WTB RS6 and getting to know the issues

[g2turbo]

I'm not new to Audi's, but would like some outside perspective and experience with the RS6 and it's related quirks and issues. I've searched but haven't found a good run-down for this car. Seen some mention of transmission failures, esp. when the wick is turned up. Also of the upper control arms wearing out (drove one and it was very obvious). Any comments or experience would be helpful to know what I'm potentially getting into. Also, I'm in the market(loan approved)to buy my next car. Touch base if you're seriously selling and/or send information/pictures to my email shown below. Will travel for the right car. Thanks much, Gary oilpro@centurytel.net

[all(over)road]

www.rs6.com Most all the USA owners congregate here.

It is moreso the torque converters that go bad (leaking internal seal). But if the TC isn't addressed; it'll eventually grenade the tranny. Mashing the pedal from a dead-stop will soon get you to the tranny shop...lay-off that stuff and your tranny will thank you will normal operation.

If you catch it early, you could get the TC replaced with an rebuilt/upgraded one for around 2 grand from a good indy. Rebuilding these TCs (about 4-500$)consists of a new Viton seal. Figure at least 2 days (average) labor to R&R tranny (and engine). Forget bringing the car to an Audi dealer...unless you have money to burn. They'll rape you for doing that job.

The other big deal on these cars is the DRC suspension; most all of them fail/leak at some point...for about a grand you can keep the OE springs and switch out the shocks for Konis. Alot of guys will do the high end coil-overs from Bilstein or KW for 2-3 times that $$. Dealers used to warranty the suspensions, but the (expensive) fluid lines were never part of that coverage and I think the time has come where many dealers will no longer do this for Rs6 owners for free anymore.

Great cars, and with the economy the way it is...they can be good buys (or nightmares)...Hope your experience is a good one !

[kismetcapitan]

control arms are normal wear items. Technically, it's just the bushings that wear out in the front (big V8 hanging there, no way around that), but on one end there's a ball joint that also wears, so you just end up replacing the whole thing. You can spend a ton or as little as $150 to replace 8 control arms in the front, and so far as I can tell there isn't much difference in quality.

Koni struts are the cheap and easy escape from the DRC problem. I got mine on sale from Tire Rack, and replacing them essentially cost about the same as doing shocks on many other cars.

The upside of the RS6 is the engine itself. People have had to deal with various maintenance issues, but I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard of an engine longblock itself failing, and it was either with bigger turbos and a mapping mishap, or in one case, sheer bad luck as a screw got sucked into one of the cylinders.

Upgrading the transmission goes hand in hand with ECU power upgrades. MTM TCU upgrade is considered a must. A bulletproof torque converter is ideal, but you can also get strengthened valve body modifications without pulling the engine. A complete bulletproofed transmission runs about $5000....but then you can thrash the car mercilessly without worry.

Maintained religiously, I truly believe the RS6 to be highly reliable.