Anyone had a trouble-free RS6 experience?!

[jerseymatt]

I'm a potential buyer of a 2004 RS6 saloon with 39k miles and one wealthy and fastidious owner to date.

Until I spent a couple of interesting hours here yesterday I had no idea of the kind of issues RS6 owners have experienced!

I'm trading from a Porsche 996 Carrera 4S, which has been expensive to run but not bankrupting. I kind of get the impression that a lot of you are driving your RS6s just waiting for the next big problem.

I need to make a decision on this car soon, so... How many of you out there can say that you've had a completely trouble-free ownership experience with a C5 RS6?

Cheers
Matt

[iR8V10]

You don't get that with any car do you?!

[woodlum]

Not me, seriously considering going back to a Beemer once/if I get my latest gearbox issue fixed.
Don't get me wrong mines is a great car in fantastic condition but I've never had to have any of my cars fixed as much as this thing, seems every other month it needs something!
But saying that it did make a friend of mines trade in his E60 M5 for a 911 Turbo cos I wasted him in an estate car!!

[seanypeeps]

Not sure if thats possible had mine only 4 months, full history, three owners,34k, and a few probs already but hey i've never been excited by a car like this. What's pirelli's saying "power is nothing without control" well i've adapted that too " power is nothing without wallet pain" Do you live on Jersey matt? Anyhoo if it's money your worried about i'm not sure the 6 is for you but hey it's a great feeling when a porsche is next to you and it's behing you the next looking at the guy thinking is that a family car thats just kicked my ass.

[HYFR]

. How many of you out there can say that you've had a completely trouble-free ownership experience with a C5 RS6?

Not me, and im on my THIRD

they've all been under Audi extended warranty, and so my wallet has remained somewhat intact

they KEY is warranty

they WILL go wrong as they are a ridiculously tuned 450/500bhp 2tonne estate car!

If you want rock solid reliability, I think a 1.6TDI Golf maybe a better purchase !

[Cornishmoocher]

No.......

[Daveperc]

I can't claim that it's been "trouble free", mainly because I've had the usual DRC woes, though all fixed under warranty so no real pain there. Apart from that I've driven 75K miles in it now (just coming up to 120K) and apart from one incident where the rear wash wipe pipe came apart (a known weak point) I can't think of anything that isn't normal wear and tear (brakes, tyres, a few hoses replaced etc) oh, and a slightly leaking intercooler fixed with gunk identified at service.

Mine's been a family car, builders truck, bridal car and allround workhorse used every day for the past 3 3/4 years and I wouldn't part with it for anything - thoughroughly practical, reliable, blisteringly quick (MRC stage 1+) and enjoyable.

Enjoy it - and remember people only post here when something goes wrong - they don't bother with posts like "Another effortless journey cross country for the third time this week"!

Dave

[RS6Steve]

I'm about to crack, I think.... I love it to bits, just getting hacked off at the money I have to throw at it.

It is a fantasic car and awesome to drive, but in answer to your question

NO

[jerseymatt]

Thanks guys. I'm not getting the answers I'd hoped for! It's easy to assume that the stuff that appears in forums is the typical user experience, but as Daveperc says people don't generally visit these places to talk about how uneventful life is! So I'd hoped that a few completely happy lurkers would come out of the closet.

I'm very conscious that you don't buy a 450bhp super-saloon, drive it properly and then expect it to cost Fiesta money to run, but my comparisons with E55 and M5 forums are telling me that the Merc and Beemer options are going to be less financially nerve-wracking, if less exciting on the road.

I'm not ruling out the car in question yet - just need to ask a few more questions about its history, and especially any gearbox, DRC and IC woes, and see if I can work a 3 year proper warranty into the price!

Thanks for a really useful forum everyone.

Matt

[RS6Steve]

Definatley don't rule it out, it is truly a fantastic car. Have you driven one yet?

[Pau1]

Anyone had a trouble-free RS6 experience?!

Nope...

But, I'm yet to find a car that does everything so well as the RS6 Avant.

[HYFR]

Matt - just buy one with a GOOD (preferable Audi) warranty and dont worry

[jerseymatt]

RS6Steve - yes, drove the one I'm considering for an hour yesterday. Laughed out loud many times! It also made my wife laugh. Normally a smile's enough from her to get approval for a new car, so full blown belly laughing at its full throttle acceleration is a sure fire good sign!

Get a warranty and take the plunge is very tempting advice...

But here's the thing. I live in Jersey. The car will be a third car and will do approx 2000 miles a year here, and about 6000 miles a year off the island, mainly in France and some in the UK. So if it lets me down, it's most likely to do so on a French back road with my family on board (two young kids) with all the consequent cost and arse pain from getting it recovered to Jersey. The money's only part of it - it's the hassle factor that's making me hesitate.

Not asking for advice on that - ultimately it's about whether heart rules head. Normally I buy with my heart, so not much is likely to change there!

Matt

[seanypeeps]

HI Matt i'm on Jersey too. Is it the Blue salloon at Motormall thtas the only one i know for sale at the mo. If so it's previous owner was Leo Mansell yep Nigel mansell's son so i'd imagine he's had the money to look after it properly. But take from that what you will. Looked nice when i saw it up Jacksons getting the once over. Very jealous of the sunroof.

[HYFR]

RS6Steve - yes, drove the one I'm considering for an hour yesterday. Laughed out loud many times! It also made my wife laugh. Normally a smile's enough from her to get approval for a new car, so full blown belly laughing at its full throttle acceleration is a sure fire good sign!

Get a warranty and take the plunge is very tempting advice...

But here's the thing. I live in Jersey. The car will be a third car and will do approx 2000 miles a year here, and about 6000 miles a year off the island, mainly in France and some in the UK. So if it lets me down, it's most likely to do so on a French back road with my family on board (two young kids) with all the consequent cost and arse pain from getting it recovered to Jersey. The money's only part of it - it's the hassle factor that's making me hesitate.

Not asking for advice on that - ultimately it's about whether heart rules head. Normally I buy with my heart, so not much is likely to change there!

Matt

Audi warranty comes with Audi Road Side Assist, that will get you an your family home at no cost to you, or give you a replacement

im sure you can get RAC/AA that do the same

but that is a pessimistic view

I drove mine 2000 miles, London --> Amsterdam --> Frankfurt --> Munich --> Luxumbourg --->London

Didnt miss a beat

Another member, BAM_BAM, drove the same car (he bought it off me) to Spain and back

They are reliable, but require close attention to keep in tip top...i.e. regular healthchecks