RS6 - high mileage - stay away or go for it?

[vtraudt]

I am driving a 2003 RS6 this afternoon. How concerned do I have to be with (relatively, for RS6) high miles 110k? I have seen most RS6 in $20k range, but lower mileage typically. What should I expect to be replaced soon? What are the known week points? How is the trans holding up (IIRC: special one 5HP19A (A makes it special RS6, larger bell housing)? How is the Cosworth engine holding up? Turbos? (what is stock boost)? Is suspension similar to its C5 siblings? For the C5 RS6 powertrain detail, the internal combustion engine is an all-aluminium alloy 4,172 cubic centimetres (254.6 cu in) twin-turbocharged ('biturbo'), twin double overhead camshaft (2xDOHC), 5 valve per cylinder version of Audi's 4.2 litre 90° V8 petrol engine (parts code prefix: 077, identification code: BCY), developed and manufactured in the Germany and UK by quattro GmbH and Cosworth Technology (now known as MAHLE Powertrain).

[papadoc]

Look over at the rs6.com board; everyone abandoned this board when it was sold a while back. You'll find many very knowledgable owners there, and a search will get you all the info you need. My beast has 115K miles on it, running very strong. The engine appears bullet proof, and turbo failure has been rare. The transmission is weak for the power of the car, and some have had problems. The DRC suspension was recalled- if it was not done on the car you are considering, Audi will do the fix for you. It was also used on the RS4 but not on the regular C5 A6. Quite a few have changed it out to aftermarket suspensions. Several tuning options exist to boost HP over 500, and TCU chip must be done at the same time. There are few cars out there that can match its combination of 4 doors and speed, especially if you want to stay under $100k!

[all(over)road]

110K isn't 'high'...there are several Rs6s with over 200K on them. It is about the time for the third T-belt change tho (about 1800-2 grand to do). If the maint. has been done then what's the problem with RS6s with miles on them? (...nothing) I'd be more worried on the low mile ones that weren't driven with no service.

Yes, the torque converters can be a problem, but not all the cars have failed converters (mine is one). The DRC is a known problem too as said....but most have been fixed once or twice already for free under warranty. There also is a warranty recall for the fuel tank roll-over nipple...no big deal, no cost to fix.

Mine has 96K and no problems. Though I will ditch the DRC come spring now that the factory warranty is over on them. About $1000 to throw in an S6 suspension from H&R.

Don't be afraid ! What did you think of your drive? Like it? Did you get it?

[vtraudt]

Still debating.
Biggest concern: transmission (did seem to act up a bit when cold; dealer supposedly checked trans fluid level ("ok") in the meantime. Car had 'wet spot' under it. Unclear WHAT leaks (assumed trans, since it was shifting 'rough' when cold, not after warmed up).

Budgeting for:
- tires are shot ($1,000)
- front (not sure about rear) rotors not great ($1,000)
- some front suspension parts (control arms, links) $500
- timing belt (no reliable history; $500)
- radio (currently totally black) ($200)
- new fluids (all - $200)
- new filters (all - $100)


To fix the codes:
- EGT sensor (just did passenger (easy) - pair $400)
- Engine mount solenoid (no idea, guessing - $200)
- fix seats ($200)

Total budget: $4,300

Adding that to the list gets me in range where documented RS6 are available (but they may ALSO require a 'budget').

There is NO room for 'transmission surprise', since a rebuilt of the trans would 'kill it'. My trans shop gave me $500 budget for rebuilding the torque converter (not a problem).

Labor is not a factor (my time is 'free').


------------

Chassis Type: 4B - Audi A6 C5
Scan: 01 02 03 06 08 15 16 17 18 22 34 35 36 37 45 55 56 57 65 67
75 76 77
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: 077-907-558-BCY.lbl
Part No: 4D1 907 558 D
Component: 4.2l V8/5VT *G 0003
Coding: 0006752
Shop #: WSC 79414 920 402950
VCID: 2F63E761C786

3 Faults Found:
17985 - Right Engine Mount Solenoid Valve (N145): Open Circuit
P1577 - 004 - No Signal/Communication
17863 - Exhaust Gas Temp Sensor 1 (G235): Implausible Signal
P1455 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
16840 - EVAP System: Very Small Leak Detected
P0456 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent
Readiness: 0000 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans Labels: 01L-927-156.lbl
Part No: 4B0 927 156 FL
Component: AG5 01L 4.2l5VT USA 0305
Coding: 0000002
Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
VCID: 76ED1205785C

1 Fault Found:
17114 - Gear Ratio Monitoring: Incorrect Gear Ratio
P0730 - 003 - Mechanical Failure - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 4B0-614-517.lbl
Part No: 4B0 614 517 AD
Component: ESP 5.7 RS 6 2310
Coding: 06697
Shop #: WSC 02195
VCID: 63CB5B51DBCE

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 06: Seat Mem. Pass Labels: None
Part No: 4B0 959 760 C
Component: Sitzmemory R1 BF 0205
Coding: 00003
Shop #: WSC 00000
VCID: 2D5FFD69CD8A

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 4B0-820-043-MY2.lbl
Part No: 4B0 820 043 AR
Component: A6-Klimavollautomat 0208
Coding: 00010
Shop #: WSC 02195
VCID: 6AD536753CE4

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags Labels: 4B0-959-655-AI84.lbl
Part No: 4B0 959 655 Q
Component: Airbag 8.4EP 3001
Coding: 0000707
Shop #: WSC 02195 785 00200
VCID: 3E7DCA2510EC

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments Labels: 4B0-920-xxx-17.lbl
Part No: 4B0 920 983 D
Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRS. VDO D14
Coding: 03284
Shop #: WSC 03134
VCID: 29570979F962
WUAPV54B63N905670 AUZ7Z0C2491354

1 Fault Found:
01304 - Radio
49-00 - No Communications

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 35: Centr. Locks Labels: 4B0-962-258.lbl
Part No: 4B0 962 258 M
Component: Central Lock/Alarm D38
Coding: 15885
Shop #: WSC 02195
VCID: 336BEB112BAE

4 Faults Found:
01371 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Driver's Side
35-00 - -
01572 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Passenger Side
35-00 - -
01374 - Alarm triggered by Terminal 15
35-00 - -
01559 - Drivers Door
58-10 - Can't Lock - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 36: Seat Mem. Drvr Labels: None
Part No: 4B0 959 760 B
Component: Sitzmemory R1 F 0204
Coding: 00001
Shop #: WSC 00000
VCID: 2C59F06DF690

2 Faults Found:
01446 - Sensor for Driver Seat; Seatback Adjust (G230)
36-00 - Open Circuit
01446 - Sensor for Driver Seat; Seatback Adjust (G230)
20-00 - Malfunction in Basic Setting

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: 4Z7-907-357.lbl
Part No: 4Z7 907 357
Component: dynamische LWR D09
Coding: 00050
Shop #: WSC 02195
VCID: 040978CD3E80

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 75: Telematics Labels: None
Part No SW: 8E0 035 616 A HW: 8E0 035 616 A
Component: Telematik USA1
Coding: 0002003
Shop #: WSC 03134 444 52592
VCID: 234B1B519B4E

3 Faults Found:
01656 - Crash Signal
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
01304 - Radio
004 - No Signal/Communication
01531 - Emergency Battery
002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - MIL ON

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 76: Park Assist Labels: 8Z0-919-283.lbl
Part No: 8Z0 919 283
Component: Parkingsyst. A6 RDW D08
Coding: 01116
Shop #: WSC 02195
VCID: 02057ED52494

No fault code found.

End ---------------------------------------------------------------------

[A4 in SC]

Did you end up purchasing it, or walk away?

[vtraudt]

Originally Posted by A4 in SC

Did you end up purchasing it, or walk away?

I didn't have the guts. Risk vs. Potential Gain ration did not seem right (and not the right time financially right now).

==> walked away. Price to seal the deal was $12,000 (looks very cheap for ANY RS6, but set of rotors 2k, trans rebuilt 4k, and your 18k are spent; this is 'exotic car' territory; and a dealer maintained and documented high mileage car can be had for 19k).

Supply and demand have the expected (but weird) effect. Much less exotic example: front suspension control arm kit (essentially the same for the 3 models):

A4: $300
S4/A6: $500
Allroad: $1,300