12 months C5 RS6 ownership - now over
Discussion
So just over a year has passed since I took the plunge and decided to buy one of my dream cars a car I have always wanted to own the C5 RS6 Avant Dolphin grey. I went from sensible 330d BMW with its low running costs and 42mpg to a beast of a car with 18mpg consumption and a reputation for being a car with massive Bork potential. Well this is my story.
I used the car as my daily driver covering c13-14k miles, this was my first V8 and the fastest car I had ever owned 450bhp a massive step up from 230bhp diesel.... I always thought the 330d was a fast ish car and you couldn't really go much faster - I was very wrong its not a fast car at all its nippy (relative to an RS6) the RS6 is brutal so much go from any revs the burble building to a growl to a scream. The top end is manic but for me it was the mid range - well say 3rd gear 40-100mph it starts off plenty fast enough but then builds to hey this is quick to bloody hell the speed limiter warning is chiming before you know it.
The looks are aggressive which I like its a wide stance a purposeful stance and the grin I had had every morning starting it up I never tire of it. To me I'd say Dolphin grey is the best colour and I really love the looks the interior too is a lovely place to be - seats they look lovely and are great supportive and are comfortable for long distances.
I burned out the initial set of tyres in half a year - continental utterly rubbish rubber which I'll never use again, these were swapped for Michelin pilot sport 2 R01 which are a different class in wear rate and IMHO wet + Dry grip. Aside from that I had one major service in its ownership, a new Ariel, wheel balancing, key fob batteries and new locking wheel nuts (previous owner kindly didn't leave the master locking wheel but..). So for me its not been unreliable at all infact its been just as reliable as the 330d.
Had I owned the car longer I know I'd have to within 15months change the cambelt and also new discs and pads all round clearly big price items to change but these parts are what 4 year replacement parts so you have to look at it long term.
The car had had its DRC replaced with coilovers so worry free but the ride was very very hard not sure if this was the suspension or the 35 profile tyres or me running them with very high pressures. So on smooth surfaces perfect but bumpy/broken and it was crashy.
The sat nav is very very old school and I didn't work out really how to use it - manual useless at giving help, the TV didn't work as its not digital, the rear screen washer never sprayed water (common fault as they leak in the car so I never used it).
But these things are neither here nor there - in an RS6 you can look past then with ease a more modern car I'd expect this to be different.
Traction off the line /traffic light GP. Did I do them?? Hell yes and as often as I could even if I were the sole car present. The grip and acceleration off the line is something I never even got remotely bored with.
I did find it at times too fast for the roads I was driving to the point I'd back right off - that is something I've never needed to do previously.
Tunnels - for those who know Reading the cow lane Bridges is wait for all the traffic in front to clear then all windows open plus sunroof in tiptronic and utterly floor it reving out in a couple of gears. I have been a passenger in a Ferrari Dino before and done a tunnel it was great but my own car to do it and being more brutal with it too I was like a kid on Xmas morning.
The bad bits
Mpg I averaged c18.5mpg and on long runs I'd get towards 26mpg. Its super unleaded only so 33-35p per mile on fuel
The gearbox v modern cars changes are so much slower and only 5 gears it should be able to drive in 4th at 30mph not need over 2k revs in 3rd to do it.
The worry about something might go wrong and if it did the costs were vast partly due to most issues I looked into needed engine out to repair - mine never had any problems but I was curious. Hence too many trips I'd have a pondering thought.
The amount if times you go to the petrol station and then have to wait for fuel then fill up and pay - might seem small beer but its frustrating especially when you have to either leave early or get home late & have young kids which meant I missed putting then to bed too many times IMHO.
So should you buy the icon? Would I buy one again? Would I recommend?
Well my mindset is live life to the fullest have no regrets YOLO.
Would I buy one again? No because I've owned scratch this itch and there are so many more on my want to own list
Would I recommend? YES but be prepared and fully understand full running costs plus buy a good one. I was lucky I did buy a good one but I also bought the first one I saw /fell for it instantly (I had gone out to look at E55 K AMG but noticed this was en route ....).
I've not joined the RS246.com but after another member pointed it out I had a browse and its packed full of great info.
My next car I'm picking up tomorrow - I've had to go sensible on this next one (diesel...) and I'll post up a new post on that.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/MkEm8mM1.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/WqqcvDKV" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/WqqcvDKV.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/0hOL2hnu" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/0hOL2hnu.jpg)
I used the car as my daily driver covering c13-14k miles, this was my first V8 and the fastest car I had ever owned 450bhp a massive step up from 230bhp diesel.... I always thought the 330d was a fast ish car and you couldn't really go much faster - I was very wrong its not a fast car at all its nippy (relative to an RS6) the RS6 is brutal so much go from any revs the burble building to a growl to a scream. The top end is manic but for me it was the mid range - well say 3rd gear 40-100mph it starts off plenty fast enough but then builds to hey this is quick to bloody hell the speed limiter warning is chiming before you know it.
The looks are aggressive which I like its a wide stance a purposeful stance and the grin I had had every morning starting it up I never tire of it. To me I'd say Dolphin grey is the best colour and I really love the looks the interior too is a lovely place to be - seats they look lovely and are great supportive and are comfortable for long distances.
I burned out the initial set of tyres in half a year - continental utterly rubbish rubber which I'll never use again, these were swapped for Michelin pilot sport 2 R01 which are a different class in wear rate and IMHO wet + Dry grip. Aside from that I had one major service in its ownership, a new Ariel, wheel balancing, key fob batteries and new locking wheel nuts (previous owner kindly didn't leave the master locking wheel but..). So for me its not been unreliable at all infact its been just as reliable as the 330d.
Had I owned the car longer I know I'd have to within 15months change the cambelt and also new discs and pads all round clearly big price items to change but these parts are what 4 year replacement parts so you have to look at it long term.
The car had had its DRC replaced with coilovers so worry free but the ride was very very hard not sure if this was the suspension or the 35 profile tyres or me running them with very high pressures. So on smooth surfaces perfect but bumpy/broken and it was crashy.
The sat nav is very very old school and I didn't work out really how to use it - manual useless at giving help, the TV didn't work as its not digital, the rear screen washer never sprayed water (common fault as they leak in the car so I never used it).
But these things are neither here nor there - in an RS6 you can look past then with ease a more modern car I'd expect this to be different.
Traction off the line /traffic light GP. Did I do them?? Hell yes and as often as I could even if I were the sole car present. The grip and acceleration off the line is something I never even got remotely bored with.
I did find it at times too fast for the roads I was driving to the point I'd back right off - that is something I've never needed to do previously.
Tunnels - for those who know Reading the cow lane Bridges is wait for all the traffic in front to clear then all windows open plus sunroof in tiptronic and utterly floor it reving out in a couple of gears. I have been a passenger in a Ferrari Dino before and done a tunnel it was great but my own car to do it and being more brutal with it too I was like a kid on Xmas morning.
The bad bits
Mpg I averaged c18.5mpg and on long runs I'd get towards 26mpg. Its super unleaded only so 33-35p per mile on fuel
The gearbox v modern cars changes are so much slower and only 5 gears it should be able to drive in 4th at 30mph not need over 2k revs in 3rd to do it.
The worry about something might go wrong and if it did the costs were vast partly due to most issues I looked into needed engine out to repair - mine never had any problems but I was curious. Hence too many trips I'd have a pondering thought.
The amount if times you go to the petrol station and then have to wait for fuel then fill up and pay - might seem small beer but its frustrating especially when you have to either leave early or get home late & have young kids which meant I missed putting then to bed too many times IMHO.
So should you buy the icon? Would I buy one again? Would I recommend?
Well my mindset is live life to the fullest have no regrets YOLO.
Would I buy one again? No because I've owned scratch this itch and there are so many more on my want to own list
Would I recommend? YES but be prepared and fully understand full running costs plus buy a good one. I was lucky I did buy a good one but I also bought the first one I saw /fell for it instantly (I had gone out to look at E55 K AMG but noticed this was en route ....).
I've not joined the RS246.com but after another member pointed it out I had a browse and its packed full of great info.
My next car I'm picking up tomorrow - I've had to go sensible on this next one (diesel...) and I'll post up a new post on that.
Edited by Welshbeef on Friday 10th October 23:29
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