popping back on before I even crank the car, so I think I need to give it 12v directly to get it moving again, but I'll save that for a non-rainy day.

[dwh13]

Thought I'd provide a little update now that the RS6 has been in my care for over a year...

I took it to a renowned racing Shop specializing in German cars to have the ABS issue checked. They replaced the brake pressure sensor, which now makes the lights come on every time. Oh, and the power locks no longer worked when I picked it up. "That'll be $500, please."

On the upside, the RS got put into daily use for about two months and did it without a hiccup. I was anticipating the delivery of a Tesla Model Y, and sold our daily VW Golf the day before delivery. The RS was going to be a trade towards the Model Y, since Tesla is offering me an obscene amount of money for it. Turns out, years ago the VIN got recorded incorrectly on the title, and no one caught it until Tesla. They couldn't accept it, and I was down to just the Audi until a new Tesla gets delivered in the next month or so.

So for now, I'll just enjoy my last month with it.

[dwh13]

Well, my time with 2003's fastest saloon ends here. The Tesla finally arrived after a 5 month wait, and with trade-in values soaring, it was time to say goodbye to the RS6. Ironically it's one of the most reliable vehicles I've owned after 1.5 years and 5k miles together. It was bittersweet to see it go, but the thought of continuing to play Russian roulette with an 18 year old German supercar just wasn't worth passing up the chance to own something with a similar 0-60 time but without the constant threat of losing a transmission.



Now that the RS is gone, I have a few leftover parts I'm getting rid of. If anyone is in need of the following parts, I've linked to their eBay page:

Owner's Manual kit (US)http://ebay.us/ioaILn?cmpnId=5338273189

Engine Cover http://ebay.us/MgReGI?cmpnId=5338273189

I also have the EGT sensor circuit boards from Andrej that I never ended up using if anyone needs them.

[Capt Ric]

Thanks for your updates & the advice on EGT last year ( soldering worked, so I didn't need the new get boards either)
Let us know how you get on with the Tesla. I had a look at a Y in Chicago last week, and maybe could be tempted myself.