Old school RS6

[jonno1]

I have owned this 2004 Audi RS6 Plus now for a couple of years. Always liked the earlier RS cars, previously had an early S4 and when my E46 M3 no longer worked as the family grew and needed back seat leg space, there were only so many cars I fancied. I dabbled with an Alfa 159 V6 3.2 but couldn't love it as the GM engine was utterly soulless compared to the Busso V6 I had experienced in the GTVs I owned previously so I sold it after a few short months. Shame as they are lovely looking cars (it was also £550 to tax and was nearly as bad on petrol as the RS6!).

I spotted the RS6 for sale in the North East. I didn't know too much about the limited edition Plus model (only 99 or so came to the UK). There wasn't too much info out there.

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-ger ... roes/31225

The bhp was upped to 480bhp, it had some additional cooling, revised exhaust and was lowered.

Harry Metcalfe liked it. Back in the day....and Nick Mason had one.....

IMG_1574 by CARMANWAITINGINTHESKY, on Flickr

It had had a gearbox change (a common issue), DRC swapped for coilers (a common change), a recent-ish belt service and had been garaged for several years (and little used). It was a good un. A deal was done, and after a train ride up to Hartlepool and a trouble free drive home I was very happy.

Let's gloss over its prodigious thirst...

Two years on and it's not been cheap. New discs all round, two engine and gearbox oil services and another belt service (incl. water pump and thermostat) but, as winter draws on again, its still a car I enjoy owning and driving. Its very analogue, has no steering wheel buttons, no touch screens and is very comfortable on harsh UK roads. I occasionally think about selling, but I hate the idea of finance, don't like depreciation and just don't know what else I would buy....so it has a place in the garage for some time yet I think. Its a V8 estate with 480bhp after all. And its my daily driver - currently on 115k miles.

I would recommend one if you are realistic about running expenses and buy one that has been properly looked after. Tax is "only" £350....insurance not too bad.

Did I mention the thirst? No? Good! Nothing to see here.

B5AE84C9-6017-4CEB-8E07-10DB1589CD81 by CARMANWAITINGINTHESKY, on Flickr

60E3EA38-238D-4E30-BCF7-51F1C89ED326 by CARMANWAITINGINTHESKY, on Flickr

A9F64ECE-0BB4-4597-8A8D-1D96396EA896 by CARMANWAITINGINTHESKY, on Flickr

B3AB21C5-2AAC-449A-8969-323627F0451A by CARMANWAITINGINTHESKY, on Flickr

24BD96A1-F197-4287-BD6A-94ACFCFE4CFA by CARMANWAITINGINTHESKY, on Flickr

[TimB]

Great cars......I have had RS2 and RS4(B7), both manual, in the past and very nearly bought Nick Mason's RS6 but couldn't decide if I would be happy with an auto so talked myself out of it.....mistake!

[Nige]

Had a 4.2 V8 A8 Sport for a short while. That had a drink problem without the 2 turbochargers!

[inaglasshouse]

I had one of those. It went wrong, a lot. Really a lot.

[jonno1]

I had one of those. It went wrong, a lot. Really a lot.

German cars eh?

Bloody awful.

I have had more issues with German cars (Audi, BMW mainly...oh and Porsches) than I had with any Alfa, Lancia, Fiat