Newbie, members in Berks ?, first post, first RS6 drive

[RSSIX]

Morning All,

First post so BIG hello to everyone on this very lively forum - I hope to contribute as much over the years as the rest of you. I couldn't believe that this member ID hadn't already been taken !!

Over the last few weeks I've been searching for a new car - ditched the Maserati 3200 idea as the handling was terrible, ditched the 911 idea because it's too slow and looks too much like the Boxster (which is invariably the defacto upgrade from TTs) yuck. A friend then turned up in a 200 mile old RS4 - I took it out, scared him senseless around my country lanes and then decided to go try an RS6.

WoW - yes it certainly is a beast - I'm going to buy one by the end of this weekend. Is there anyone who lives in or around Berks (Reading) that I could speak with about coming to look at one with me ? I think I know what to look for but you know what it's like - things look correct to the newbie but totally wrong to an established owner/driver.

There's a nice black on black on PH atm, a little high mileage (57k) but what is the general opinion on mileage on here, does that seem about right ?

How can I tell if the stability system is functioning okay - are there any tell tale signs ?

Also I've seen another RS6 that's had the gearbox replaced - should I choose this one over one that hasn't but that does have 2 years Audi warranty ?

Thanks for any other help/buying tips/referalls to other posts etc.

Cheers

David

[MugelloR]

Hi David, good luck with your Uberwagen hunting, I am sure you will find your steed of choice....read up on the DRC issues in the C5 RS6 forums so as to be prepared and so that you know what to look out for on test drives.

Dave

[MugelloR]

Hi David, good luck with your Uberwagen hunting, I am sure you will find your steed of choice....read up on the DRC issues in the C5 RS6 forums so as to be prepared and so that you know what to look out for on test drives.

Dave

[Lig]

Hi David,

Having recently bought my RS6 heres the list that I made and referred to when searching......

19" Wheels check for curbing
3 spoke steering wheel (not 4 spoke)
Number of previous owners
Interior colour \ Inlay finish (carbon / silver etc)
Check wear on brake discs and pads and Tyres
When last serviced - check history FASH
Tax / MOT
Warranty
Check extras - Electric folding mirrors \ sunroof \ tinted glass etc

I also called Audi customer services 0800 699888 and gave them the Reg number of ones I was looking at and they were really helpful and told me the history and what claims had been made under warranty......

As for the mileage - it totally depends on how much you have to spend, I would expect a 2003 car with 57K to be late twenties at a dealer and about 25-27k private. The one on PHeads looks good, and if everything was good (as per the list, Audi extended warranty, FASH, good tyres and brakes etc) then it may be worth around the 27K asking price.

Hope this helps,

Lig.

[rjpatrick]

Hi David

I have PM'd you. As per Lig's message I have previously found the dealers helpful on vehicles history - sometimes get confused about Private plates etc though.

rjpatrick

80 2.8E Sold
1994 S6 Sold
2000 S8 Sold
2003 RS6 For Sale

[SteveH]

Very very important is check for proof of if/when cam belt was changed at 40K or if the previous owner decided on going with 60K (there has previously been confusion on when they should be changed, answer is 40K or 3 years, whichever soonest)... If they "opted" to leave it until the 60K mark then you've got a grand bill in only 3,000 miles.

Other than that... If its warranty'd up then youve got no worries on gearbox/drc... Check the usual suspects of tyres, discs and condition of alloys as they're all expensive and common consumables. I wouldnt be concerned at all on mileage, i'd say to stear clear of a low miler in my opinion as its probably tootled around london, never got up to temperature and been raced from traffic light to speed bump to traffic light... mechanically much better/kinder to get one thats stretched its legs on a good road.

[Rupert]

Very very important is check for proof of if/when cam belt was changed at 40K or if the previous owner decided on going with 60K (there has previously been confusion on when they should be changed, answer is 40K or 3 years, whichever soonest)... If they "opted" to leave it until the 60K mark then you've got a grand bill in only 3,000 miles.

Firstly a big welcome to David, good luck with the car search.

Secondly, Steve, confusion still reigns regarding the cam belt interval. A few months ago I called Audi CS to be told in no uncertain terms that the handbook for my vehicle will give the correct information regarding the interval. The handbook says 40k miles and does not give a time limit.

I just got a call back from Audi CS this morning, they checked their superduper technical department checked their superduper technical system and they say "60k miles or 4 years".
To get this information they used the chassis number, which they promise will give the most up-to-date information. They said the dealer's system will agree with this if they use the chassis number to check their system.

[LondonRS6]

Hi David,

Good hunting, i recently bought an rs6, it took me 3mths to find the right car, spec and condition... I agreed with the above my focus was DRC, CAMBELTS, SERVICE RECORD (double checked it myself), brakes/pads, bodywork. Make sure you get a warranty... If you go via a specialist or dealer sale then demand the cambelt be changed, the parts dont cost much it is the labour charge that does..I did this on my purchase despite the car only have 28k miles on it.

We regularly head to Berks (Hungerford) to see the in laws i will PM you next time we do so.

[SteveH]

Good hunting, i recently bought an rs6, it took me 3mths to find the right car, spec and condition...

Took me three days!!!!!! I'm far too impatient and commited once I get an idea in my head... Thought on the thursday "wonder how much RS6's have depreciated now they're over 1 year old?" searched on the internet, drove 100 miles to see one on the Saturday, bought it . Best thing I've ever spent my hard earned cash on (dont tell the mrs I said that ).

[skiwi]

the other thing to consider is that, through a dealer you have a better chance of negotiatiing a factory warranty. this is what i arranged at time of purchase. takes much of the uncertainty out of the purchase....

[aRSy]

Having recently bought my RS6 heres the list that I made and referred to when searching......

19" Wheels check for curbing
3 spoke steering wheel (not 4 spoke)

Hi, I am also looking at the moment and thank-you for your very helpful tips. Can you let me know why you lloked for the 3 spoke steering wheel as opposed to the 4 spoke?

Cheers
Will

[Rupert]

The 3 spoke has the paddles, whereas the 4 spoke is multi-function and has buttons instead of paddles.

[aRSy]

Thanks.

Which do you prefer?

[Gavc500]

MFSW does it for me, no flappy paddles and thumbs fall very nicely on to the rocker buttons. Plus its a multi function steering wheel so ease of use is great.