This car was featured by Autocar back in 2020. There is a long list of problems with this model as noted by many websites. I wouldn’t recommend one without an extensive Audi service history.

I had one of these for 4 years. Loved it. 5 years later still regret selling it. Few owners and low mileage are musts if buying as is solid history. There is no such thing as a cheap RS6, you either pay for it up front or pay for it in maintenance. DRC usually gets replaced with coilovers for about £2k, as it’s so unreliable. I had Bilstein PSS9’s set close to original ride height and rebound on 6 clicks. Make sure gearbox has been serviced, even rebuilt, as that’s a £7k bill when it goes pop, and it will go pop at some point as the clutch pack will wear out. Cam cover gaskets sweat oil, which drips on the manifolds and causes an intermittent burning smell. Discs and pads are £2k when they need done. Tyres lasted me about 8000 miles on Pirelli’s or Continental. Averaging 20mpg is about right, which equates to about 300-350 miles from it’s 80 litre tank. A heavy right foot will drop the mpg to 5. Find a reliable independent Audi specialist familiar with working on these, you will become very good friends. I spent about £25k on maintenance over the 4 years I had it. I did 40k miles in it, which equated to £5k in fuel over 4 years when it was about £1.10 a litre for 98 octane. It should only be run on high octane fuel as it prevents engine knock, which can be a challenge to find in remote areas. Insurance was about £400 annually and emissions tax was £260. And I’d bought an unmodified 50k mile one owner car with immaculate history that added up to £30k+. These are getting close to 20 years old now, so things will go wrong and the bill typically has 4 figures. You’re not buying a £10k-£15k car, you’re buying a £60k supercar for £10k-£15k. Budget accordingly.

Amazing cars. Loved mine. Biggest downfall to them is the gearbox, they need a rebuild at around 90k miles which will set you back around £4k but if you can find one which has had it done then you’ll definitely have a great car.

A bargain until it breaks.

"You don't need a car any quicker than this." Mat: ***laughs in his current daily driver Porsche 911 Turbo S.

I love these modern classic videos. Would be mega to see you drive a Golf IV R32.

So many car UKpostsrs are not hindered with any technical knowledge, otherwise he would have known that you do not rev any car with a slushbox (a car with automatic gearbox and a torque converter). This is often also the reason that manufacturers are fitting rev limiters because of the damage you can cause to dual mass flywheels / catalytic converters / torque converters / bodywork (plastics) from extreme heat build up / and all kind of thermal heat damage to the engine and its components.

Thanks Mat for instantly increasing the value of my original 28k miler. Regular maintenance, occasional repressurising of the DRC and NO brake boosting keeps mine sweet. The only bucket list car I've kept hold of.

I’ve got a red saloon C5 with a sunroof and only 99k on the clock. Last owner for 12 years. My little Gem…absolute keeper and all original apart from the Milltek exhaust… Oh and it’s a right hand drive as I’m in the U.K. 😄

As someone who drives on the right side of the road, 8:17 scared me to death

Can we get a update on the 996, supercharged MX5 and Fiat 126?

Nice patching. Your channel is getting ridiculously well. Some compilation there i see. Never tired of these. ! Good show.

I've not long picked up a C5 2.7L v6 Biturbo for £1000, AWD, leather recaros, 250bhp and not a single fault on it, shifts for a big car! Currently fabbing a custom exhaust for it as well, sounds fantastic! C5 Rs6 Is the goal though!

The NA 4.2 shown is the chain driven BHF/BBK from the B6/B7 S4, which displaces 4163cc. The one on the RS6 is belt driven, and even if it's also a 4.2 and 40v, it's a different architecture and displaces 4172cc!

I still remember the awesome opening scene with the RS6 and "She Sells Sanctuary" by The Cult from Layer Cake.

Mat thank you so much for this insane video!

Ty ive been waiting for this video!

Loved the video, great content Mat!😁 I was wondering if you could show us an Audi TT typ 8n Sport Quattro too in the future🤔

I bought an RS6 Avant C5 like this in 2017, it was my hero car that I always wanted. I looked at the later version (C6) but this just had more appeal. This has bought back so many memories for me. I miss my RS6 so much but it’s gearbox went to pot! It was so much fun and a great daily driver! Miss it lots! 😊

I have had a C5 S6 which has the 4.2 V8 without turbos, 340bhp and same wide arch shell as the RS. Still offers great performance and aggressive look at a fraction of the servicing costs. Make sure to service the auto box at regular intervals to help avoid issues though.

Everyone saying that it is unreliable but isn't that a thing with every old performance car? Mine is fantastic!

I just talked my pal out of buying one of these and into the B7 RS4 avant. He’s now in love with the NA 4.2 v8.

Classic cars with Mat!

as for the delay in the gearbox, I think there's updates to be made to gearbox software and also, replacing the oil makes wonders.

Love your opening and couldn't have said it any better myself! I believe we are entering an era where the C4, B5, B6, and B7 RS4/RS6's avants are now in a whole new market where true enthusiasts are learning too really appreciate these machines! Dont get me wrong, I love my E36 and E61 BMW but they could never replace what I've found in my Audi's 🤝🏼. Have a URS4 sedan, B5 S4 sedan, B5 S4 Avant, B6 S4 Avant, D2 S8, and a C7.5 S6 for the fambam 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦. #GangGangGang

Hi Matt love the channel, please could you do a video with the Aston Martin v8 vantage from 2006-2013 please always loved this era of Aston. Thanks.

This is giving me nostalgia because the interior has so many pieces in common with my dad's old Audi A4 B6.

I had one of these, 53 reg when it was around 8 years old... You can buy them for Mondeo money, but they cost as much as a supercar to maintain... I had a problem with my Auto box and Audi wanted £8,000 plus VAT to fix it! Compared to my 8V RS3 now, it was slow too!

Eventhough i know that these are famous for horrible reliability, i can't help but want one. ..mostly for the looks and the engine to be fair, but also for the interior. I find myself drawn towards the times before cars got filled with screens and haptic buttons.

My parents had a C5 Audi A6 1.8T when I was a kid. Nothing like this RS6 for performance but man it was solidly built. I miss that car

Love mine have had it for 8years now the only downside is the gearbox.I’m on the third gearbox now. The difference is now it has a fully built gearbox and a full service engine out an everything. Be careful if you want to buy one

I’ve always had a thing for older Audi wagons😁. However, what would you think of you and Carwow doing an off-road battle with budget wagons?

its my fav too. apart from the tragic gearbox and collosal running costs

Such a great car, such timeless platform. I own a 2001 B5 S4 Avant, I love that car. Car is down at the moment but will be back on the road again. Mat I would love to see you review a B5 RS or S4.

C4 S6 Plus next please. First ever Quattro Gmbh production car.

Hey Mat great video as always. But you got a yellow tint on some parts of the video, better get that checked.

Please review the Passat W8. I have one and it's bad on petrol and not very fast but it's incredibly unique and sounds cool

great cars. Normal 4.2 V8 often cheap, especially with higher mileges, but as a result of that, often expensive to repair. A couple of thousands are easely spent.

Great review matt , I own 3 . If u do the math only 850 UNITs came stateside 20 years ago ,so there’s approximately only 300 left, due from total loss from accidents. It will be very rare. C5 rs6 the king 🤴 that started it all .

Mat,I hope you will come with Coulthard in Plovdiv Bulgaria this weekend for the F1 movie.Will be great to see you here!

Great video and an awesome car! 😁 Used to own one 😍 How about a video on the Lexus ISF?

*One of those soon to appreciate cars* 🔥

You should review the B8.5 RS5 (2013-2015). I would love to get your impression of the 4.2l in the RS5!

Awesome car, a fortune to maintain! Easily spend more than it’s worth to keep it running.

Hey Mat, the good old C63 amg 6,2 V8 especially the coupe. Would be interesting to see what you think about them.

repair cost are silly, most work....the engine needs to come out.

would love to see your review of a ford gt 40 the old version, that would be the best car review you could do! probably too difficult to find...

Hi Mat, can you please do a BMW X5 E53 review? I think they are awesome cars and one day they will shoot up in value, since it was the first proper driver's SUV and they handle beautifully. Thank you.

Reminders me if layer cake! Great review mat

Bought one a month ago, love it!

These are my favorite cars ever, a timeless design inside and out. I have a 2000 Audi A6 4.2 V8. I wish it was the RS6.

Review the A80 convertible! I love the looks but I don't have pockets to buy one let alone to keep it running! lol

Audi at their finest for quality , and being understated. As for other cars to review, how about Something very rare, 90s produced sports saloon. The Accord Type-R gets my vote for a review.

My uncle had one, endless money pit with the gearbox. Would go for the S6 C5, same overall look but not the RS tax on every part.

Perfect sleeper car. With the subtle body mods, Most people have no idea what you have until you mash the loud pedal and roast them. It does ‘went’ very well. It’s a wonderful thing.

Loved these back then. Nowadays Just nostalgia.

Can you do an infotainment refresh like Porsche offer? Not having steering wheel controls might make it a bit easier to fit. Also, any gearbox swap options? Seems like there would be a market for a different cog swapper on this engine.

Had a 2001 C5 RS6, was the best and the worst car I've ever owned. When it was working it was epic. Every time I drove it I expected something to break. Off the top of my head it needed new intercoolers, rear drive shaft, rear boot struts, EGT sensors and a lot of other stuff I've forgotten. Dont buy one unless you've got deep pockets. Oh and this was a one previous owner full Audi FSH with less than 60,000 miles.

You should have a serious talk with the people who are colorgrading your videos

@MattWatson. I think I saw you in your Porche on the M42 yesterday enjoying the traffic?

Nice one. The E39 M5 is still more special IMO

Over here in Mexico it’s Father’s Day. Congrats Mat

Really considering one of these, cant decide on this or the e39 m5 or b7 rs4 I think the only thing putting me off is that it’s not manual

There's one next door to me! It sounds epic and definitely goes!

Do an E38 7-Series please Matt. Maybe a shorty sport.

Mat can you pls do a review on a old e class amg, either 55 or 63 doesnt matter

Could you please do a review for the new polo 2022 gti facelift with the manual transmission.

It was always my desire to buy one of these with a rooted gearbox and manual convert it. Alas, it never happened. And I'm older and can't be arsed so I'll save harder and buy a C7 Performance and get the better ZF8 gearbox.

Great video - would love to see one on the RS5 B8.5

Love you, Mat! ❤️

Finaly my dream car is reviewd by my favourite motor journalist 🇵🇹👌✌✌✌

what a beautiful wagon 😍

Do a review on an 04 tpye r or a golf r32 would be cool to see

My favourite RS model. Also the car they used in the film Layer Cake 😎👌🏽

Such a handsome, classy shape and engine sounds fantastic as well 👌

Try a kia optima phev from 2019 or 2020. I want to now you're reaction. Also with acceleration test.

Matt, have you looked at the reviews for your sponsor's website?

I got a S6 2000 4.2l v8 NA, 340hp originally equipped with a 6 speeds manuall gearbox using 5.5seconds to 0-100km/h. Full light alcentara, and recaro seats, having all original 5 alloy wheels that came with the car etc.. Love the car the sound is fantastic I got a couple of vids of it. Smooth to drive, comfy to sit in, lots and lots of room, and the steering is perfect going in the twisty roads of Norway. I payed 5000€ for the car. Well worth it🙈

2:12 why did you rev the engine when it was still cold 😭

That V8 sounds very good.

Mat, could you review the Volvo V70R (mk2 specifically)?

I loooove the Audi c5 design🤩

You also get membership to the burning £50 notes club

Lovely car. Just get ready for the maintenance cost. Real beauty ❤️

I've owned mine for over 6 years, probably covered 20,000ish miles. Only planned to own it for 3 years and ive still got, can't see myself selling it either. its not as unreliable as people think, the only major issue ive had is the alternator going which was a nightmare to replace. These car are not easy to work on! you won't find many garages wanting to work on it either. But if you don't mind getting your hands dirty it isn''t too bad, I'm pulling my engine out to upgrade some bits. The worst thing about this car is the fuel consumption, and the gearbox. if Audi had put a better gearbox in it, it would be a much better car.

One of my favorite cars 👍🤙

These are already pretty expensive over here in Aus. Carsales: starting at $48,000, then quickly jumping up to the $80k+

Hi Matt a modern classic. How about the VW Golf mk4 R32

That’s epic, wouldn’t mind a normal one myself, I feel like it’d be fragile though and a pain to keep repaired, not to mention just fuelling it these days.

Sadly we never got the wagon of this. We did get the B5 Avant. That's what I have.

Mat, can you review the 2022 Toyota GR86?

Hi Mat!

When you do buy it, consider swapping out the automatic gearbox with a manual (S4/RS4 B5). It will save you quite some money on the long run. I owned a RS4 B5 for 3 years. I'd say in terms of cost those are quite better.

Please make a video about your jimny.

488 pista review plis😭🙏🙏

Please review the Audi 100 coup s gt 🙏

Hey Mat can you bring BMW Z4 and Nissan Z and Mercedes SLK 200 and Toyota Supra Audi TT for Drag Race ??

i love this car. but i remember at that time having one for a test drive and it barely hit 265kmh... 280 was not on the menu. btw. you're not 100% correct. only the plus was available Avant only. the normal rs6 was also available as a limousine.

I have a Delorean- come review my car! That aside I had a b7 rs4 before and that was sensational to own. If only this rs6 came with the same manual transmission the rs4 had!

I think this is the same car that is used in the movie Layer Cake.