Maintenance of an audi 4.2l v8 S6

DanGerMus · 05-02-2009 6:15pm #1

I'm considering a 00-01 one of these among other powerful older cars along with the 2.7lBiT version. Just i have no idea how much a service would be on them. Also what's their reliablitlty like. I'm assuming an Audi V8 isn't exactly going to crumble apart on me. I Do less than 4k a year as i'm very close to work. I have cash to buy the car insurance is a lot cheaper than i thought it would be and i can live with the tax just need to know if a service is gonna cost me 2k every year. Is dealer service a must should i look for a good indo specialist.

Quazzie · 05-02-2009 6:57pm

I hate you!!! :mad:

On a serious note, maintenance shouldn't be much more than standard. At the end of the day all there is to change to oil, oil filter, air filter(s) and Spark plugs. Parts might be more expensive but only up to a maximum of +50%. There will be more running gear and generally parts will be more expensive but I'd say that 50% increase would be standard across the board for everything. If you get it service by a mechanic and not the Audi main dealers there will also be a more significant saving, because at the end of the day it is just a car, an awsome car I would kill for, but just a car.

DanGerMus · 05-02-2009 7:04pm

sorry. It's kind of a crazy buy but i'd love to have one and my low mileage allows i think. They are not that expensive to buy in the first place. The way i look at it is i could get a loan for 20k and buy a new **** car or spend about a third of that on an old great car. I'm not getting a loan btw but you get my point.

mike65 · 05-02-2009 7:17pm

The biggest worry I'd say is the tiptronic box, worth doing some research on life expentancy and mantainence intervals.

Big Nasty · 05-02-2009 7:28pm

Nice thinking OP! This is one of my ideal daily cars. Great value to be had on them right now, good performance, savage road presence - better looking than the present model IMO. Just keep in mind that when buying a car like this you are practically married to it - it will be costly enough to keep and you will have awful trouble getting rid of it when you decide you need something more youthful! Once you go over the 100k (mile) mark you are going to start experiencing problems, nothing major once she's been well kept but bits and bobs will start going and costing you dollars, never mind the €2k tax for 4k (I'm hoping miles) a year - that works out at €2 a mile in tax alone!!!

You're never gonna buy a big smoker like this and just put fuel into it - it just don't work that way. I would really, really like an exit level S8 or 740 M-Tech! (Much lower maintenance costs on the BMW)

Go with your heart dude! As you say, there's feck all decent you can buy new for €20K - better spent on a luxury beast you will enjoy!

Tipsy Mac · 05-02-2009 7:36pm

Best thing to do is get yourself a PSV license, re-register her as a limo and she will only be €82 a year road tax, you will pay a bit more in insurance but your road tax bill be be knocked the f out

unkel · 05-02-2009 7:44pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

I'm considering a 00-01 one of these among other powerful older cars along with the 2.7lBiT version. Just i have no idea how much a service would be on them. Also what's their reliablitlty like. I'm assuming an Audi V8 isn't exactly going to crumble apart on me. I Do less than 4k a year as i'm very close to work. I have cash to buy the car insurance is a lot cheaper than i thought it would be and i can live with the tax just need to know if a service is gonna cost me 2k every year. Is dealer service a must should i look for a good indo specialist.

I've been driving old V8 petrol engined cars for many years and apart from a €1k suspension rebuild on one of them once (which I knew was coming at about 137k miles), I've never had a big bill. Find yourself a good indy and buy a good car and enjoy what was a €100k+ car only a few years ago on a total annual budget that wouldn't be enough to drive a 2 year old Toyota

You could of course be unlucky and hit a big issue (engine / gearbox) but it is not very likely. Have the indy check the car over before you buy if you can. And indeed, you shouldn't really buy a car like that with borrowed money. And don't expect it will be easy to sell on, ever!

Let us know how you're getting on

unkel · 05-02-2009 7:49pm

MCMLXXV wrote: »

€2k tax for 4k (I'm hoping miles) a year - that works out at €2 a mile in tax alone!!!

Motor tax is €1,566 which works out at €0.39 per mile

Rowley Birkin QC · 05-02-2009 7:53pm

Fantastic choice OP.

Do you mind me asking what you see the costs adding up to?

Best of luck with it if you decide to proceed, keep her serviced and I'll buy it off you in a few years!!

DanGerMus · 05-02-2009 7:54pm

well tax is 1566, insurance is under 700, petrol using worst case scenario works out at 850 i think ( 17l/100k x 5000km @ E1/l) . I will be paying with cash i've saved so no loan repayments. Hopefully be able to pick one up for between 7-10k inc vrt going by Autotrader asking prices. 3kish a year plus maintenance is very affordable tbh.

MCM do you really think over 100k is a worry it's an old model and average mileage considered difficult to find one much below that.

Tipsy mac if thats actually dooable i promise you a sacrifice of my first born.

Also with reference to resale, "they can bury me in it!"

Matt Simis · 05-02-2009 8:02pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

I'm considering a 00-01 one of these among other powerful older cars along with the 2.7lBiT version. Just i have no idea how much a service would be on them. Also what's their reliablitlty like. I'm assuming an Audi V8 isn't exactly going to crumble apart on me. I Do less than 4k a year as i'm very close to work. I have cash to buy the car insurance is a lot cheaper than i thought it would be and i can live with the tax just need to know if a service is gonna cost me 2k every year. Is dealer service a must should i look for a good indo specialist.

As per the other posters, there isnt anything really in there thats totally unique or going to flake out in a big way. Just to clarify are you expecting 2 to 3k a year in servicing? Its not going to even come close to that!? Whats that assumption based on? You can buy an entire engine from an S6 for under 2k..
Buy one in Missano red or Nogaro Blue, please god no more silver cars on the road!

The same couldnt be said of the 2.7T BiT engines, while excellent for tuning, they do require a bit more attention to maintain and when the turbos go, its engine out to replace.

DanGerMus · 05-02-2009 8:13pm

Colour wise i opposite of love Silver. Black would be preferred with black interior but i'm quite partial to that Metallic grey they come in think it looks good on them. Not too pushed at the end of the day about the colour as long as it's not silver.

Big Nasty · 05-02-2009 8:25pm

unkel wrote: »

Motor tax is €1,566 which works out at €0.39 per mile

My Bad! Makes it even more desireable!

OP - I'm not saying you're going to have major issues, if I had the spare cash I would be going for one myself, that or a 740 M-Tech with all the trimmings, but this car really floats my boat. Picking one up with 100K wouldn't really bother me but if you saw a suitable one with 120K plus I would be inclined to steer clear.

Rovi · 05-02-2009 8:40pm

I've just nicked over 120K on the RS6 a month or so ago, and it's running like a top.

With a good service history, I'd have no qualms about 100k+.

unkel · 05-02-2009 8:47pm

Rovi wrote: »

With a good service history, I'd have no qualms about 100k+.

Aye. The engine should not be the problem. A good quality V8 with 150k miles on it will be good for another 25 years @4k miles per year

Cats go and suspension work will be required at some point. The greatest worry imho is typically the gearbox

Big Nasty · 05-02-2009 8:51pm

unkel wrote: »

Aye. The engine should not be the problem. A good quality V8 with 150k miles on it will be good for another 25 years @4k miles per year

Cats go and suspension work will be required at some point. The greatest worry imho is typically the gearbox

It ain't the engine that's the problem, it's all the little bits and bobs and pumps, bushings, etc, that will need replacing soon. V8's on the other hand - they will live forever!

Matt Simis · 05-02-2009 8:52pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

Colour wise i opposite of love Silver. Black would be preferred with black interior but i'm quite partial to that Metallic grey they come in think it looks good on them. Not too pushed at the end of the day about the colour as long as it's not silver.

Yeah, the Greys are great:

Daytona Grey on RS6

Quartz Grey on S6

There is also Meteor Grey and Dolphin Grey, which are slightly darker versions of Daytona. Daytona would be the more popular of the Greys. Quartz is too silver looking IMO.

MCMLXXV wrote: »

It ain't the engine that's the problem, it's all the little bits and bobs and pumps, bushings, etc, that will need replacing soon. V8's on the other hand - they will live forever!

Of course, but unless you think they are all going to break continuously every year, then I stand by the statement that servicing is not going to even approach 2k per year on average.

mondeo · 05-02-2009 8:54pm

This is a route I am half looking into aswell, An Audi would certainly be my choice, Nothing has a bigger powerfull Bull like presence of an V8 Audi.
An A8/S8 is quite a car....go for it!

Big Nasty · 05-02-2009 8:57pm

mondeo wrote: »

This is a route I am half looking into aswell, An Audi would certainly be my choice, Nothing has a bigger powerfull Bull like presence of an V8 Audi.
An A8/S8 is quite a car....go for it!

Would certainly be more enjoyable than a Mondeo!

DanGerMus · 06-02-2009 4:35pm

Well i will be crying myself to sleep tonight as i just called the guys and this went for 2900 quid at auction ..... TODAY!

:(:(:(:(

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=AUDI&min_pr=75&source=0&model=S6&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=0&mileage=&postcode=ls9+8al&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=&ukcarsearch_full.y=&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=2&distance=171&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200905327855695

Matt Simis · 06-02-2009 6:45pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

Well i will be crying myself to sleep tonight as i just called the guys and this went for 2900 quid at auction ..... TODAY! :(:(:(:(

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=AUDI&min_pr=75&source=0&model=S6&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=0&mileage=&postcode=ls9+8al&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=&ukcarsearch_full.y=&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=2&distance=171&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200905327855695

Wow... what auction?

DanGerMus · 06-02-2009 6:50pm

No idea. Just rang and he told me straight away it was gone. Expressed my dissappointment and said good luck. You think i should have found out. I also checked up on a black avant thats also just been sold. Trawling google today for more can't find any outside of autotrader or pistonheads. Would prefer an avant but they're all silver

.

DanGerMus · 07-02-2009 2:15am

Cant seem to get the VRT calculator to work for an Avant. What's the story if you can't get a quote from there?

unkel · 07-02-2009 9:12am

Email or ring them. See the link in the charter for contact details. Or just go in to them yourself.

galwaytt · 07-02-2009 12:30pm

...well another poster on boards.ie - hope he'll chime in here - near me, bought fab '99 S8 lately. Had full service (all belts etc) done by a local indy with a lot of VW/Merc experience, so it's actually no big deal. Travel outside the pale for big jobs, and you'll save even more.

Ongoing std maintenance isn't that bad, tbh.

Car was shocking value, so if don't find your S6, an S8 can be found for same/similar/less money.

As for high mileage auto gearboxes, well my '93 968 now has 146k miles on it and no signs of problems yet. If you're a low mileage driver, you might never get to a mileage that will require it to be overhauled.

DanGerMus · 07-02-2009 1:49pm

I'm actually not from the Pale, lol, i'm from Clare. I'm not gone on the s8 tbh S6 is a big car as it is.

VanhireBoys · 07-02-2009 5:47pm

galwaytt wrote: »

...well another poster on boards.ie - hope he'll chime in here - near me, bought fab '99 S8 lately. Had full service (all belts etc) done by a local indy with a lot of VW/Merc experience, so it's actually no big deal. Travel outside the pale for big jobs, and you'll save even more.

Ongoing std maintenance isn't that bad, tbh.

Car was shocking value, so if don't find your S6, an S8 can be found for same/similar/less money.

As for high mileage auto gearboxes, well my '93 968 now has 146k miles on it and no signs of problems yet. If you're a low mileage driver, you might never get to a mileage that will require it to be overhauled.

Definately agree John as I was along with that lad who bought the S8.. And shared the drive home....! The best car I ever drove... Its the most underrated undervalued car the world ever. The cop at Pembroke harbour asked was it stolen..... We replied "Might as well have been"

The parts are no dearer than an A4... Its an Audi FFS.. All it needs is serviced. Watch the film Ronin and the S8 is sold:D

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Video/Search-Results/Video/cars-in-movies/Audi-S8---Ronin/

Big Nasty · 08-02-2009 7:41pm

I actually miss-read this thread originally. Thought it was about an S8! S6 is a great car but has no way near the presence of an S8. S6 has too many curves and not enough angles for my liking, but that's just me!

DanGerMus · 17-02-2009 6:39pm

Can anyone hazard a guess at a new cambelt for one of these? negotiating now kinda need to know as i've no idea.

RoundyMooney · 17-02-2009 7:09pm

MCMLXXV wrote: »

That's a rather ominous looking puddle. Hopefully the aircon was on :cool:

mike65 · 17-02-2009 7:18pm

I'd budget 2000 euro - the timing kit will cost about 700 euro add a days labour, vat etc.

DanGerMus · 17-02-2009 7:27pm

holy hell. Well that seals that. He said he can have it done for a few hundred. I'll leave him take care of it and pay a few hundred more.

mike65 · 17-02-2009 7:48pm

You can change the belt for a few hundred, thats but half the job (well not even that!) The roller tensioners, water pump etc should also be changed as the new belt will put a strain on the older components which could then let go.

To be honest, it sounds like you could be walking into a minefield, many a complex barge thats not worth that much and which a vendor just wants to shift will be repaired/maintained at minimal cost and important stuff will be ignored and then a hapless buyer gets landed with a lemon than will cost as much to fix as it did to buy.

Rovi · 17-02-2009 8:02pm

It's pricey, but not quite that bad!

I got the timing belt done on the RS6 a couple of months ago, I'm pretty sure the non-turbo 4.2 V8 is the same (open to correction!).

Here's the diagram and parts list:

Including a new waterpump and thermostat, the timing belt side of the job came to €680 + VAT for parts.
Labour, including an engine service (oil + filters) came to €722 + VAT.

This was all in an Audi main dealer, totals up to just under €1600 inc. VAT.

mike65 · 17-02-2009 8:03pm

Heh! You have the same catalogue I have!

I stand by my thoughts in the second paragraph though. The OP should read through
reviews for the V8 engine A6 models here

DanGerMus · 17-02-2009 8:23pm

It's actually a private sale. it's on 70000 so it's due the big service alright i was assuming that was what he meant. He said he was going to get his mate who he says is an auditech to do it so he'd get it cheaper for a few hundred(pounds). Thanks for the heads up mike. Alarm bells tingling a bit now so i'll make sure the proper service is done before i go any further.

unkel · 17-02-2009 8:51pm

Or buy an S-class or a 7-series. No cambelts to worry about!

Mr Benevolent · 17-02-2009 8:56pm

Wow, Mike65's link is a real treasure trove... never knew about it!

DanGerMus · 19-02-2009 6:57pm

Hey guys quick update. Talked to the guy today. CB not done but he has the full Kit from Audi and would sell car with the kit for 5250GBP. Would take 5500 with the CB done inc full service. Seems Genuine. It's a Saloon 00 in Nogaro Blue with black alcantara int 74000miles A5 Alloys. Had it a year. I have a mate who could do the CB on a weekend gratis. Opinions?

L-M · 19-02-2009 7:05pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

Hey guys quick update. Talked to the guy today. CB not done but he has the full Kit from Audi and would sell car with the kit for 5250GBP. Would take 5500 with the CB done inc full service. Seems Genuine. It's a Saloon 00 in Nogaro Blue with black alcantara int 74000miles A5 Alloys. Had it a year. I have a mate who could do the CB on a weekend gratis. Opinions?

Any link to the add? Can't seem to find it anywhere.

DanGerMus · 19-02-2009 7:07pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130286625832

or

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/891513.htm

L-M · 19-02-2009 7:11pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130286625832

or

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/891513.htm

Car looks the business. Wouldn't be mad one the badges though. Did you ask him if they were replica wheels?

Minor details though.

I'd say take the car and the kit and do it yourself. Make sure everything is done to your standard from day one, no worries.

DanGerMus · 19-02-2009 7:21pm

Meant to ask about the wheels. I will. Yeah badges would be off for sure. Might leave it debadged or pop proper ones on. Can't stand fakers you'd swear being an S6 wasn't good enough. Guy seems to like his cars had a passat W8 before this and has an X5(not my kinda thing) now. Works for british gas. Prob do a HPI check so and pick up this weekend.

L-M · 19-02-2009 7:30pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

Meant to ask about the wheels. I will. Yeah badges would be off for sure. Might leave it debadged or pop proper ones on. Can't stand fakers you'd swear being an S6 wasn't good enough. Guy seems to like his cars had a passat W8 before this and has an X5(not my kinda thing) now. Works for british gas. Prob do a HPI check so and pick up this weekend.

Aye i don't understand changing the badges. You won't be able to, but he might, be able to sell the number plate. Could be worth a few bob, although it would more than likely take more than the few days to sort it out.

Edit: On the note of the badges, they render the plate pointless do they not?

DanGerMus · 19-02-2009 7:50pm

Indeed they do, just adding to the silly pointlessness. Re the licence the thought had crossed my mind about sekking it do i not own the reg once it's sold to me or does it die once its transferred out of the country. I have relations in England could i transfer ownership to my name at their address and try to shift it from there or something. Any other ideas maybe. Hey what if i leave the car reg'd to my uncle how long could i get away with the tax and vrt and that? sure this kind of thing has been discussed in the UK thread.

L-M · 19-02-2009 7:55pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

Indeed they do, just adding to the silly pointlessness. Re the licence the thought had crossed my mind about sekking it do i not own the reg once it's sold to me or does it die once its transferred out of the country. I have relations in England could i transfer ownership to my name at their address and try to shift it from there or something. Any other ideas maybe. Hey what if i leave the car reg'd to my uncle how long could i get away with the tax and vrt and that? sure this kind of thing has been discussed in the UK thread.

To save yourself any bashing, just pay the VRT. Few begruders hiding in the woodwork will be along soon to give out about that lol!

I'm not sure re the registration, but i'm fairly sure you could transfer it into your Uncles name. See what it's worth first, then decide if it's worth the hassle.

DanGerMus · 19-02-2009 8:07pm

quick flick on ebay possibly worth a couple hundred to the right buyer. Dunno nothing is goin to stop me picking it up this weekend though. Not up on soccer is there a match in Manu this weekend as the flights that were a tenner last time i checked (for different date) are now 150!

PS i now need an Auto lesson never driven one.

L-M · 19-02-2009 8:56pm

DanGerMus wrote: »

quick flick on ebay possibly worth a couple hundred to the right buyer. Dunno nothing is goin to stop me picking it up this weekend though. Not up on soccer is there a match in Manu this weekend as the flights that were a tenner last time i checked (for different date) are now 150!

PS i now need an Auto lesson never driven one.

Very easy to drive an auto.

Right so, starting off with most autos you will have four options to choose from. In this order, P R N D (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive).

When the car is stationary, ie. if you are parking it etc. you will be selecting park.

When reversing, you will be pushing your foot on the brake, and then (normally there is a button on the back of the gear level) which you will press and then pull it into the relevant gear. Note. You now have a gear selected. Taking your foot of the break will end in the car starting to reverse. Normally they will reverse at a steady speed for 3-4 mph without you touching the accelerator. If you want to stop, or slow the reversing speed, feather the brake, or push it completely.

Neutral is neutral. The car is free rooling. Foot on the brake to stop the car.

D. Once you have selected D, and take your foot off the break, the car will start to go forward. To stop it going forward, push the break. To make it go faster, push the accelerator. Very simple. (On some cars, when you push the accelerator to the floor, you can push it that bit more, feels like you are pushing a button with the accelerator, and this tell the car you want to give it a bit of welly, and depandant on revs, it will drop a gear if needed)

Tiptronic. Once you are in D, slide the gear stick to the right into the tirtronic mode. This is essentially a manual, without a clutch. Just being in tiptronic, the car will now go into high revs through each gear.
To change down a gear, simple flick the gearstick down towards you once, to change up gear, flick the gear stick up. To go back into normal driving mode, push the gear stick back to the left.

Remember, your left foot is now redundant, it now gets a good rest. If I have left anything unclear let me know.

unkel · 19-02-2009 10:37pm

Way too complicated ^^^

Get into car. Disable or remove left leg - don't use it until you get out of the car! Gear box is in P. Start engine while right foot is on the brake pedal. Move gear into D. Lift right foot off brake pedal and onto accelerator pedal. Off you go...

L-M · 19-02-2009 10:41pm

unkel wrote: »

Way too complicated ^^^

Get into car. Disable or remove left leg - don't use it until you get out of the car! Gear box is in P. Start engine while right foot is on the brake pedal. Move gear into D. Lift right foot off brake pedal and onto accelerator pedal. Off you go...

Believe me, I've been on many a test drive with people who haven't driven Autos. Alot easier and shorter to explain in person, but alot of people find it complicated at first.

DanGerMus · 19-02-2009 11:27pm

Hey lads thanks for that hopfully i'll be able to figure it out from those guidelines. Haven't finalised it yet but i'm goin to call him in the morning and hopfully organise it for Sat or Sunday. He's in Manchester is it quickest to come by Holyhead Dun Laoighre or Fishguard to Rosslare. Not a fan of Boats if i'm honest less time on the better.

Maintenance of an audi 4.2l v8 S6

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