The C6 S6 (US-market 2007-2011 sedan) is the rare one: a 5.2L FSI V10 (435 hp) closely related to the Lamborghini Gallardo / Audi R8 engine, with a 6-speed Tiptronic and quattro. Owners adore the sound and the sleeper rarity, and the core engine and transmission are considered robust — but they're candid that these are 'maintenance hogs.' The recurring V10-specific items are direct-injection carbon buildup (misfires), failure-prone plastic intake-manifold flaps (3D-printed nylon fixes exist), and the timing chain: a startup rattle is the warning sign, though some owners argue the V10 got updated guides versus the problem-prone B6 V8. …
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Audi S6 (C6)
31 sales analyzed · 4 topics from real Bring a Trailer & Cars & Bids comments.
“maintenance hogs, but the actual engine and transmission are very robust”i75Auto · Dec 30, 2022
- The 5.2 V10 — bought for the sound and the rarityownership-experienceThe draw is the Gallardo/R8-derived V10: a glorious top-end and exhaust note in an unassuming sedan. Owners are devoted, and the platform can go the distance — high-mileage examples (250k+) are out there still delivering. …
- A maintenance hog with a robust coremechanicalOwners are upfront that the V10 is expensive to maintain, but the actual engine and transmission are regarded as durable. On the much-discussed timing chain, the guidance is to listen for a startup rattle (the warning sign); some owners note the V10 received updated guides versus the failure-prone B6 V8, easing the worst fears. …
- Budget for V10-specific servicebuying-adviceThe V10's recurring jobs are worth verifying and budgeting for: direct-injection carbon cleaning, the plastic intake-manifold flaps, and a long list of seals/coolers. A well-sorted car will show recent work across exactly these items, so demand records and prefer a car that's already had them done. …
- An underrated V10 ubersedan bargainvalue-and-marketRelative to its original sticker and its exotic engine, the C6 S6 trades cheaply — owners frame it as an 'ubersedan' available for a fraction of new cost. The trade is upkeep, so the value is real for buyers who go in eyes-open on V10 maintenance. …