New (used) '15 RS6 - Great machine but torque steer

[alex_123_fra]

Hi all,

Recently sold my 911 C4S (991) as expecting a third child in a few months and wanted to use as much of the Pork's value in p/ex. I am no stranger to RS audis but the RS6 is a solid piece of audi. Its a '15 reg (panther black) with 13k miles and 1 previous owner. Loving the nice spec and the interior is so much nicer than the Porsche both in terms of material useage and also build quality. There are no rattles at all, compared to the rattle-fest that was the 911 (previous panamera turbos I had also rattled like hell and had awful air suspension problems). It has the 21'' wheels, sports suspension with DRC, sports diff, sports exhaust. Was torn between this and air suspension but really did not want to return to air suspension following the issues with the panamera. Also, I hear the DRC problems audi has previously had with other models (like the B7 RS4) are now sorted. The ride in my car is very nice in comfort and even in dynamic mode compared to the back crunching 911 ride.

I love how this car shrinks around you and really doesn't feel as heavy, wide or as long as it actually is. Steering is probably as direct as you can get in a car of this type in my opinion. Certainly light years ahead of a previous Nissan GT-R I had which felt numb as hell. Comparing it to the Panamera Turbo (which was remapped to 600lb ft, 650 bph), it feels far more immediate in response and exceptionally smooth, even if of course slower than the Porsche (unfair comparison though as the RS6 is standard). The sports exhaust is way too quiet in my mind but I know there are plenty of exhaust options out there.

The torque steer was fairly awful at the start. Noticed it after I left the dealership going down the motorway. It also needed constant readjustment just to go straight. I have had all wheels balanced and the geometry sorted now and it is a hell of a lot better. The only issue is that one of the rear wheels has a minor bit of bend presumably due to the previous owner going over a pothole. The wheel balances ok but I can still see the unevenness visually. I can also feel a fine vibration through the steering at speeds over 100. Curious that I can feel that from a rear wheel but I am certain the fronts are fine and well balanced .

If anyone has a spare 21inch RS6 alloy (silver) that is intact, I'd be looking to buy one.

[Bit_evl]

Mine has just had 3 of the 21" Black Y suffer from serious vibration. They have attempted to repair them and it has failed. Going back in again shortly. It started as a mild vibration.

[alex_123_fra]

Mine has just had 3 of the 21" Black Y suffer from serious vibration. They have attempted to repair them and it has failed. Going back in again shortly. It started as a mild vibration.

Is this at an Audi dealer?

[wildbore]

I had my car from new on the Continental tyres. Despite being considered the duff option here on the forum, I replaced them with a new set recently, so I am still on continentals and can thus draw a direct new/worn comparison. Torque steer is significantly more of a problem with worn front tyres. Towards the end of the first set's life, I was really wrestling with the car on windy country roads but, with a new set of fronts, the car is much more planted and quite focused again.

[Covkiller]

Friendly recommendations as to what I would do:
1. Buy a new wheel; http://www.felmondo.com/ was a lot cheaper pre Brexit and 1st class service
2. Go to Centre Gravity and have Chris perform his geometry magic on your RS6.

Good luck in fixing your issue.

[Bit_evl]

Mine has just had 3 of the 21" Black Y suffer from serious vibration. They have attempted to repair them and it has failed. Going back in again shortly. It started as a mild vibration.

Is this at an Audi dealer?

Yes.
Under "warranty"
3 of the four wheels were apparently out of round. They did the fourth out of concern. Go figure.
I am not blaming the dealer. I am blaming what appears to be wheels not sufficiently strong enough to take the power/load.
Another car we own is on Rays Alloys with 35 profiles and they are fine on the same routes and speeds.

First it started to develop a fine wobble.
Then the wobble got to the point the car was felt to be shaking from the rear seat passengers as well. Steering wheel vibrating badly in hands.
Then the front brakes warped. I have not tracked it or driven it like an arse at all. I had a VW Phaeton V10 that had the same discs for 100,000 miles.
The RS6 went in for new discs and came back worse. Over three weeks this developed into a wobble so bad it felt like a taxi cab with 300k on it.
Car given to Audi dealer and they said that they need to "repair them" and sent it to an independent company (I monitor it on Tracking System) to have the wheels done.
On return (5 days) it still has wobbles so I am rejecting it.

90k car
600 bhp
Factory 21 inch wheels
Less than 10k miles on it with no track use and nothing beyond the usual council gold maintained road standards.
Drives with shakes through the steering wheel, shaking through your a*se front and back, cabin has a noticeably increased background noise level.
If you put a disposable cardboard supermarket wine carrier (full) in the boot you hear it clinking ALL the time.

So disappointing.
What annoys me is that it was totally silent and smooth at first, I was so impressed by how good the motorway trips were. So much more silent than the E63 Estate. Now it is a horrible experience and not what I expect from an 90k <1 year old car. My experience with the brakes and wheels has really put me off.

It goes back today.
I think this car is going to be replaced, may sound a bit over the top but I am just not enjoying it.
Sorry if this sounds like sacrilege to the people on this forum but the Audi is not my kind of car.
For UK roads it is simply too fast (fast is good but silent 100mph is risky as hell) and no fun.
Might go nuts and look into G63 with a tweak. Polar opposites I know.

[scottie1979]

you have done well to have them look at the wheels under warranty.
I just got blamed for the problem

[Covkiller]

Man, that sounds terrible and what a shame. You're doing the right thing sending it back. I'd be going absolutely bonkers at Audi

[RS6chris!]

I had 21" wheels

Also had very light vibration 70-90mph

Had them ballanced and four wheel alignment done....was still there.

Got rid and went aftermarket 21"....car is smooth as silk at all speeds now.....on the same tyres that were on my wobbly wheels I might add.

Sounds like another RS4 wobbly wheel issue!

[doodlebug]

Just sounds like BAU stack it high Audi now. The RS6 is a great car when it works, but there have been too many with issues and poor service from Audi.

Go try the new Panamera, had one on Saturday and it is a seriously good piece of kit. Nothing comes close to the interior. 4S rapid enough.

[RS6chris!]

Yeah
Love the look of the Panny....miss the dynamics of my old one to be fair...embarrasses the 6 in handling stakes...just wasn't quick enough standard.

Very similar I know but interior looks another level

Probs keep the 6 for another 12-18 months and check out panny Turbo used prices.


Are they doing a panny Turbo S?

[doodlebug]

Yep, Turbo S will be hybrid ~700hp. PDK gearbox makes the ZF8 look somewhat laughable. Regular turbo will marmelise an RS6.

[Markp]

I was advised to go 20 inch because of this very problem. Not as good aesthetically to most eyes but the car is silky smooth at 15k and climbing - and the local roads are <beep>. Actually am starting to prefer the look of the dished 20s too - they are much better in the flesh than pictures suggest.

I must be getting old.

[RS6chris!]

20"s do look good in flesh mind.


Might look good lowered on 20"s?

[rtd]

I was advised to go 20 inch because of this very problem. Not as good aesthetically to most eyes but the car is silky smooth at 15k and climbing - and the local roads are <beep>. Actually am starting to prefer the look of the dished 20s too - they are much better in the flesh than pictures suggest.

I must be getting old.

I've been mulling over whether to go 21" as the 20s do look a tad small in the flesh.....

This whole wheel issue reminds me of the problems with the B5 RS4 wheels.......get it right Audi