Looking for some info

[Rich_C]

Hoping to get a bit advice from you knowledgeable guys. I'm planning on acquiring an RS6 in spring time next year so I'm starting my detailed research now so I'm on the ball knowledge wise. I've been lurking in the back ground for quite a while and I've already been through most of the older posts and gleaned quite a bit of info but I've got a few unanswered questions at the mo, so in no particular order:

(1) At what time did the cd sat nav swap over to the dvd sat nav?

(2) Have there been any major Audi upgrades/warranty work for the RS6 and at what time?

(3) Are there any 'must have' extras I should be looking for spec wise?

(4) Is an Audi warranty essential (I imagine costs of repair would be staggering if something major let go). Already been quoted £1582 inc VAT for warranty extension on a 3 year old car but I would inevitably end up getting some MTM upgrades done so it's a lot of money to blow for Audi to turn round and say the warranty is null and void due to mods.

(5) I've already been to see a couple of cars locally when they appeared at dealers just so I could go and familiarise myself with what I'm looking at. Any advice on what to look for other than the obvious marked alloys, scratches, dints & dents? Any awkward questions I could be asking the sales guys?

(6) What's a good way off finding a quality RS6? Previously I've relied on friends who have worked for BMW and Ford to let me know when a good, clean car has come in. Unfortunately I have no contacts inside Audi so I'm flying solo on this one.

There's currently a saloon advertised quite close to me in the North East at what appears to be a good price but I'm about to move jobs so although I'm tempted (and I mean seriously tempted) it's probably too soon for me to take the plunge.

Anyway, any advice/help on the above questions would be appreciated.

Rich.

[peterb]

(1) At what time did the cd sat nav swap over to the dvd sat nav?

According to my info, this change occured during January 2004, but the dvd unit was only ever factory fitted in the Avant.

(2) Have there been any major Audi upgrades/warranty work for the RS6 and at what time?

I purchased my car new in May 2003. I'm not aware of any major issues. The only item I have had addressed was the software in the central locking controller. Up to around July 2003, the auto-locking on speed setting was dodgy.

(3) Are there any 'must have' extras I should be looking for spec wise?

The RS6 is so well specified as standard that I would not count any of the options as 'must have'. The obvious ones to consider would be drilled discs (although these can be specified the first time the discs become due for normal replacement). Auto dimming/folding door mirrors. (Solar?) sun roof. Electric column adjustment. Other than that, most of the options are cosmetic.

I can't really help with the rest of your questions - I bought my car new and it's still under original warranty.

[Rich_C]

Thanks for the info Peter - very useful!!

Rich.

[shimmy]

rich

just bought my 2003 avant from a dealer.

i would say best option is a warranty (if you know what I mean) even if it is extended with audi.

of the extras on mine drilled brakes are v.good and will help on resale (even if you fit when discs need replacing. rear blinds useful if you have young kids and dont want those stupid smiley face blinds stuck onto the window/alternately solar film tinting although in the uk it does tend to give yoiu S.A.D. as it always seems miserable outside.

i use my GSM phone (audi prep) all the time as has a nokia 6230i cradle so my phone just goes into the armrest, although as it is series 1 not fully interactive with the screen.

alacantra headlining looks good but you will probably not miss it if you dont get it.

folding mirrors ok but not as dramatic as the e39 m5 as they just turn in rather than twist up. Functional I suppose (boring i mean)

if you want tracker it will save you some serious cash if you get one with tracker already fitted of course.

havent got sun roof and never hardly used my last two cars sun roof over the last 5 years so not a problem for me.

good luck, and save up and ask craigyb to put in a dvd sat nav with the money you have left

[W8PMC]

rich

just bought my 2003 avant from a dealer.

i would say best option is a warranty (if you know what I mean) even if it is extended with audi.

of the extras on mine drilled brakes are v.good and will help on resale (even if you fit when discs need replacing. rear blinds useful if you have young kids and dont want those stupid smiley face blinds stuck onto the window/alternately solar film tinting although in the uk it does tend to give yoiu S.A.D. as it always seems miserable outside.

i use my GSM phone (audi prep) all the time as has a nokia 6230i cradle so my phone just goes into the armrest, although as it is series 1 not fully interactive with the screen.

alacantra headlining looks good but you will probably not miss it if you dont get it.

folding mirrors ok but not as dramatic as the e39 m5 as they just turn in rather than twist up. Functional I suppose (boring i mean)

if you want tracker it will save you some serious cash if you get one with tracker already fitted of course.

havent got sun roof and never hardly used my last two cars sun roof over the last 5 years so not a problem for me.

good luck, and save up and ask craigyb to put in a dvd sat nav with the money you have left

IIRC, all RS6's have Tracker fitted as standard. It's installed at the factory.

Solar Sunroof is a great option as more than just being a sunroof it keeps the car cool via the air-con using the power generated from the solar panels in the roof. Mine had the tints on all windows except of course the windscreen so blinds were not needed. Also got the alcantara rooflining whic i personally love but probably not an essential extra.

[Rich_C]

Thanks for all the info guys ... going back to stare at my sales brochure again to decide what it is I really/need want.

Rich.

[peterb]

alacantra headlining looks good but you will probably not miss it if you dont get it.

Alcantara headlining is standard, matching the upholstery colour, although there was an option to change the colour.

if you want tracker it will save you some serious cash if you get one with tracker already fitted of course.

Again, Tracker is standard fitment in the UK. However, there were options to upgrade to Monitor or Horizon versions.

good luck, and save up and ask craigyb to put in a dvd sat nav with the money you have left

Yep, the RNS-E sat nav is a very worthwhile option. Superior to the older unit in all respects, except for the lack of TMC functionality in the UK. I fitted the RNS-E myself - not at all difficult.

[peterb]

IIRC, all RS6's have Tracker fitted as standard. It's installed at the factory.

Standard, yes, and included in the UK list price, but fitted at the dealership.

[craigyb]

Strange, mine didn't come with tracker, dealers only fit Monitor and Retrieve as they are not specialist enough for anything else. Most of the insurance companies I spoke to would not entertain anything but Tracker Echo before they would insure the me and the car.

[shimmy]

Strange, mine didn't come with tracker, dealers only fit Monitor and Retrieve as they are not specialist enough for anything else. Most of the insurance companies I spoke to would not entertain anything but Tracker Echo before they would insure the me and the car.

i was also told mine had no tracker fitted as standard. I will have to contact tracker to see if they have any info as I dont really need it for insurance purposes just a little piece of mind

willing to pay a couple of hundred but not the whole fitting bill

[W8PMC]

IIRC, all RS6's have Tracker fitted as standard. It's installed at the factory.

Standard, yes, and included in the UK list price, but fitted at the dealership.

2 out of 3 right aint too bad for me

[Kev.S]

My dealer told me that the Tracker was fitted at the dealership, as it was a condition of the dealer's insurance policy that all their Audis had this fitted.
Craigb- try Churchill for an insurance quote- they were happy with mine only having Retrieve.

[GaryC]

My RS6 is an ex Audi car and didn't have a tracker fitted when I bought it.

I spoke to Audi CS before I bought it to query this, and they confirmed that the tracker was not standard fit.

Gary.

[peterb]

Quote from the January 2003 RS6 price list:
Under 'Security:'
Tracker Retrieve ... (Audi Centre fitted ....) No charge
Tracker Monitor ... (Audi Centre fitted ....) £150
Tracker Horizon ... (Audi Centre fitted ....) £345

I guess that, strictly speaking, the Tracker Retrieve was an option, but at no cost.

[Rich_C]

Gents,

Thanks for all the info. I've been to look at a couple more RS6's in the past couple of weeks ... unfortunately I couldn't withstrain myself any further so I've put a deposit down on a daytona grey saloon. Hopefully picking her up sometime next week - had wanted to get her this Saturday but I don't think that'd be enough time to get things sorted.

Initially I had been looking for an Avant but now I've seen a couple of saloons in the flesh I much prefer the shape. Daytona Grey is also a fantastic colour - I just love the way it sparkles. I think the sales brochure really doesn't do the saloon shape or Daytona Grey colour any kind of justice - they look soooo much better in the flesh.

As per usual I've got a few more questions which I'll post separately.

Rich.
(PS God damn this weeks dragging and it's only Wednesday ... this weeks mantra "Must drive RS6!!!")