Considering selling the A6 for an RS6... Expected maintenance costs??
03-05-2009, 02:11 PM
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Considering selling the A6 for an RS6... Expected maintenance costs??
I know the forums can be a scary place for a prospective car buyer as it's often a collection of problems. I've been a member of AudiWorld for a number of years now, so that doesn't necessarily scare me.
Being that I'm going on my sixth year of C5 A6 (2.7T) ownership, if I make the jump to a C5-RS6 with say 50K miles, what am I looking at maintenance-wise over the next 5 yrs? Key items I've noted in searching the forum:
* DCR failure (what is this??)
* Transmission failure - What does it cost to have the transmission replaced if I'm out of warranty, and are there any aftermarket transmission parts to help remedy some of the issues (this is the case with the C5-A6 transmission)
* Tire wear - Sounds like the RS6 has the typical lowered-Audi-negative-camber issue... Can you buy adjustable control arms to fix this? You can on the A6, so I'd assume you could on the RS.
Besides those items, what normal maintenance should I expect in the next 3-5 yrs above and beyond what I'd expect on my A6 - I can't imagine there's much, but possibly something turbo-related, or specific to the version of the 4.2 used in the in RS?
Being that I'm going on my sixth year of C5 A6 (2.7T) ownership, if I make the jump to a C5-RS6 with say 50K miles, what am I looking at maintenance-wise over the next 5 yrs? Key items I've noted in searching the forum:
* DCR failure (what is this??)
* Transmission failure - What does it cost to have the transmission replaced if I'm out of warranty, and are there any aftermarket transmission parts to help remedy some of the issues (this is the case with the C5-A6 transmission)
* Tire wear - Sounds like the RS6 has the typical lowered-Audi-negative-camber issue... Can you buy adjustable control arms to fix this? You can on the A6, so I'd assume you could on the RS.
Besides those items, what normal maintenance should I expect in the next 3-5 yrs above and beyond what I'd expect on my A6 - I can't imagine there's much, but possibly something turbo-related, or specific to the version of the 4.2 used in the in RS?
03-05-2009, 03:42 PM
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Re: Considering selling the A6 for an RS6... Expected maintenance costs??
Transmission. No repairs only replacement. $10,000. You can choose aftermarket or factory. Torque Converters are a major failure point.
35k Timing belts. $2500
15k Tires. 1200
15k Spark plugs. 400
Upper A arms are the same as A6. And yes there is a company that makes a replacement that has adjustment.
35k Timing belts. $2500
15k Tires. 1200
15k Spark plugs. 400
Upper A arms are the same as A6. And yes there is a company that makes a replacement that has adjustment.
03-05-2009, 06:17 PM
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Re: I'm doing the same and would appreciate any advice
I've found an RS6 with 52k miles for $25k. I know that they just did the DRC replacement at the Audi Dealer (they said that was a $6k fix... if you believe the saleman) and it has new brakes. As long as the engine is still stock with no extra torque/HP, do you still have to worry about the tranny? Any other things that I should check? I've got an inspector looking at it tomorrow. oh - last thing... I can see that the front bumper has been resprayed and Carfax says "Parts requested to repair damage after an accident or other incident. Front bumper assembly"
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03-05-2009, 07:33 PM
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You folks should ask VAST performance for an upgraded torque converter like they do for the
<center><img src="http://vastperformance.com/shop/images/TIP_Converter.JPG"></center><p>2.7T motor. The stage 2 will handle well over 500 lb/ft of torque. One year, no questions asked warranty.<ul><li><a href="http://vastperformance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=128">Cli cky.</a></li></ul>
03-05-2009, 08:20 PM
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Yes DRC fix is easily $6000, $2400 for shocks, same amount for central valves, real fix
hopefully later this year...read down. And YES stock tranny is a weak link. Im on my second and third torque converter and i think another one very soon as i am starting to get slipping in second gear. Besides whats listed above brakes go fast. Pads after market are making that reasonable over $350 stock OEM pads (just the fronts). But my rotors seem to be toast every other pad change or 15K miles. Rotors are $300 to $350ea. Oil changes cost more as stabilizer bar needs to be dropped to get the filter off.
CHECK ALL BUSHINGS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION...control arms go quick on this thing too.
CHECK ALL BUSHINGS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION...control arms go quick on this thing too.
03-06-2009, 06:30 AM
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Re: Considering selling the A6 for an RS6... Expected maintenance costs??
I like my RS6 which I also bought second hand + warranty with only 32k miles on it. But even with the warratny it has been very expensive to maintain. The frequent timing belt services, DRC issues, tranny, etc. I hate to be a blasphemer, but if I had to do it over again I would have bought an '03 M5. A much better car all around + a manual gearbox... If you do buy an RS6 (and current prices make it AWFULLY tempting), make sure to get a warranty. It will more than pay for itself within one year.