V10 S6 Avant - thoughts?

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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
After my e39 530T was written off(bugger), I'm in the market for a big engined replacement. I've got down to e61 550iT or the V10 S6 Avant.

I've had 2 D2 A8s (4.2 and S8), one ate it's gearbox....What's the overall reliability etc for V10? Regular maintenance isn't a concern, unless its' regular £1,000+ maintenance.... smile

I assume driving is similar to the older S models ie hilarious straight line performance, excellent comfort, and good but not great in the corners (although I'm not that bothered now having got old suddenly somehow...smile )

Thanks

drmotorsport

739 posts

242 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
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Spooky, i'm in a similar situation and the v10 S6 has just popped back on my radar after i found it's type rated for a towbar. After coming out of an x5 4.8is I was looking for a e61 550i touring as the engine is lovely - but they're just so rare. Like the OP i've had the D2 S8 with the chocolate gearbox, and wondered if the newer Audi's are more reliable now?

drmark

4,794 posts

185 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
They are very reliable - no suspension or gearbox issues that plagued previous version.
Nice silver one on PH 2009 50k mikes 28k ish. No connection.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
quotequote all
I'd probably be looking at a 06/07 model based on budget of 10-15k, so will look for some to test

KungFuPanda

4,324 posts

169 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
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I've just sold mine. Black 2006 with 130,000 miles on. Ran it for a few months without problem. A couple of years ago I had an S6 saloon which I loved too. Great cars.

Audi fixed priced services are reasonably priced https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/servicing-maint...

Cheap tyres can be had here http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres-265-35-19/?f...

Your budget will get you into a decent S6 although there are a lot of rough ones out there. The guy that bought my car said he'd gone to see a couple of saloons which weren't as described and had warning lights on the dash.

barryrs

4,376 posts

222 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
Coming up to 4 years of ownership of my 06 S6 and I still think it's a decent all round car.

Handling is ok considering its weight and in my view the carbon build up problems of direct injection seem less of an issue.

I've had a few faults over the years relating to a failing battery, failing water pump and a broken pressure valve in the oil separator but nothing major it just takes a bit of head scratching to locate the faults.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
thanks guys. Anyone know of a decent independent for maintenance near Guildford/Haslemere

thanks

Lefty

16,131 posts

201 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
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If you're going to go big and daft then do it right. V10 RS6.

barryrs

4,376 posts

222 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
Just need to double or triple the budget laugh

As much as I have pondered an RS6 as a replacement I don't think I could part with circa £30k for a car with 10 year old tech unless you can find a rare late 3G car.

Lefty

16,131 posts

201 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
They're down nearer £20k now I think, I got 23k px for mine a few months back.

But yes, it depends what you're used to I guess. I had been driving a 15yo Subaru before I bought the rs6!

rufmeister

1,332 posts

121 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
Just sold my 160k saloon S6 V10, that was a cracking car for the new owner. Very clean and tidy, and full, proper history and maintenance.

From my research they are pretty decent lumps.

Adrian E

3,248 posts

175 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
The 6 speed ZF boxes are pretty much bullet proof - an oil and filter change would be a good plan to keep it that way, but they don't seem to destroy themselves as readily as the older 5 speeds used to.

S6 can be very stealthy in subtle colours - only the engine noise gives the game away!

3G nav is a definite improvement over the older 2G DVD based setups, but 2G is adequate.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
Adrian E said:
The 6 speed ZF boxes are pretty much bullet proof - an oil and filter change would be a good plan to keep it that way, but they don't seem to destroy themselves as readily as the older 5 speeds used to.

S6 can be very stealthy in subtle colours - only the engine noise gives the game away!

3G nav is a definite improvement over the older 2G DVD based setups, but 2G is adequate.
Good to know re the gearboxes. I might even try for some more noise from the exhaust if I get one - it's certainly on the list if I get a 550iT.

If the only difference is navigation, that doesn't really bother me as I use google maps on my phone for all nav stuff.

Thanks for the info

Ej74

1,038 posts

184 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
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I have just covered 1k in mine over 6 days across France
Its effortless and very comfortable

All the power to overtake and if you want to press on handles pretty well at speed for a large car

Exhaust is easily rectified if you search the other Audi S6 V10 thread you will find a couple of clips - just cut out the cats and replace rear silencers (300 quid all in)

The way I summarise the car is its a Q-Car most people think its a A6 TDI of course but a press of the throttle soon changes that - its 80% of the performance with 100% luxury


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
Ej74 said:
I have just covered 1k in mine over 6 days across France
Its effortless and very comfortable

All the power to overtake and if you want to press on handles pretty well at speed for a large car

Exhaust is easily rectified if you search the other Audi S6 V10 thread you will find a couple of clips - just cut out the cats and replace rear silencers (300 quid all in)

The way I summarise the car is its a Q-Car most people think its a A6 TDI of course but a press of the throttle soon changes that - its 80% of the performance with 100% luxury

Wont removing the cats be an MOT failure?

Will continue to look for both the S6 and 550i (e61 4.8) - not really swamped with either really... The BMW has the advantage of being about £3-4k cheaper, but c60bhp down on power....

drmotorsport

739 posts

242 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
wsurfa said:
Wont removing the cats be an MOT failure?
Yes it would unless you fit sports cats instead. The other thread on v10 exhausts seems to indicate it may be the resonators rather than the cats though.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
drmotorsport said:
Yes it would unless you fit sports cats instead. The other thread on v10 exhausts seems to indicate it may be the resonators rather than the cats though.
Ah, thanks

Ej74

1,038 posts

184 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
Apologies resonators indeed not cats !

The Stiglet

2,062 posts

193 months

Friday 14th August 2015
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Sold my S6 Avant earlier this year, wasn't that impressed to be honest. Fuel consumption to fun factor didn't stack up although it's comfy, looks good and has some decent toys. As low as 8mpg in town and only 21mpg on the motorway and it certainly didn't feel that fast. I'd suggest the 550i would be quicker in real terms regardless of the BHP comparisons, it's also more fun being RWD and a cheaper place to sit.


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
Have given in to an impulse purchase and should be picking up an '07 S6 Avant shortly. 95,000 miles, black with silver leather.

No pics yet - will probably get an exhaust upgrade to liberate a bit more V10 noise

Didn't even manage to find a 550i to look at.