Not finding love with my RS6
Discussion
QuattroDave said:
Bang on the money.
Trouble is I'm 35 and this is car number 40! I've been trying for a long time to find a car that'll stick with me for a while. URquattro came close but for the 6 years I owned it I covered only 5,000 miles, most of those in the first two years as it spent the rest of the time in the garage absorbing my money!
Happy to keep looking and trying other cars but buying and selling cars has become a bit of a drag (albeit fairly efficient given my practice!)
I am 39 and on car number 12, one of my best friends is 38 and has had over 130 cars, he has owned more MK2 Golf GTi's than I have cars - he just can't seem to bond with anything and is a massive car nut. We now take bets on how long he will own a car when he gets it.Trouble is I'm 35 and this is car number 40! I've been trying for a long time to find a car that'll stick with me for a while. URquattro came close but for the 6 years I owned it I covered only 5,000 miles, most of those in the first two years as it spent the rest of the time in the garage absorbing my money!
Happy to keep looking and trying other cars but buying and selling cars has become a bit of a drag (albeit fairly efficient given my practice!)
You sound like you want something a bit different, that will give you enjoyment without breaking the bank or causing you more worry in potential borkage than you get in enjoyment.
Go old school, you can pick up something cool for a couple of grand but with your budget you could get something really cool - How about looking at something like a BMW 840, 850 - Mercedes SEC - Old Jags ooze cool and character by the bucketload or how about old school Brit.
With such a short commute there is no fear of racking up huge mileage, if it breaks down you can walk the rest of the journey quite easily :-)
I plan to hold on to my SEL forever and I still peer out of the window at it on the drive after over a year :-)
You have clearly realised that the size of your "investment" does not necessarily relate to enjoyment, so how about going in the totally opposite direction? If you decide to sell you will lose less than you would in depreciation on something like you have currently.
QuattroDave said:
Should state I don't want to spend any more than I'd get for the RS6 as I'm looking to save for a house move (or a holiday home purchase!)
Did the land rover experience at Goodwood this year and went into the car thinking I didn't really see the point in big 4x4's on the road I came out with huge respect for it and what a lovely place to sit it was too! Sadly even the TDV6 is out of my price range!
Yeah, they are very expensive still as still new & fairly limited run quantity I believe, but a good one to have on the radar maybe, in a few years time they might have dropped into the 'worth thinking about' price range. Did the land rover experience at Goodwood this year and went into the car thinking I didn't really see the point in big 4x4's on the road I came out with huge respect for it and what a lovely place to sit it was too! Sadly even the TDV6 is out of my price range!
In my opinion, the only way you are going to be truly satisfied (well, temporarily satisfied until the inevitable CBS (Car Boredom Syndrome) kicks in that gives you an irrational urge to change your car!!!!) will be by going for a 2 car setup.
One a well appointed, luxury type vehicle which is a few years old to miss a nice big chunk of depreciation with a nice but frugal engine to keep your accountant's brain happy on the drive in. This would be enjoyably relaxing to drive - especially during the daily commute. Make it a big 7-series / S-class type thing, with absolutely no sporting aspirations at all and enjoy it for what it is.
Then, on the side, the exact opposite. A proper sports car. 2 seaters, maybe the roof can come off, and just a raw, exhilarating, sporty experience. Great fun and exciting, would of course be ruined if you needed to drive it daily, but as just a bit of fun it will work great. Maybe something like a Lotus, even a boxster, etc.
I think that would work well, the only issue is that you might say... well, I now have my luxury car for commuting in, and my raw sporty car for weekends. Now I just need to add a convertible 4 seater for family days out, a luxury 2 seater for taking the wife out to dinner, a 4x4 for off-road adventures.... and the inevitable impulse to buy a car is there again!
Edited by sealtt on Monday 14th September 10:27
JakeT said:
Golf GTi? Would do that sort of distance and do about 22MPG. Practical, imageless and there are many around so you can afford to be choosy. Having lived in So'ton I would walk or bike it really. Much better fuel economy!
Can't stand Golfs. Never have and never will! Some people have an affinity with Golfs and that's fine, they're in no way a bad car but they're just not for me!The factors that limit me cycling are days when I need to be in the office for 8am and then head off to site (ours range from Bognor to Salisbury) and other days when I need to drop daughter off at breakfast club @7.45 then be in office for as close to 8 as possible! On all other days I'm looking to bike it.
All these things address my commute fuel cons concerns but I've still got the issue of not 'loving' the car like I thought I would.
Sounds like you bought what you thought would be an exciting car to do mundane things in but have realised that sitting in traffic in a special car is as boring as it is in a normal car but it costs you twice as much.
As others have said you need to use the RS6 as an occasional car or for doing longer runs.
You need to forget about the mpg as although you rarely use all 700bhp its a heavy car with a big engine set up to gulp petrol. Friend of mine has a new M5 and although it can manage 28-30mpg on a gentle motorway cruise his general use of it sees about 15mpg.
As has been mentioned you cant really have a car that does everything how you want it as being good in one areas screws others, no refinement without weight and numbness, no speed without using fuel etc.
Other option is to keep the RS6 and spend a bit on it to make it what you do want, OK you are unlikely to engineer out the slightly numb handling that is the way Audi designed it after all but its easy to bang on a noisy exhaust, a nice set of wheels, front splitter etc to give it some presence.
My Ram used to average about 11-13mpg but the noisy ass V8 made it worth it.
As others have said you need to use the RS6 as an occasional car or for doing longer runs.
You need to forget about the mpg as although you rarely use all 700bhp its a heavy car with a big engine set up to gulp petrol. Friend of mine has a new M5 and although it can manage 28-30mpg on a gentle motorway cruise his general use of it sees about 15mpg.
As has been mentioned you cant really have a car that does everything how you want it as being good in one areas screws others, no refinement without weight and numbness, no speed without using fuel etc.
Other option is to keep the RS6 and spend a bit on it to make it what you do want, OK you are unlikely to engineer out the slightly numb handling that is the way Audi designed it after all but its easy to bang on a noisy exhaust, a nice set of wheels, front splitter etc to give it some presence.
My Ram used to average about 11-13mpg but the noisy ass V8 made it worth it.
I have a mate with a new M5 (and what a beast it is).
He's also just bought a Mini Cooper S as his daily runabout and actually finds he can have far more fun with it (and its more economical as well).
As his job involves frequent flights around Europe he will now usually use the Mini to drop at the airport and keeps the M5 for weekends and fun.
He's also just bought a Mini Cooper S as his daily runabout and actually finds he can have far more fun with it (and its more economical as well).
As his job involves frequent flights around Europe he will now usually use the Mini to drop at the airport and keeps the M5 for weekends and fun.
Ozzie Osmond said:
I've never seen the point of a saloon/estate with an engine the size of a planet. Perfect for one-upmanship in the executive car park or for the pub boaster but at the end of the day it's just an expensive version of the base model. For a truly different driving experience you need a different starting point.
Most particularly, for the price of the darned things you can usually buy a base model of the same car AND a decent sportscar as well!
But the large engine means it proceeds correctly.Most particularly, for the price of the darned things you can usually buy a base model of the same car AND a decent sportscar as well!
We considered a mega estate (E61 M5, RS6 etc) but declined them for pretty much the reasons mentioned above. It's big, heavy and probably too potent to enjoy properly in the UK. I also didn't fancy the RS/M tax if anything went wrong with it.
So, large lazy petrol engine it was. The car rides properly, is very quiet, is plenty quick enough when required and is discrete when needed. Everyone assumes it's E220 CDI or something.
longbow said:
Great thread. I do apologise for banging on along the same lines, but I've been down this path before with a 300C SRT8 Touring, which whilst not as fast as an RS6 does have similar qualities - namely that it's heavy, inert and therefore lacking in agility. On UK roads, cars like these are difficult to love. So, I got one of these....
Most people, even PHers don't even know they exist, and they are mega rare - maybe 10 total in the UK. What you get is the legendary Evo IX chassis and drivetrain with the practicality of an estate. The result is a shockingly rapid A/B road estate.... manual gearbox of course. Mine is now tuned to a smidge over 530bhp and is pretty wild. I'm sure the RS6 ticks the boxes for some, but if it is involvement and agility you're after, they are hamstrung by their lardiness. Have a watch of these vid (parts 1 and 2) as it may confirm what you're feeling....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX7pN0s2akU
I have been after an RS6 for some time quietly, but looking at that video, it really seems to appeal as a tremendous drivers' car.Most people, even PHers don't even know they exist, and they are mega rare - maybe 10 total in the UK. What you get is the legendary Evo IX chassis and drivetrain with the practicality of an estate. The result is a shockingly rapid A/B road estate.... manual gearbox of course. Mine is now tuned to a smidge over 530bhp and is pretty wild. I'm sure the RS6 ticks the boxes for some, but if it is involvement and agility you're after, they are hamstrung by their lardiness. Have a watch of these vid (parts 1 and 2) as it may confirm what you're feeling....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX7pN0s2akU
I think that's now on the list - thanks for sharing.
SteveSteveson said:
Get a Brompton. Loverly bits of engineering, very easy to fold, no need to lock up and completely safe from theft. Personally I would just cycle a little slower for 3.5 miles so as to not need a shower, but it all depends on what hills you have.
He lives near Southampton it seems. We don't have hills.3.5 miles, you don't need a shower for that. I do 10.5 each way and only need a shower when its mid summer.
gizlaroc said:
I sold my M3 CSL and 5 series diesel touring for an V8 S4 avant.
Terrible decision, terrible car, just failed on every level.
For me Audis work when there is not too much expected from them.
I loved my 3.2 Quattro A6 Avant, SE spec and it was lovely, different expectations.
My one and only new car purchase was an A6 avant, the lowly tdi-e variant but with £10k of options added. I knew it'd be an unengaging drive but it did everything else so well, averaged 53mpg over 23k miles, could carry a single divan and mattress in the back (tip run special!) had all the toys you could ever want (digital freeview tv, 30gb hard drive player, dvd player, cd changer, bose, heated leathered everything. For the engagement I had the UR quattro. Only real issue I had with it aside from falling asleep behind the wheel was the most god awful offset pedals, you could only really get comfortable by sitting pretty much on the bolster and aiming your whole body towards the pedals!Terrible decision, terrible car, just failed on every level.
For me Audis work when there is not too much expected from them.
I loved my 3.2 Quattro A6 Avant, SE spec and it was lovely, different expectations.
I had considered an Audi with the 3.0 tfsi, either the S4 or A6 but I knew I would ruck up to an RS one day at the lights and regret it!
Sounds like the concensus is to head back to a two car setup. i.e. use my 'spare' 147 for daily grind and the RS6 for weekend and journey fun (or a.n.other fun toy).
But, if I end up not using the RS6 as a daily then I may as well have a boggo family duty estate and a gtr/911 or something for the weekend. To me it seems a little perverse to have a 'family' car as a weekend toy!
S10GTA said:
He lives near Southampton it seems. We don't have hills.
3.5 miles, you don't need a shower for that. I do 10.5 each way and only need a shower when its mid summer.
Smelly git :P3.5 miles, you don't need a shower for that. I do 10.5 each way and only need a shower when its mid summer.
I'm a DH mtb by trade so find it difficult not to give it 100% when I'm on a bike. Even though I used an XC bike with knobbly tyres I used to crack my 5 mile commute in about 15 mins so a shower was always needed, especially as I layer up rather than lycra'ing up!!!
Besides my work has a shower, but no bike store.
C7 JFW said:
I have been after an RS6 for some time quietly, but looking at that video, it really seems to appeal as a tremendous drivers' car.
I think that's now on the list - thanks for sharing.
Get in touch, one might be up for sale soon I think that's now on the list - thanks for sharing.
If you're in or around Southampton I'll happily take you out in one to show you its best bits
QuattroDave said:
S10GTA said:
He lives near Southampton it seems. We don't have hills.
3.5 miles, you don't need a shower for that. I do 10.5 each way and only need a shower when its mid summer.
Smelly git :P3.5 miles, you don't need a shower for that. I do 10.5 each way and only need a shower when its mid summer.
I'm a DH mtb by trade so find it difficult not to give it 100% when I'm on a bike. Even though I used an XC bike with knobbly tyres I used to crack my 5 mile commute in about 15 mins so a shower was always needed, especially as I layer up rather than lycra'ing up!!!
Besides my work has a shower, but no bike store.
When you drive "Fast" things for a living it really is brilliant fun driving something hideously underpowered, my 200 mile "one off commute" home yesterday involved crossing the entire length of Wales & down to Dorset, mostly wiggly A & B roads & I can honestly say my commuter was pinned flat to to the floor for probably 80% of the time! What was that you ask? well at 700kg & not far off 700bhp less than your Audi it's a Mk1 Honda Insight. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed making maximium use of momentum & grip to weave my way through the countryside.
Back at work & no doubt I'll be larging in something fast again but that's not really where the fun is lately.
Back at work & no doubt I'll be larging in something fast again but that's not really where the fun is lately.
Interesting thread.
I'm in the market for an estate and have always hankered after a properly fast one since I was enamoured by the RS2 many years ago.
We currently run a Legacy Spec B estate but it now needs replacing - and this vintage RS6 or E63 AMG are top of the pile as other performance estates are not big enought (RS4, C63) and I don't fancy the M5 Touring as ownership costs seem frightening (although this thread has injected that same fear around the RS6!)
I'm in the market for an estate and have always hankered after a properly fast one since I was enamoured by the RS2 many years ago.
We currently run a Legacy Spec B estate but it now needs replacing - and this vintage RS6 or E63 AMG are top of the pile as other performance estates are not big enought (RS4, C63) and I don't fancy the M5 Touring as ownership costs seem frightening (although this thread has injected that same fear around the RS6!)
QuattroDave said:
My one and only new car purchase was an A6 avant, the lowly tdi-e variant but with £10k of options added. I knew it'd be an unengaging drive but it did everything else so well, averaged 53mpg over 23k miles, could carry a single divan and mattress in the back (tip run special!) had all the toys you could ever want (digital freeview tv, 30gb hard drive player, dvd player, cd changer, bose, heated leathered everything. For the engagement I had the UR quattro. Only real issue I had with it aside from falling asleep behind the wheel was the most god awful offset pedals, you could only really get comfortable by sitting pretty much on the bolster and aiming your whole body towards the pedals!
I had considered an Audi with the 3.0 tfsi, either the S4 or A6 but I knew I would ruck up to an RS one day at the lights and regret it!
Sounds like the concensus is to head back to a two car setup. i.e. use my 'spare' 147 for daily grind and the RS6 for weekend and journey fun (or a.n.other fun toy).
But, if I end up not using the RS6 as a daily then I may as well have a boggo family duty estate and a gtr/911 or something for the weekend. To me it seems a little perverse to have a 'family' car as a weekend toy!
I agree, it is the wrong way round. I had considered an Audi with the 3.0 tfsi, either the S4 or A6 but I knew I would ruck up to an RS one day at the lights and regret it!
Sounds like the concensus is to head back to a two car setup. i.e. use my 'spare' 147 for daily grind and the RS6 for weekend and journey fun (or a.n.other fun toy).
But, if I end up not using the RS6 as a daily then I may as well have a boggo family duty estate and a gtr/911 or something for the weekend. To me it seems a little perverse to have a 'family' car as a weekend toy!
I ended up with the 3.2 A6 Avant and a regular SMG M3 for fun. It was a good combo, the M3 is still a very usable family car at the weekend.
To me the RS6 is a great car, however, I don't own enough to run it as intended, and I think that is to have sitting there as a second or third car, money no object.
I know two people with one, and one with a B7 RS4 avant, who have all kept them for a while now, but they all have other toys, and that to me is what an RS Avant is about, but it is a rich mans game.
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