Better Buy - A8 4.0 or RS6?
Discussion
Gents, I'm looking at chopping the Elise in for something a little more practical - plannibg a big trip up to bonnie Scotland with the old man and the golf bats, and maybe a summer Euro cruise.
I was looking at A8's, as a nice barge that still steers well, has all the toys etc etc, but I foolishly clicked on the RS6 tab in the classifieds...
It looks like I can get a straight, 53 plate 50-70k mile A8 with either the 4 litre petrol or TDi engines for about £10-12k.
The RS6 comes in slightly pricier for a similar conditioned car, and the cheap ones seem to be the saloon versions, with Avants starting at c.£15-16k.
Would anyone help me work out comparative running costs - (insurance will be about £600 for either), so what will I gain/lose in terms of servicing, thirst, consumables etc. My other question relates to residuals - am I correct in assuming that all things being equal the RS6 should lose less over 2 years than the A8, given that one is a luxo barge and the other a performance icon?
I was looking at A8's, as a nice barge that still steers well, has all the toys etc etc, but I foolishly clicked on the RS6 tab in the classifieds...
It looks like I can get a straight, 53 plate 50-70k mile A8 with either the 4 litre petrol or TDi engines for about £10-12k.
The RS6 comes in slightly pricier for a similar conditioned car, and the cheap ones seem to be the saloon versions, with Avants starting at c.£15-16k.
Would anyone help me work out comparative running costs - (insurance will be about £600 for either), so what will I gain/lose in terms of servicing, thirst, consumables etc. My other question relates to residuals - am I correct in assuming that all things being equal the RS6 should lose less over 2 years than the A8, given that one is a luxo barge and the other a performance icon?
RS6 every time. I had the Avant (53 plate) and its a corker. There's a whole host of things to look out for, in particular the Dynamic Ride Control being a bit w
ky out of the box but I'd definitely recommend joining/browsing rs246.com as there is tons of info relating to issues/bugs/recommends on there. A8 is a wafty limo with oodles of toys and is a good looking piece of kit, but its not remotely engaging or exciting to drive. The twin turbos in the RS6 are incredible - not the drivers car the newer RS4 is, but IMHO much more grin factor (had both). The RS6 has taken a beating price wise, but I'd think your money is safer with it in a niche / almost cult car than a CEO's cast off 
ky out of the box but I'd definitely recommend joining/browsing rs246.com as there is tons of info relating to issues/bugs/recommends on there. A8 is a wafty limo with oodles of toys and is a good looking piece of kit, but its not remotely engaging or exciting to drive. The twin turbos in the RS6 are incredible - not the drivers car the newer RS4 is, but IMHO much more grin factor (had both). The RS6 has taken a beating price wise, but I'd think your money is safer with it in a niche / almost cult car than a CEO's cast off donutsina911 said:
RS6 every time. I had the Avant (53 plate) and its a corker. There's a whole host of things to look out for, in particular the Dynamic Ride Control being a bit wky out of the box but I'd definitely recommend joining/browsing rs246.com as there is tons of info relating to issues/bugs/recommends on there. A8 is a wafty limo with oodles of toys and is a good looking piece of kit, but its not remotely engaging or exciting to drive. The twin turbos in the RS6 are incredible - not the drivers car the newer RS4 is, but IMHO much more grin factor (had both). The RS6 has taken a beating price wise, but I'd think your money is safer with it in a niche / almost cult car than a CEO's cast off
Am I right in thinking that the RS6 gearboxes cost 11k though?ky out of the box but I'd definitely recommend joining/browsing rs246.com as there is tons of info relating to issues/bugs/recommends on there. A8 is a wafty limo with oodles of toys and is a good looking piece of kit, but its not remotely engaging or exciting to drive. The twin turbos in the RS6 are incredible - not the drivers car the newer RS4 is, but IMHO much more grin factor (had both). The RS6 has taken a beating price wise, but I'd think your money is safer with it in a niche / almost cult car than a CEO's cast off No idea I'm afraid, although that does sound steep....from memory, I dont recall from my time on rs246.com there being any issues with the gearbox unless you start ramping up power from stock to silly levels. I would be surprised if the A8 was that much cheaper though.
One thing I forgot to mention is to factor in the cost of either a full Audi warranty or an aftermarket one - this is an absolute must. I took out both and they were around the same price (£900 p.a) IIRC. Importantly, both paid up without any problems for specific RS6 niggles. Here's what was covered under the Warranty Direct Extra Care policy:
ENGINE
Cylinder head, internal bushings, oil pump, crankshaft and bearings, appet gear, valves & guides (excluding burnt or pitted valves), pistons & rings, cylinder bores/liners, con rods, distributor drive, starter ring gear, flywheel, autodrive plate, camshaft drive belts, camshaft & cam followers, cylinder head gasket, cylinder block, crankshaft pulley, turbo/intercooler units, rear main seal, rocker assembly, push rods, timing gears, timing belts & chains.
CLUTCH
The master and slave cylinder, clutch cable and pedal assembly.
TRANSMISSION (Manual, Automatic and Overdrive)
Manual Transmission: gears, synchromesh hubs & rings, selectors, shafts, bearings, drive chains plus gearlever and bushes.
Automatic Transmission: torque converters, brake bands, valve block, governor (manual & electric) oil pump and seals, drive chains, gears, input shaft oil seal, clutches, servos and modulator valve, bearings plus gearlever and bushes.
Overdrive: Gears, shafts and bearings.
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE UNIT
Crown wheel and pinion, differential unit, bushes and bearings, plus external drive shafts, couplings, C.V. joints and rubber boots, hubs, drive flange and universal joints.
REAR AXLE
Crown wheel and pinion, differential unit, shafts, bearings, C.V. joints and rubberboots, oil seal and rear hub, & drive flange.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
Front differential, inter-axle differential and lock, rear differential and lock, bearings and shafts, couplings, C.V. joints and rubber boots, hubs and drive flange.
PROPSHAFT
Propshaft, universal joints, centre bearings and oil seals.
SUSPENSION
Shock absorbers, upper and lower wishbones, bushes, springs, spheres, displacer units and wheel bearings, self levelling suspension unit, reservoir, pump and regulator valve.
BRAKING SYSTEM
Master cylinder; brake servo unit, diesel vacuum pump, callipers, wheel cylinders, pressure regulator, ABS pump and control unit. ABS pressure reducing and proportioning valves, handbrake control cables and linkages, brake pedal assembly, self-adjusting mechanisms, abs sensors.
COOLING SYSTEM
Radiator, thermostat, water pump, heater matrix, engine oil cooler, viscous fan, thermostat housing, temperature gauge, electronic control units and control linkages.
STEERING
Rack and pinion, steering box, idler box, column shaft, couplings, steering column tilt mechanism, power steering unit including pump, pressure pipes and reservoir.
FUEL SYSTEM
Mechanical and electrical fuel pumps, airflow meter, injectors (including injector cooling system), overrun cut-off valve, pressure regulator, sensors, throttle body, fuel gauge and tank sender unit. D.I.S. unit and controls, injection pump, injectors, glow plugs, electromagnetic cut-off.
ELECTRONIC IGNITION
Ignition ECU and Ignition Coils where fitted as standard by the manufacturer.
AIR CONDITIONING
Air conditioning compressor pump, condenser, electronic control unit, sensors, magnetic clutch and valves, evaporator and reservoir, fan control and sensors.
ELECTRICS
Internal failure of the starter motor, alternator, regulator, distributor, windscreen wiper motor and tailgate wiper motor, heating fan motor, cooling fan motor, horn, central locking solenoids and motors, electric window motors and sunroof motors, electric door mirror motors and aerial motors, front and rear windscreen washer motors, headlamp adjuster motors, cruise control unit, relays, rev counter, radiator cooling fan, indicator flasher unit.
CASINGS
Casings are covered provided they have been damaged as a result of failure of an insured part or by the consequential damage of an insured part failing.
OIL LEAKS
Notwithstanding exclusion 11 of the policy, this covers the cylinder head gasket and seal or gasket replacement that necessitates the removal of the engine, gearbox/drive unit and drive shafts or differential unit to carry out repairs.
HTH
One thing I forgot to mention is to factor in the cost of either a full Audi warranty or an aftermarket one - this is an absolute must. I took out both and they were around the same price (£900 p.a) IIRC. Importantly, both paid up without any problems for specific RS6 niggles. Here's what was covered under the Warranty Direct Extra Care policy:
ENGINE
Cylinder head, internal bushings, oil pump, crankshaft and bearings, appet gear, valves & guides (excluding burnt or pitted valves), pistons & rings, cylinder bores/liners, con rods, distributor drive, starter ring gear, flywheel, autodrive plate, camshaft drive belts, camshaft & cam followers, cylinder head gasket, cylinder block, crankshaft pulley, turbo/intercooler units, rear main seal, rocker assembly, push rods, timing gears, timing belts & chains.
CLUTCH
The master and slave cylinder, clutch cable and pedal assembly.
TRANSMISSION (Manual, Automatic and Overdrive)
Manual Transmission: gears, synchromesh hubs & rings, selectors, shafts, bearings, drive chains plus gearlever and bushes.
Automatic Transmission: torque converters, brake bands, valve block, governor (manual & electric) oil pump and seals, drive chains, gears, input shaft oil seal, clutches, servos and modulator valve, bearings plus gearlever and bushes.
Overdrive: Gears, shafts and bearings.
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE UNIT
Crown wheel and pinion, differential unit, bushes and bearings, plus external drive shafts, couplings, C.V. joints and rubber boots, hubs, drive flange and universal joints.
REAR AXLE
Crown wheel and pinion, differential unit, shafts, bearings, C.V. joints and rubberboots, oil seal and rear hub, & drive flange.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
Front differential, inter-axle differential and lock, rear differential and lock, bearings and shafts, couplings, C.V. joints and rubber boots, hubs and drive flange.
PROPSHAFT
Propshaft, universal joints, centre bearings and oil seals.
SUSPENSION
Shock absorbers, upper and lower wishbones, bushes, springs, spheres, displacer units and wheel bearings, self levelling suspension unit, reservoir, pump and regulator valve.
BRAKING SYSTEM
Master cylinder; brake servo unit, diesel vacuum pump, callipers, wheel cylinders, pressure regulator, ABS pump and control unit. ABS pressure reducing and proportioning valves, handbrake control cables and linkages, brake pedal assembly, self-adjusting mechanisms, abs sensors.
COOLING SYSTEM
Radiator, thermostat, water pump, heater matrix, engine oil cooler, viscous fan, thermostat housing, temperature gauge, electronic control units and control linkages.
STEERING
Rack and pinion, steering box, idler box, column shaft, couplings, steering column tilt mechanism, power steering unit including pump, pressure pipes and reservoir.
FUEL SYSTEM
Mechanical and electrical fuel pumps, airflow meter, injectors (including injector cooling system), overrun cut-off valve, pressure regulator, sensors, throttle body, fuel gauge and tank sender unit. D.I.S. unit and controls, injection pump, injectors, glow plugs, electromagnetic cut-off.
ELECTRONIC IGNITION
Ignition ECU and Ignition Coils where fitted as standard by the manufacturer.
AIR CONDITIONING
Air conditioning compressor pump, condenser, electronic control unit, sensors, magnetic clutch and valves, evaporator and reservoir, fan control and sensors.
ELECTRICS
Internal failure of the starter motor, alternator, regulator, distributor, windscreen wiper motor and tailgate wiper motor, heating fan motor, cooling fan motor, horn, central locking solenoids and motors, electric window motors and sunroof motors, electric door mirror motors and aerial motors, front and rear windscreen washer motors, headlamp adjuster motors, cruise control unit, relays, rev counter, radiator cooling fan, indicator flasher unit.
CASINGS
Casings are covered provided they have been damaged as a result of failure of an insured part or by the consequential damage of an insured part failing.
OIL LEAKS
Notwithstanding exclusion 11 of the policy, this covers the cylinder head gasket and seal or gasket replacement that necessitates the removal of the engine, gearbox/drive unit and drive shafts or differential unit to carry out repairs.
HTH
donutsina911 said:
No idea I'm afraid, although that does sound steep....from memory, I dont recall from my time on rs246.com there being any issues with the gearbox unless you start ramping up power from stock to silly levels. I would be surprised if the A8 was that much cheaper though.
One thing I forgot to mention is to factor in the cost of either a full Audi warranty or an aftermarket one - this is an absolute must. I took out both and they were around the same price (£900 p.a) IIRC. Importantly, both paid up without any problems for specific RS6 niggles. Here's what was covered under the Warranty Direct Extra Care policy:
<snip>
Does that cover wear and tear, or just failure, and does it cover Audi's labour rates?One thing I forgot to mention is to factor in the cost of either a full Audi warranty or an aftermarket one - this is an absolute must. I took out both and they were around the same price (£900 p.a) IIRC. Importantly, both paid up without any problems for specific RS6 niggles. Here's what was covered under the Warranty Direct Extra Care policy:
<snip>
I've driven both, I loved the A8 4.0 D, it seemed to be economical with the juice and had plenty of torque at any speed. I have no idea about running costs of the A8 though. My RS6 has had its problems (DRC being one repetitive fault) but with a good audi warranty it has been fixed quickly and without question. The acceleration is addictive - just slam the accelerator to the floor at 40mph and you've overtaken a dawdler very quickly! Even after nearly 4 years of ownership it is still hugely impressive. After throwing it around A/B roads in sport or manual (paddle) modes, it can also waft gracefully around town in Drive mode.
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