What were/are the biggest Cons of the 2003 Rs6?

[anthony911]

I'm seriously starting to considering buying an Rs6.
However I am wondering what the Cons are to buying this car. Anyone have any insight on the nightmares this car may have given people?
How expensive is this car to upkeep?
How expensive is this car to own?
What things do I have to expect to change on this car on a regular basis if I use it as a summer car?
Assume I do 5k miles in the summer.
What price range should I be looking at for an Rs6 with say 80k-90k miles on it?

[monkeytronic]

It's likely worth mentioning that the recommended timing belt replacement interval for a C5 RS6 is a lot more often than a C5 A6 4.2/S6 ... every 35k miles.

Audi MY 2003 RS6 Maintenance Schedule

[khalimadeath]

in other words^ bend over and take it. or spend lots of time

[JediJoker7169]

Biggest con? No third pedal.

[speedtrapped]

very interested in this thread, Cause I have been thinking about the same.....however it would not be a daily driver

[speedtrapped]

price range I have seen on 80-90k miles has been mid 20ks

[anthony911]

obviously if I were to buy this car I would need to get an extended warranty?
What I'm interested in knowing also is are there problems like the other C5 chassis.
Things that are known to leak like valve covers, cam tensioner gaskets, rear output gaskets....things that were common on the other models of the A6...were they addressed on the Rs6 or was it just something that was carried on to the Rs6?
Would the DRC recall be covered regardless of the warranty on the car?

When something brakes on this car am I looking at spending 3 times the money on the piece because it is an Rs6 or are many of the pieces (like the 4.2//2.7) interchangable?

Do many people do things themselves on this car or is it something that I am better off bringing to the dealer even if it is just an oil change (maybe it is a more complex car and easier to brake??)

(Basically a car that is 7 years old and still worth lets say 30k without a warranty.....is it worth it? Is it worth it to spend say 35k after taxes and warranty on a car that is 7 years old with say 160k km ((80k miles)) or would I be putting myself in a position to work only to have a cushion for a car that will eventually die on me because it is 7 years old and has 160k km)??


Sorry for all the questions but I am curious.

[Tamas]

Biggest con? No third pedal.

amen brother

[patrick23]

also good luck finding one in Canada... there was only 90 made for canada.... there is probably only 2-or 3 for sale in all

insurance will kill you too
and taxes too once you go put plates on, because no matter what deal you get on it they go by the book... so whatever it's worth in the book is what you'll pay taxes for...

[green a6]

timing belt

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

the parts alone will kill you ** as others mentioned timing belt every 35K miles, brakes ,even if DIY, are expensive.

[Sales@RAI]

The engine has to come out for most services... dead serious

[pohsib]

The engine has to come out for most services... dead serious

Like...

[speedtrapped]

The engine has to come out for most services... dead serious

wowza....have any of u driven it? I ask cause I'm so intrigued, I have 07' S8 and the power is linear, curious what the RS6 "feels" like? TT kick in and boom?

[Daft]

Like...

Turbos and downpipes are the most common reasons to remove the engine from what I've read.

In 2003 Audi offered a motorized chassis table for the RS6 that was needed to service the RS6. Many dealerships refer to it as the "autopsy table". It allows the entire subframe to be lowered out of the car with the engine and trans in place and re-installed after repairs without misaligning the subframe. The Q7 also needed this device and it severely dropped in price at that point.

I'm not sure if you can remove the transmission by itself as the bell housing bolts will be a nightmare to reach much like the turbine housing bolts.

Most RS6 owners complain the most about the following items:

oil changes (lots of oil and expensive filter plus the need to move the swaybar to access the filter)
Brakes (rotors and pads are expensive)
DRC (electrical and pump issues)
Turbos (no surprise there)
Torque converter (also no surprise)

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own an RS6 tomorrow. I just can't justify the $20-30K pricetag for a car that would be used sparingly. It is a hell of a car with a Stage 1 file on it though....

[ben916]

also good luck finding one in Canada... there was only 90 made for canada.... there is probably only 2-or 3 for sale in all

insurance will kill you too
and taxes too once you go put plates on, because no matter what deal you get on it they go by the book... so whatever it's worth in the book is what you'll pay taxes for...

Yep, that IS your most important aspect of your possible quest.. or impossible quest...

One would be a fool NOT to purchase an aftermarket warranty, do your research.

As it has stated in other threads (and I am a junior owner, meaning 2nd owner with only 8 months experience and others have more wrench time or wallet time):
1. DRC is 1 of 2 things that are issues with this car. Make sure it is recalled or just replace with coilovers ($3k US)
2. Trans/TC is the other issue.
3. Aftermarket warranty - bases on the mileage at the time of purchase.
4. Rotors and pads every 10-15k miles.
5. Get the lowest mileage one you can afford.
6. Make sure the timing belt service has been performed at 35k/75k/ and 35k there on. (Indy shops are around $1400, stealership $3500)
7. Find an indy shop, very rarely will you or should you go to the stealership - it will hurt, badly.
8. VAG-COM, get one.
9. every car has issues, not just an RS6...
10. It is heavy..

There is a user on RS6.com with the handle Bigglezworth (or very close to that) that imported 2 cars from the US to Canada, so it can be done.

It is the ultimate sleeper but when it boosts from 2k to 6k, you will know it, with a big fat grin on your face.. It isn't the fastest car, but sometimes it feels like it!

Just an idea of maintenance costs:
1. Indy shop oil change - $125 US
2. Indy shop trans flush/filter/fill - $450 US

I am sure that other RS6 owners can chime in ANY time or you can head over to search for Bigglezworth and get the full scoop...

Good Luck and don't rush until the gem appears...

[UncleDave]

Good Luck and don't rush until the gem appears...

Best advice yet

[ben916]

hmmmm....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-...item4152bd076b

[anthony911]

I'm actually asking because there is one for sale in my neck of the woods but it has 130k kilometers So I'm a little hesitant on it :s
I have the carfax on it it looks ok but I don't think the timing belt was done.

[chrisbostonusmc]

The only thing that would make me buy one is the roar of that engine in full boost....but for the price your paying (mid twenties) you can buy an A6 which has similiar interior for about 10k with the same mileage, add stage 3 brakes equivilent to the RS6 (3k) + stage 3 + built motor+ clutch (10k) and nice coilovers and suspension components (2k) and be at the same price with a faster car thats a 6 speed vice an auto. Not to mention more reliable. I went high on my numbers too.... you could take a couple grand off

If the RS6 looked completly different I might agree but its too similiar

[pattrick02]

amen brother

amen x2

[skribe]

I've had one for about a year. To put it simply, if you're not prepared to spend a few thousand bucks a year on maintenance, don't get one. It is significantly harder to work on than a 2.7t, as there is so much engine stuffed in there with little clearance around it, so it's harder to DIY alot of stuff that's relatively easy on the six cylinder cars. All the usual audi bugaboos apply ** random bad sensors, weeping valve cover gasket, etc. The torque converter is a known weak link, and the DRC suspension is garbage. Mine was recalled and has already gone bad again, soon to be replaced with coilovers.

Having said all that, it's the greatest car I've ever owned. I've had a string of tuned GTIs, an M3, a Supra, and a Mustang GT, etc. The only other car that I've like close to as much as my RS 6 was my 91 GTI 16v.

My car has an MTM stage 1 chip, low miles, and zero leaks, etc, and the cars it can hang with has surprised me, pulled dead even with a Viper ACR from 50 to 110 this summer. The feel and the sound (I have the SE exhaust) on WOT is just amazing. The spool of the turbos, the rasp of the exhaust, and the rush of air through the intake sound like Darth Vader having an orgasm. And is almost as dangerous. And I have to admit, it's kind of fun getting respect from the true gearheads out there you run into who appreciate this rare beast.

First post!

[speedtrapped]

Ok I have gone and done it......I bought an RS 6, 70k miles, Daytona grey pearl, ebony, bbs rims,KWv3,SE, carbon trim, all service,, although 75k timing will be do. No pics yet, but she is listed on elite motors pending sale. Plenty of pics there. I get it next week. Can't freaking wait

[Tamas]

WOW! She is a pretty beast!!!!!! Congrats on the vehicle, may she treat you well.

[V8weight]

Ok I have gone and done it......I bought an RS 6, 70k miles, Daytona grey pearl, ebony, bbs rims,KWv3,SE, carbon trim, all service,, although 75k timing will be do. No pics yet, but she is listed on elite motors pending sale. Plenty of pics there. I get it next week. Can't freaking wait

www.rs6.com Check in and say hi. We were just talking about this car as the previous owner was a long time member.

[ben916]

www.rs6.com Check in and say hi. We were just talking about this car as the previous owner was a long time member.

Yes WE were!

[speedtrapped]

Actually it was your thread that swayed me to pull trigger on this one. I have been looking for about 6 weeks now. I did register, just waiting for administrator to accept.

[ben916]

... don't rush until the gem appears...

DAMN IT!!!

http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php?t=21472

[speedtrapped]

Had to do that to me huh?, still wasn't looking to go over 25k. I expect reasonable to him is not , 20k off

[ben916]

Had to do that to me huh?, still wasn't looking to go over 25k. I expect reasonable to him is not , 20k off

imported Sportec RS6 with 6sp manual and 600hp motor and all sorts of trick bits for cooling/hp/braking/etc... look at the pipes... everything is super subtle except for the 6 sp manual...

[spa]

My recipe for the perfect C5 would be S6 Avant wrapped up in RS6 bumpers, grilles and skirts, swap in a 2.7t built motor with a VAST gt setup and 6 speed manual trans and viola you have a reliable great looking monster.

[skribe]

My recipe for the perfect C5 would be S6 Avant wrapped up in RS6 bumpers, grilles and skirts, swap in a 2.7t built motor with a VAST gt setup and 6 speed manual trans and viola you have a reliable great looking monster.

Stir in a little off-topic and bake for 20 minutes at 375.

[spa]

lol....I only mentioned as I was exploring buying a RS6 as well and came to the conclusion that this conversion is better in every way over a RS6 except in the sound dept. Somebody who is looking at the RS6 wants the size and power but shies away at the maintenance hell, this is the solution. Same can be done to anyway C5 4.2.

and my mistake for bringing another angle to the discussion...

[FrankA6]

WOW! She is a pretty beast!!!!!! Congrats on the vehicle, may she treat you well.

Whats the point of having KWv3's on a car and then keeping it at stock height? speedtrapped lower that another 2 inches ASAP.

And Congrats

And i agree with spa 2.7t > 4.2t

[V8weight]

And i agree with spa 2.7t > 4.2t

How so? Did you see my dyno numbers with just a re-flash? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...light=dyno+rs6
It would cost 10g to get that kind of power out of a 2.7tt.

[FrankA6]

All money aside , at the end of the day i would still put my money on a built 2.7t over a flashed 4.2t

besides its cheaper to buy a S4 or A6 and build it then it is to buy a used RS6, even tho RS6's are so cheap now....

[skribe]

My RS 6 ran a 12.5 @ 115 just this morning. That is with just an mtm stage 1 file and itg foam filters, no other mods.

The 2.7t is a brilliant motor, but I will keep my two extra cylinders, thank you very much.

[FrankA6]

I'm not knocking the 4.2t at all, all I'm saying is the 2.7t has way more potential, that's all.

I regret not buying a RS6, all the horror stories scared me away, but i still have a ton in maintenance with my 2.7t so it wouldn't even have mattered, lol

[speedtrapped]

V8 weight, how happy are u with the eurocharged stage1?

[V8weight]

V8 weight, how happy are u with the eurocharged stage1?

Not happy at all :) I dumped it in favor of the Viper tune from the U.K. I have dyno time scheduled for Oct. 2nd on the same dyno, so hold tight. I think we're going to see a lot more power out of this tune.
For reference, my stock 0-60 times were 5.2 sec. With the EC tune they were reduced to 4.7, with the Viper I'm down to 4.2. 60-90 times for the EC were 4.3-4.5 seconds, with the Viper tune they are 3.9. Now that I've removed my pre-cats, I'm hoping to be close to or sub 4 seconds on my 0-60 times.