2004 Audi RS6 Avant

Highlights 

• Iconic first-gen model

• Professional stage 1 plus remap

• Vastly improved performance

• Miltek cat-back exhaust and Bilstein suspension

• Excellent service history

• Low miles

• Well maintained and in great condition throughout

Overview

Audi basically  invented the performance wagon genre back in ‘94 with the advent of the RS 2 Avant. Here was an estate car powered by a 2.2-litre, turbocharged five-cylinder engine with over 300bhp powering all four wheels – thanks to Audi's revered quattro permanent four-wheel drive – which gave the RS 2 Avant serious bragging rights, including a sub five second 0-60mph time and an electronically limited top speed of 163mph, all in an eminently practical package that could capaciously swallow pretty much anything you needed it to. 

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and if that is indeed the case then consider the Audi RS 2 Avant well and truly exalted because many have since copied that blueprint of sticking a high performing engine into a wagon for maximum effect. From Volvo and Skoda to compatriots Mercedes and BMW, most have had a go at some point but there's just something extra special about a well-endowed Avant and the German firm would continue to produce them over the ensuing years to an ever-appreciative audience. Sadly, however, Audi are no longer offering these wacky wagons in the UK but you can still scratch that particular itch by picking up an older generation model, like this splendid 2004 RS 6 Avant, for example. Rejoice! 

Debuting in 2002 the original RS 6 – the first incarnation of Audi Sport's high performance version of the Audi A6, was available as both a saloon and an estate, or Avant, to give it its native nomenclature, and came furnished with a beast of a 4.2-litre twin-turbo V8 producing a whopping 444bhp and 413lb ft of torque available as low down as 1,950rpm.

Immediately iconic, due in part to its four-and-a-half second 0-60mph time, the RS6 Avant took the ball from the RS2 and legged it, going on to spawn a number of just as riveting sequels. But it's those first cars, like the one we have available here, that are perhaps the purest and indeed most engaging of all.

With impressive service history, including reams of invoices from the past 20 years, the car has clearly been well-maintained and as such presents beautifully both inside and out. Reportedly running perfectly the icing on this already tasty cake is a number of further performance enhancements. Benefiting from a performance exhaust, uprated Bilstein suspension and a Stage 1 plus remap by MRC Tuning in Banbury the car now sits at a frankly astonishing 515bhp and 662lb ft of torque as reported by the vendor, placing this particular Audi RS 6 Avant head and shoulders above the pack.

History and documentation

• 2004 model year

• First registered 24 Nov 2004

• In current ownership since 07 Sep 2013

• Four former keepers

• Original book pack and document wallet

• Original purchase invoice from 2004

• Two keys

• Original navigation and service CDs

• Service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: service at 10,195 miles (2006 – main dealer), service at 16,230 miles (2006 – main dealer), service at 25,383 miles (2007 main dealer), service at 32,115 miles (2009 – main dealer), service at 37,707 miles (main dealer), service at 49,160 miles (2011 – main dealer), service at 53,110 miles (2013 – main dealer), service at 61,749 miles (2014)

• Subsequent service invoices for inspections carried out during current ownership

• The vendor reports that there are a couple of services missing due to the Covid pandemic

• Numerous invoices from the last 20 years

• Stage 1 plus remap and replacement coilovers invoice dated 19 Jun 2013 care of MRC Tuning

• MOT until 06 Mar 2026

• HPI clear

• 78,997 indicated miles

Interior

• In very good order

• Clean and tidy throughout

• Some slight signs of wear commensurate with the car's age and mileage, most notably to the driver's seat, but nothing major

• No evidence of any damage

• Carbon fibre trim pieces remain intact

• The headlining is in great shape having been redone using original material due to sagging

• Door cards and carpets present well

• Over mats included

• Dashboard is free from issues and there are no reports of any warning lights

• Steering wheel is wearing well

• Door jams are clean

• Boot space is clean and tidy and comes complete with a fire extinguisher, factory tools and jack

• Engine bay presents well

Exterior

• Generally in great shape overall

• The Daytona Grey paintwork appears to be in excellent condition

• A few very minor marks here and there commensurate with age and mileage

• No major damage or repairs to report

• The vendor reports a minor scratch on the front bumper was remedied by a local bodywork company

• All shut lines are uniform

• No chips or scratches to any of the windows

• Very small area of chrome peeling on the front Audi rings

• A small area of paint has flaked off the rear of the nearside roof bar

• No evidence of any corrosion

• Factory five-spoke 19” alloy wheels have some marks to the rims and some very minor powder coating loss on the centres of two but they are in good condition overall

• Tyres are Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric models which the vendor reports are all in excellent condition

• Underneath looks to be in good health

Mechanical

• 444bhp, 4.2-litre Biturbo V8 engine (in standard tune)

• Five-speed ZF Tiptronic automatic gearbox

• Stage 1 plus remap producing a reported 515bhp

• Milltek cat-back exhaust

• Original Dynamic Ride Control suspension replaced with Bilstein coilovers

• Four-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.5s

• 155mph top speed (electronically limited)

• No mechanical issues to report

• The vendor informs us that the battery has been replaced in the last few years and the car starts, goes and stops perfectly and sounds really good

Summary

The first-gen Audi RS 6 Avant is a rapid car in anyone's book but thanks to an uprated exhaust and remap this particular example has been elevated to bonkers territory, and we're here for it. Practical, comfortable and insanely fast this really is a do anything machine. Combine that with an impressive service history, low mileage and excellent overall condition and what you have is a very, very capable performance estate that's ready to be enjoyed. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Bath, Avon and Somerset.