RS6

Author
Discussion

AndrewD

Original Poster:

7,544 posts

285 months

Sunday 7th November 2004
quotequote all
Can you fit towbars? My local audi dealer says no, but I'm not sure whether to believe him

mal

196 posts

247 months

Monday 8th November 2004
quotequote all
If you did you might break the world caravan speed record!

yertis

18,083 posts

267 months

Monday 8th November 2004
quotequote all
Removable tow-bar is definately an option on the normally aspirated S6 - can't understand why they'd delete the option on the RS.

JonRB

74,772 posts

273 months

Monday 8th November 2004
quotequote all
Best place to check is www.rs246.com

There has been a similar debate on the RS4. All the A4's (including the S4) have a towbar kit apart from the RS4. I think it's to do with the rear bumper.

Apparently there is some regulation that you can't cut the bumper to fit a towbar or something. I can't really remember, but there is certainly some regulatory and/or bureaucratic reason why you can't fit one if the manufacturer doesn't offer it.

yertis

18,083 posts

267 months

Monday 8th November 2004
quotequote all
How perfectly absurd. They're probably losing a few sales through that - it would/praobably does make a great car to tow the race trailer round with. I've used my S to trailer the TR on many a trip.

AndrewD

Original Poster:

7,544 posts

285 months

Thursday 11th November 2004
quotequote all
Thanks, I'll check out rs246

crbox

461 posts

234 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
Tow bars on the RS6 are not Audi recommended, as the load will increase the oil temp in the trans and motor oils to unacceptable levels. The twin turbos need a minimum oil pressure to operate without failure. Oil pressure reduces with an increase in tempreature caused by over loading. The oil temp gauge on the dash should give you a clue to how critical this is.

Audi have deemed warranties will be invalid if bars are fitted.

The old RS4 and the current S4 are similarly affected.

yertis

18,083 posts

267 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
Bollox. How about the S6, with the normally aspirated V8. That affected also?

crbox

461 posts

234 months

Monday 22nd November 2004
quotequote all
No, the V8 S6 is not affected as, you see 'normally aspirated' cars don't actually have Turbochargers.

Anything else, you're not clued up on?

yertis

18,083 posts

267 months

Monday 22nd November 2004
quotequote all
crbox said:
Tow bars on the RS6 are not Audi recommended, as the load will increase the oil temp in the trans and motor oils to unacceptable levels. The twin turbos need a minimum oil pressure to operate without failure. Oil pressure reduces with an increase in tempreature caused by over loading. The oil temp gauge on the dash should give you a clue to how critical this is.

Audi have deemed warranties will be invalid if bars are fitted.

The old RS4 and the current S4 are similarly affected.


The current S4 isn't turbocharged either, hence my question. Anything else you're not clued up on?

JonRB

74,772 posts

273 months

Monday 22nd November 2004
quotequote all
Saucer of milk for yertis and crbox.

jeremyc

23,576 posts

285 months

Monday 22nd November 2004
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JonRB said:
Saucer of milk for yertis and crbox.
And then a Porsche engineered, turbocharged Audi with towbar.

v15ben

15,807 posts

242 months

Monday 22nd November 2004
quotequote all
mal said:
If you did you might break the world caravan speed record!


or perhaps not!!!!!!!!!!!!
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?f=107&h=&t=97081

yertis

18,083 posts

267 months

Monday 22nd November 2004
quotequote all
Saucers of milk aside, it's a shame the turbocharged Audis can no longer tow. Never had any problems towing the TR6 temp wise and that together with the trailer must weigh a fair bit. Can only assume the cooling is a bit more marginal in the twin-turbo cars.

MJ1

44 posts

248 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2004
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Likewise, I tow with my S4 twin turbo, and sometimes the race car goes quicker on the trailer than it does around the track

crbox

461 posts

234 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2004
quotequote all

The current S4 isn't turbocharged either, hence my question. Anything else you're not clued up on?[/quote]

Look, chaps it's simply like this.

I test drove an S4 Avant and asked the dealer if a tow bar could be fitted to trail my competition car.
After initially saying no problem, I asked the dealer to make sure, as he would need to fit a warranty approved item.
Audi came back saying no way, as the oil cooler wasn't up to coping with the temperature increase caused by the increased load. This will result in lower oil pressure.
Eventually I bought an RS6, which won't tow for similar reasons. The twin turbos just make good oil pressure more vital.
Warranty issues aside.In the real world, I guess any body can safely tow with these cars, just watch the oil temp.

P.S.
If anyones remotely interested in my experiences of the RS6,I've reported on them under Robert Farrago's road test.
I realise that I'm fortunate to own it, but never the less, it's not all total perfection.

yertis

18,083 posts

267 months

Wednesday 24th November 2004
quotequote all
crbox said:

The current S4 isn't turbocharged either, hence my question. Anything else you're not clued up on?


Look, chaps it's simply like this.

I test drove an S4 Avant and asked the dealer if a tow bar could be fitted to trail my competition car.
After initially saying no problem, I asked the dealer to make sure, as he would need to fit a warranty approved item.
Audi came back saying no way, as the oil cooler wasn't up to coping with the temperature increase caused by the increased load. This will result in lower oil pressure.
Eventually I bought an RS6, which won't tow for similar reasons. The twin turbos just make good oil pressure more vital.
Warranty issues aside.In the real world, I guess any body can safely tow with these cars, just watch the oil temp.

P.S.
If anyones remotely interested in my experiences of the RS6,I've reported on them under Robert Farrago's road test.
I realise that I'm fortunate to own it, but never the less, it's not all total perfection.[/quote]

Thanks for that - I'll read with interest because your info ahs made me think twice about my plans to buy one to replace the S4.

NDT

1,753 posts

264 months

Wednesday 24th November 2004
quotequote all
crbox said:

The current S4 isn't turbocharged either, hence my question. Anything else you're not clued up on?


Look, chaps it's simply like this.

I test drove an S4 Avant and asked the dealer if a tow bar could be fitted to trail my competition car.
After initially saying no problem, I asked the dealer to make sure, as he would need to fit a warranty approved item.
Audi came back saying no way, as the oil cooler wasn't up to coping with the temperature increase caused by the increased load. This will result in lower oil pressure.
Eventually I bought an RS6, which won't tow for similar reasons. The twin turbos just make good oil pressure more vital.
Warranty issues aside.In the real world, I guess any body can safely tow with these cars, just watch the oil temp.

P.S.
If anyones remotely interested in my experiences of the RS6,I've reported on them under Robert Farrago's road test.
I realise that I'm fortunate to own it, but never the less, it's not all total perfection.[/quote]

of course, with a trailer the increase in load takes place with a reduction in speed, hence reduced airflow for cooling - both via the oil cooler, radiator and direct cooling of the sump, so it's not that unreasonable of Audi to forbid towing...

Might have been more proactive of them to spec an additional cooling pack for towing though...