UPDATE: In need of some buying advice

[LRB23]

Hey Everyone,

I’m in need of some buying advice regarding a possible RS6. My beloved manual S3 is coming to the end of its Finance and it appears I’m in a position to purchase an RS6 (C7), something I have lusted after for a long time.
However I’m in a bit of a predicament. My employment has changed, that I will eventually be working away for two months and at home for one month. It would potentially mean that my car would be un-driven for 8 weeks. My wife would be able to routinely turn it over to keep her lubricated but I’m not sure she’d (be allowed to) drive it much. I’ve put the fear of god into her after she curbed my alloys on the S3!

I’m worried about leaving a performance car like this potentially standing still for 8 weeks. I have off road parking but not a garage. I am considering building a car port specifically to protect any incoming vehicle from the elements. Can a car like this be left to fend for herself for that amount of time? What are there things I should consider if I decide to go ahead? Am I overthinking this? Should I just go ahead and buy my dream car? Im nervous about making a purchase like this and letting it sit.

My wife will have her own car and this will be my primary fun/utilitarian whip. My work rotation doesn’t come into affect until September 2020 so I’d have 9 months of relentless V8 Bi-Turbo bliss.
It’s driving me crazy second guessing myself all the time.

Look forward to someone hopefully knocking some sense into me.

Cheers



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[MikeFish]

Just do it.

[feeltheburn]

Go for it- and get top view or whatever it is called now to help protect your rims and adopt a no spirited driving until the engine is above 92degc rule

I used to work a 4on/4off and my wife would take the RS for at least one outing while I was away. She is a great driver (much quicker than me) and more adept than me when it comes to manoeuvring in tight spaces - she is usually the first one out of the car to see if one of the massive potholes we’ve just climbed our way out of has damaged anything!

Now I live and work abroad only getting home 6 weeks a year (since Jan 2017).My wife spends more time in the uk but the RS can be sitting for 6 to eight weeks without turning a cog and so far everything has been ok. The RS is serviced yearly with a full oil change regardless of mileage- last oil change was after less than 1500miles.

My car is also stored outside but off road and the paint is still perfect - my wife takes the pressure washer over it occasionally to get rid of any bird lime (she refuses to get involved in my 2 bucket wash routine so a pressure wash with no touching is as far as she will support me!) I thought about getting a cover for it but I feared it might rub the paint during windy days.

Buy and enjoy- the package is brilliant and so far very tough and reliable (that said I do buy the Audi extended warranty annually )

[RobRS]

Go for it - you only live once!

[Lig]

Hi LRB23 and welcome!!

Performance aside.... I wouldn't think of the RS6 different from any 'normal' car, this is one of the many positives of these cars so I think it would be fine to be stood for 8 weeks at a time.

IF you are able to get a battery conditioner to the car (i.e if there is a power point close enough) then I would use one. IF not and depending on the age of car you buy, when you start working away in September, I would buy a new battery. I find they usually last about 4-5 years and I changed the one on my RS when I bought it just for piece of mind (car was 4 1/2 years old).

Have you got a spec list in mind? What are you priorities (in terms of spec)?

Cheers,
Lig.

[LRB23]

Go for it- and get top view or whatever it is called now to help protect your rims and adopt a no spirited driving until the engine is above 92degc rule

I used to work a 4on/4off and my wife would take the RS for at least one outing while I was away. She is a great driver (much quicker than me) and more adept than me when it comes to manoeuvring in tight spaces - she is usually the first one out of the car to see if one of the massive potholes we’ve just climbed our way out of has damaged anything!

Now I live and work abroad only getting home 6 weeks a year (since Jan 2017).My wife spends more time in the uk but the RS can be sitting for 6 to eight weeks without turning a cog and so far everything has been ok. The RS is serviced yearly with a full oil change regardless of mileage- last oil change was after less than 1500miles.

My car is also stored outside but off road and the paint is still perfect - my wife takes the pressure washer over it occasionally to get rid of any bird lime (she refuses to get involved in my 2 bucket wash routine so a pressure wash with no touching is as far as she will support me!) I thought about getting a cover for it but I feared it might rub the paint during windy days.

Buy and enjoy- the package is brilliant and so far very tough and reliable (that said I do buy the Audi extended warranty annually )

Cheers Feeltheburn for the info. Good to hear from another rotational worker's prospective. Particularly one that is clearly incredibly trusting of his other half... I don't have as much faith in my wife's abilities. You should my passenger side alloy

Its nice to know that these awesome machines can sit un-driven for a good length of time.

I'm definitely leaning towards an Audi approved for peace of mind and the 2 year warranty they're offering.

[LRB23]

Hi LRB23 and welcome!!

Performance aside.... I wouldn't think of the RS6 different from any 'normal' car, this is one of the many positives of these cars so I think it would be fine to be stood for 8 weeks at a time.

IF you are able to get a battery conditioner to the car (i.e if there is a power point close enough) then I would use one. IF not and depending on the age of car you buy, when you start working away in September, I would buy a new battery. I find they usually last about 4-5 years and I changed the one on my RS when I bought it just for piece of mind (car was 4 1/2 years old).

Have you got a spec list in mind? What are you priorities (in terms of spec)?

Cheers,
Lig.

Hi Lig definitely take note of your point regarding replacing the battery and possible battery charger/conditioner.

At moment I'm looking for a FL 2016 model (price is within reach) with about 30-35k miles. At the upper end of my budget I've seen one or two Performance Editions but the spec doesn't quite seem to tick all the right boxes. Colour wise; Daytona Grey (my current S3 colour) is nice but a bit safe. Panther Black... everything looks good in black but again it feels like the obvious choice. Finally Sepang Blue. I didn't really give it much consideration to begin with but its really growing on me and I've seen some really nice pics of this colour option on Instagram accounts.

Options;
- 21" wheels (gonna take the risk after reading many warping posts)
- Sports exhaust
- DRC
- Panoramic Sun Roof
- Parking Pack

Desirable Options;
- Audi connect
- B&O sound system
- Assistance Pack
- HUD

I've seen one car with a lot of options but not DRC. Is the air ride really that bad?

Its really hard trying to decide on which one I want. Fingers crossed in early January (my personal deadline I've given myself) I'll have in my hands the keys to an RS6!

[ChrisYates10]

Hi LRB23 and welcome!!

I've seen one car with a lot of options but not DRC. Is the air ride really that bad?

Its really hard trying to decide on which one I want. Fingers crossed in early January (my personal deadline I've given myself) I'll have in my hands the keys to an RS6!

Hi,

My car has air suspension and I find it much nicer than DRC. For one, with DRC in Dynamic it's too stiff and bumpy. Also, I believe DRC can have reliability issues, there's lots of posts on this topic. Also, you can't tow with DRC and that's a must for me, not that I have yet, despite having an Audi swingy tow bar fitted.

B&O is great, you can listen at whatever volume you want to, with no distortion. Sound quality is amazing,
HUD great too,
Sepang Blue looks fab when clean;
I've never opened my sunroof, it's a leak risk imo, so wouldn't bother again;

[innercry666]

Sepang is a great colour. Every time I see one in it I have slight pangs of regret sticking with black! However, I would get the best car you can get for your budget based on age, miles and spec. Watch the market every day as cars come and go all the time. When I bought mine I had been looking constantly for months. I put together a list of what you could get at what price point so I had the comparison available when reviewing Autotrader etc. Also bear in mind if it looks too good to be true it usually is!

There appears to be some interesting cars out there. As an example this one has a great spec, above average mileage but price looks pretty good. However the interior could well be a compromise too far:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 9al&page=6

Having a quick flick through Autotrader it's probably the best car at the lowest price considering age and spec, just slightly high miles and in my opinion, an interior that would be a compromise...

Good luck with the search and let us know how you get on.

[LRB23]

Sepang is a great colour. Every time I see one in it I have slight pangs of regret sticking with black! However, I would get the best car you can get for your budget based on age, miles and spec. Watch the market every day as cars come and go all the time. When I bought mine I had been looking constantly for months. I put together a list of what you could get at what price point so I had the comparison available when reviewing Autotrader etc. Also bear in mind if it looks too good to be true it usually is!

There appears to be some interesting cars out there. As an example this one has a great spec, above average mileage but price looks pretty good. However the interior could well be a compromise too far:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 9al&page=6

Having a quick flick through Autotrader it's probably the best car at the lowest price considering age and spec, just slightly high miles and in my opinion, an interior that would be a compromise...

Good luck with the search and let us know how you get on.

Cheers @innercry666! I had narrowed my search down to three vehicles and I think I’ve settled on one. It was hard trying to find one that had all the options I was after but I’ve had to compromise mileage, price and options.

I’m off to test drive on Friday and if it’s the right one I’m going to pull the trigger. It’s an Audi Approved so at least I get the assurance of 1 year’s dealer warranty.

One of the options I’m not so keen on is the chrome pack. The chrome grill trim, rear diffuser and front bumper accents aren’t so bad but the chrome window trim I don’t like. Maybe it will grow on me. I’ve been researching options to change it to black. So far I’ve come up with:
Wrapping; which has mixed reviews and needs to be replaced every couple of years. Probably the cheapest option in the short term.
Painting; need a to find a decent car painter who can paint on chrome.
Replacement parts; try to source replacement parts from Audi or a specialist. Easily the most expensive options.

Any suggestions?

I’ll keep you updated on the test drive. Fingers crossed it’s the one!


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[MikeFish]

So far I’ve come up with:
Wrapping; which has mixed reviews and needs to be replaced every couple of years. Probably the cheapest option in the short term.
Painting; need a to find a decent car painter who can paint on chrome.
Replacement parts; try to source replacement parts from Audi or a specialist. Easily the most expensive options.

It isn't chrome, it's matt aluminium. I had the windows trims on my RS4 painted titanium a few years ago and it worked out well. I didn't keep the car long after that so can't really comment about longevity but it is easy enough to paint. From memory the C7 windows trim were not cheap to buy let alone all the labour involved (mainly for the rear quarter window).

[morski]

black window trim is about £1420 for both sides new!! Plus fitting

[LRB23]

black window trim is about £1420 for both sides new!! Plus fitting

Ouch!


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[LRB23]

So far I’ve come up with:
Wrapping; which has mixed reviews and needs to be replaced every couple of years. Probably the cheapest option in the short term.
Painting; need a to find a decent car painter who can paint on chrome.
Replacement parts; try to source replacement parts from Audi or a specialist. Easily the most expensive options.

It isn't chrome, it's matt aluminium. I had the windows trims on my RS4 painted titanium a few years ago and it worked out well. I didn't keep the car long after that so can't really comment about longevity but it is easy enough to paint. From memory the C7 windows trim were not cheap to buy let alone all the labour involved (mainly for the rear quarter window).

Thanks @MikeFish. Can you remember what you roughly paid? Be good to have a comparison with wrapping. Replacement parts are looking pretty expensive.

Noted on the Aluminium. Maybe I’ll change my mind when I see the car in the flesh. I just really like the look of stealth black RS6’s! How well does the trim age, in particular with corrosion?


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[MikeFish]

I had a full front end respray and wing mirrors and window trim plus some other bits tidied up at the same time so can't say how much the window trim were, sorry. My painting guy told me for a different car that painting would be roughly the same as a good wrap though.
The alu trim will be fine for a few years but will eventually tarnish (looks like milky patches) rather than corrode.
I'm with you on the stealthy black RS6s, mine was all black and carbon except the titan window trims and roof bars (not really noticeable when the rest of the car was so black).