Prospective C6 S6 buyer - reliability issues?

[DAYTA]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forums and was hoping to get some insight from real Audi owners.

I currently have 2 cars - an APR-flashed VW Tiguan as my DD and a modified NSX as my weekend toy. I recently got married and plan to give the Tiguan to my wife, so I'm now strongly considering picking up a C6 S6 as a new DD. I don't live too far away from work (12 miles roundtrip) so I wouldn't be putting a ton of miles on the car and I have my NSX for weekend joyrides. I really just want the car for that glorious V10!

One thing I've noticed recently is a number of C6 S6 guys appear to be selling, returning, or trading in their cars which I find extremely disconcerting. I've done some research and know that they are notoriously difficult cars to work on due to space constraints. Ultimately, I plan to buy an extended warranty through Audi (Fidelity) so I feel like I should be covered. I am also aware that whichever S6 I buy will most likely need a carbon cleaning and possibly new fuel injectors, both service items I plan to budget for.

Besides these services, is there anything I need to worry about/look out for? Thanks in advance.

[huffy15]

The main thing to check on this car is really the engine itself. The v10 had some issues in 2007 with some misalignment pistons. Make sure to driving the car enough before buying it. It's a very good car overall. If you have the vcds, you should scan the car to make everything is fully functional (there's so many electronic stuffs in this car).

[IrishCreamPuff]

What's your budget and what are you looking for? I'm selling mine after a year of ownership. Luckily I have a warranty on it, which has covered a LOT for repairs, and while I'm sad to see the car go, it will be nice to not have a headache like that. However, it is a really great car.
Make sure the car has had a carbon clean,
make sure the car does not need new rotors,
inspect the car during a cold startup. Did it take a long time to turn over? If yes more than likely it needs a new battery (depending on year)
Check the engine bay for any smells, and check for any leaks. If the car passes those, and you can see the repair history, you're good to go.

also, i hate to advertise, but if you're interested in a very clean S6, with 63k miles on it and a warranty with everything fixed and recent carbon clean done, message me.

[LINDW4LL]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forums and was hoping to get some insight from real Audi owners.

I currently have 2 cars - an APR-flashed VW Tiguan as my DD and a modified NSX as my weekend toy. I recently got married and plan to give the Tiguan to my wife, so I'm now strongly considering picking up a C6 S6 as a new DD. I don't live too far away from work (12 miles roundtrip) so I wouldn't be putting a ton of miles on the car and I have my NSX for weekend joyrides. I really just want the car for that glorious V10!

One thing I've noticed recently is a number of C6 S6 guys appear to be selling, returning, or trading in their cars which I find extremely disconcerting. I've done some research and know that they are notoriously difficult cars to work on due to space constraints. Ultimately, I plan to buy an extended warranty through Audi (Fidelity) so I feel like I should be covered. I am also aware that whichever S6 I buy will most likely need a carbon cleaning and possibly new fuel injectors, both service items I plan to budget for.

Besides these services, is there anything I need to worry about/look out for? Thanks in advance.

I feel that the only reason to buy the S6 is to say you own a V10 sedan. A 3.0T A6 with a tune/pulley makes about the same power and is bulletproof from a reliability/maintenance standpoint. Not to mention that if you go for the C7 A6 (as opposed to the 2009-2011 C6), you get a much nicer overall package as far as interior, technology, updated looks, etc... Not to mention better MPG, although that isn't too important for most of us.

The C6 is slow for being a V10, and the reliability is often often not great. Then throw in the expensive maintenance costs and bad MPG, and to me, it's a very hard sell when considering the other options on the market.

But, I can understand wanting that big V10. The exhaust is intoxicating and it's the last of it's kind.

[v8a6]

I feel that the only reason to buy the S6 is to say you own a V10 sedan. A 3.0T A6 with a tune/pulley makes about the same power and is bulletproof from a reliability/maintenance standpoint.

Cant say I agree at all. The S6 has a LOT more unique features specific to the model than just the engine. Front bumper, headlights, wider front fenders, front grill, LED sport lights on USA cars, AMAZING SEATS (this is the best part of the S6 along with the engine IMHO), quad exhaust and an insane exhaust sound, massive 385mm front rotors and performance brakes, lowered sport suspension, carbon interior bits (on about half of the ones I have seen), sport steering wheel, and of course the v10.

I do agree that the 3.0T is an awesome engine, and if the only difference in the cars was that, then the S6 would be a hard sell. Of course, if you mod a v10 then it can be faster than the modded 3.0t (or so I would hope :) )

Not to mention that if you go for the C7 A6 (as opposed to the 2009-2011 C6), you get a much nicer overall package as far as interior, technology, updated looks, etc... Not to mention better MPG, although that isn't too important for most of us.

The C7s are in a totally different price category, so I dont think that is a fair comparison. Around me, the early S6s are cheaper than the 3.0t C6s (or around the same).

The S6 question gets asked every few weeks, which is part of the reason why I created the S6 Info Dump on AUDIREVOLUTION. Check it out to get all the details on these cars. There are a lot of good things and bad things going for the v10 S6, but I personally love them.

Good Luck !!!

[v8a6]

One thing I will add is that if you don't have a honest, competent indy mechanic available to you, then the S6 may not be for you. As LINDW4LL pointed out, they seem to be higher maintenance than other models, and most shops haven't even seen one before. So, make sure you have a good local indy and a good repair budget if you purchase one. There are more details regarding maintenance in the S6 Info Dump

[v8a6]

LINDW4LL, isnt that a pic of the rear end of an Audi v10 in your avatar? If so, Ill have to insist that you officially change your position on the S6 v10, or get a new pic for your avatar LOL

[LINDW4LL]

LINDW4LL, isnt that a pic of the rear end of an Audi v10 in your avatar? If so, Ill have to insist that you officially change your position on the S6 v10, or get a new pic for your avatar LOL

It's a proper, non-neutered V10 It also has turbos. ... and no, it's not mine, yet. Haha.

You do make good points about the benefits of the S6. I do love those Recarso!!

[v8a6]

It's a proper, non-neutered V10 It also has turbos. ... and no, it's not mine, yet. Haha.

You do make good points about the benefits of the S6. I do love those Recarso!!

Hahaha

I am having my v10 un-neutering as we speak. It is not a small job, that's for sure.

[AndreNY]

to the Topic Poster: comparing an S6 to an A6 3.0T is like comparing your NSX to a Civic (and your NSX being the S6 in this comparison)

[DAYTA]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I know the S6 wouldn't be a long term car for me. I just want to experience owning a V10 given how rare they are, so at most I'd expect to keep the S6 only for as long as the extended warranty is active (most likely 3 years).

What's your budget and what are you looking for? I'm selling mine after a year of ownership. Luckily I have a warranty on it, which has covered a LOT for repairs, and while I'm sad to see the car go, it will be nice to not have a headache like that. However, it is a really great car.
Make sure the car has had a carbon clean,
make sure the car does not need new rotors,
inspect the car during a cold startup. Did it take a long time to turn over? If yes more than likely it needs a new battery (depending on year)
Check the engine bay for any smells, and check for any leaks. If the car passes those, and you can see the repair history, you're good to go.

also, i hate to advertise, but if you're interested in a very clean S6, with 63k miles on it and a warranty with everything fixed and recent carbon clean done, message me.

Budget is ~$30k. Ideally, I would really prefer to get a 2010-2011 because of the LED tail lights (which I think look world's better) and the updated 3G MMI. However, lower mileage examples are going for $6-7k more than my budget so I will probably end up with a 2007-2008.

Cant say I agree at all. The S6 has a LOT more unique features specific to the model than just the engine. Front bumper, headlights, wider front fenders, front grill, LED sport lights on USA cars, AMAZING SEATS (this is the best part of the S6 along with the engine IMHO), quad exhaust and an insane exhaust sound, massive 385mm front rotors and performance brakes, lowered sport suspension, carbon interior bits (on about half of the ones I have seen), sport steering wheel, and of course the v10.

I do agree that the 3.0T is an awesome engine, and if the only difference in the cars was that, then the S6 would be a hard sell. Of course, if you mod a v10 then it can be faster than the modded 3.0t (or so I would hope :)

Aside from the V10, those are all excellent points about the S6. In particular, I have driven a 2010 S6 and I agree that the Recaro sport seats are incredibly comfortable. I'm 6'0" 185lbs and it is like they were molded for my body.

Coincidentally, I found an 08 with 45k miles for sale that is an hour away from me, but it has the 4-spoke steering wheel, not the 3-spoke sport version. Does this sound right? I thought that all S6s would come with a S-badged sport steering wheel.

One thing I will add is that if you don't have a honest, competent indy mechanic available to you, then the S6 may not be for you. As LINDW4LL pointed out, they seem to be higher maintenance than other models, and most shops haven't even seen one before. So, make sure you have a good local indy and a good repair budget if you purchase one. There are more details regarding maintenance in the S6 Info Dump

Good point. I plan to get the extended warranty so I would plan to have my local Audi dealership perform any warranty-related work. For other stuff (oil changes, carbon cleaning), I have a mechanic that I have worked with for over a decade. He has built all of my past modified cars for me and I trust implicitly so that shouldn't be a problem.

[v8a6]

Sounds like the car may be a good fit for you with the extended warranty and a great local shop. Definitely check out Irish's car. It has had a ton of work on it done through warranty, that will save you some headaches down the road.

Coincidentally, I found an 08 with 45k miles for sale that is an hour away from me, but it has the 4-spoke steering wheel, not the 3-spoke sport version. Does this sound right? I thought that all S6s would come with a S-badged sport steering wheel.

Doublecheck to make sure that car has the nice sport seats (the ones I believe are made by Recaro, but have never been able to confirm that 100%) and not the lower end ones. There is a small percentage of S6s that came with comfort sport seats, and it could be it was part of a package with the 4-spoke wheel.

It could also be that that car has a heated wheel, which is a really nice option if you live somewhere that has a cold winter. I believe the heated steering wheel only came in the 4-spoke wheel.

I am upgrading my 3-spoke S6 steering wheel to the Euro RS6 wheel. So, that is another option for you purchase that car and cant stand the 4-spoke. Or, I will have my 3-spoke up for sale including the airbag once I make the swap.

Make sure you check out the S6 Info dump, and post up an intro thread if you get the car.

Good Luck!

[IrishCreamPuff]

From what I've seen, the S6's that are sitting at 45k miles generally are about to have a lot of stuff break on them. Try to find one that has had a lot of work done to it already, versus one that has had very little. It's just less stuff that will break. There are a lot of things that are expensive to fix. For instance, my O2 sensor had to be replaced, and that involved partially dropping the engine. Fidelity did an amazing job, and replaced both of them just in case. Also, there is a seal in the back of the engine (i have a pic of it) that when it goes bad, causes coolant to mix with oil. I can link you some photos of the engine work I've had done, and there are seals in the engine, right under the cylinder head that had disintegrated as well, causing oil to seep into the sparkplugs and cause horrible misfires. (all replaced under Fidelity!) So, while a low mileage S6 may seem like a good idea, I'd choose one that either A) has had a lot of work done, B) has an outstanding Fidelity warranty, or C) Get a BMW M5 if you really want the V10 (can't comment on reliability however).

Also ask the last time the sparkplugs and coil packs were done.
Don't pay more than $1500 for a carbon clean (my dealer gave me one for free)

Hope that helps. It's a labor of love.

[z06psi]

Yeah come buy mine. I am ready for an upgrade. All the work has already been done to it.

[Roxxx&co]

I had my 11 S6, last of the C6, for about 2 weeks and brought it back to the dealership and demanded to exchange for another. I had an extended as well, but its not just covering the issues its the time you have to make an appointment, wait for repairs etc etc. Mine has a bunch of issues, like it would take the engine a good 45-60 sec to catch and turn on after pressing the button. Sometimes it would take 3-4 button pushes. I had phantom trunk that at time would just open by itself and you close it and it pops open again. Does this 5-6 time before I can fully close it. Dealer showed me the paperwork that the brakes and rotors were newly installed yet it stutters and slow to stop, you would expect it to be better with such big rotors etc. I had an S5 before so expected more. I had issues with the MMi nav not routing properly and would take me in circles asking me to make 4 rights lol... so in the end they took it back.

[IrishCreamPuff]

I had my 11 S6, last of the C6, for about 2 weeks and brought it back to the dealership and demanded to exchange for another. I had an extended as well, but its not just covering the issues its the time you have to make an appointment, wait for repairs etc etc. Mine has a bunch of issues, like it would take the engine a good 45-60 sec to catch and turn on after pressing the button. Sometimes it would take 3-4 button pushes. I had phantom trunk that at time would just open by itself and you close it and it pops open again. Does this 5-6 time before I can fully close it. Dealer showed me the paperwork that the brakes and rotors were newly installed yet it stutters and slow to stop, you would expect it to be better with such big rotors etc. I had an S5 before so expected more. I had issues with the MMi nav not routing properly and would take me in circles asking me to make 4 rights lol... so in the end they took it back.

Jesus. That sounds like a lemon in disguise.

[v8a6]

Jesus. That sounds like a lemon in disguise.

Agree, except I dont think it was in any disguise