What to Look Out For?

[oilydan]

Hi all. Long time lurker, but about to pull the trigger on an RS6....

After a long time researching, reading these boards and searching for the 'right' car I think I have found what I have been looking for

A Sepang Avant with all the options I want and low-ish milage has suddenly peaked my interest, purchasing for my imminent return to the UK after 10 years in the Middle East working. (Fuel here is $0.16 per litre for those interested!)

Asking the right questions (thanks to the thread on this forum) has shown that it has the dreaded oil leak, which the trade seller is getting fixed. They assure me that there are no other problems with the car and, although it comes with a 6 month RAC warranty (I know that is not all its cracked up to be) I would like to view the car with eyes wide open.

Is there anything else that I might need to be on the look-out for? Any other known problems that are identifiable on a look-over and test drive? Bearing in mind I'll be flying to the UK purely for the purpose of viewing and buying this car so I'll already be 1,500 pounds out of pocket when I turn up to view..... It would be good to get any issues out on the table before I make the trip.

They tell me it had new tyres in July and brakes are 75% and 55% (F/R).

On the warranty issue, do you know if it is possible to go to Audi and get an extended warranty package if the standard warranty has already expired?

Cheers!

[Smiler996]

The list is long and here's a starter for ten

Cold start smoking (they do have an issue with light smoke on start up but if it's noticeable after 3 days of non use it could be an expensive fix)

FASH

Warranty is a must (these cars are the most expensive warranty claim cars todate) - I would look for a Audi dealer car with full Audi warranty (it samed me over £10k)

Disks & pads, tyres, wheels suffer from slight knocks

And good luck

[oilydan]

Good call on the cold-start smoke, will make sure it is cold when I view.

It does have a FASH and consumables in good order (so they tell me) so no problems there. Wheels in perfect condition.

RAC Warranty included but need to find out about getting Audi to cover it.

Anything else.

[Smiler996]

Check the one out at harrowgate Audi - fully sorted a warranty plus free servicing for 2 yrs

[oilydan]

Check the one out at harrowgate Audi - fully sorted a warranty plus free servicing for 2 yrs

The silver is probably my least favorite of the RS6 colours, that would be a hell of a compromise for me. In all fairness though, I have sent them an enquiry as to the options list as it seems to be lacking in their description. The servicing and warranty is a very big draw, but enough to offset the colour compromise? Not sure.

Thanks for the heads-up.

*Edit to add:

They got back really quick but, sadly, the spec is much lower than what I'm after. Not enough toys; doesn't even break a sweat on my 'likely candidates' spreadsheet

[skirs6]

Is there not a forum member who could check out the car first save you the cost of a flight?
Most obvious problems are covered on here? Well I thought they were when I bought mine 10months ago.
Mine, under hard acceleration you get a knocking sound which I thought was just a slightly buckled wheel. Alas no it's the prop shaft Central bearing and no it can't be changed £1400 for new prop.
Would I still have bought it? Oh yes it has all the bells and whistles and like you the colour I wanted. If it turns out to be a nice straight car look into the Audi extended warranty. The best there is for this car. I couldn't afford the renewal at the time. Wish I had now.

[oilydan]

Yes, I have already had a very kind offer from a forum member (who knows a thing or two about the RS6!) to check out a car for me. Alas, it will not save me a flight because I still have to come back to sign paperwork I'm not sure I would buy a car without seeing it first myself), but getting it checked over first will be a good second screening tool before flying (the first being my specs/condition spreadsheet!).

Most come with a 3rd party warranty but I have heard that these are not very good when it comes to the 'dreaded oil leak' or bearings. "Wear and Tear". Will definately be looking into the Audi Warranty.

[gdavison]

The list is long and here's a starter for ten

Cold start smoking (they do have an issue with light smoke on start up but if it's noticeable after 3 days of non use it could be an expensive fix)

Did I get abducted by Aliens and just return to earth ?

C6 list of "issues" is long ??? Since when ? In my 5 years of owner ship and forum membership, the RS6 C6 had proven to be pretty rock solid

Cold Start Smoking ? Never seen it with my car .. or to be honest seen it mentioned on this forum (or the other RS6 forum), which I read numerous times a day and have been a fairly major contributor to .. when during my abduction did this become an "issue" ? They do produce a shed load of steam / water vapour on cold start on a cold day .. those who have been here since its launch will remember cornishmoochers youtube video where he asked if it was steam powered

As for the "dreaded oil leak" admittedly bad news for the few who have encountered it, unless others can point to hardcore data is it not less than 10 UK cars ? based over an ownership of 280 ish.. so less than 3.5 %ish ? Worst case is that as its NOT a leak (its always been explained by those who have encountered it as a weeping oil seal), there could more and owners just don't know as it has no easy visual tell

As to what I'd advise a buyer to look for :-

FASH or well known independent (such as MRC or Unit20 for instance) is high on the list

Mileage - not because in itself its bad, more to do with what service may be due. 60k being the one most look for as it involves the spark plug change, however when I look at how much my service costs have been over my ownership (ie more than acceptable), I consider the slightly higher one for the 60K service acceptable. However if this would be you "first" as a new owner, it would be a tad "unfair"

Disk / Pads - again not because they are "Ferrari ownership / sell a body part" expensive, just because a 2+tonne car does wear them and they do need doing every 20 to 25K ish (for me with my driving style, I am sure some go through them quicker), so again as a new buyer why would you want that cost if they are due soon. Even if they are new ish - plan to change them every 20Kish miles at around £200 front pads, £500 Front Disks (prices pulled from my last service at Audi)

Front bearings .. surprised no one mentioned these yet.. this is a recurring PITA for us all. Clicking sound at full lock when manoeuvring forward at low speed (like parking). Ausi supposedly claim a fix by "repacking grease", however we all know they are sealed bearings, so puzzle at the bodge .. there are a good few reports on this forum of it returning even after replaced bearings

Condensation in headlights - was subject or a workshop recall, so should have been done. In my experience if not fixed lead to DRL failure. However some folk seem to have had it for some time without DRL failures, so maybe I was unlucky

Good luck with the hunt (sepang is the the best so hold out for one)

G

[gdavison]

Found Mooch's Steam powered video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRGSQLAmuwg