The deed is done !

[moresimon]

Test drove the beast on Friday and delighted to say any fears I harboured regarding the suspension have been totally allayed. Loved every moment of it and have now purchased brand new RS6 Avant and will take delivery next weekend ! Production stopped some time ago so very fortunate that my dealer had a new one as consequence of a cancelled order and Audi gave it to my dealers as reward for their record-breaking year in selling the marque. No doubt commerically buying a secondhand model would have made more financial sense but do the usual rules of financial husbandry apply to these type of decisions - I dont think so !!

Anyway having browsed this site until I am totally bog-eyed I have the following queries - I apologise if there are answers elsewhere as I have tried my best to search for all this but either without success or the previous threads never gave any meaningful replies -

Here goes -

- 'running in' - any advice as to best practice for the first 1000 miles or so ?

- DVD in rear - with the proverbial 2 kids I would be interested in installing this in the rear, previous threads touched upon this but never really gave any answers. Can this be done through the dealer or do I need an independent expert. anyone have direct experience ?

- Satnav Plus - Is there a guide anywhere as to what the major features of the system are and its compatibility with other components ?


Servicing costs - what should i expect to be paying for the first couple of programmed services - I am anticipating about 700 quid is this in the ball park ?

Snow chains - where can you source chains for wheels of this size ?

Many thanks in anticipation

Moresimon

[charliesum]

can't help on the other info you require but the dvd in rear can easily be done by any decent ice installer, i had 2x6" screens put in the back of my s4 4.2 by stirling ice in portsmouth but loads of places can do it they retrimmed the original headrests with the screen and put a separate multiplayer in the boot which can play multi region discs and infra red headphones if required so you are not disturbed apart from the laughter in shrek!!
all for £900 inc suppose you could get a better deal by shopping around cheers

[GaryC]

Big coincidence aside, I think I was admiring your new car today in Hitchin Audi, and checking out the black '03 RS6 which you test drove on Friday with a view to a possible purchase, as I've been unable to come up with any other viable options for my porsche 996 replacement. (Out of interest, how did the black RS6 drive? Any noticeable faults?)

Anyway enjoy your new RS6, it really is a beauty you'll be picking up next weekend

Gary.

[moresimon]

Huge coincidence !

The black RS6 was fine with the exception of the brakes which were either suffering from stones inside or need a real seeing-to (or settling in) as the squeaking was awful. Also has symphony sound system so no satnav screen but that is hardly a terminal omission.

Dont know how long it will be with them as it originates from Stanstead and will doubtless be going back shortly. Take a test drive - I dont know how it will compare to a 996 but I guess you wont be looking for the same type of car.........

If anything I prefer the black colour to the new one but choice wasnt really an option as you will understand.

I had tried for a couple of low mileage RS6's previously but always been beaten to them - there are not that many around for sale.

Let me know how you get on

Moresimon

[Ernst]

Snow chains - don't go there as I have spent much time looking into this. Basically you cannot fit any snow chains to the 19 inch wheels. What you need to do is invest in a set of snow tyres and rims. Snow chains will fit onto these. Total cost (wait for it) - somewhere in the region of £3500. I was going to take my RS6 to the alps this winter. Now borrowing my Dad's Volvo V90!!!

[JamesB]

I followed the running in instructions in the handbook, taking it fairly easy for the first 1000 miles, although couldn't resist a couple of times. I didn't see any point in taking a chance with nearly £60k of car. From what I have heard, most RS6 owners have done the same.

DVD in rear - 2 options IMO. In-headrest installs are not hard to come by and Charlie has covered that admirably. I went for the removable option. This wasn't just because I'm a cheapskate but I worry that obvious screens are an added temptation to your casual vandal/scumbag and also I have friends with permanent systems who say that the kids expect DVD entertainment during every journey, no matter how short.

SatNav Plus - the handbook with the car was comprehensive enough for me. Was there anything particular you wanted to know?

Servicing costs - I understand £700 isn't a bad guess but don't forget you might well have gone through a set of tyres before then.

Snow chains - hire/borrow another car.

[bjacks]

Well done on the purchase

One thing I did notice though was that you said the black 03 car didn't have a nav screen. This car must be an import as I thought all UK cars had Nav+. If it lacking in this area, then make sure that any potential purchaser has a good look over the rest of the spec. I'm suprised that an Audi dealer is selling an import that is not to UK spec.

Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong

Enjoy

Ben

[moresimon]

Ben

Sorry but I think you are wrong - if you elect for the 'symphony' sound system you lose the satnav screen, it is made clear on the options list from Audi.

Moresimon

[snbS4]

You could perhaps try buying a set of 18" wheels from ebay and then Pewag snowchains from http://www.brindley-chains.co.uk/

At least you would enjoy the drive there and back!

Bought some specials for my S4 a few years back which also fit the 993 C4 which have limited clearance and they were very helpful and a lot cheaper than Audi/Porsche!

HTH,
Rgds
Simon

[bjacks]

Ben

Sorry but I think you are wrong - if you elect for the 'symphony' sound system you lose the satnav screen, it is made clear on the options list from Audi.

Moresimon

I stand corrected. I love these forum things

Why the hell would you want to delete the nav screen? That's the best bit of the dash!

When's yours due to land?

[moresimon]

I pick it up in Saturday - the excitement mounts !

[bjacks]

Get scouting for your local Optimax stations -oh and get a Shell reward card - it'll come in handy

[moresimon]

Thanks for the advice Optimax already located.

[bjacks]

I need to put in a petition in my local are for a Shell garage, I now have no need to pass one since I moved last weekend. The local Esso is selling 98 RON as a backup though

[peterb]

- 'running in' - any advice as to best practice for the first 1000 miles or so ?

Congratulations on the new car - I hope you enjoy it!

There have been rumours of cars which have been thrashed from day one showing higher power output on the dyno. However, there is also a suggestion of strong correlation between thise cars and and those which have had early engine trouble.

Servicing costs - what should i expect to be paying for the first couple of programmed services - I am anticipating about 700 quid is this in the ball park ?

My first service, exactly a year to the day from delivery, and with 9172 miles on the clock, cost me £307.71.