C6 RS6 - Donor Chassis (Allroad)

[EVLRS6]

Hi Team,

I have an issue - Last year purchased a stunning C6 RS6 UK Spec car in Daytona Grey. At the time it had an issue with its MMI module not being coded into the Can Bus loop, so I had that done and everything is working fine.

I went to take it down to get it inspected for its new warrant of fitness and registration as the previous owner had let it lapse due to the MMI issue - or so I thought.

It turns out this car was deemed an insurance write off due to water coming through the sunroof and onto the MMI control and into the passenger footwell. The rules here in NZ have recently been charged so that all cars that have had an issue with moisture / water are now classified as fully submerged. It is near impossible to get them back on the road as they make you change all of the airbags and electronic modules.

This car is absolutely stunning in performance and specification... so I thought to myself, what it I found a donor car - 4F estate may be an A6 or perhaps the A6 Allroad and used just the base chassis and in car wiring loom and airbag components and then brought all other components over from the RS6 (seats, dash board, engine, gearbox, suspension, running gear, fuel pump, ecu, radiators etc), then do flared guards.

The donor chassis car I am looking at is the 2007 / 2008 2.8L / 3.0L Allroad.

The car will need to be recertified anyway, so might as well give it a shot.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[stuartbarriskell]

Can't help you with the question, unfortunately. I feel your pain though, when you say last year, are you talking late last year or way before that?.. I'm guessing it was a private seller and not a Garage/Trader

Here in the UK, we're protected by consumer laws for up to 6 months after purchase. Do you not have similar ?..

Sounds like a massive job swapping everything over to a new shell..

Cheers

Stu

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[EVLRS6]

Hi Stuart,

I am not too worried about the amount of work required, its just another DIY project.

Consumer law here is all about 'Buyer be aware'.

I am an Audi Enthusiast through and through, just want to get this girl back on the road.

[welwynnick]

Nasty situation; difficult solution. Did you buy from a dealer? Did the rules change after you bought the car?

To be clear, are you proposing to either:
1. Take the running gear from the RS6 and transplant to the Allroad, so that will be your "new RS6"?
OR:
2. Take the electrics and electronics from the Allroad and transplant to the RS6?

Option 1 will be difficult because the flared rear wheel arches on the RS6 are almost certainly welded on, and I think it's likely that something serious would get broken/lost/forgotten because of the amount of work needed. It's a risk thing. It would also be difficult to insure because you would have a heavily modified car. Maybe try and get some quotes first?

Option 2 would be simpler, but I hope the recertification isn't actually near impossible. In this situation, would you have to replace the RS6 ECU ?

Best of luck, Nick

[Jim Haseltine]

That's what I was thinking. If they don't let you register a flooded car surely they aren't going to let you transfer 'flooded' ECUs to another shell.

[EVLRS6]

You both raise good points.

The issue my side is it is more of a precautionary 'way out' for the recertification inspectors. There is actually nothing wrong with anything that is in the original shell, the insurance company accessor decided to write it off after they tried to get two parts quoted on from Audi AG, and of course they quoted factory new prices that came in at over $30,000.

The issue that occurred had nothing to do with flood damage, but it did have an issue with seal failure and owner stupidity.

The shell itself is now registered as a 'write off due to water' which is complete BS, it's a complete cop out.

You are right about the ECU, however this why I plan to move all mechanical and interior components over from the shell, and then acquire a new ECU and other modules as specified by the VIRMS.

I have decided now to use an A6 Estate, preferably an S6 variant for the donor car.

For the flared arches - I have the body repair manual, so was planning on having a professional panelbeater make the body modifications and strengthening.

OPTION C (not my preferred option)

Turn it into a track car.

[EVLRS6]

***Update***

After some discussion - we have decided to turn this car into a Track Car, which is a relatively easy process as Track Cars do not need Warrant of Fitnesses and Registrations as they are not road bound cars. They are however scrutinized each visit to the track by race marshall's for safety features including brakes, tyres and body damage, with its motorsport logbook being updated. Then the rest comes down to driver safety.

The RS6 is a brilliant race bred car, that already possess many of the supercar features that would cost 10's of thousands of dollars to add to a normal car to experience that same level of adrenaline and fun.

So that's what we will use it for, as an entry into the world of non professional motorsport.

Thanks guys for your help and comments, its certainly helped steer its final out come.

[stuartbarriskell]

I reckon with the swap options for a road going vehicle, you saved yourself a nightmare and major headache scenario . The track option is likely miles (Clicks in your case) more straightforward

Get the journey posted up on here please

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[cammmy]

Gutted to hear about that bro. As a Kiwi who's been in the UK for 10 years, I forget about the cert rigmarole.

Question, what is the scrutineer going to complain about? The electrics or the shell? Flooding isn't going to impact the shell itself, so, how do they know that the electrics are original? If they plug a laptop in and everything comes back okay, what's the problem? If they are wanting you to replace airbags/electronics and you can find the parts you need over here, I'd be happy for you to send them to me and I'll box it all up and forward it on.

[EVLRS6]

VTNZ Re-certification process is a giant bag of dicks. The car has to go to a specialist repairer inspector who must examine and record all component serial numbers...airbags and control models. A request is then made to Audi AG via www.Erwin.audi.com for the original build schedule from factory. The serial numbers are compared. There are certain items that can be replaced with second hand components - but the bulk of the expensive big ticket items - must be new. Check out the link bellow to VTNZ's VIRMS

I really appreciate your willingness to assist with parts.

I have another meeting with the specialist repairer to see if we can fight VTNZ over what the insurance claims assessor said, but I am not holding me breath.

I am taking the V10 to Hampton Downs Racetrack at the end of the month for a trackway, so will see how I feel about it after that.


https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/ ... amage#tab2