RS6 Avant 2003
Discussion
Yes, they are expensive to maintain correctly.
Before you start treating all the horror stories as gospel have a read through all the recent threads on here. Maintained and upgraded correctly you can minimise your outlay.
It's important to remember that you are looking at a really, seriously quick car - it is not going to be pennies to run!
Before you start treating all the horror stories as gospel have a read through all the recent threads on here. Maintained and upgraded correctly you can minimise your outlay.
It's important to remember that you are looking at a really, seriously quick car - it is not going to be pennies to run!
Only buy one with a good warranty - Audi warranty or Warranty Direct are the reccomended ones, with Audi being the most popular but is seriously expensive.
Running cost examples:
Tyres: £750 - £1000 per year (tyres last approx 12k)
Brakes: £600 fronts, £450 rears every year if you do alot of stop-start driving, 2 years if your a motorway cruiser.
Servicing: Circa £700 for basic 10k, 20k and 30k service, £1000 for 40k Belt change at independant, £2500 at Audi for 40k belt change.
Tax: £215 at the mo.
Insurance: ........
Fuel: @ 11 - 17 mpg for most owners, max 28 mpg on a 68 mph motorway cruise, and it has to be 97 octane or above or it wont run properly. Most owners are on Shell V-power with a club card as supermarket fuel sometimes doesnt agree with the RS6.
DRC suspension: WILL FAIL at some point in your first year, possibly more than once. £1500 per corner to fix or £2000 to change to coilovers. Or buy one with coilovers already.
Alternator: Often fails at around 80k. £2500 to fit new as 99% of the time the repair upsets the coolers and the hoses. BIG JOB.
Thermostat: If it fails, and they do then it requires the belts to be changed again so always get a new thermo at every 40k belt change, along with water pump. New parts also come with a 1 year guarantee if its an Audi genuine part.
Gearbox: A funny one this. Some last forever, others decide to die early on. There's no warning. The only way to help the situation is to have it serviced by a pro at 20 - 40k intervals. Audi say 'sealed for life' but at £5500 - £7000 for a new box then it pays to keep it healthy.
As you can see its not a cheap car to run. Its essential that you get a warranty with the car as you never know what will happen. Ive had mine a while now and in the past 12 months ive had: Coilovers @ £2.5k, alternator @ £2.5k, 4 new wheels due to buckling @ £672 + Vat each, various sensors and valves. This was all done under warranty (thank god). On top ive had £700 service, tyres @ £700, and the usual insurance, tax and test. You can imagine how that looks on paper.
If you can stomach all this expense then i'd say go out and get one. But get a good one. RS246.com is the place to go for info and guidance, and you'll find afew good cars for sale there too. Don't buy a cheap dog as it'll only bite you where it hurts. Look around and test drive at least 3 before deciding.
Eddie.
Running cost examples:
Tyres: £750 - £1000 per year (tyres last approx 12k)
Brakes: £600 fronts, £450 rears every year if you do alot of stop-start driving, 2 years if your a motorway cruiser.
Servicing: Circa £700 for basic 10k, 20k and 30k service, £1000 for 40k Belt change at independant, £2500 at Audi for 40k belt change.
Tax: £215 at the mo.
Insurance: ........
Fuel: @ 11 - 17 mpg for most owners, max 28 mpg on a 68 mph motorway cruise, and it has to be 97 octane or above or it wont run properly. Most owners are on Shell V-power with a club card as supermarket fuel sometimes doesnt agree with the RS6.
DRC suspension: WILL FAIL at some point in your first year, possibly more than once. £1500 per corner to fix or £2000 to change to coilovers. Or buy one with coilovers already.
Alternator: Often fails at around 80k. £2500 to fit new as 99% of the time the repair upsets the coolers and the hoses. BIG JOB.
Thermostat: If it fails, and they do then it requires the belts to be changed again so always get a new thermo at every 40k belt change, along with water pump. New parts also come with a 1 year guarantee if its an Audi genuine part.
Gearbox: A funny one this. Some last forever, others decide to die early on. There's no warning. The only way to help the situation is to have it serviced by a pro at 20 - 40k intervals. Audi say 'sealed for life' but at £5500 - £7000 for a new box then it pays to keep it healthy.
As you can see its not a cheap car to run. Its essential that you get a warranty with the car as you never know what will happen. Ive had mine a while now and in the past 12 months ive had: Coilovers @ £2.5k, alternator @ £2.5k, 4 new wheels due to buckling @ £672 + Vat each, various sensors and valves. This was all done under warranty (thank god). On top ive had £700 service, tyres @ £700, and the usual insurance, tax and test. You can imagine how that looks on paper.
If you can stomach all this expense then i'd say go out and get one. But get a good one. RS246.com is the place to go for info and guidance, and you'll find afew good cars for sale there too. Don't buy a cheap dog as it'll only bite you where it hurts. Look around and test drive at least 3 before deciding.
Eddie.
ecain63 said:
Only buy one with a good warranty - Audi warranty or Warranty Direct are the reccomended ones, with Audi being the most popular but is seriously expensive.
Running cost examples:
Tyres: £750 - £1000 per year (tyres last approx 12k)
Brakes: £600 fronts, £450 rears every year if you do alot of stop-start driving, 2 years if your a motorway cruiser.
Servicing: Circa £700 for basic 10k, 20k and 30k service, £1000 for 40k Belt change at independant, £2500 at Audi for 40k belt change.
Tax: £215 at the mo.
Insurance: ........
Fuel: @ 11 - 17 mpg for most owners, max 28 mpg on a 68 mph motorway cruise, and it has to be 97 octane or above or it wont run properly. Most owners are on Shell V-power with a club card as supermarket fuel sometimes doesnt agree with the RS6.
DRC suspension: WILL FAIL at some point in your first year, possibly more than once. £1500 per corner to fix or £2000 to change to coilovers. Or buy one with coilovers already.
Alternator: Often fails at around 80k. £2500 to fit new as 99% of the time the repair upsets the coolers and the hoses. BIG JOB.
Thermostat: If it fails, and they do then it requires the belts to be changed again so always get a new thermo at every 40k belt change, along with water pump. New parts also come with a 1 year guarantee if its an Audi genuine part.
Gearbox: A funny one this. Some last forever, others decide to die early on. There's no warning. The only way to help the situation is to have it serviced by a pro at 20 - 40k intervals. Audi say 'sealed for life' but at £5500 - £7000 for a new box then it pays to keep it healthy.
As you can see its not a cheap car to run. Its essential that you get a warranty with the car as you never know what will happen. Ive had mine a while now and in the past 12 months ive had: Coilovers @ £2.5k, alternator @ £2.5k, 4 new wheels due to buckling @ £672 + Vat each, various sensors and valves. This was all done under warranty (thank god). On top ive had £700 service, tyres @ £700, and the usual insurance, tax and test. You can imagine how that looks on paper.
If you can stomach all this expense then i'd say go out and get one. But get a good one. RS246.com is the place to go for info and guidance, and you'll find afew good cars for sale there too. Don't buy a cheap dog as it'll only bite you where it hurts. Look around and test drive at least 3 before deciding.
Eddie.
I would agree with most of that however Audi Servincing is a bit cheaper than that, Belt change isnt £2500 its about £1200. £800+vat of labour and maybe £250-£300+vat for the parts depending on exactly what your have. Running cost examples:
Tyres: £750 - £1000 per year (tyres last approx 12k)
Brakes: £600 fronts, £450 rears every year if you do alot of stop-start driving, 2 years if your a motorway cruiser.
Servicing: Circa £700 for basic 10k, 20k and 30k service, £1000 for 40k Belt change at independant, £2500 at Audi for 40k belt change.
Tax: £215 at the mo.
Insurance: ........
Fuel: @ 11 - 17 mpg for most owners, max 28 mpg on a 68 mph motorway cruise, and it has to be 97 octane or above or it wont run properly. Most owners are on Shell V-power with a club card as supermarket fuel sometimes doesnt agree with the RS6.
DRC suspension: WILL FAIL at some point in your first year, possibly more than once. £1500 per corner to fix or £2000 to change to coilovers. Or buy one with coilovers already.
Alternator: Often fails at around 80k. £2500 to fit new as 99% of the time the repair upsets the coolers and the hoses. BIG JOB.
Thermostat: If it fails, and they do then it requires the belts to be changed again so always get a new thermo at every 40k belt change, along with water pump. New parts also come with a 1 year guarantee if its an Audi genuine part.
Gearbox: A funny one this. Some last forever, others decide to die early on. There's no warning. The only way to help the situation is to have it serviced by a pro at 20 - 40k intervals. Audi say 'sealed for life' but at £5500 - £7000 for a new box then it pays to keep it healthy.
As you can see its not a cheap car to run. Its essential that you get a warranty with the car as you never know what will happen. Ive had mine a while now and in the past 12 months ive had: Coilovers @ £2.5k, alternator @ £2.5k, 4 new wheels due to buckling @ £672 + Vat each, various sensors and valves. This was all done under warranty (thank god). On top ive had £700 service, tyres @ £700, and the usual insurance, tax and test. You can imagine how that looks on paper.
If you can stomach all this expense then i'd say go out and get one. But get a good one. RS246.com is the place to go for info and guidance, and you'll find afew good cars for sale there too. Don't buy a cheap dog as it'll only bite you where it hurts. Look around and test drive at least 3 before deciding.
Eddie.
10K serivce is more like £300-350. And 40k less the belt is more like £450
Brake prices above sounds like they are for pads only, as discs (every other set of pads) are £1000 per axle.
Tame Technician said:
ecain63 said:
Only buy one with a good warranty - Audi warranty or Warranty Direct are the reccomended ones, with Audi being the most popular but is seriously expensive.
Running cost examples:
Tyres: £750 - £1000 per year (tyres last approx 12k)
Brakes: £600 fronts, £450 rears every year if you do alot of stop-start driving, 2 years if your a motorway cruiser.
Servicing: Circa £700 for basic 10k, 20k and 30k service, £1000 for 40k Belt change at independant, £2500 at Audi for 40k belt change.
Tax: £215 at the mo.
Insurance: ........
Fuel: @ 11 - 17 mpg for most owners, max 28 mpg on a 68 mph motorway cruise, and it has to be 97 octane or above or it wont run properly. Most owners are on Shell V-power with a club card as supermarket fuel sometimes doesnt agree with the RS6.
DRC suspension: WILL FAIL at some point in your first year, possibly more than once. £1500 per corner to fix or £2000 to change to coilovers. Or buy one with coilovers already.
Alternator: Often fails at around 80k. £2500 to fit new as 99% of the time the repair upsets the coolers and the hoses. BIG JOB.
Thermostat: If it fails, and they do then it requires the belts to be changed again so always get a new thermo at every 40k belt change, along with water pump. New parts also come with a 1 year guarantee if its an Audi genuine part.
Gearbox: A funny one this. Some last forever, others decide to die early on. There's no warning. The only way to help the situation is to have it serviced by a pro at 20 - 40k intervals. Audi say 'sealed for life' but at £5500 - £7000 for a new box then it pays to keep it healthy.
As you can see its not a cheap car to run. Its essential that you get a warranty with the car as you never know what will happen. Ive had mine a while now and in the past 12 months ive had: Coilovers @ £2.5k, alternator @ £2.5k, 4 new wheels due to buckling @ £672 + Vat each, various sensors and valves. This was all done under warranty (thank god). On top ive had £700 service, tyres @ £700, and the usual insurance, tax and test. You can imagine how that looks on paper.
If you can stomach all this expense then i'd say go out and get one. But get a good one. RS246.com is the place to go for info and guidance, and you'll find afew good cars for sale there too. Don't buy a cheap dog as it'll only bite you where it hurts. Look around and test drive at least 3 before deciding.
Eddie.
I would agree with most of that however Audi Servincing is a bit cheaper than that, Belt change isnt £2500 its about £1200. £800+vat of labour and maybe £250-£300+vat for the parts depending on exactly what your have. Running cost examples:
Tyres: £750 - £1000 per year (tyres last approx 12k)
Brakes: £600 fronts, £450 rears every year if you do alot of stop-start driving, 2 years if your a motorway cruiser.
Servicing: Circa £700 for basic 10k, 20k and 30k service, £1000 for 40k Belt change at independant, £2500 at Audi for 40k belt change.
Tax: £215 at the mo.
Insurance: ........
Fuel: @ 11 - 17 mpg for most owners, max 28 mpg on a 68 mph motorway cruise, and it has to be 97 octane or above or it wont run properly. Most owners are on Shell V-power with a club card as supermarket fuel sometimes doesnt agree with the RS6.
DRC suspension: WILL FAIL at some point in your first year, possibly more than once. £1500 per corner to fix or £2000 to change to coilovers. Or buy one with coilovers already.
Alternator: Often fails at around 80k. £2500 to fit new as 99% of the time the repair upsets the coolers and the hoses. BIG JOB.
Thermostat: If it fails, and they do then it requires the belts to be changed again so always get a new thermo at every 40k belt change, along with water pump. New parts also come with a 1 year guarantee if its an Audi genuine part.
Gearbox: A funny one this. Some last forever, others decide to die early on. There's no warning. The only way to help the situation is to have it serviced by a pro at 20 - 40k intervals. Audi say 'sealed for life' but at £5500 - £7000 for a new box then it pays to keep it healthy.
As you can see its not a cheap car to run. Its essential that you get a warranty with the car as you never know what will happen. Ive had mine a while now and in the past 12 months ive had: Coilovers @ £2.5k, alternator @ £2.5k, 4 new wheels due to buckling @ £672 + Vat each, various sensors and valves. This was all done under warranty (thank god). On top ive had £700 service, tyres @ £700, and the usual insurance, tax and test. You can imagine how that looks on paper.
If you can stomach all this expense then i'd say go out and get one. But get a good one. RS246.com is the place to go for info and guidance, and you'll find afew good cars for sale there too. Don't buy a cheap dog as it'll only bite you where it hurts. Look around and test drive at least 3 before deciding.
Eddie.
10K serivce is more like £300-350. And 40k less the belt is more like £450
Brake prices above sounds like they are for pads only, as discs (every other set of pads) are £1000 per axle.
10k was £400 to be fair but 20k's were £700 as they include plugs. Gearbox servicing was another £300 on top.
As for brakes i can get the drilled discs for £450 a pair front, £400 a pair rear from MRC or Unit 20 (RS specialists), plus £200 for pads (all 4 corners).
Still not cheap!
Edited by ecain63 on Tuesday 2nd February 07:33
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