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Hello, 1st proper post...

I own a 2003 Avant in Daytona grey, black optic, black leather, carbon trim pretty much stock. I’m now at that point where a big job is approaching in the form of a timing chain service and a replacement Torque converter.

In recent months I’ve been in contact with MRC Tuning, making enquiries into carrying out the work but have yet to arrange a booking, let me explain…

I realise an engine pull offers opportunities for other work to be considered (alongside one way valves, belt, pulleys, water pump…). So after a pre-MOT check (it’s now due) at my local Independent I have a longer shopping list which includes; both exhaust down pipes and front lower suspension bushings.

Is there anything else I should include? Any upgraded parts I should use? anything that’s going to improve longevity and reliability really. I’m interested to hear opinions and advice on any recommended work and parts I should consider.

OE downpipes appear to be very expensive I’ve seen some on eBay...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202440459270

They appear well made, looks like I’ll go with those.

There are a few poly bush kits about; I’m looking for a good setup for the road nothing too harsh.
The car is still running DRC and all appears ok with that so I’m not thinking about changing that for now, but I would like consider all bases with the forums help

Thanks in advance and I await the customary welcome…

You staying standard?

I wouldn’t bother with poly bushes. OEM all the way for me.

There have been a few “while the engine is out” lists over the years. Don’t think there’s a link in the faq though or a definitive list.

MRC will advise of the usual suspects. Crank seals, etc. Might be worth putting some new turbos in. Definitely do the buffkin mod. Rocker cover gaskets. VVT dephasers.

Can’t think of anything else right now. Have a search for old threads.

Oh and FON.

/edit: Congrats on getting the fastest and best colour.

Hi Shop, thanks for the reply.
Going to stay pretty much standard.
I’ll replace the exhaust with a custom one once this work is done, a previous owner deleted the back boxes and used some big ol’ pipe in its place so it drones bad until you’re on top of the gear.
I will consider a remap in the future but I’m not after stratospheric bhp though, stage 1 with a gearbox remap maybe.
I want any mods to be sympathetic to the original car.
Interesting searching the Buffkin mod, the oil cooler pipes have been replaced before but are showing signs of age, I’ll look further into that.
I’m glad you mentioned Turbos, replacement K04s less than £400 the pair on eBay probably a no brainier to change them.
Some parts are getting harder to source now looks like a recon torque converter will have to be ordered.

Yep the best colour, it’s ceramic coated too, when polished and in the sun it almost has that flip effect.

Definitely worth getting an MRC map while it’s there. The OE map is a bit anaemic and even a lady map fills out the torque curve nicely.

If you’re doing new turbos maybe get some hybrids. Gives you options at not much cost.

We’re at a tricky stage where full standard cars will probably start to fetch more than non standard ones. So depending on what kind of owner you are going to be, you might want to bear that in mind. I’m toying with putting the standard brakes back on and even, god help me, the DRC.

I looked into the hybrid turbo thing a while back and thought I might consider it. Revisiting now it doesn’t seem so clear.
Is it a case of sending them away for refurbishment with the assembly being upgraded or is there more to it?
I’ve found the following specialists looking through other posts:

https://www.owendevelopments.co.uk/
https://www.theturboengineers.com/
https://www.turborebuild.co.uk/reconditioned-turbo.html

One problem looking through older posts is they can go out of date, parts or services no longer available or what was a once a priced affordable is now expensive...


I’ll have a go at contacting them in the morning, find some prices, lead time etc.
There’s not many off the shelf Hybrid units available, some big buck high performance stuff, but I suppose I’m looking for a more robust unit and if it sharpens the response I’ll take that too.
I have found these though @£1.6k
https://www.gpturbos.com/index.php/shop ... ers-detail

Interesting what you say about values on the up, part of reason for this work being done is to keep this type of car on the road, give it a new lease of life. It’s a fair bit of £££!s being thrown at, I’m trying not to get carried away.
I’ll be honest there have been times when I thought about letting it go and using the money to buy something else
But for the moment, anyway, it’s a keeper and once the work is done that will be that.

I think you've summarised it quite well : it's either an expensive upgrade path but with seriously more capabilities (Loba650 or TTE650) or the refurbished route by changing the turbo internals (as recommended by Shoppinit, hybrid chra is the wise choice for better performance). Of course you won't get the same level of performance with the latter but at least your turbos will be as good as new, provided the work is correctly done...

I think Matt had refurb turbos recently. He might have a recommendation.

I personally wouldn't bother modifying an RS6 if I were to buy now. It's money down the drain for not much gain - and it's always been the case that mods almost never add value. If you want a faster car, there are plenty to choose from which are standard.

I wouldn't buy a 1971 Porsche 911 for example and start modifying it to make it go quicker.

Anyway, I've never held popular opinions on here.

I had my turbos reconditioned by Owen Developments, but they are absolutely stock turbos except I changed to 360 degree thrust bearings.
With a change to the precats/downpipes, you could remap the gearbox to death in an instant on stock turbos, if you wanted.

The only mods I'd recommend now are reliabilty or longevity related, TBH - such as bufkin pipe, intercoolers, DRC.

Never been a porsche fan, but I would modify a Pantera - it seems quite the done thing with them. GT5-S FTW.

Shoppinit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:35 am

I think Matt had refurb turbos recently. He might have a recommendation.

I personally wouldn't bother modifying an RS6 if I were to buy now. It's money down the drain for not much gain - and it's always been the case that mods almost never add value. If you want a faster car, there are plenty to choose from which are standard.

I wouldn't buy a 1971 Porsche 911 for example and start modifying it to make it go quicker.

Anyway, I've never held popular opinions on here.

Go and wash your mouth out with soap.

Shoppinit wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:30 pm

I’m toying with putting....god help me, the DRC (back on).

Realised yesterday I've owned my one 6 years now.

Had mine 11 years. Bonkers.

OP, you should try to source some original wing mirrors.

Shoppinit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:35 am

I personally wouldn't bother modifying an RS6 if I were to buy now. It's money down the drain for not much gain - and it's always been the case that mods almost never add value.

As always to each his own! Not sure you could reach 550+HP with stock turbos though, but I may be wrong (still got the OEM ones if I were to change my mind). We have our Bam-Bam equivalent here, and he scored a nice 680HP with the TT650.

Shoppinit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:35 am

If you want a faster car, there are plenty to choose from which are standard.

I'd like to challenge you on this. For the same kind of money, what other 'family' cars can get you there?

Classik wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:02 pm

We have our Bam-Bam equivalent here

bam_bam but in French. *shudder*

Classik wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:02 pm

Shoppinit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:35 am

If you want a faster car, there are plenty to choose from which are standard.

I'd like to challenge you on this. For the same kind of money, what other 'family' cars can get you there?

B8 RS4
RS3 - might be a bit small.
BMW M5 F10 (lot of car for the money)
BMW M3 E92 (Brutal quick with the dual clutch box)
Jaguar XFR (Do like)
E63 AMG (Not my cuppa, but they are undeniably quick)

I'd be nervous about taking any of those on.

I would ring Unit20 to enquire about the work you want doing.

From what I hear they are the better alternative for most work. Use MRC for any Remap you may want doing.

MRC appear to be mainly a tuning company these days, when I had mine remapped, I did have several other issues that I wanted fixing and although they did them, I got the feeling they really did want the work.

Shoppinit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:32 pm

bam_bam but in French. *shudder*

LOL

Shoppinit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:32 pm

B8 RS4
RS3 - might be a bit small.
BMW M5 F10 (lot of car for the money)
BMW M3 E92 (Brutal quick with the dual clutch box)
Jaguar XFR (Do like)
E63 AMG (Not my cuppa, but they are undeniably quick)

Nice list but:
B8 RS4 : very expensive compared to the RS6 C5
RS3 - might be a bit small. exactly
BMW M5 F10 (lot of car for the money) : quite a beast indeed! But very expensive as well (not in the UK?)
BMW M3 E92 (Brutal quick with the dual clutch box) : fun car, but again too small (at least for my family )
Jaguar XFR (Do like) : good pick, and seems like they sell for cheap! But again too small for my use, and not sure I like those front headlights
E63 AMG (Not my cuppa, but they are undeniably quick) : I really like the latest models, but those that are in the same price range than the C5 are particularly uggly