Why so cheap?

[bakustax]

Nope, I saw the support you got on that thread, everyone thought you were a nob. Even the mighty shop you seem to love waved you goodbye. It was because of the response you had on that thread you came about with that cowardly apology.

You're right Amar you are the winner...now run along and wipe a few more off the members list with one of your beezers about how you may or may not have spotted a forum car on the M25

[Mr V10]

OP - I wouldn't dismiss the sub 10k ones, just be careful. Post the links to the one that take your fancy here and we will help you mull them over.

[swannny]

Is it because of this bickering that I missed the amusing Friday thread?

Maybe we should do a Monday thread because I'm finding it hard to work enthusiasm up this morning!

Back on point though, I can't figure out why these cars are so cheap now, it looks as though the rs4 are having the same problem, i honestly think the retail value must have hit rock bottom, I do expect them to hold their value and maybe increase a bit for good looked after models!

Agree with bam though, inspection is a must!

[HYFR]

its just depreciation ... its normal

[sweegie]

its just depreciation ... its normal

Agreed. Coupled with a fearsome thirst and a reputation for big bills, you have the price they're at today. It's a lot of car for the money, but they do need a lot of owner effort or a large bag of cash to look after properly.

Although I'm a soap dodging weegie, I am in Edinburgh pretty much every week if you want a chat or a poke around the car

[mik15]

definitely the high running costs are narrowing the market for these cars, i am thinking of myself and probably i wouldn't have bought it if i had a mortgage or any other loans to pay to the bank, or any kids in school because the reality is that whenever something has to be done on this car nothing is cheap, except a regular oil change all my other bills starts from 5-600GBP up and the frequency is so far monthly or twice a month ....so yeah, it's understandable why the lack of enthusiasm for many potential buyers, but the car is an absolute blast if it runs as it should, you will definitely get in love with it once you see its capabilities...i have just changed the front control arms and the DRC was rebuild when i bought it(5 months ago), so the suspension is as new, and i must say it drives now like a dream with everything sorted out...actually the regular maintenance is expensive because once you've sorted out the big issues(DRC and Torque Converter) there is nothing else as prone as those are to fail and you can enjoy it, i guess this is the story with all the high performance cars, i am sure the E39 M5 has its weak points as well, i know about the engine not being so reliable and burning too much oil, the Vanos, might be others as well...i like BMW too and have had a few but for me there was no choosing point between M5 E39 and RS6, i went straight for the RS without any regrets, it looks better, it is faster, it's not so common and it doesn't look that old as the E39, etc...

[Scotland]

Although I'm a soap dodging weegie, I am in Edinburgh pretty much every week if you want a chat or a poke around the car

Much appreciated, and I might take you up on that! I don't know much about these cars and don't want to buy a dud!

@Scotland - my advice is to pick one carefully and have Grizz at Unit20 look it over (he's the closest specialist to you). If all good, buy it and drive for 3-6 months and then sell it on for zero depreciation and 'maybe' zero maintenance costs... I say 'maybe' because it could:
a) break
b) get addictive and you keep it too long
c) you start modifying it

Incidentally, you joined in 2008, have you owned a fast Audi before?

Thanks for that.
My nearest specialist is in Cheshire?! That's not a great start! Maybe I'll take it to Star Performance in Fife. They aren't RS specialists, but are VERY good for general VAG performance, so will probably know a thing or two about the RS6.
No fast Audis I'm afraid - not unless you count a B5 1.8T Quattro Sport - worst mistake I ever made was selling it. I bought an e36 330i M Sport Cab which was nearly 10 times the price but terrible.

OP - I wouldn't dismiss the sub 10k ones, just be careful. Post the links to the one that take your fancy here and we will help you mull them over.

OK thanks, here is one I'm seeing on Saturday:

--
"5 Door Avant, Black with bespoke leather interior ( 3.5k option) aluminum trim, 2 owners with a full service history from Battersea and Edinburgh Audi, Every single receipt from new documenting all work that has been carried out, Huge history, Maintained regardless, Cambelt changed by Audi @70k, 2 key's inc plastic one. 11 month MOT with no advisory's, 4 months tax. Usual RS spec, 155mph limiter removed, Solar sunroof, Tinted windows, Bose sound system, Sat Nav, Rear screen DVD entertainment, Front and rear parking sensors, folding mirrors, auto dim interior mirror, fully adjustable electricly heated seats, 19in Alloy's with new rubber all round, Dynamic front lights with washers. Road pilot speed camera detector, Tracker, I pod adapter, New front discs and front and rear pads, New oil cooler and pipes, New air intake hoses, DRC suspension removed so no nasty shocks come MOT time, Fitted with adjustable H and R Coilovers. Immaculate bodywork, looks fantastic, Alloys recently refurbed but have some small scuff's on them. (It's a big car) Everything else 100% I have owned this car for the last 4 years and now feel it's time for a change, still put's a smile on my face every time i start it up. Seriously quick, so no test pilots or agencies please. Full folder of history, to much to put on here. Call me for further details or with any queries. £10,000 "
--










Does anyone know the car? Any thoughts?

[bam_bam]

HOLLY FCUK... Is that a mustard interior? Wow, just wow.

[Scotland]

Yip. A £3.5k option according to the advert. Not to everyone's taste I don't imagine, but seems OK to me.

[el_ringo]

Never seen a moo-tard interior either!

[bam_bam]

I think we'd remember a car with a Simpsons skin interior. It looks as though it's reversed into a custard truck. You'd best have a darker skin tone if buying this car, if you're even remotely pale skinned you'll look as though you're suffering from jaundice.
My only note is; it should have three keys including the valet plastic key, I'd worry about a missing key.
How many miles has it done?
A 4 year owner, new brake discs, pads, long MOT, tyres (need to check what they are) and DRC switched to coilovers are all things not to be sniffed at. If the gearbox is in good health you could have some trouble-free motoring.

[Scotland]

Cheers - good tips. First and foremost, I'm not massively tanned as the "Scotland" name might suggest. My Spannish tan from last week is fading fast!

How do I check if the gearbox is OK? Anything in particular I can do in the test drive?

Thanks again,
Gordon.

[sweegie]

Aha! This car is the layer cake love child... It's what happens when a yellow range rover and RS6 mate

Many things to do - Ideally you want the car and gearbox stone cold for the test drive, as a warm box masks a lot of the thunks. All shifts should be smooth and without any bad noises - thunks, clunks and bangs are bad & will necessitate large cash injections.... Look for service history on the gearbox too - although its labeled as sealed for life, fluid changes are a very good idea. Make sure the tiptro works ok. Put the car in drive with all the brakes on, then pop it into reverse... leave for a few secs then into drive and repeat repeat etc etc... any clunks here indicate play in the final drive that will require investigation.

You'll want to check the intercoolers for leaks too. This is pretty easy as the front plastic grills just pop off and you can shine a torch up to the intercooler. Oily patches are bad & generally mean they are leaking. Expect a bill approaching 4 figures to replace both sides. Also if they're leaking they will put more stress on the turbo & if the car is mapped I would probably be walking away at this point.....

Vagcom / VCDS scan of the cars electronics will shed some light on any lurking problems such as misfires and gearbox problems. If you do this and it comes back clean, I'd be very suspicious too - might have been cleared just before your arrive....

I'd also be fishing for how the previous owner warms the car up too - any indication that its been booted from cold & i'd again be walking away. I drive mine like a granny until the water temp is up to 90c and then only use half throttle max until the oil (and gearbox) is a fair distance away from the end stop.

Hope this helps

[Mr V10]

I drive mine like a granny until the water temp is up to 90c and then only use half throttle max until the oil (and gearbox) is a fair distance away from the end stop.

Ditto.

[gingertoss]

I drive mine like a granny until the water temp is up to 90c and then only use half throttle max until the oil (and gearbox) is a fair distance away from the end stop.

Ditto.

Agreed its like waiting for a TVR Speed Six engine is up to temp.