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Folks,

Brand new here - first post etc... I was hoping you guys could give me some advice.

A little while ago, I was forced to sell my garage queen BMW E39 M5 - the V8 one from 99-04. I loved this car. Always wanted one, had it for a few years and thought I'd never sell it etc...

So, my plan was to spend around 25k to find the very best latest plate, lowest mileage best options E39 M5 - just like my old one. Then, I saw an RS6+ for sale. A friend of mine used to have a 'standard' RS6 and it was very impressive - faster than my old M5 but with a different character. So I have decided that I will also look at RS6 plus, as you can pick them up for similar money to a mint M5.

I am going to spend a few months researching etc, so would be grateful if you could point me in the direction of useful sites / reviews of the RS6+ that may help along the way.

Also what would be cool would be where you can point out any failings to look out for. I have seen a couple on t'internet with replacement gearboxes??? I think something went wrong with the suspension, but might need some help on that too....

Basically any guidance you can offer and advice you can proffer would be very helpful indeed!

Thanks in advance folks - I look forward to getting involved in the debate, and possibly getting myself an RS6+ in due course.

Cheers

TrickyTrev

Welcome Trev,

Look out for

DRC Leaking and knackered suspension
Gearbox ......

• Full Service history
  Cambelt, water pump, fluids & filters Spark plugs @ 40k
  Intercooler leaks
  Brakes (Disc, Calliper + Pad)
  Tyres wear + air pressure sensor + alignment
  Wobble / vibration in steering wheel when driving at speed Impact damage
  Whining noises when under load / acceleration
  (expensive)

Warranty is a bonus, preferably Audi

In fairness, the cambelt/timingbelt replacement mileage has been something of a moveable feast - with some dealers still thinking its a 5-year 60k mile interval. Don't be too worried if the belts aren't done until later than 40k. Waterpumps aren't always replaced when belts are done now - only if they 'need' replaced will they be changed as part of Audi's commitment to the environment <snigger>

The TPMS is also, as said, a common failure. Though not really a failure, there's a battery in the sealed unit on the rim that simply dies. Warranties won't replace so most owners leave them, rather than waste £250+ replacing them.

Thanks Folks - much appreciated.

For the unintiated - whats a TPMS ?

I quite like the idea of an RS6 + so will do some research.

Does anyone know of good magazine reviews for the car - RS6+ in particular?

Cheers

TrickyTrev

TPMS = Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Has been disabled on my car, so no problems!

hi TrickyTrev
i recently bought an RS6 plus, although i wasn't specifically looking for a plus this one came up and it was superb condition with a good warranty. the plus is more exclusive than a non-plus since there were less than 70 rhd cars brought into the UK (possibly only 56). here's a summary of the plus spec :-

- Power is up 30bhp on the standard RS6 to a heady 480bhp and peak torque is now a gut wrenching 413ft.lb available from 1950rpm up to 6000rpm.

- The increased performance has been derived from the ECU. Extensive meddling by the Audi's engineers found the extra performance from the twin turbo V8. To cope with the additional loads on components, there are two additional radiators behind the intercoolers.

- To haul the beast to a halt, large drilled discs have been used which can be seen behind the new 19 inch wheels. Buyers of the RS 6 plus can in addition order sports suspension plus, at no extra charge. This provides variable damping, firmer spring/damper settings and a body 10 mm lower than the RS 6.

- Three different trim packs will be available. The Blue equipment package comprises the special paint ‘Sprint Blue’ pearl effect for the body, with seats in black leather with silver-coloured Alcantara centre sections. The blue threads in the carbon fibre inserts echo the body colour.

- The Audi RS 6 plus with Silver package has the special body colour Silver metallic, and the black leather seats contrast subtly with the Alcantara centre sections, which are also black. The matt brushed aluminium trim inserts provide contrast.

- The Black/Cognac equipment comprises Ebony Black pearl effect and trim strips in black piano finish. Inside are Cognac-coloured leather seats with black piping.

- The RS 6 Plus is only available in estate body style. Less than 999 will be built and the last three digits of the VIN are reproduced on a plaque inside the car, displayed on the centre console.

in addition to the above (which was the press release summary, all plus's have the later RNS-E satnav, additional engine cooling and slightly uprated transmission.

and also....
since buying my plus i've learnt that they weren't restricted to only the three colours of sprint blue, silver and ebony black, but were also available in any non-plus colour at no additional charge. so there's a daytona grey one owned by a forum member and a couple in mugello blue - one of which is for sale on pistonheads.

i would also say that the extra power is not noticeable over a non-plus as the torque is the same value through the revs except for a 400 rpm "stretch" at the top end from 5600rpm to 6000rpm.

and a couple of links

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarr ... i_rs6.html
http://www.supercars.net/cars/2953.html

Plenty of info if you do some searches on the web but some info here:

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=New ... me=Printer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_rs6

RS6+ is actually 480 PS (473 bhp) as against 450 PS (444 bhp), torque is the same for both cars at 413 lbs and top speed is 174 mph on the RS6+ as against a limited 155 mph on the RS6.

Hi Guys

I am also interested in this thread as, fingers crossed, I hope to be in the market for a C5 RS6 Avant plus or non-plus) in the next month or so.

It would be very helpful if you could answer the following questions to help me prepare myself:

- Replacement of DRC - what is a ballpark figure for replacing this with Bilsteins or similar? I'm thinking around £1500 but can't remember where I heard this figure. If a car hasn 't had this done, I was planning on running it until the DRB breaks and replacing it then.

- Gearbox - If the car has not been chipped, and if the fluid has been changed on the gearbox, will this minimise any potential difficulties?

- Brakes - am I correct in thinking around £1k for discs and pads all round? How long can I expect them to last?

- Exhaust - how long does the stock system last? Would it be worth replacing it with a Miltec straight away? If so, how much would this be?

- Cambelt - am I correct in thinking these are replaced every 4 years or 40k? Is the cost around £600?

- Tyres - my favourite brand from previous cars is the Michelin PS2. Would you recommend these? How long can a set of tyres be expected to last?

- MPG - My old 147 GTA averaged 19mpg overall, so I'm not too bothered about this - but what can I expect for a mixture of 25% town and 75% open road driving?

Apologies for all these questions.

I will hopefully know shortly if and when I can proceed with a purchase, and I will let you know. It would be good to hear from any members who are planning on selling their RS6 Avants (if they are in good condition

Cheers

£2k for coilovers

Gearbox failure is reduced by good servicing, but not sure what you mean by a fluid change. Certain dealers don't recommend its changed over too regularly and only with a gearbox service.

Brakes - £1k will get you front (drilled - as most of us are running) discs. Speak to Grizz, but I think even then £1k is light for discs and pads all round

Exhausts - not heard of a standard exhaust failing. Quite a few on here have milltek systems so not sure if there are any high milers out there on standard cans. I've done 58k on a standard exhaust - no problem

Cambelt - see my original post. At a main dealer budget up to £2k - its a front-off job and depending on how many years have passed and how many bolts have seized, it could be pricey. Mine was £2.1k as the water pump had leaked onto a bolt and corroded it.

Tyres - lots of threads on here. PS2s, contisport2s, PZeros and Vredstein Ultras are all used with good reviews. Easily 10k miles from a set.

MPG - all depends on you. I'd say I'd be ecstatic with 19mpg overall. Town driving can have you down at 9, and if 'open road' is motorway cruise at 70 (offcer..) then you'll get mid-twenties. Otherwise 20 tops

hmmm - didn't realise that - plus has a revised steering rack with lower ratio.
learn something new everyday.....

Ecurie_Ecosse2 wrote:Hi Guys

I am also interested in this thread as, fingers crossed, I hope to be in the market for a C5 RS6 Avant plus or non-plus) in the next month or so.

It would be very helpful if you could answer the following questions to help me prepare myself:

- Replacement of DRC - what is a ballpark figure for replacing this with Bilsteins or similar? I'm thinking around £1500 but can't remember where I heard this figure. If a car hasn 't had this done, I was planning on running it until the DRB breaks and replacing it then.

- Gearbox - If the car has not been chipped, and if the fluid has been changed on the gearbox, will this minimise any potential difficulties?

- Brakes - am I correct in thinking around £1k for discs and pads all round? How long can I expect them to last?

- Exhaust - how long does the stock system last? Would it be worth replacing it with a Miltec straight away? If so, how much would this be?

- Cambelt - am I correct in thinking these are replaced every 4 years or 40k? Is the cost around £600?

- Tyres - my favourite brand from previous cars is the Michelin PS2. Would you recommend these? How long can a set of tyres be expected to last?

- MPG - My old 147 GTA averaged 19mpg overall, so I'm not too bothered about this - but what can I expect for a mixture of 25% town and 75% open road driving?

Apologies for all these questions.

I will hopefully know shortly if and when I can proceed with a purchase, and I will let you know. It would be good to hear from any members who are planning on selling their RS6 Avants (if they are in good condition

Cheers

Many thanks, that's very helpful.

The dealers have just told me the cambelt needs replacing every 60,000 or 4 years whichever the sooner.

Extended Audi all component warranty is highly recommended albeit others on this forum are satisfied with cheaper alternatives. I have no experience with exercising the audi warranty as yet.

Get a milltek cat back fitted - Grizz will do it for £900 ish - well worth the money.

Mine could be up for sale in next 3-4 months !

cheers

forgot to mention dealer said it would cost £600 to replace the cambelt although this does not include that add ons that people tend to get replaced.

GregR1 wrote:£2k for coilovers...

No. Prices for coils range from £700-2k...