C7 RS6 ownership reviews

[EmilA]

I've been looking up the C7 RS6 for a few weeks now and trying to gauge some more ownership views please.

I use to have a Nissan GTR which I sold after my son was born, need something more practical now that can take the pushchair with shopping, comfort/space and a good amount of power. I understand I've pretty much described the RS6..

I've read quite a few reviews from journos and attempted to watch some YouTuber videos but would like to know some real world views and opinions on the C7 RS6 please.
What's it like to live with, do you get any unwanted attention etc. Any downsides to owning one or setbacks (only issue I seem to see is the ownership costs).

I have considered an F10 M5 but it felt "boring" to drive compared to my E60 M5, the M6GC looks fantastic but boot access is restricted compared to the RS6, and RWD compared to 4WD from the RS6. I drive between the UK and Belgium every few weeks and need something that can crunch the motorway miles in comfort.
Any other car's that I have not considered within a similar price range of a used C7 RS6?

Thanks for reading

[Pegscratch]

The E63 is in the same bracket although RWD, and the 5.5 is pretty bulletproof. Also better to drive from a driver's perspective, but a little behind in the interior, and is better on fuel (it's all relative. It's still thirsty).

[IanH755]

EmilA said:

but would like to know some real world views and opinions on the C7 RS6 please.
What's it like to live with, do you get any unwanted attention etc. Any downsides to owning one or setbacks (only issue I seem to see is the ownership costs)

Head to rs246.com which is the biggest C7 RS6 owners forum in the UK for a lot of reviews. They mostly come back with "great handling dynamics and better power delivery from the new gearbox compared to the C6 with a much better interior" but there's a list of negatives on there too for balance.

[EmilA]

Pegscratch said:

The E63 is in the same bracket although RWD, and the 5.5 is pretty bulletproof. Also better to drive from a driver's perspective, but a little behind in the interior, and is better on fuel (it's all relative. It's still thirsty).

I had 11mpg in my E60 M5, I class anything near 20mpg as good fuel economy .

Mercedes does look good, but when I had a new E-Class in 2014 as a courtesy car for a few weeks I didn't find the interior comfortable (wasn't an AMG model) and in my opinion, Mercedes car's seems to be face-lifted far to often.
Does help that I can get a newer E63 with less miles than an RS6 for the same price

[EmilA]

IanH755 said:

Head to rs246.com which is the biggest C7 RS6 owners forum in the UK for a lot of reviews. They mostly come back with "great handling dynamics and better power delivery from the new gearbox compared to the C6 with a much better interior" but there's a list of negatives on there too for balance.

Already had a read over there - That forum isn't as active as I had expected so some of those threads are a few weeks/months old.

I forgot to add, I can't recall even sitting inside of an RS6 yet.

[Shiv_P]

I always thought the previous E63 was worse in every way compared to RS6? Apart from MPG and noise. Slow gearbox, understeery/spikey, slower, worse infortainment etc
There's a fifth gear thingy where they did a test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTbhSO6b7rI

[w8pmc]

EmilA said:

I've been looking up the C7 RS6 for a few weeks now and trying to gauge some more ownership views please.

I use to have a Nissan GTR which I sold after my son was born, need something more practical now that can take the pushchair with shopping, comfort/space and a good amount of power. I understand I've pretty much described the RS6..

I've read quite a few reviews from journos and attempted to watch some YouTuber videos but would like to know some real world views and opinions on the C7 RS6 please.
What's it like to live with, do you get any unwanted attention etc. Any downsides to owning one or setbacks (only issue I seem to see is the ownership costs).

I have considered an F10 M5 but it felt "boring" to drive compared to my E60 M5, the M6GC looks fantastic but boot access is restricted compared to the RS6, and RWD compared to 4WD from the RS6. I drive between the UK and Belgium every few weeks and need something that can crunch the motorway miles in comfort.
Any other car's that I have not considered within a similar price range of a used C7 RS6?

Thanks for reading

If you thought the F10 M5 felt "boring", i suggest you test drive the C7 RS6 soon as you may be hugely disappointed with how it performs.

Had an E60 M5 years ago & hated it, had an R35 GT-R a few years later & wasn't a fan of that either as the build quality was woeful & that DID attract unwanted attention from yoofs, however it was epically quick & i gave her the SVM 650R treatment. Had 2 x F10 M5's spanning nearly 4yrs & even now having moved on i still think the F10 M5 was by far & away the best car in its class.

Yes it 'could' struggle when trying to go balls out in less than favourable conditions, but that meant you had to actually 'drive' the car, rather than just mash the throttle & let the car do the driving.

The RS6 is certainly a step up from the R35 in terms of build quality, luxury & the ability to cruise for mile upon mile.

If launching is your bag & the AWD safety net important, then at the price point the C7 RS6, possibly is the better car for you.

[EmilA]

w8pmc said:

If you thought the F10 M5 felt "boring", i suggest you test drive the C7 RS6 soon as you may be hugely disappointed with how it performs.

Had an E60 M5 years ago & hated it, had an R35 GT-R a few years later & wasn't a fan of that either as the build quality was woeful & that DID attract unwanted attention from yoofs, however it was epically quick & i gave her the SVM 650R treatment. Had 2 x F10 M5's spanning nearly 4yrs & even now having moved on i still think the F10 M5 was by far & away the best car in its class.

Yes it 'could' struggle when trying to go balls out in less than favourable conditions, but that meant you had to actually 'drive' the car, rather than just mash the throttle & let the car do the driving.

The RS6 is certainly a step up from the R35 in terms of build quality, luxury & the ability to cruise for mile upon mile.

If launching is your bag & the AWD safety net important, then at the price point the C7 RS6, possibly is the better car for you.

I'm familiar with your car history, I'm on GTR.co.uk too and read your threads here about the F10 m5's as well .
I have driven an F10 M5 twice, once going "flat out" everywhere and it's quick especially when you can put the power down properly in the higher gears, but not as eventful as the E60 M5 was, the gearbox was a pig etc but it all added to the driving experience. I think I'm comparing the driving experiences as one was like a concert being driven (I had a muffler delete done) and the F10 is very civilised and tame in comparison to me, though with the M mode's pressed its a different animal.
The second and last time I drove one, it was a quick 5 minute drive and TBH my son was also in the car so it was driven slowly, how it would be driven 75% of the time, it didn't feel that different from a 520D that I had been driving then too.

My GTR was Litchfield Stage 4, I didn't mind the interior but I'm use to plastics having owned a few Skyline GTR's (still got an R33 GTR, plus a R34 GT 25T) and I'm a Skyline/GTR person at heart. The MY17 GTR interiors nearly match their asking price now.

The 4WD aspect appeals to me as my wife will drive the car now and then, it won't be often but it's enough to give me some more comfort such as her drive to work in the winter through country roads.
I'll more than likely end up tuning the car and a friend with a DMS tuned M6 running meth spin's the tyres up on the motorway well into 3 figures! So again the comfort of 4WD is better than RWD as both F10 M5 & C7 RS6 have the capability of running 650/700bhp.

I had a bright yellow R34 GTR (pic in my user profile) so a car that stands out isn't an issue to me

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're buying a C7 you really have to get it inspected due to the pipes running past the wheel arch corrosion on these can lead to wallet crippling bills.

[EmilA]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you're buying a C7 you really have to get it inspected due to the pipes running past the wheel arch corrosion on these can lead to wallet crippling bills.

First I have heard of this, interesting point thank you. If I do get a C7, I'll be aiming to buy through the approved used cars from an Audi dealer. A dealer fairly close to me has 2 used cars in stock that I want to check out when I'm back in the UK next

[ZX10R NIN]

There's a readers car thread on one of these (I tried to find it but couldn't) & he enjoyed the car but did have a fair few issues some due to the pipe corrosion, it's worth a read.

[Shiv_P]

Buy it approved used use it a couple of months then get them to replace the pipes as it's an engine out job iirc
There is a cheaper fix which is a "cut and paste" where you can replace the section of pipe using heavily coated pipes compared to what audi use apparently costs around £350 from a specialist

[EmilA]

Think I have found it, it's a C6 RS6 so I am hoping this issue didn't come across into the C7 range

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[RSbandit]

Have had the pre facelift from new so over 3 years now, great all round machine tbh, very fast but v reliable so far touch wood.
Does get some attention from those who know their cars but to everyone else its an Audi wagon. Only issue I've really had has been with punctures, have had a couple over the years and getting a tyre is a ball ache. 21 inch with a 285 section is not stocked anywhere (large size very rare etc) so you are looking at a couple of days between puncture and the tyre shop being able to order the new tyre in, not ideal if you are planning to travel...and £350 a corner ain't cheap!

[EmilA]

Thank you, I've paid similar prices for tyres on my GTR, expensive as it may be it's become the norm for me to pay these running costs.

[LasseV]

Eh, GS-F?

[ZX10R NIN]

The C7 runs the pipes in a similar position I haven't had any clients have issues yet, but have heard rumbling from the US so just be aware they're a good car & having run a GT-R you'll be used to the running costs.

[EmilA]

Update time, after considering other models I decided that it had to be a C7 RS6, and the options would have to include the dynamic pack & panoramic roof at the very minimum. Found a AUC pre-facelift car with the perfect spec at a reasonable price, arranged a viewing/test drive only to turn up and be told it had sold the day before. The sales person took my number down wrong so they couldn't get a hold of me either.

Decided to put the RS6 on hold now until winter time, my wife's company have agreed to let her work from Brussels once her maternity leave ends so we only need the one car. Her GTD is going back and we're getting a Skoda Karoq on lease, means I'll be selling my R34 4dr, and I can some more pennies and get myself a low miles facelift car ideally.

[EmilA]

Another update time - I'm picking up an AUC C7 RS6 this Saturday! The Karoq order was delayed by a few weeks so cancelled it, replaced with an order for a Tiguan that was in stock but two days before scheduled collection, the dealer confirmed the numbers and it didn't work out.

Started looking at other cars and within 3 days I had found the car online and placed a deposit. Been a bit tricky as the dealer lost the car keys and had to order new kes, with previous keys deleted from the car as well. It's currently being in Audi prep and Saturday morning can't come round quick enough!

Edited by EmilA on Thursday 28th June 15:26