Should I risk buying 11 yr old RS6 80000 miles

[smwcew]

I've been through all the cars I've wanted and there are loads I wish to avoid. I test drove a 11 year old RS6. It gives the power I'm used to (sort of, albeit it in a rather sedate way), but I don't know if it's a risky buy.
I'm told gearboxes go at about 80000 miles - just where it's at. Clutches, cam belts, etc. I'm also told bills will be v expensive.
I don't want to buy a car that going to do nothing but cost me money.
Any and all advice gratefully received.
Thanks, Susan x

[Dr G]

It will cost you money. Probably lots of it.

Read a few of the numerous threads on this forum on exactly this subject.

Fun cars but not even a little bit cheap.

[Terminator X]

You only live once etc. JFDI.

TX.

[rb5er]

I have heard of bills worth as much as the car. I`d love one too but think its unlikely to end well.

[Little Lofty]

Its Warranty Directs worst performing car probably due to the cost of repairs and the chocolate gearbox.

[Dr G]

Terminator X said:

You only live once etc. JFDI.

TX.

Oh absolutely, they're a blast... BUT!

Buy absolutely the best one you can afford with evidence that it's been cherished. Go into ownership with your eyes wide open and an annual maintenance budget.

[Adrian E]

As above, assume it'll rob you of £5k a year in bringing it up to spec/blowing a gearbox and it'll probably average out at about £3-4k a year in maintaining it.

Then factor in sub-20mpg on 98 octane, £1200 for cambelt every 4 years (guesstimate) and potentially turbos at some point....

Buying one that's not been cherished is a lottery as there are many corners to cut. The youngest are 10 years old....

[Dr G]

Adrian E said:

£1200 for cambelt every 4 years (guesstimate)

Shade more with genuine parts and a thermostat.

[RC1]

Would ones that have been 'sorted' command a premium? Im not sure because theres so much fear about these that even the enthusiasts are realising that they cant get close to what they think their cars are worth because everyone is scared of the big bills..

im thinking if you get one with the drc sorted, a recent cambelt change, recent pads/discs etc, then it might be worth it if you're not bothered about the fuel and insurance

[Dr G]

A (genuinely) cherished car should cost less than one someone bought because it was cheap.

Even in this case the youngest cars are 10 years old, fast, heavy and complicated. They will cost money to maintain properly.

[Ug_lee]

Little Lofty said:

Its Warranty Directs worst performing car probably due to the cost of repairs and the chocolate gearbox.

Dodgy warranty company in expensive German premium car is expensive to fix shocker, you better take out a warranty just in case

It's a risk like anything in life.

As long as not too much financially is depending on it being a good one and you have a reasonable slush fund to keep on top of it then go for it.

[_Dan_]

This was my dilemma a few months back, I had been on the lookout for a decent RS6 for a while, but having heard various horror stories of DSC bills, and £5 oil seals costing £5k to fit, I had a last minute change of mind and went for an S4 B6 as I needed something that wasn't going to break the bank right now (having come from Skyline ownership and just having a 2nd child!)

I'll take the plunge sometime in the near future though! Although maybe an RS4

[RC1]

would the running costs of an rs4 be that much less than a similar vintage rs6?

Edited by RC1 on Wednesday 3rd September 17:24

[Adrian E]

A B5 RS6 will happily rob you of your life savings, house, wallet, keys, wife and kids also. If the power level hasn't been pushed through the roof, once you've been through the blown turbos and engine rebuild on age grounds, plus new brakes, it'll probably cost you a little less overall to run. They do rust a bit more than the '6 though and there are just as many munters about in both cases. Much smaller car though....