Digestible Collectible: 2003 Audi RS6

Chris Tonn
by Chris Tonn

Cue the “CEL” jokes.

The collective “wisdom” of scores of forums have decreed that Volkswagen and Audi products are invariably cursed by permanently lit Check Engine Lights. Some have joked that the CEL is by far, the most reliable component on any VAG vehicle, and that Meatloaf was 20 years early with his “Paradise By The Dashboard Light.”

So, with some hesitation considering the comments on the last Audi to grace this column, I press forward in pursuit of the four rings and eight pistons.

Today, I’m looking at a 2003 Audi RS6. It seems to be the cheapest of the C5-chassis cars out there at just under $12,000, so I’d be prepared for the worst. However, the seller mentions a good bit of recent maintenance, so if records are included this could be a relative bargain. Importantly, the timing belt was completed 19,000 miles ago, so it could be another year or two before it’s due again.

That’s another thing. Taking this or any older German car to the dealer is a bad idea. Even an independent shop can be financially crippling. I have to believe that the only way to own one of these on a reasonably budget is with the ability to do most of any needed work at home. Google “Audi C5 Service Position.” The work looks difficult, but with the proper service manuals, any required work looks straightforward and within reach of a decent home mechanic.

Or I could just be trying to justify a crazy-expensive performance sedan to myself. The styling of most modern Audis is alluring, both inside and out. The S and RS models take it a step above with not-too-subtle fender flares and big wheels and tires.

Though, from what I’ve read, those tires might last 20,000 miles if you are lucky and gentle.

So, continue calling me an idiot for even considering an out-of-warranty Audi. The soft glow of electric CEL gleaming in the instrument panel will keep me warm.

Chris Tonn
Chris Tonn

Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.

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  • Lightspeed Lightspeed on Dec 29, 2015

    So, pretty much as reliable as a late 90s Volvo?

  • 64andahalf 64andahalf on Dec 30, 2015

    I bought one new and continue to love her. Only problems were a factory recall on the diagonal suspension thing and windshield wipers blades that apparently only come from Audi and cost like $30 each

  • CanadaCraig You can just imagine how quickly the tires are going to wear out on a 5,800 lbs AWD 2024 Dodge Charger.
  • Luke42 I tried FSD for a month in December 2022 on my Model Y and wasn’t impressed.The building-blocks were amazing but sum of the all of those amazing parts was about as useful as Honda Sensing in terms of reducing the driver’s workload.I have a list of fixes I need to see in Autopilot before I blow another $200 renting FSD. But I will try it for free for a month.I would love it if FSD v12 lived up to the hype and my mind were changed. But I have no reason to believe I might be wrong at this point, based on the reviews I’ve read so far. [shrug]. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about it once I get to test it.
  • FormerFF We bought three new and one used car last year, so we won't be visiting any showrooms this year unless a meteor hits one of them. Sorry to hear that Mini has terminated the manual transmission, a Mini could be a fun car to drive with a stick.It appears that 2025 is going to see a significant decrease in the number of models that can be had with a stick. The used car we bought is a Mk 7 GTI with a six speed manual, and my younger daughter and I are enjoying it quite a lot. We'll be hanging on to it for many years.
  • Oberkanone Where is the value here? Magna is assembling the vehicles. The IP is not novel. Just buy the IP at bankruptcy stage for next to nothing.
  • Jalop1991 what, no Turbo trim?
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