The Audi RS6 was, simply put, a game changer for Audi. With two turbos boosting the fantastic 4.2 V8 to an unbelievable 450 horsepower, the RS6 put performance figures of legendary cars like the Ferrari F40 into their mid-sized sedan. When I first heard they would be making it, it seemed mind-blowing at the time – this car sported nearly double the horsepower and torque of the S4 but weighed only a touch more. While a performance staple in Europe with cars like the RS2, RS4, and S6 plus, the U.S. had endured a long line of quick but not outrageous Audis, and the performance image of the brand in the public’s eye reflected that. But with the RS6, Audi lifted the performance envelope of the executive sedan to a new level and placed the cars coming out of Audi’s Quattro G.m.b.H. division squarely in the forefront of the enthusiast’s mind. Audi’s super fast luxury sedan would also be the blueprint for most of today’s modern rivals, with all-wheel drive, forced induction and automatic transmission. At ten years old and far out of warranty, these Autobahn stormers have dropped in price to a level that people not working on Wall Street can afford. Today’s example is one of the lower mileage examples that has come across the block recently:
Year: 2003
Model: RS6
Engine: 4.2 liter twin turbocharged V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 31,149 mi
Price: $39,950 Buy it Now
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Audi RS6 on eBay
4.2L CD AWD Carbon Fiber interior trim, leather seat trim (Std) Turbocharged
Vehicle Details
• Year: 2003
• Make: Audi
• Model: RS6
• VIN: WUAPV64B93N904924
• Stock Number: N904924
• Mileage: 31149
• Transmission: Automatic
• Engine: 8 Cylinder, 4.2 L
• Exterior Color: Daytona Gray Pearl
• Interior Color: Silver
• Title: ClearFeatures & Options
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
ABS
AM/FM Stereo
Adjustable Steering Wheel
All Wheel Drive
Aluminum Wheels
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Brake Assist
Bucket Seats
CARBON FIBER INTERIOR TRIM
CD Changer
CD player
Cassette
Child Safety Locks
Climate Control
Cruise control
Driver Adjustable Lumbar
Driver Illuminated Vanity Mirror
Driver Vanity Mirror
Engine Immobilizer
Floor Mats
Fog Lamps
Front Reading Lamps
HID headlights
Heated Front Seat(s)
Heated Mirrors
Heated Rear Seat(s)
Intermittent Wipers
Keyless Entry
LEATHER SEAT TRIM (STD)
Leather Steering Wheel
Leather seats Mirror Memory
Multi-Zone A/C
NAVIGATION SYSTEM -inc: CD maps
Pass-Through Rear Seat
Passenger Adjustable Lumbar
Passenger Illuminated Visor Mirror
Passenger Vanity Mirror
Power Door Locks
Power Driver Seat
Power Mirror(s)
Power Outlet
Power Passenger Seat
Power Steering
Power windows
Premium Sound System
Rear Parking Aid
Rear Reading Lamps
Remote Trunk Release
Seat Memory
Security System
Stability Control
Sun/Moon Roof
Sun/Moonroof
Temporary Spare Tire
Tires – Front Performance
Tires – Rear Performance
Traction Control
Trip Computer
Turbocharged
Universal Garage Door Opener
Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers
Woodgrain Interior Trim
Daytona Grey is a great color on these cars, as it’s both pretty but stealthy enough to not get too noticed by the law at your triple-digit closing speed. As it should with so few miles, the car looks to be in basically new condition. The interior looks unworn, the wheels aren’t curbed, and the paint looks flawless. Even the engine bay looks as though you could have dinner on it. If you wanted a “brand new†2003 RS6, this is about as close as you can come. They’re splendid cruisers that can do an occasional track day and surprise supercars off the line. It’s an intoxicating combination for sure.
Most of the RS6s that have popped up recently for sale have 70,000 – 100,000 miles and are in the low $20,000 range. This car is obviously not one of those cars. At only 31,000 miles, it’s certain to have a lot of life left in its components which is a bonus. However, the dealership is asking a serious premium for that lower mileage, at nearly double the going rate of many of the RS6s. Is it worth the $15,000 plus premium over most of the other examples? To most buyers in the RS6 market today, I doubt that it is. Frankly, most of them are looking for the most car for the least money, and this one isn’t it. However, if you start to add up the expensive components that start to need replacement on these cars after 100,000 miles – transmission chief among them – the premium seems a little more tolerable. Even so, I doubt many will do the long term cost benefit analysis and decide this car is the one, especially with prices of the newer and slightly more performance oriented RS4 falling squarely into this territory. I think the seller will find this car a hard sell at this price, even though it is a lot of car for top-spec Camry money.
-Carter
I have always liked these…so much so that I almost traded in my 2000E39 M5 for one when they came out in 03…
two things stopped me: the auto gearbox…..and the horror stories of Audi out of warranty….
and that is still the only reason to be wary of an RS6….simple items are labor intensive and those labor costs are what put a hurt on the wallet…
I have to say that the price point is fair….31k on the odo…40k ask….an E39 M5 same year & mileage is getting close to and more, especially a dealer car EAG…
and quite frankly where are you going to find an RS6 with this kind of mileage???
Hi, Carter.
Really like the website. Btw I am looking for contact info on the Black 1987 BMW L6 in Oregon. Posted by Paul. The VIN# WBAEC8400H0614951
I would like to inquire about a test drive and purchase, would you happen to have any contact information.
Thank You.
Tim, thanks for the compliment. I think we all really enjoy posting the cars and talking about them, even if they aren’t always to everyone’s taste. I forwarded your message to Paul to see if he has any information. Also, like us and follow us on Facebook!
MDriver,
I have to agree, I think the car is a reasonable value for what it is, but I also think that most of the people looking at these will figure they’re going to have to fix things one way or another, and go for the 15K cheaper model with 30,000 more miles. Plus, I really think the appeal of this car at 40K is lessened by the not-much-less powerful RS4. There were a brace of Allroads at my mechanic’s place when I was there Monday; one had a coolant leak at the back of the motor that was going to run close to $2,000 to repair. There is no getting over this is a tightly packed engine bay with a lot of technology. That said, I think I’d rather have one of these than one of the V10 M5s when it’s time to service it. I can’t imagine that car being any less expensive to maintain at all, and performance between them is fairly similar.
No service records and no Auto Check? But, they took the time to state that it does, in fact, come with floor mats? And according to this threat on RS6.com, the RS6 requires some pretty extensive servicing at the 35k mile mark (water pump, gaskets, timing belt, etc.) http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/20286-RS6-service-schedule-with-part-numbers
@Carter…I agree with you but here is the rub with the RS4 which I actually prefer because of its N/A motor….it is smaller & much tighter inside…AND it isn’t any less expensive…in fact I just saw a 07 RS4 Mugello Blue…$35.9k ask and the car had 67k on the odo!!!..with a dealer.
again…its not so much the parts, but the labor intensity of the work that will kill you!….pull out the dash to change a blower motor???!!!…..Audi engineering???…that’s a joke
Well, obviously for most enthusiasts the draw of the RS4 would be transmission, as you’re right, repairs on both promise to be pricey!
Awesome car. I would leave it to others to debate the price but this is one of those cars that would have been in Ronin had it been made at that time — just an ultimate Q-ship.