Traded my RS6 for an E63. My thoughts
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:34 pm
Traded in my 2004 RS6 Avant full Audi history 58,000miles bought from an Audi main dealer with Audi warranty for E63 2006 saloon 30,000 miles full merc history and merc warranty from a main dealer. After owning the car for a little under 2 years I could no longer deal with the stress and heartache of 20 visits to the main dealer and around25k in warranty work. A few things done
1. DRC replaced
2. ARB bush replaced
2. Steering gater replaced
3. Cooling fans replaced
4. Water Pump replaced
5. Heads replaced dealer threw the cambelt
6. Radiator replaced
7. Windscreen washer bottle replaced
8. Headlight levelling sensor replaced 5 times
9. Clocks replaced
10. Can bus controller replaced
11. TPMS brain replaced twice
12. All TPMS batterys replaced
13. Headlight replaced broken bracket by the dealer
14. Gearbox rear seal replaced
15. Intercooler hoses replaced
16. Air-con pipes blocked
17. Bulkhead drain blocked
18. Windscreen seal replaced
19. Rust on rear arch which Audi warranty denied
20. Engine mounts replaced.
21. Rear window channel replaced after window detached itself
In total the car was at the dealer for around 14 weeks.
A few obervations
1. Do I worry now everytime I start the engine waiting for another warning light and chimes...Erm NO
2. Is my engine down on power becacuse my intercoolers are leaking....Erm NO
3. Does the Merc suffer from creaks and pedal shake...Erm NO
4. Does the radio suffer from crap reception... Erm NO
5. Are the alloys soft as putty....Erm NO
6. Are the door handles suffering from Leprocy...Erm NO
7. Do I worry about wet carpet every time it rains...Erm NO
8. Does the gearbox hunt for gears at 30 mph without being chipped... Erm NO
9. Does the front nobbly bit destroy my tyres....Erm NO
They are 2 different but very similar animals but are also very similar in what they are trying at to achieve.
The merc is on a back foot in the wet due to 2 wheel drive, so pushing on is NOT an option, but in the dry it scares the pants of me more than the Audi ever did. It may be only a little faster but it feels a whole lot quicker. The adjustable air suspension is a revalation and can be set for different conditions and the speed sensative steering while taking a little time to get used is also brilliant. It is roughly 10% more eceonomical (not that it maters) and the sound from the quad tail pipes is amazing.
All in all a fantatstic car, costs no more to run and service (servicing is roughly the same cost) than the RS (front pads are 200 quid dealer fitted, the Audy was 450).
I am a Merc convert and after the issues with Audi, the service depaartment ( 3rd Audi 1st RS6) I can honestly say my Merc dealer is a breath of fresh air in his approach and attitude and I can honestly say I will NEVER buy another Audi.
Sorry if I offend anyone but that's my experience and my opinion.
Thanks and See Ya
1. DRC replaced
2. ARB bush replaced
2. Steering gater replaced
3. Cooling fans replaced
4. Water Pump replaced
5. Heads replaced dealer threw the cambelt
6. Radiator replaced
7. Windscreen washer bottle replaced
8. Headlight levelling sensor replaced 5 times
9. Clocks replaced
10. Can bus controller replaced
11. TPMS brain replaced twice
12. All TPMS batterys replaced
13. Headlight replaced broken bracket by the dealer
14. Gearbox rear seal replaced
15. Intercooler hoses replaced
16. Air-con pipes blocked
17. Bulkhead drain blocked
18. Windscreen seal replaced
19. Rust on rear arch which Audi warranty denied
20. Engine mounts replaced.
21. Rear window channel replaced after window detached itself
In total the car was at the dealer for around 14 weeks.
A few obervations
1. Do I worry now everytime I start the engine waiting for another warning light and chimes...Erm NO
2. Is my engine down on power becacuse my intercoolers are leaking....Erm NO
3. Does the Merc suffer from creaks and pedal shake...Erm NO
4. Does the radio suffer from crap reception... Erm NO
5. Are the alloys soft as putty....Erm NO
6. Are the door handles suffering from Leprocy...Erm NO
7. Do I worry about wet carpet every time it rains...Erm NO
8. Does the gearbox hunt for gears at 30 mph without being chipped... Erm NO
9. Does the front nobbly bit destroy my tyres....Erm NO
They are 2 different but very similar animals but are also very similar in what they are trying at to achieve.
The merc is on a back foot in the wet due to 2 wheel drive, so pushing on is NOT an option, but in the dry it scares the pants of me more than the Audi ever did. It may be only a little faster but it feels a whole lot quicker. The adjustable air suspension is a revalation and can be set for different conditions and the speed sensative steering while taking a little time to get used is also brilliant. It is roughly 10% more eceonomical (not that it maters) and the sound from the quad tail pipes is amazing.
All in all a fantatstic car, costs no more to run and service (servicing is roughly the same cost) than the RS (front pads are 200 quid dealer fitted, the Audy was 450).
I am a Merc convert and after the issues with Audi, the service depaartment ( 3rd Audi 1st RS6) I can honestly say my Merc dealer is a breath of fresh air in his approach and attitude and I can honestly say I will NEVER buy another Audi.
Sorry if I offend anyone but that's my experience and my opinion.
Thanks and See Ya