Probably the wrong spot for advice but anywho

[AussieMark]

Hi All,

I am Mark and currently in Singapore. I have the chance to buy a 1 owner 2003 RS6 sedan with 31K Kms on the clock with full agent service history. The owner traded in foro the latest RS6. The seats are the "silver" actually looks cream colour to me.

Visually it looks great and mechanically one of the shocks is "sweating"and I can get the coil-overs and ARBs for around GBP2K. so that would be sorted.

From what the agent tells me the car waas very well maintained and is stock except for a full MTM exhaust. It has a roller blind and no sunroof. silver color.

I can get it for around GBP17K but there are some heavy govt costs each year but no more than my current ride.

So reading that its a performance car etc I get it that the costs are higher and what concerns me is I don't want astronomical. My current 2004 BMW730i chucked its gearbox at 78K kms this is about 1k kms after i pruchased it. BMW did a 50% comp replacement because they checked the car before purchase so "crap happens". I only drive about 3-4K kms a year so its a bit of a toy to be honest.

Am i crazy??? the intention is to ship it back to Oz at some stage as the keeper sunday drive... wont be thrashing it or anything like that as I like it for the engineering etc (i also have a very very rarely riden ducati). My normal shits and giggles come from a tricked vmax that is my daily transport.

So enough crapola....what else should i be looking for, the specialist shop will do the full diagnostic but i am a little worried about gearboxes to be honest....

Hope to get some help... going for test drive today.

Cheers

[FraseRS6]

G'day Mark,

I'm from Melbourne originally and currently living in the UK and owning a RS6. My plan is to ship it back home when (if ?) I move back there. I thought about this long and hard too like yourself. I've had the DRC replaced by Audi under warranty (although if it goes again it's coilovers for me) and am currently having the gearbox torque converter examined (has been a very painful process under Warranty Direct, thankfully I have MRC batting for me so hopefully it will work out ok). I'm not sure what the situation is in Oz re aftermarket warranty companies, but I would do some research on some Oz forums (maybe start with http://www.ozaudi.com/forums/index.php) if there are any and who are the recommended ones. If you can get one, make sure it covers the gearbox in particular as it will not be cheap to replace particularly back home (I think it's about £5-6K over here but could be wrong). If you can find out if it has had a gearbox oil and filter change that woud be great, it seems the consensus is the oil and filter should be replaced after 20K miles, if it hasn't then I would get that done ASAP and check the oil if it has been contaminated.

The other issue you will have in Oz is that I beleive there were so few numbers of the C5 brought in that the expertise in dealing with the car might be very hard t otrack down, and I'd be very surprised if that expertise was located at a local Audi dealer. I've had a look on the Oz Audi forum and there does seem to be a few good tuners who deal specifically with VAG cars so it might be ok (depending on the location you're based at) and that hasn't put me off shipping it back eventually. Might be worthwhile e-mailing some of these tuners and asking a few questions re price for various bit and pieces.

Also, not sure what it's like in Singapore but try to get the car seen to at a dealer who actually has a clue how to deal with the RS6 because over here it seems most of the Audi dealers a lot of the guys have dealt with have no idea at all (Camberley Audi a notable exception).

In the end I'd still go for it, the car is terrific fun, great stealth value, massive rarity factor back home (I think there were only 20 saloons in the whole country - 22 if you and I add to the list ) and just think of the fun you'll have laughing at Monaro drivers in their buckets of crap while you cruise around in the magnificent refined beast. Even after what I paid for my car and what I've spent on it and even with the scandalous tax/impot charges we have to pay, it will still cost me less than a top of the range HSV Holden or FPV Ford.

You're only other issue is the potential for blowing your license thanks to the ridiculous speed laws we have (especially if you live in Victoria) !

good luck mate

Fraser

[AussieMark]

I have already shipped a car back last year and will be sending the 7 series back this year. Its a snap once you have the approvals but make sure the car is spottless.

The after market warranties are not available for personal imports as far as i have checked. Please let me know if you find one.

There is a few specialist tuners that focus on VAG. The guys I go to have all the kit and should be able to look after me. The ex agent in Perth (where I am from) also specialises in Audi service still and has all the tools..... so fingers crossed.

Drop me a PM with you contact number.

Cheers
Mark

[Hartge]

Hi Mark,
If it's that low mileage and not uprated you shouldn't have that much problem with it( just do the usual suspension & gearbox checks).
I'm currently working Singapore/Malaysia at the moment and a RS6 is a very very rare sight, I would say Lambo's are more common sight than any Audi RS of any type (The only Audi's ive seen are Q7's on the road).
TBH as their so rare you prob won't find that many people that can service them with same decent knowledge as the same as specialists in the uk.
Worth going for it if u can afford the SG tax for a car like that, but no idea how your going resist putting your foot down in the express ways and not get pulled over.

Cheers

Gary

[calummcculloch]

FraseRS6

Hi

how are you getting on with Warranty direct , they are proving to be a pain in the arse for me ,( needed a wheel sensor, sent engineer out on Monday this week and still waiting for them to come back to the garage , and the car is still in the garage while I wait)

let me know

Calum

[AussieMark]

There is one place called Servotronics which handle all VAG so it should be fine.

driving it today hopefully.

Cheers
Mark

[FraseRS6]

Calum,

I don't think the word's 'pain in the arse' do justice to what I'm experiencing at the moment. I've been without the RS for nearly 2 months now and I get the feeling that since they are not covering the RS6 any more (unless it's a renewal from a previous policy) they are trying everything they can to avoid payment aganst the policy, especially with something as expensive as a gearbox replacement. When the whole process is done and dusted I'll write up a report on it for the benefit of anyone else who has a policy with them to understand what they may have to go through (if you want me to give you a full rundown now drop me a pm). I've got to say though if I had my time over again I wouldn't bother with a warranty from a 3rd party again and would just create a 'trust fund' for the car maintenance.

cheers

fraser

[AussieMark]

good advice i think..... as they get older it will be likely that the premiums will be higher in any event. I guess down to what you want but the trust fund sounds bout right to me.

Cheers
Mark

[calummcculloch]

Hi Fraser

yes know what you mean, fu**ing dicks I would say.Since the 22nd April have been trying to get a wheel sensor out of them but on friday they declined with the car in the garage since monday. Maybe we should start up the warranty thread agin just to keep everyone and you never know warranty direct themsleves up to date. just s thought

Calum

[FraseRS6]

Hi Calum,

I agree 100% but me being more cynical and conspiracy theorist than your average human being, I'm holding off speaking my mind publicly until I get it confirmed whether they will be paying up or not. You never know who might be watching these threads ! Hopefully in a week or so all going well and I might have the beast back, I'll post up my experience with the whole process. It definitely does need highlighting.

cheers

Fraser