RE: Audi RS6 Quattro Avant (C6): PH Heroes

RE: Audi RS6 Quattro Avant (C6): PH Heroes

Author
Discussion

RobinBanks

17,540 posts

178 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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This is the last Audi I really liked, but I prefer the saloon.

We had a diesel Allroad and it wasn't a bad car. I don't recall it having many (if any) problems.

CarlT

3,423 posts

246 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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I bought one of these new back in 2004, the best car I have owned by a mile and one I truly regret selling. Did my absolute nuts when I traded it in after 10 months to scratch a 911 itch.


Escort3500

11,829 posts

144 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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Hungry Pigeon said:
Avoid, avoid, avoid...like the fking plague.

I had one. Cost me about a tenner a mile in maintenance, excluding fuel and insurance....and this was a fully warrantied car from Audi. They have so many issues that each cost thousands to fix - assuming, of course, you can find an Audi dealer with the requisite knowledge required to fix these things (not an easy task).

If you must buy one, go for one that has had the DRC system ripped out. It was acknowledged as not being fit for purpose in the US and was replaced FOC, but Audi UK said it was a-okay even when presented with US recall notices and part numbers proving that the US system was exactly the same as the st system used here in the UK.

Frankly, I'd spend my money on an AMG. Audi don't care about their owners, and don't want to know once you're out of warranty.

Be warned!
Maybe for the RS6, but they replaced dampers FOC on my 6 year old RS4 on a goodwill basis. And I doubt Audi are any worse than any other manufacturer for customer care after the warranty expires.

SteveSteveson

3,209 posts

162 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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"A high performance estate seemed a completly alian concept. But Audi changed all that"

Apart from the Volvo 850 T5 released two years before...

RobinBanks

17,540 posts

178 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
SteveSteveson said:
"A high performance estate seemed a completly alian concept. But Audi changed all that"

Apart from the Volvo 850 T5 released two years before...
Didn't the T5R come out in about 1994?
I agree that Volvo did it before Audi, but in fairness the performance of these RS6s was a lot higher than anything Volvo had done at that time.

Jim AK

4,029 posts

123 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
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Hungry Pigeon said:
Avoid, avoid, avoid...like the fking plague.

I had one. Cost me about a tenner a mile in maintenance, excluding fuel and insurance....and this was a fully warrantied car from Audi. They have so many issues that each cost thousands to fix - assuming, of course, you can find an Audi dealer with the requisite knowledge required to fix these things (not an easy task).

If you must buy one, go for one that has had the DRC system ripped out. It was acknowledged as not being fit for purpose in the US and was replaced FOC, but Audi UK said it was a-okay even when presented with US recall notices and part numbers proving that the US system was exactly the same as the st system used here in the UK.

Frankly, I'd spend my money on an AMG. Audi don't care about their owners, and don't want to know once you're out of warranty.

Be warned!
So BMW & Mercedes care do they?

Our experience with 'cooking versions' from the above is a big no.

Was lucky to get a drive of one of these back in the day that was owned by a friend of a well known truck racer, just wish I'd known what it actually was all about.

I really only remember the noise!!

IroningMan

10,154 posts

245 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
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I ran an S2 wagon yonks ago when the B5 RS4 was new; the RS forums then were full of owners ranting about Audi's failure to deal with square wheels and I don't think they covered themselves in glory with the suspension issues on the later machines, either.

I think I'd still have an RS6 now, though - if only it could tow.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
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Loved my year with it - I've not previously had a car where every morning starting up a car is such a grin inducing experience. That V8 bellow which turns into screaming as you rev it out.

Fuel economy was very poor plus its super unleaded only - I think on fuel alone I spent £0.34 pence per mile...

Mine was dolphin Grey just like layer cake and had the solar sunroof.


Very pleased I did live the dream for a year - recommend everyone goes for a car of their dreams live the dream what's the worst that can happen.

drybeer

957 posts

224 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
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Welshbeef said:
Mine was dolphin Grey just like layer cake and had the solar sunroof.
The Layer Cake car was Avus Silver, and Dolphin Grey (whilst technically available as an Audi Exclusive option) wasn't an RS6 brochure colour.

drybeer

957 posts

224 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
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rtz62 said:
Do any RS6 owners have experience of big claims and the battles they did or didn't have???
Yep, had one for nearly 7 years and to be honest - it's not bad at all.

Anyone who makes negative comments about this car shouldn't have bought one in the first place for the simple reason that a £60000 performance car is always going have the potential for the repair costs of a £60000 car, whether it's based on an everyday car or not.

I had a warranty direct warranty, and while it paid out to refurbish (note - not replace) my failed gearbox, they welched on the DRC suspension claim.

The most dignified description i can give of that particular warranty firm is that they're not honourable. At one point they "stopped covering RS6s" so I couldn't renew my cover. Then as soon as they had a sales drive on they were back on the phone to try to offer me cover again. I'm sure you can tell what my answer was...

So, mine has had the suspension replaced by coil overs, the gearbox repaired and to be honest that's the worst stories I can tell you about. Sure, incidental expenses like adding tyres and brakes come up but they are just normal wear and tear, going back to my comment about running costs above.

My daily driver is a B8 RS4 Avant and even though I've gone over 100000 total miles now in the C5 I can't think of a car that puts a smile on my face like it does.

It's a cult car, not made for everyone but those insane (scratch that - we're the sane ones) few who "get it" - so it's natural to expect that not everyone will love it - and that's fine by all of us who can be smug about having one hidden away in the garage!

RemyMartin

6,759 posts

204 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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tomjol said:
Yums. This era of Audis are utterly sublime as far as I'm concerned. No they're not involving, but that's not the point.

It always used to be the B5 which I adored, but you can't recreate the "someone's going to get a fking slap" scene from Layer Cake in a B5, there isn't any room for the chaps in the back. C5 is therefore where it's at, not that I'm likely to get my hands on one before prices go through the roof frown
hehe somebodys going to get a fking slap. Awesome line and awesome film.

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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I just love the performance Audi's of this era (early 2000s). Simple looks and no fuss; not like today. The S3 (8L), RS4 (B5) and RS6 (C5) of that time just had something about them. Now, they are not as interesting. I don't think it's something they can get back though as at the time they were quite novel; which was their appeal IMO.

I have fond memories of travelling to Le Mans 2003 with my Dad in his 2001 S3 at the age of 14 smile

I've wanted one of my own for a few years, but always plumped for a different car. Maybe in a couple of years, if they're not too leggy. Sorry, gone a bit OT.

Edited by RenOHH on Sunday 23 November 23:24

GravelBen

15,655 posts

229 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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SteveSteveson said:
"A high performance estate seemed a completly alian concept. But Audi changed all that"

Apart from the Volvo 850 T5 released two years before...
And the Legacy RS wagon (or GT depending on the market) from 1989...

dukebox9reg

1,570 posts

147 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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GravelBen said:
SteveSteveson said:
"A high performance estate seemed a completly alian concept. But Audi changed all that"

Apart from the Volvo 850 T5 released two years before...
And the Legacy RS wagon (or GT depending on the market) from 1989...
They were really fast 'sports car' estates though weren't they and this was the first that could pedal with a supercar in a straight line.

Big difference between 230-300 bhp and 450bhp oh and 4 pots/5 pots vs a TT V8.

GravelBen

15,655 posts

229 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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dukebox9reg said:
They were really fast 'sports car' estates though weren't they and this was the first that could pedal with a supercar in a straight line.

Big difference between 230-300 bhp and 450bhp oh and 4 pots/5 pots vs a TT V8.
Perspective... it may not seem fast now, but 6.5 to 60 and 14.8s 1/4 mile from a family wagon in the late 80s? It had around the same power as the 911 3.2, and even the 911 turbo of the time only had 300 (and was heavier than the Legacy).

Yes the 450bhp of the RS6 is a lot more, but it was 13 years later and 600kg heavier as well!

Lefty

16,131 posts

201 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Somebody doesn't know their c6 from their c5 :-p

jollysoutherner

151 posts

222 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Another car on my list to own. Something about the madness of huge power in an estate car rather like Volvo entering an estate car in touring cars.

I recently got my hands on a B5 RS4, a hankering I've had since I picked up a nearly new A4 quattro sport back in 2000. When I collected it from the dealer a chap was collecting his brand new Noggy blue B5 RS4, I was smitten, I had to own one eventually.

I'm currently driving 15k a year in it for work. All cars are a money pit, the decision is maintenance / repairs or depreciation.

/It also isn't a diesel

fizmo100

173 posts

197 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Had one for two years, a Mugello Blue saloon. It cost a bloody fortune to maintain (first job was replacing the knackered DRC suspension with Bilstein PSS9s), but it really did shift! I've never felt such savage acceleration. I had it remapped to around 510bhp as well.

I parted with it in the end for a few reasons. Even with a warranty (from Warranty Direct, who are generally considered the best bet on Audio forums as they 'usually' cover the dreaded gearbox issues) I was still lying awake at night worrying about what was going to go wrong on it next. The gear box is the big issue once the suspension is fettled, but there are so many other things too, and they are all stupidly expensive. Also, it was so ridiculously easy to drive fast that I could see myself getting into trouble, one way or another. To get the 'driving tingle' you needed to be pushing it hard, and even nudging it moderately had you overtaking radio waves. 'Too fast for the road' perhaps?

I changed it for a Chimaera in the end - a very simple car that you get 'the tingle' in just trundling down the road. I knew what I was getting into when I bought the Audi, and I loved driving it, but there comes a time when enough is enough I think. I respect the RS6 immensely, it is a phenomenally quick car, and it is extremely comfortable. Would I have another? Depends on which day you ask me. Sometimes I really miss it and drool over the classifieds, other days you couldn't give me one for free. I'm still very glad I had 2 years with one, it was a hell of an experience!

Lefty

16,131 posts

201 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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The c6 is actually down to sensible money these days, £30k-ish and it offers much more performance with none of the c5 reliability issues. They can be reliably mapped on standard turbos to 700bhp.

It doesn't look as aggressive as the c5 and does suffer from weight (although it's considerably bigger and more spacious than the c5) and has a very muted soundtrack though...

fizmo100

173 posts

197 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I thought DRC was still an issue on the C6? I've seen quite a few around on coilovers.