Any C7 Audi RS6 owners on here?

I'm curious - how much is a tyre?

Better to get a specialist check it over before purchase?

things going wrong on a 9 year old RS6 are running costs!

A mate had that era of A6 until last year, just the 3.0 diesel though. It was looking down the barrel of £8-9k of turbo issues when he decided that was enough. Might want to up your contingency a bit from the £5k

Have you read the ph buyers guide?

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/audi-rs6-c7--ph-used-buying-guide/42225

Also this

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/audi-rs6-avant-c7--the-brave-pill/47074

Don't forget to check the comments on both threads too

I doubt you’ll be allowed to run a scan with VCDS even though, as I’m sure you well know, the BCM will be hiding a load of things away that could be early signs trouble.

Have you looked at a warranty quote? I was quoted ≈£3k for two years on the Giulia. I suspect, given the previous generation RS6’s comedic reputation for making Audi service managers meet their quarterly sales targets in one hit, it’ll be a shed load more than that.

If it’s otherwise reliable, then brakes and tyres are what I’d look into: they’re not exactly light and get driven like an rs6. £5k/yr might be pushing it.

Always fancied one, currently eyeing this up. Had a B8.5 RS5 a couple of years ago and that was an incredible car

Go for the performance model though - 600bhp, 0-60 in 3.6s

The hydraulic pump on the rear diff went on my very low mileage RS5 - £3.5k

5K should cover replacement bleed nipples all round ?

I’m curious – how much is a tyre?

£250 a corner for Pirelli P Zero, Conti Sport, Michelin Pilot 4S,  Goodyear Eagle F1 etc...

Better to get a specialist check it over before purchase?

Pretty sure most dealers arent going to let me take a specialist along and stick the car on the ramp and spend 30-60 mins checking everything over

Have you read the ph buyers guide?

Cheers for that, ive just read through it, nothing has put me off so far

Have you looked at a warranty quote?

No, i dont do after sales warranties, most are not worth the electronic paper they are written on and the ones that are will be stupidly expensive , a few of the RS6's ive looked at online come with 1 years dealer warranty, if anything were to go wrong after that then id just deal with it, obviously id check all the known issues/recalls have been sorted

Id be keeping the car for 3 or so years and i do 5k a year so it would be still under 80k come resale time, tyres and brakes seem to to be the main cost which isnt a big issue, ive got quite a few mates who work for or own independant garages and 2 are manager's of some large tyre fitter companies so i can get discounts on tyres/brakes and general repair work

Someone will be along shortly to tick you off for talking about expensive toys when poor people read the forum.

And how you nearly killed them on the road for thinking about buying a fast car

I love a fast wagon, and they are some of the best, but even if I had the disposable to buy (and maintain) one, I wouldn't even consider it unless I had somewhere discreet off road and a reasonable distance from my house (so as it couldn't be linked to it) to store it. They are prime home invasion for key theft fodder.
I know that shouldn't shape the purchase of a car, but one got a family, and no amount of internet bravado would affect the (very high) risk.

I'm with Submarined. I wouldn't have a car like that since they can attract the wrong sort of attention to your home. Even in leaf Surrey lots of similar cars get nicked, mostly via relay theft, but occasionally with aggravated break ins. I wouldn't want that risk/hassle.

Yeah, friend had a RS4 estate nicked from outside his house. Whilst he enjoyed the car for a bit the attention and hassle wasn't worth it so it wasn't replaced by another obvious fast estate.

Q car? Fast skoda superb estate?

Good friend of mine had an RS6.  He lived well in the sticks and the car was kept down the drive behind gates so well out of sight.

He went on a skiing trip with his family and I got a phone call 2 days later asking if I can go round to his and try and secure the place as they had been burgled.
I went round to find the police still there.  Kitchen window had been forced and jewellery and watches had been taken from upstairs - but most worryingly the scrotes had taken a knife upstairs from the kitchen and left it on the bed.

That's bloody frightening and he didn't tell his wife about the knife for a couple of years.

Needless to say the car had gone.

Somewhat surprised the fun police haven't come onto this thread & tell you all how irresponsible you are..

Regardless, fast wagons are great. I had a Subaru Legacy GTB back in the day. Not the prettiest car ever but my god it was good to drive. Comfortable, fast, nice gearbox & steering, appalling fuel consumption if you enjoyed it. Could swallow a bike pretty much whole with the seats down..

I always lusted after one of these...

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/classic/heres-your-complete-guide-to-the-audi-rs2

running costs fine. Component costs are another level. Get a warranty.

I spent 4k (split between the warranty and myself) in the first 6 months on my B8.5 RS4.

I love it though and the RS6 is another level again in every way.

And how you nearly killed them on the road for thinking about buying a fast car

Not to mention the eco warriors who will accuse you of single handily killing the planet:-)

Pretty sure most dealers arent going to let me take a specialist along and stick the car on the ramp and spend 30-60 mins checking everything over

I'd disagree, I'd expect to be allowed that kind of access on a relatively high priced, old-ish, known-to-be-expensive-to-run car. If the dealer isn't willing just go elsewhere - they're not particularly rare with hundreds for sale.

if you're getting a warranty I'd just look at audi (who should be less likely to wiggle out of an expensive fix than a generic company) - looks like £2k per year from their online quote site which isn't awful

I've been following Ricky Elder at RE Performance for a number of years and he's regarded as the #1 Audi RS specialist in the country, Audi give him all the V10 engine builds as he's got the most knowledge regarding the RS cars.

I'd be tempted to give him a call if you are serious about buying one as any issues on the front end is basically an engine out job.

I know the vids are regarding the C6 but it'll give you an idea of how expensive they can be

Cilp clop over the rackety bridge.

My boyfriends brother has one, fantastic car, looks the absolute business and is stupidly fast-  but Audi aftercare on one purchased with full warranty from the dealer as approved used is shocking.

He gets an error message on the dash and has to top up the oil every 500ish miles, a couple of times on the side of the A1 in the dark-  they have said this is within normal levels. There's corrosion on the passenger and drivers doors, this is a 2017 model. When in the garage to look at this issue and do a quick check over it has now been found to have been sold with a modified exhaust (by the Audi dealer) so are saying his warranty is no longer valid. It's been in the garage for half the time he's owned it I reckon. He had a lovely run to Morzine in it over the summer though, only had to stop twice to fill up the oil........

Yup, everything on an RS6 is considerably more expensive than the standard versions.  A 9 year old car is an accident waiting to happen in terms of costly issues.  I have owned Audi's since the mid 90's and finally scratched the RS itch in 2015, buying a year old RS4.

It was a great car, but I found I wasn't enjoying it much at all, because, rather than putting your foot down and enjoying it, I felt unable to do that, in almost all circumstances.  You found you were going so fast, so quickly, that it was either a case of losing your licence, or your car, due to someone pulling out of a side turn (for example).

So I sold it and have stuck with S5's since as they are a considerably more sensible.

Running costs comparable to most 'super cars' because it effectively is, other than wearing a duffle coat.

Pretty sure most dealers arent going to let me take a specialist along and stick the car on the ramp and spend 30-60 mins checking everything over

That's what a "test drive" is for.  Find one local to you and schedule the two. Make sure the salesperson doesn't come out with you. Or maybe for shits and giggles make sure they do. They'll give you all the spiel about how great a car it is, so the proof is in the pudding.

If they kick up a fuss, walk away 🙂

Cheers for all the replies

So it looks like i should be in the position to buy one in the new year (will be using inhertance money from a ****less father who left no will) which gives me plenty of time to do some more research and go and look at some cars, do some test drives etc...

I can't comment on the audi, but I've been running an E63 estate for 4 years and it's not as expensive as people make out. All that's gone wrong in that time is coil packs (8 x £65) and I managed to melt the rear pads/discs on a track day. Everything else has been normal servicing and wear and tear. Check carefully for cost of brakes (fronts are £900 on mine) and weird service requirements (gearbox oil change required every 40k on mine).

A careful inspection is essential on cars like these. Usually as they're a premium car, if you buy one before they depreciate too low, all previous owners should have been in a position to not skip on servicing. Enthusiast cars tend to be well looked after.

It was a great car, but I found I wasn’t enjoying it much at all, because, rather than putting your foot down and enjoying it, I felt unable to do that, in almost all circumstances.  You found you were going so fast, so quickly, that it was either a case of losing your licence, or your car, due to someone pulling out of a side turn (for example).

No experience of the Audi, but I'd echo this. Modern cars are so capable, so refined, with so much power, grip, advanced traction control systems, they can be almost disappointing to drive. On a public road, keeping within any reasonable standard of driving, you'll virtually always be so far within its capabilities that it's almost boring.

Not saying you wouldn't enjoy giving it the odd poke, it just depends what you're looking for out of it. If you want something fun you might want to look at a hot hatch or something. If you want a fast wagon I'm sure there are cheaper, more practical options. I'd probably be looking at something along the lines of a BMW 335d.

"I’d probably be looking at something along the lines of a BMW 335d."

Yep, mates got a 16 plate 335d touring X drive with a hybrid turbo & remap to 414 bhp - blisteringly fast, not sure any more power would be useable without three figure speeds.

YEEESSSSSS! Someone has already told the OP to get another car, and it's the STW favourite Skoda, though not the classic Octavia EST .

My last car was a 335D (remapped) and my wife currently has a 340i. You can't compare them, the turbo lag on the BMW's is really bad. Cars like these are in a different league, the performance is significantly higher. The sense of occasion of waking a V8 in a family estate car turns it into a totally different experience. These kind of cars are also much nicer inside, more refined and handle better than a 3 series.

You can use the performance on the road too, overtaking someone on a country lane is simply teleporting.

Whadyaexpect?! 🙂   At least it's something the same size.

The C6 V10 is probably a bit of a red herring. All RSs are expensive to look after, but that one was the most expensive car to maintain, full stop. More than any of its contemporary supercars.

OP, if you do it, please start a thread on ownership. Even if (and I hope nothing does) nothing goes wrong it should still be interesting.

andy8442Free Member
YEEESSSSSS! Someone has already told the OP to get another car, and it’s the STW favourite Skoda, though not the classic Octavia EST .

Suggesting a "fast" Superb did make me chuckle. Not quite the same thing as an RS6

Probably 50% the same thing. 50% of a really fast thing is still quite a fast thing.

I pootle around like a OAP in my Volvo hybrid these days and I'm not much into fast roads. I wouldn't but another fast estate just since it never seems worth it here in the SE. I do have though a couple of quick track cars. Definitely the best place to get speed kicks these days. I'd suggest a boring Skoda estate to the OP and a cheap track car for thrills?

Suggesting a “fast” Superb did make me chuckle. Not quite the same thing as an RS6

You can get a 280hp AWD version*. But it's still a long way off an RS6. I've got a friend who's really into cars, has owned lots of 'modern classics', including a few Porsches and an M3.  But he drove his friends RS6 and even he said it was just too much on normal UK roads, all too easy to get to warp speeds before you know what's happening.

*Disclaimer, I've got a Superb, it's the detuned version of the 280hp engine so no slouch, but you can feel it run out of puff at higher speeds or with heavier loads, I really like it but I'm well aware that an RS6 would be an entirely different beast.

Whilst an rs6 is no doubt a phenomenal car, and one which I'd buy if I had unlimited funds, I do question how exciting it would be to drive 'legally'

My ex had an s3, admittedly not in the same league as an rs6, but still more than quick enough for uk roads. Thing is it didn't ever feel that exciting. Possibly as it was just so capable. Doing 60 on a country road didn't feel fast at all.

Whereas my boxster, which has same hp and similar acceleration to the s3 feels rapid even when I'm going slowly. Simply because of the noise and you are lower to the ground. Doing 60 on a country lane in that thing has me regularly checking the speedo as it feels way faster. I'm sure the s3 would be far quicker if you tried to drive it fast, it's far more capable. And the rs6 would obliterate it. But I'm not sure it would be more fun.

Obviously I'm not recommending not buying an rs6 and buying a boxster instead. But I do think having 600hp but only ever being able to use half of it would mean it's not nearly as much fun as it sounds on paper. I reckon 350- 400 bhp would be the sweetspot in a car like that. That all said, I'd still have one though if I could afford it!

But you get a whole sense of occasion with the RS6 that you don’t with the others. On that note…. OP get the V10!!!!

Whilst an rs6 is no doubt a phenomenal car, and one which I’d buy if I had unlimited funds, I do question how exciting it would be to drive ‘legally’

My ex had an s3, admittedly not in the same league as an rs6, but still more than quick enough for uk roads. Thing is it didn’t ever feel that exciting. Possibly as it was just so capable. Doing 60 on a country road didn’t feel fast at all.

Whereas my boxster, which has same hp and similar acceleration to the s3 feels rapid even when I’m going slowly. Simply because of the noise and you are lower to the ground. Doing 60 on a country lane in that thing has me regularly checking the speedo as it feels way faster. I’m sure the s3 would be far quicker if you tried to drive it fast, it’s far more capable. And the rs6 would obliterate it. But I’m not sure it would be more fun.

Obviously I’m not recommending not buying an rs6 and buying a boxster instead. But I do think having 600hp but only ever being able to use half of it would mean it’s not nearly as much fun as it sounds on paper. I reckon 350- 400 bhp would be the sweetspot in a car like that. That all said, I’d still have one though if I could afford it!

Good point well made. I recently changed my m240ix for a number of reasons but a big one being that so much of the time its abilities were unusable. It wasn't much better than driving a Prius for 90% of the time, not a 400hp BMW coupe - which on paper should be an absolute hoot. I've now gone back to a second hand Macan GTS which I can hear & feel at normal speeds. The BMW only came alive when you ragged it - pointless.

The sense of occasion of waking a V8 in a family estate car turns it into a totally different experience.

I have to admit, the sound of a big V8 or V10 is a selling point. It's definitely part of the experience. I don't think my sensible side would ever let me pay the premium for it, but if the OP is that way inclined, why not. All depends which bits are important to you.

What's the depreciation curve looking like on C7 RS6? If it's near the bottom or heading back up and you have the cash then I'd definitely get one if I had the spare cash and space, just to try it. Run it for a year or two, pay a few K keeping it on the road/maintained but sell it before anything expensive needs doing i.e. cambelt.

Just look at the Total Cost of Ownership. I appreciate if they go wrong they can be ruinously expensive to fix, so be picky and accept you're taking a gamble.

Wish the OP good luck.

The sense of occasion of waking a V8 in a family estate car turns it into a totally different experience.

I have to admit, the sound of a big V8 or V10 is a selling point. It’s definitely part of the experience. I don’t think my sensible side would ever let me pay the premium for it, but if the OP is that way inclined, why not. All depends which bits are important to you.

The premium isn't always as high as you think, for the mileage I drive, a V8 is about £2k a year more to run than a diesel equivalent.  I do other things in my life that easily save that a year.  Some people spend half that on new phones each year!

The premium isn’t always as high as you think, for the mileage I drive, a V8 is about £2k a year more to run than a diesel equivalent

My RS5 averaged 10/11mpg over a full tank when driven 'properly'

The premium isn’t always as high as you think, for the mileage I drive, a V8 is about £2k a year more to run than a diesel equivalent

My RS5 averaged 10/11mpg over a full tank when driven ‘properly’

Ouch! I get 24mpg average.  If my E63 is driven hard for a sub 20 mile trip it might dip to 17mpg but it's only ever dipped lower on track (9mpg).

I can’t comment on the audi, but I’ve been running an E63 estate for 4 years and it’s not as expensive as people make out.

FWIW a guy i work with has been running a fairly heavily tuned E63 AMG (2017 i think) as a daily use summer car for about 6 years (Easter to October) last i spoke to him he'd had exactly nothing go wrong with it. Just servicing stuff and a couple of minor recalls. Doesn't run it in the winter as snow and 800+ horses doesn't go well.
He and his wife like it sufficiently that his wife drives a box stock C63 AMG.

I pootle around like a OAP in my Volvo hybrid these days and I’m not much into fast roads.

Is that the 350 BHP version or the 420? (Or even the 450BHP version?)

I know 2 people who have owned RS6s.

Both of them ad the pleasure of a gang coming in through their front door with a knife and a request for the keys.

Buy an E63 instead and take all the badges off. Wont be an issue.

450 Bhp  hybrid - but it never feels fast or that powerful (it's probably the way they add up petrol+electric). It is a nice lazy tourer and local runabout on the battery.

snotrag

Buy an E63 instead and take all the badges off. Wont be an issue.

Wishful thinking I think, okay so it doesn't have wide arches but it's still really easy to see what it is.  The front bumpers are really obvious, as are the exhausts. Anyone who knows what an E63 is will spot that at a glance.

Another ex-RS owner here who keeps coming back to the Audi S cars as a better long term / more usable choice time and again.  But as an experience is isolation, any of the RS models is great.

Unless you are heavily DIY (eg happy to pull an engine for some maintenance jobs) I would suggest paying a specialist like MRC, Litchfield etc to do a pre purchase inspection.

If you have the funds they are incredible, a basic remap is 650-690, decats and fuel pumps is 700-740.

I used to like fast cars

But it doesn't make any sense at all, does it, really?

It really does make sense.

Ive had loads of fun cars over the years. From a silly 5 litre TVR, AMG Merc, Porsche 911’s….got divorced a good few years ago and downgraded to a modified Cupra which I loved….now driving in a 300hp EV and really missing driving a fun car. The EV is nice, but it’s not fun.

Running costs can be astronomical though on more playful cars, my AMG wasn’t cheap, was pretty harsh to drive on broken roads, but equally was fun on the right road. I’d love an RS6, but not going to happen until kids finish uni!

Make sure the salesperson doesn’t come out with you. 

When was the last time you got let out in a supercar without the salesman.

Hard enough getting out in a bland shitbox alone.

I used to long - and still do a little - for an RS6, and I’m very confident I’d enjoy sitting in a traffic jam listening to it rumble away….….but the fear of theft / raiders with kids in the house, and the value of being debt free let’s me make piece with the fact my bland common, undesirable to thieves 50mpg 320d gets  me where I need to be with all the toys and comfort I really need means I’ll never own one.

Unless I have missed it, we haven't really had the brief from the OP. Or the question is, as already suggested by others, would the £40k budget be better spent on a £10k Skoda and then the rest on a track car + trailer. Caterham or maybe even a Radical SR1? Or any lightweight track car in budget really.

Sod it, any old tow car will do. Spend the fun money on one of these and some track time.

https://www.ptsportscars.com/cars-for-sale/

That's what I would do if I had the money and sufficient spare time that wasn't used by other sports.

Try to keep it in a straight line as you drive it out of the dealer.
https://twitter.com/autobant/status/1839309907205697816?s=61&t=QxF0FI-upZcXsqCcjxAhDw

Cheers for all the replies, not interested in 2nd cars, track cars, hot hatches etc.. been there done that, always end up spending more time fixing/tinkering than actually using them and then also needing to find the time to use them

Just want one car that can take the whole family, a bike or two when needed, something thats quick and a V8, not interested in Merc's or BMW's (been there) im only interested in the RS6

Will be going to look at a few in the next couple of months to narrow somethings down and get an idea of what to look out for