RE: Audi S6 Avant 5.2 FSI: Spotted

[k-ink]

Frio3535 said:

A W12 phaeton for <£10k seems like a bargain entry when compared with an S6 of this era.

Just make sure you keep at least half the purchase price in a "when" fund. My W8 fell apart at 45k miles (1 owner, full VAG history). The VAG techs said they are mechanically built like crap. After I poured an insane amount into fixing mine I got rid of it ASAP. However the BHP and low entry price will always get bums on seats. I am not saying the new models are just as bad (they may be, they may not). I am just saying be very aware of the larger VAG products, if you won't have a large emergency fund after the purchase.

[foxhounduk]

i can not wait to see this in the shed section in 10 years time. i'll get one for £1000 (actually will it ever be £1000?)

[Blown2CV]

Frio3535 said:

A W12 phaeton for <£10k seems like a bargain entry when compared with an S6 of this era.

Not really the same proposition though.

[Blown2CV]

foxhounduk said:

i can not wait to see this in the shed section in 10 years time. i'll get one for £1000 (actually will it ever be £1000?)

if you'd only be prepared to stump a grand on it then you'd better be prepared to spending many times that per year to keep it on the road.

[pSyCoSiS]

duffy78 said:

Not really up against the M5 though, is it?

More of a 550i or a 545i rival I'd have thought.

That's a fair point, but I was trying to say you CAN get an E60 M5 for this sort of money, so why bother with the S6?!

RS6, different proposition altogether...

[soad]

JeS10 said:

Could you make it forced induction? I mean... hypothetically.

Would cost a fortune.

ChrisRS6 said:

Yes

Buy a Twin Turbo RS6.

The correct answer.

[iloveboost]

k-ink said:

Just make sure you keep at least half the purchase price in a "when" fund. My W8 fell apart at 45k miles (1 owner, full VAG history). The VAG techs said they are mechanically built like crap. After I poured an insane amount into fixing mine I got rid of it ASAP. However the BHP and low entry price will always get bums on seats. I am not saying the new models are just as bad (they may be, they may not). I am just saying be very aware of the larger VAG products, if you won't have a large emergency fund after the purchase.

I think it's unfair to say they are 'built like crap'. I know it's painful to get a huge bill and so must those in the trade. Everybody gets unlucky with a car at some point and mechanics would never tell someone looking for a sympathetic ear 'they're built well you just got unlucky' because that's not what you want to hear.

If you buy an eight cylinder 'luxobarge' over a 4 cylinder you double your chances of getting almost any engine related failure, and you increase consumable parts costs as well. I think the truth is regardless of price it's harder to make a larger engined luxury car as reliable as a smaller engined average car over it's lifetime, and impossible to make it like for like as cheap to maintain or run. I mean that's partly why larger cars don't hold their money well and are a 'bargain' just after the manufacturers warranty expires.

Sorry if I sound harsh but that's the way I see it. I hope you had better luck next time.

[barryrs]

pSyCoSiS said:

That's a fair point, but I was trying to say you CAN get an E60 M5 for this sort of money, so why bother with the S6?!

RS6, different proposition altogether...

I would have assumed the S6 is a different proposition than the M5 as per the RS6.

I could have purchased either however i went with the S6 as it suited what i wanted which is a pretty quick barge that is a very nice comfortable place to sit. I do between 4 & 5 thousand miles a year so dont care about the fuel consumption however i didnt want high running costs and the S6 has cost me something in the region of £5k over 3 years to maintain, insure & tax.

Admittedly i haven't driven the M5 so im not going to compare the 2 however it didnt appeal to me personally; thats not to take anything away from the car its just not my cup of tea.

[arfur]

I looked at these V10s earlier in the year when looking for a change.

The overall running costs felt a bit steep and then a S-line 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro Avant came up on Ebay - 350Bhp

95k miles, FSH, all the toys, excellent condition - 10k£

Apparently there are only 9 in the UK !

Costs so far in 9 months and 5k miles since I bought it have been

1 x long life service at 98k miles - 400£
New coolant expansion tank - 60£
4 x part worn 235/35/19 winter tyres - 200£

Around town/Station run 15mpg
Motorway cruise 28mpg
Overall the computer is showing 21.5

I'll look to keep the V8 for a couple of years and then I will be looking at RS6s - To be honest, if I bought a S6 I'd always be wishing I'd bought the RS6 in the 1st place

[gizlaroc]

barryrs said:

Funny this thread seems to consist of 3 or 4 owners that like the S6 and half a dozen people that have test driven one once or read loads of reviews and have come to the conclusion its crap.

And....?

How many test drive it, think it is crap and buy it?

[abarber]

k-ink said:

Just make sure you keep at least half the purchase price in a "when" fund. My W8 fell apart at 45k miles (1 owner, full VAG history). The VAG techs said they are mechanically built like crap. After I poured an insane amount into fixing mine I got rid of it ASAP. However the BHP and low entry price will always get bums on seats. I am not saying the new models are just as bad (they may be, they may not). I am just saying be very aware of the larger VAG products, if you won't have a large emergency fund after the purchase.

Hmm, a relative's W8 suffered a similar fate. Random gearbox fault put it out of use and to the scrapper, despite the efforts of several 'specialists'. It did sound good and was handy in the snow. That's about all it had going for it.

I have considered the S6 C6 and E60 M5 as practical ways to get that supercar soundtrack, however only the M5 really delivers on that front. The Audi V10 is all done by 7k and sounds pretty average considering what's under the bonnet. Why have a relatively short stroke motor then knobble it?

£500 VED not significant in the grand scheme of things. More relevant is whether the enjoyment factor is worth the running costs. These are emotive purchases after all.

For me, the V10/V12 soundtrack will have to wait. The S6/RS6 doesn't appeal given the so-so ride / handling / soundtrack and the E60 M5 is ruined by the awful SMG box. I'll stick with a C63 AMG for now.

[madcal]

This was my car from new in 2006, cost £52,000 after discounts from memory.

Was great, bit barge like in corners but fast on the straight bits and perfect for my then tiny kids in the back.

They want me to buy it back now it is for sale again they still miss it.

Running wasn't too bad but I don't remember much above 21mpg. No issues other than servicing and petrol when I owned it.

The stealthiness was the best bit, it looked like a 2.0tdi

Noise should be much improved with the Millteck.

[barryrs]

arfur said:

I looked at these V10s earlier in the year when looking for a change.

The overall running costs felt a bit steep and then a S-line 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro Avant came up on Ebay - 350Bhp

95k miles, FSH, all the toys, excellent condition - 10k£

Apparently there are only 9 in the UK !

Costs so far in 9 months and 5k miles since I bought it have been

1 x long life service at 98k miles - 400£
New coolant expansion tank - 60£
4 x part worn 235/35/19 winter tyres - 200£

Around town/Station run 15mpg
Motorway cruise 28mpg
Overall the computer is showing 21.5

I'll look to keep the V8 for a couple of years and then I will be looking at RS6s - To be honest, if I bought a S6 I'd always be wishing I'd bought the RS6 in the 1st place

Good job those running costs are so much less than the S6

Question is if you purchased a tidy S6 at current prices it would cost you £15k ish; however an RS6 would cost you £30k

That then leads onto, if you have £30k why are you even considering a 8 year old S6

[Andy JB]

iloveboost said:

If you buy an eight cylinder 'luxobarge' over a 4 cylinder you double your chances of getting almost any engine related failure..

I disagree, if you speak to any Audi independant worth their salt you will find universally they recommend a relatively trouble free 6 or 8cyl over a four especially diesel variants. I had this dilemma last year and very briefly flirted with a 4 cyl purchase over another 6 cyl and was told numerous times of the faults with the smaller engines dpf, turbo, injectors etc, they are better designed & less stressed generally.

Interesting the comments based on S6 comparison to 535D - i drove a couple of 530/5 when deciding not to have another Audi estate for a change & was dissapointed overall - suspension was better accepted, but interior quality, engine, and handling wasn't near the quattro variants. I ended up with another A6 with adaptive suspension dampers which sorts out the ride issues quite nicely.

[Sump]

iloveboost said:

If you buy an eight cylinder 'luxobarge' over a 4 cylinder you double your chances of getting almost any engine related failure, and you increase consumable parts costs as well.

LMAO

10/10, would read again.

[DevonPaul]

barryrs said:

Question is if you purchased a tidy S6 at current prices it would cost you £15k ish; however an RS6 would cost you £30k

That then leads onto, if you have £30k why are you even considering a 8 year old S6

Yup - £30k would get you into a nice 8 year old Maserati

[arfur]

barryrs said:

arfur said:

I looked at these V10s earlier in the year when looking for a change.

The overall running costs felt a bit steep and then a S-line 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro Avant came up on Ebay - 350Bhp

95k miles, FSH, all the toys, excellent condition - 10k£

Apparently there are only 9 in the UK !

Costs so far in 9 months and 5k miles since I bought it have been

1 x long life service at 98k miles - 400£
New coolant expansion tank - 60£
4 x part worn 235/35/19 winter tyres - 200£

Around town/Station run 15mpg
Motorway cruise 28mpg
Overall the computer is showing 21.5

I'll look to keep the V8 for a couple of years and then I will be looking at RS6s - To be honest, if I bought a S6 I'd always be wishing I'd bought the RS6 in the 1st place

Good job those running costs are so much less than the S6

Question is if you purchased a tidy S6 at current prices it would cost you £15k ish; however an RS6 would cost you £30k

That then leads onto, if you have £30k why are you even considering a 8 year old S6

Yes, the costs i'm getting are lower than the S6. They are actually cheaper (so far) than my old Forester STi.

As to the RS6, they are already at 25k, so in a couple years I'l aim for a 20k one.

[barryrs]

arfur said:

barryrs said:

arfur said:

I looked at these V10s earlier in the year when looking for a change.

The overall running costs felt a bit steep and then a S-line 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro Avant came up on Ebay - 350Bhp

95k miles, FSH, all the toys, excellent condition - 10k£

Apparently there are only 9 in the UK !

Costs so far in 9 months and 5k miles since I bought it have been

1 x long life service at 98k miles - 400£
New coolant expansion tank - 60£
4 x part worn 235/35/19 winter tyres - 200£

Around town/Station run 15mpg
Motorway cruise 28mpg
Overall the computer is showing 21.5

I'll look to keep the V8 for a couple of years and then I will be looking at RS6s - To be honest, if I bought a S6 I'd always be wishing I'd bought the RS6 in the 1st place

Good job those running costs are so much less than the S6

Question is if you purchased a tidy S6 at current prices it would cost you £15k ish; however an RS6 would cost you £30k

That then leads onto, if you have £30k why are you even considering a 8 year old S6

Yes, the costs i'm getting are lower than the S6. They are actually cheaper (so far) than my old Forester STi.

As to the RS6, they are already at 25k, so in a couple years I'l aim for a 20k one.

Sorry Arfur im not buying it.

Looking what you have spent over 9 months is comparable to my 3 years when you include tax and insurance; not too mention that your town mpg is worse.

Also i would suggest a look over on RS246 for opinions on running a currently priced £25k RS6; risky would be my view.
The recent 53p seal that fails causing an oil leak being a notable one as to replace the seal costs around £2.5k!!!!

[Blown2CV]

Sump said:

iloveboost said:

If you buy an eight cylinder 'luxobarge' over a 4 cylinder you double your chances of getting almost any engine related failure, and you increase consumable parts costs as well.

LMAO

10/10, would read again.

username says it all

[9point2litres]

Love my 2007 S6 Avant and so do most who travel in it but definitely a niche car! When buying it I looked at a stunning M5 Touring but much preferred the S6 it being mechanically less complex and more surefooted in the winter.

Owned mine about 4 years now and have only seen 1 other S6 Avant on the road in that time. Guess most people went for the RS6. I don't recall the numbers but relatively few S6s were ever sold. Anyone have the data? For me it ticks most boxes: it puts a smile on my face especially its 'stealthiness', the V10 sounds good, the interior is a lovely place to be especially those seats and all the toys are easy to use especially the sat nav, it's safe and surefooted and having two young boys it takes them and all their kit and the wife’s who doesn't travel light! It could be more agile yes, the V10 could be more vocal and it could be faster but in real world motoring a 100 in 11.6 and 60 in 5 seconds is plenty quick enough and it has loads of overtaking grunt and I rarely find it wanting in terms of road holding (and that’s after owning 2 Scoobies in my youth!). It’s a real pleasure to drive and even my XKR didn’t get the use it should of, and had to go, what with this being the driver’s choice more often or not. It's best at long motorway and A road cruises where it makes amazingly fast progress effortlessly eating up the miles and the tank is big enough to compensate for its thirst (averages 22mpg). I've only done 20,000 miles in the 4 years I've owned it so fuel and running costs are not major concerns and hopefully with a big service coming up they will remain that way! My biggest cost was 4 new Conti tyres recently at just under a grand but that's just investing in my hobby! I have to say Fontain have been a pleasure to deal with both in terms of buying the car and looking after it.

I wonder if anyone else has one with lower mileage? I'm just coming up to 53,000 - the big V10 is hardly run in! What to get next is a bit of a conundrum as all the boxes I’ve mentioned still need ticking – it’s either a keeper for now or might test drive a new S6 Avant and see how that is...... but my 4th Audi might be brand loyalty too far and if I can make the man maths work a CLS Shooting Brake would be lovely but might miss the Quattro….