2003 RS6 avant

[5parky01]

Hi was looking to see if someone could help me out with some information Been looking at a couple of Rs6 both with about 80k on the clock,got coil overs so no suspension issues,had gearbox reconditioned a few year ago.but both last had there timing belts done at 40k so thinking that will need done once purchased?
Also is there any other faults/common issues I should be looking out for when buying.i have never owned a car of this performance so don't want it to be something that ends up being a costly mistake.
Any help welcome.

Thanks in advance
5parky01

[IanH755]

Hi, the top sticky contains virtually all the info you need as a potential new owner but here's a short-cut to the Buyers guide - http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=82219

[5parky01]

Thanks very much Ian,the guide was very useful and I just now need to decide what 1 to go for as both about 400 miles away.

[ahoooga]

Where abouts are you, and where are the cars your looking at ?

[5parky01]

I live in Aberdeen and both cars are about 400 miles away.not much of a choice anywhere near.

[ahoooga]

You could do worse than contact Unit 20 or MRC to see if they know any history of either car ?

You could also tell us which cars they are and members might even be able to tell you something about either of them
its not unknown for a car to appear for sale and Forum members know about the cars past

[Big Aln RS6]

I live in Aberdeen and both cars are about 400 miles away.not much of a choice anywhere near.

Hi Sparky, I'm also in Aberdeen and looking to sell my Avant. I'm away offshore this week so won't be back until the end of the month.

If you PM your email address I can send you some info and pics.

Regards,

Allan

[coreydors]

My only advice would be, make sure you are aware of what car you are buying into nothing on these things come cheap.
I've owned mine 6 months and spent 3k already and I'm soon due some new tyres which is going to be nearly another 1k.

Also when buying check to make sure there is no little water leak coming from the oil cooler area this is a very common fault that is caused by a silly little plastic pipe that splits.

But having said all that they are an awesome car and you will love it.

[longman h]

My only advice would be, make sure you are aware of what car you are buying into nothing on these things come cheap.
I've owned mine 6 months and spent 3k already and I'm soon due some new tyres which is going to be nearly another 1k.

Also when buying check to make sure there is no little water leak coming from the oil cooler area this is a very common fault that is caused by a silly little plastic pipe that splits.

But having said all that they are an awesome car and you will love it.

Do you mind me asking what the £3k was on please and how much of that was labour?

I'm just a little intrigued!

[coreydors]

My only advice would be, make sure you are aware of what car you are buying into nothing on these things come cheap.
I've owned mine 6 months and spent 3k already and I'm soon due some new tyres which is going to be nearly another 1k.

Also when buying check to make sure there is no little water leak coming from the oil cooler area this is a very common fault that is caused by a silly little plastic pipe that splits.

But having said all that they are an awesome car and you will love it.

Do you mind me asking what the £3k was on please and how much of that was labour?

I'm just a little intrigued!

£670 for oil cooler pipe replacement
£2,300 both turbo recons as one blown
£380 rear prop shaft seal also very common fault
Parts cost hardly nothing but the amount of labour involved is what cost the money.
The oil cooler was a big job, the turbo was an engine out job

[njm rs6]

I know its been said a million times before but if i were you id EXPECT to pay half the purchase price of the car in the first year in repair costs alone......

My advise would be to spend a few hundered quid now to get the car checked over by an expert i.e. unit 20, qst, amd, etc.... it could save you a fortune in the long run

[longman h]

I know its been said a million times before but if i were you id EXPECT to pay half the purchase price of the car in the first year in repair costs alone......

My advise would be to spend a few hundered quid now to get the car checked over by an expert i.e. unit 20, qst, amd, etc.... it could save you a fortune in the long run

Surely if you buy well you won't? Like if the gearbox has been recon'd, DRC sorted, IC's sorted etc?

[IanH755]

There's so many little things that can lead to a huge bill that you must leave yourself a sensible lump sum for maint in the 1st year (say minimum 50% of the cars value), even if all the big stuff is sorted. If you find a good car and don't use it then all's good but if you don't have a maint fund and suddenly need it you'll be kicking yourself.

[coreydors]

I agree with Ian you need a good bank balance or a good savings, there's just so many little jobs that lead to big bills and it's all mostly down to the labour.

If you know what your doing yourself then you can saves thousands

[Ross_T_Boss]

If a sorted car is important to you it's worth spending out on a car that has recently had the most expensive work done, i.e. gearbox and coilovers fitted. Be aware (1) an expensive fix a few years ago could come around again and (2) there will always be something expensive needing doing at some point.

Or you can buy a car that has some work needed and priced in, and get it done properly/uprated. A bit more of a project. That is the way I should have done it in hindsight, bought one with a knackered gearbox and DRC and got it sorted. Would have worked out the same as a top-notch example but the work would would have been recent and warrantied, by my choice of specialist. Exactly as I did with my RS2, did most of the work myself, added bonus if I sold up now I'd get as much back as I've put into it.

That said... my car is awesome and I don't regret buying it as it ticked all the boxes for me - I've enjoyed it there's a premium worth paying to get the car you want, especially if you plan on running it longer term. It is genuinely painful for me to sell it now, but needs must and I never intended running two RS's longer term.