The Audi RS6 commands attention wherever it goes. An amazing soundtrack gives a small indication of its performance prowess but this fun comes at a price. See what you need to consider when thinking of buying an Audi RS6 used.
As the world continues to pivot towards SUVs and performance SUVs, there are still some of us who can appreciate the handling and drive of a high-power sedan. The Audi RS brand has been purveyors of super-saloons for many years and the RS6 is undoubtedly one of the more popular. Most common in Avant format, that of an estate, the RS6 is capable of whisking 5 adults across the country at breakneck speeds, along with all their luggage. This begs the question; is an Audi RS6 expensive to maintain?
Now in its 4th generation, the RS6 has had a few different engine options to choose from in that life span. The first version, the C5, was powered by a 4.2-litre, twin-turbo V8 and produced 331 kW. This was followed by the notorious C6 model where Audi dropped the turbochargers and shoehorned a rather substantial 5.0-litre V10 under the hood. This model was good for 426 kW and a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of 4.6-seconds.
The V10 was ditched in the following C7 model and Audi returned to the twin-turbo V8 design, this time measuring in at 4.0-litres and using direct injection. One can expect 412 kW of power and while this was loser than that of the V10, the sprint time tumbled down to 3.9-seconds.
The model currently available is the C8 RS6 which still uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 but now produces 441 kW and will do the sprint in a claimed 3.6-seconds.
Maintenance costs
Unfortunately, performance like this comes at a price and as with anything wearing the RS badge, the running and service costs are higher than that of a vanilla-flavoured Audi. The high-performance engines require specific oil and the spark plugs or coil packs are also high-ticket items. Naturally, if you spring for the C6 model, you have to factor in that there are two extra cylinders and that the larger engine uses more oil.
Brakes and brake services are largely dependent on the specification and options fitted to the model you’re interested in. The ceramic brakes are expensive to replace but do last longer than traditional cast rotors. Even if your car is fitted with cast rotors, you will be surprised at the cost of these items.
Therefore, it’s not possible to give an exact amount that you could expect to pay for a service because of these factors. It could be as little as R6 000 for a simple oil change, or you could be looking at amounts deep into the R20 000 range if more work is required or a major service has to take place.
Maintenance costs will also depend on the overall quality and age of the used model as well as its existing service history. It will be best to run the VIN past an Audi dealership to check the specification level and anticipated costs ahead of purchase.
Keyword: Is an Audi RS6 expensive to maintain?