Heart has found a new love but is the head following...

[hanman]

hi all, recently joined this forum as my thoughts have been turned from yearning for an M5 to salivating for an RS6..

However, reading the buyers guide (in the sticky's) and all the posts about how costly it is to run the RS6, i have to say the M5 is looking alot healthier to me right now... i appreciate the differences between the and personal preference BUT they are both absolute AWESOME beasts...

From what i have read, even if i find a well looked after 6 (all common issues resolved and addressed) i am still likely to spend 1000's each year just to keep the 6 happy. I am NOT considering wear & tear items here. I am purely thinking of items that could fail and require hefty garage bills.
-> Am i right or have a completely mis-understood the demands of this beast?

Also, i only ever see comments from regular forum members as to the costly nature of these cars.. These guys/gals seem to be avid enthusiasts who like to keep their cars at optimal performance regardless of costs, i.e. every little fault has to be addressed with no expense spared..
this may not be reflective of the many RS6 owners around the country.
-> Would you agree? Have a pidgeon-holed peeps incorrectly?

I have also noticed that there aren't many posts from new members with 'new' problems.. that tells me that these cars are quite reliable EXCEPT when something big goes BUT if those BIG issues are addressed then the car would simply be maintained through regular wear & tear maintenance (although this would be more pricey compared to standard road vehicles), which is perfectly acceptable for a family supercar.
-> Discuss?

I have also noted that many of the posts describing large amounts of money being spent in short periods of time is a combination of fixing the common expensive faults OR improving the 6 via aftermarket mods, i.e. large amounts do NOT need to be spent if simply maintaining the 6 through regular annual maintenance and wear & tear..
-> do you agree with this statement?

Annual warranties seem to go a long way to providing piece of mind for the up-keep of the 6. Would i be right in assuming every regular forum member has a warranty taken out on their beast?

Apologies for the long winded posts and endless questions BUT i am trying to convince my head that the 6 is not as bad as written and described here, i.e. if the right RS6 is found and maintained with love and care, the hit on the pocket is not as bad as described in this forum in many posts.

i just want to be sure i make the right decision between 'smiles per miles' and 'headache and heartache'...

[posterboyj]

Relatively a reliable* car. Solid engine and over all build quality. Not doing your home work will hurt your bank balance.

As you are aware, the main cost is the general maintenance and up-keep; Brakes £1000+, Cam-Belt £1000+, fuel £££ tyres £800 - £1000 .

If you are the unfortunate buyer who buys an RS6 with all this work due... lol

The main issues with this car, which maybe can be dealt with via warranty are;

Gearbox
Suspension
Inter coolers

These will fail or are failing

So called sorted RS6's are just RS6 which have had these issues pop up and resolved, whether by warranty or out of pocket

[hanman]

My plan is to buy an RS6 (and pay extra, if needed) that has had the following sorted:

Gearbox
Suspension
Inter coolers
Cam-belt

I own a 540 so i know that it can be expensive on parts compared to say a fiesta: The regular costly maintenenace items i can live with, i.e.

Brakes £1000+ -> A regular family car (> 3litre) can cost £500+. I expect to pay more for a true BEAST...
Cam-Belt £1000+ -> A price you pay approx. every 40,000 miles, i.e. not every yr so you can budget for it
Fuel -> 15 mpg is standard on my 540 so nothing scary here
tyres -> A regular family car (> 3litre) can cost £500+. I expect to pay more for a true BEAST..

If a warranty is also purchased annually, would i be sufficiently covering myself?

[posterboyj]

Depends on the type of warranty cover and limit per claim, not every warranty may cover a new gearbox

Full Audi warranty is recommended

yes naturally and obviously buy an RS6 which has been looked after, not one from a council estate

[posterboyj]

Don't be a girl, buy the RS6 and enjoy, its mental

[Ross22]

Hi Hanman,

I agree with Posterboy - Buy one! they are truly amazing cars. I have had mine 14months now and still love it as much as the day i picked it up.

If you can find one that has an Audi Warranty you will be fine - (Gold dust in my view). There are other warranties around that seem ok but do a search - Its a regular topic of conversation amongst this forum

Good luck and be brave

Ross

[RS6Steve]

I don't have a warranty on mine. Just go get one, you will love it. All I recommend is don't expect to run it on Mondeo money....

They are fantastic cars and I don't regret it one bit, even if my pockets a empty.

[RS6Steve]

I don't have a warranty on mine. Just go get one, you will love it. All I recommend is don't expect to run it on Mondeo money....

They are fantastic cars and I don't regret it one bit, even if my pockets are empty.

[RS6Steve]

I don't have a warranty on mine. Just go get one, you will love it. All I recommend is don't expect to run it on Mondeo money....

They are fantastic cars and I don't regret it one bit, even if my pockets are empty.

[RS6Steve]

I don't have a warranty on mine. Just go get one, you will love it. All I recommend is don't expect to run it on Mondeo money....

They are fantastic cars and I don't regret it one bit, even if my pockets are empty.

[hanman]

RS6Steve - i completely understand that your pockets are now empty BUT you didn't have to tell me FOUR times

[BillTheButcher]

RS6Steve - i completely understand that your pockets are now empty BUT you didn't have to tell me FOUR times

Posting from an iPhone?

[RS6Steve]

RS6Steve - i completely understand that your pockets are now empty BUT you didn't have to tell me FOUR times

Posting from an iPhone?

Yup... Pain in the..,.

[posterboyj]

lol

[HYFR]

do it ... U won't regret it

Go in with eyes wide open and you'll be ok ... The regular maintenance once the car is 100% tip top is not prohibitive

My advice would be do not limit your search to cars which have had a Gearbox replacement, as that's very rare, instead look for one that's had a recent Gearbox service ... Also watchout the Alternator is a timebomb after 6yrs ...

Audi branded warranty or Warranty Direct are, generally speak, the only ones worth considering

The cars actually have amazing build quality ... They might err on the side of slight unreliability but only in terms of small niggleds ... The big show stopping failures are pretty few and far between

Final advice is buy from a regular forum member / enthusiast as that's the only true peace of mind