£7k - E46 M3 / E39 M5 / B6 S4 / C6 S6 / C6 RS6?
Discussion
- *AUDI C5 S6 / RS6, NOT C6!!*****
I have a V8 itch hence the M5 / Audi's, but then I'm only 32 and the M3 appeals to me.
I realise that £7k is going to get a lower end car, but this I am fine with.
The S6 I can get for well under my budget, but they're all auto and not much quicker (on paper at least) than my current 3.2 Vectra run around, though I am sure in the real world it would obliterate it.
S4 would have to be a manual, and I know the RS6 is an auto as well. M3 would have to be a non SMG car.
I'm looking for peoples experiences and opinions really..
Thanks.
Edited by MikeHull on Wednesday 22 May 01:41
Edited by MikeHull on Wednesday 22 May 01:48
The potential bork of any of those cars at £7k is immense. Like gargantuanly likely. On something like an RS6 it wouldn't be any trouble at all for it to run you to half that within a year to eighteen months.
Even an E46 M3 at £7k is likely to be ropey in the extreme. Now I'm not saying you will end up with a shed, but there's a reason why such cars are for sale at £7k.
Even an E46 M3 at £7k is likely to be ropey in the extreme. Now I'm not saying you will end up with a shed, but there's a reason why such cars are for sale at £7k.
I'd go for either an E39 M5 or an E46 M3 from that list. I don't think the S4 and S6 will feel special enough and the RS6 has all sorts of issues, I know the gearbox and suspension are both prone to failure. Of course, you've also got VANOS on the M5 and the boot floor on the M3 (though you should be able to find one with proof it has had the floor repaired).
If you buy a 7k RS6 make sure you've got another 7-10k to run it for a year not including fuel!
The running costs of these are HUGE.
Owners say you need to budget 10k to keep it on the road before fuel, and thats if you have no nasty problems appear such as DRC failure or the auto box/torque convertor dying.
Personally I wouldn't touch a 7k RS6 with a very very long barge pole
The running costs of these are HUGE.
Owners say you need to budget 10k to keep it on the road before fuel, and thats if you have no nasty problems appear such as DRC failure or the auto box/torque convertor dying.
Personally I wouldn't touch a 7k RS6 with a very very long barge pole
RS4Audi said:
If you buy a 7k RS6 make sure you've got another 7-10k to run it for a year not including fuel!
The running costs of these are HUGE.
Owners say you need to budget 10k to keep it on the road before fuel, and thats if you have no nasty problems appear such as DRC failure or the auto box/torque convertor dying.
The running costs of these are HUGE.
Owners say you need to budget 10k to keep it on the road before fuel, and thats if you have no nasty problems appear such as DRC failure or the auto box/torque convertor dying.
Here's a good thread to read:
http://audisrs.com/about17260.html
This is an owners review on buying one taken from another thread:
So in the context of spending a ballpark figure of ~£16K on a C5 RS6, mileage would likely be under 50K (saloon probably), what problems are likely to see me big bills?
M: Firstly, i think you may struggle to find one under 50k miles, or be lucky to.
DRC and gearbox are the ones that worry me. The latter really my main concern.
What money roughly could I be looking at to replace DRC with coilovers?
M: To be shot of the DRC budget £1500 for H&R's or a bit more for the other brands.
How bad could a bill get re. gearbox?
M: A recon GB is about £2500 IIRC and a new one about £5k, but there are people better qualified than me here to correct or confirm.
Also what is it that fails with the gearbox and is the replacement/remediation (assuming a stock power car) any guarantee of it not occuring again?
M: Normally its the torque converter i think, but again Grizz or Doug can confirm or correct. As for gaurentees afetr a service- no feckin chance, no one in their right mind would offer you one!
Moving on to warranties. I have heard it said not to own a RS6 without a warranty. Do we generally concur?
M: My warranty has been brilliant, along with Grizz, it has enabled me to keep the car, without it it would have been on fire in a ditch somewhere.
What warranties are C5 RS6 owners using, what are the claim limit terms, are the warranties working for you and what is it costing you?
M: Inchcape thru Car Care Plan. They have been bloody marvelous, never quibbled or argued and always have paid out direct to the repairer.
I got the warranty (3yr) when I bought the car and extended it for a further year at the same time- best move I ever made.
Any problems now the cars are getting older and the mileages increasing in getting the cover?
M: I have heard that the warranty Co.s are NOT renewing on the RS6.
Was the warranty you have a renewal of a previous exisiting warranty on the car or did you take it out and have to have an inspection?
M: I got mine free as a deal I struck when I bought the car and extended it for 12months for £399.00.
Do the warranties you have experience of mean the car has to stay stock? Has anyone managed to get a warranty to retain cover in the event of it modified for a power increase
M: Hmmmmm I am pleading the fifth on this one.
Although, my warranty company have a great relationship with Unit20 and trust him completley so I was toild by the operator on one occasion.
All in all, buy one without DRC and drive it hard to check the box out, if you are in the slightest bit concerend walk away.
If you can get one with a warranty, get written agreements on what is covered. If I had not had a warranty I would be bankrupt- Honest.
Find someone you trust unit20 or MRC, get them to check it over its worth £50 (at U20)for peice of mind.
Once you find a centre you trust, stick with em, each and ever RS6 has its own traits and personality. Experience with YOUR car is priceless.
If you get chance start a RS6 slush fund, squirrel away a few hundred quid a month for the "UNFORSEEN"
http://audisrs.com/about17260.html
This is an owners review on buying one taken from another thread:
So in the context of spending a ballpark figure of ~£16K on a C5 RS6, mileage would likely be under 50K (saloon probably), what problems are likely to see me big bills?
M: Firstly, i think you may struggle to find one under 50k miles, or be lucky to.
DRC and gearbox are the ones that worry me. The latter really my main concern.
What money roughly could I be looking at to replace DRC with coilovers?
M: To be shot of the DRC budget £1500 for H&R's or a bit more for the other brands.
How bad could a bill get re. gearbox?
M: A recon GB is about £2500 IIRC and a new one about £5k, but there are people better qualified than me here to correct or confirm.
Also what is it that fails with the gearbox and is the replacement/remediation (assuming a stock power car) any guarantee of it not occuring again?
M: Normally its the torque converter i think, but again Grizz or Doug can confirm or correct. As for gaurentees afetr a service- no feckin chance, no one in their right mind would offer you one!
Moving on to warranties. I have heard it said not to own a RS6 without a warranty. Do we generally concur?
M: My warranty has been brilliant, along with Grizz, it has enabled me to keep the car, without it it would have been on fire in a ditch somewhere.
What warranties are C5 RS6 owners using, what are the claim limit terms, are the warranties working for you and what is it costing you?
M: Inchcape thru Car Care Plan. They have been bloody marvelous, never quibbled or argued and always have paid out direct to the repairer.
I got the warranty (3yr) when I bought the car and extended it for a further year at the same time- best move I ever made.
Any problems now the cars are getting older and the mileages increasing in getting the cover?
M: I have heard that the warranty Co.s are NOT renewing on the RS6.
Was the warranty you have a renewal of a previous exisiting warranty on the car or did you take it out and have to have an inspection?
M: I got mine free as a deal I struck when I bought the car and extended it for 12months for £399.00.
Do the warranties you have experience of mean the car has to stay stock? Has anyone managed to get a warranty to retain cover in the event of it modified for a power increase
M: Hmmmmm I am pleading the fifth on this one.
Although, my warranty company have a great relationship with Unit20 and trust him completley so I was toild by the operator on one occasion.
All in all, buy one without DRC and drive it hard to check the box out, if you are in the slightest bit concerend walk away.
If you can get one with a warranty, get written agreements on what is covered. If I had not had a warranty I would be bankrupt- Honest.
Find someone you trust unit20 or MRC, get them to check it over its worth £50 (at U20)for peice of mind.
Once you find a centre you trust, stick with em, each and ever RS6 has its own traits and personality. Experience with YOUR car is priceless.
If you get chance start a RS6 slush fund, squirrel away a few hundred quid a month for the "UNFORSEEN"
I've got a B6 S4 Avant which is a great all-rounder, and feels plenty special enough.
That said, I doubt I'd have bought one over an M3 had I not specifically needed/wanted an estate.
The driving experience between an S4/S6 and an M3/M5 is very different - I'd suggest you drive both and see which you prefer.
Running costs on my S4 haven't been too bad, but any of those cars can throw a big bill - some more than others.
That said, I doubt I'd have bought one over an M3 had I not specifically needed/wanted an estate.
The driving experience between an S4/S6 and an M3/M5 is very different - I'd suggest you drive both and see which you prefer.
Running costs on my S4 haven't been too bad, but any of those cars can throw a big bill - some more than others.
MissChief said:
The potential bork of any of those cars at £7k is immense. Like gargantuanly likely. On something like an RS6 it wouldn't be any trouble at all for it to run you to half that within a year to eighteen months.
^^^^ ThisCar costs Fiesta money but you'll never run it for Fiesta money.
Output Flange said:
daveco said:
I wouldn't even consider an E46 M3/E39 M5 for £7k unless you had close to the same again to run it per annum. That's if you plan to run the car as your daily and do about 10,000 - 12,000 miles per annum.
Go on then, how does a year in an M3 cost £7,000?To consider one of these cars at the 7k price point is sheer maddness of the swivel eyed loon variety. I mean proper insanity, lie down, call someone to sit with you while you await sectioning. It may even be criminal and certainly deviant. Do you hear voices by any chance, the whole thread is soiled by the stink of the unbalanced.
PH where over reaction is the only reaction.
PH where over reaction is the only reaction.
Jaroon said:
To consider one of these cars at the 7k price point is sheer maddness of the swivel eyed loon variety. I mean proper insanity, lie down, call someone to sit with you while you await sectioning. It may even be criminal and certainly deviant. Do you hear voices by any chance, the whole thread is soiled by the stink of the unbalanced.
PH where over reaction is the only reaction.
PH where over reaction is the only reaction.
rottie102 said:
at the costs of running the cars according to this topic 
Do you all take your 100k miles + cars to main dealer for EVERYTHING?
And yes, I've had an cheap M for year and a half before and now I own cheaply bought RS6
I get annoyed at the massive overinflated running costs for the BMW M costs. I've had e39 m5/ e46 m3 and they costs bugger all to run. I've spent more on my focus diesel.
How can a £7k e39 m5 cost that to run per year. Whats it going to do blow up? Ill just get a recon engine for a grand.
The s54 engine's are so reliable given the power it's putting out.
My experience is some running costs people quote for some cars are realistic. Majority are just massively over exaggerated.
I can't speak for Audi.
How can a £7k e39 m5 cost that to run per year. Whats it going to do blow up? Ill just get a recon engine for a grand.
The s54 engine's are so reliable given the power it's putting out.
My experience is some running costs people quote for some cars are realistic. Majority are just massively over exaggerated.
I can't speak for Audi.
Makem said:
I get annoyed at the massive overinflated running costs for the BMW M costs. I've had e39 m5/ e46 m3 and they costs bugger all to run. I've spent more on my focus diesel.
How can a £7k e39 m5 cost that to run per year. Whats it going to do blow up? Ill just get a recon engine for a grand.
The s54 engine's are so reliable given the power it's putting out.
My experience is some running costs people quote for some cars are realistic. Majority are just massively over exaggerated.
I can't speak for Audi.
If a cheap Clio 172 can cost me £2K in 3 months, then I'm pretty sure one of these could easily cost someone unlucky (me) £10K in a year.How can a £7k e39 m5 cost that to run per year. Whats it going to do blow up? Ill just get a recon engine for a grand.
The s54 engine's are so reliable given the power it's putting out.
My experience is some running costs people quote for some cars are realistic. Majority are just massively over exaggerated.
I can't speak for Audi.
RS4Audi said:
The prices Ive mentioned regarding the RS6 are all based on real world owners using specialists to maintain.
If you went on AudiSRS or RS246 and ask about running costs, you will get the same answer!
Indeed - the RS6 is famous for its huge costs.If you went on AudiSRS or RS246 and ask about running costs, you will get the same answer!
The E46 and E39 are available in budget, the latter you can find some really nice examples.
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