[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I heard a thunk from the back end while driving it (not sure what it was) but immediately I got an Electrical System Malfunction error on the dash. Pulled over and did a restart but the warning triangle of death was still on the dash. Limped home, and the warning tuned to red from orange. My AC system shut off, my ABS stopped working and just as I was pulling into my driveway my steering went and the car shut down completely. Pretty scary actually if that had happened while on a busy road or worse if my wife had been driving with the kids...she would have freaked out.

Got a tow to the dealership. I almost flipped my lid when they said they were out of loaner vehicles and that they could get me into a rental at a DISCOUNT...ummm no not going to happen. This is covered under warranty and they said it would be at least a week. I was about to hulk smashing sh!t when the service manager came out and said they had a brand new Q5 that was scheduled to go into their loaner program next week. They would get it gassed up and let me use it (the new redesign is pretty nice I gotta say!). Anyway, I was on my way. Looking up the issue now on the forums it is likely the alternator but many people have had to get the entire 48v system replaced as well. Once this is fixed I may just part ways with it and move on. It's been very reliable, but out of warranty electrical crap like this is not something I want to deal with on a go forward.

damnnnnnnnnnnnn

Well Im glad you are getting it all sorted out.

Im hoping my year car has some new(er) tweaks so that 48v doesnt leave me fuckered.

[g80md]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I heard a thunk from the back end while driving it (not sure what it was) but immediately I got an Electrical System Malfunction error on the dash. Pulled over and did a restart but the warning triangle of death was still on the dash. Limped home, and the warning tuned to red from orange. My AC system shut off, my ABS stopped working and just as I was pulling into my driveway my steering went and the car shut down completely. Pretty scary actually if that had happened while on a busy road or worse if my wife had been driving with the kids...she would have freaked out.

Got a tow to the dealership. I almost flipped my lid when they said they were out of loaner vehicles and that they could get me into a rental at a DISCOUNT...ummm no not going to happen. This is covered under warranty and they said it would be at least a week. I was about to hulk smashing sh!t when the service manager came out and said they had a brand new Q5 that was scheduled to go into their loaner program next week. They would get it gassed up and let me use it (the new redesign is pretty nice I gotta say!). Anyway, I was on my way. Looking up the issue now on the forums it is likely the alternator but many people have had to get the entire 48v system replaced as well. Once this is fixed I may just part ways with it and move on. It's been very reliable, but out of warranty electrical crap like this is not something I want to deal with on a go forward.

They tried to do this to me when my G80 AC unit went out at 1k miles...but before I could make a stink, the service manager realized what car I had and immediately gave me a 330i.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by g80md

They tried to do this to me when my G80 AC unit went out at 1k miles...but before I could make a stink, the service manager realized what car I had and immediately gave me a 330i.

It's so crazy to think they wouldn't provide a vehicle (loaner or rental) at their cost, considering the car is under warranty. Why would you be incurring ANY cost for a warranty issue? So stupid.

[vip]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Midlife Crist Alert--- I got a Wagon errrr Estate errr Touring errrr Avant. And what a cool car this thing is. Not the fastest, not the loudest, not the most aggressive of what I have but still a good functional car that has great guts, nice roar, and a very sleek look to it. The color is not for all, but it was what it was with the deal I grabbed on it.

Since this is a versus section I’ll give you some thoughts against the CS's but it’s not apples to apples of course.


And of course, large shout out to r33_RGSport aka Ben and team at RG for modding it and sourcing the parts so damn fast. Again, being treated not as a number but as a valued customer. And while he loves BMW, he has done work on this, my Porsche, Plaid, Z06, GT63, R8, and few other non M's. If you all are in SoCal, take the drive to his shop and get stuff done with great service, strong pricing, and he will buy you McDonalds.

Basic Mods all via RG:

Tint 35% Ceramic
12mm spacers square
KW HAS (30mm drop front 25mm rear)
AWE Full Catback Exhaust
RaceChip Piggy (50 whp 60 wtq)
RaceChip XLR Throttle Adjuster

Thoughts against the CS's (doesnt matter which one)

Driving: The CS's are almost 950 lbs lighter if not more so there's that. The RS hides the weight but doesnt eliminate it. The RWS helps and the new differential keeps the tq split reasonably to the rear as I plow into and out of turns but its never gonna be that dancing car. The RS steering is fairly on point and little to no Quattro understeer and I actually like it equally to the CS programming here. Good balance and reasonable feel with decent tension. The CS is probably faster with its better hp to weight ratio and it feels like it too but the RS isn’t here to be the fastest thing; its here to be the coolest. Launches are crazy in the RS with the rear squat literally giving me a feel of wheelie like pop… I like it. The RS is probably a stock 3 second to 60 car and low 11’s at best pre piggy. The 2025 mods to the Performance in the RS are definitely felt vs the likes of the previous C8 Gen. I only test drove those cars (591 hp vs 621) but they were not as dynamic. The CS will beat it off the line and down the road but wont crush it like a Plaid or a Turbo S.

Transmission: The CS is bad ass- its violent yet controlled and is basically an "on demand" driver from this standpoint. The RS is just not the same; its still pretty aggressive but I have to push it to get it to act. Consider the comparison like the S63 vs the S85 where the 85 begs one to drive hard while the 63 needs one to drive hard. The XLR pedal adjuster did help a bit but the TCU programming of the CS is Gold.

Sound: The Audi 4.0 TFSI wins this of course with its V8 roar. The RS is heavily sound deadened so the AWE was necessary. The CS has the Ti rear which helps in the tonal aspects and the ER mid pipe but the deep growl plus limited barks and pops (not over the top) gives me more smiles in the RS. But this is an engine thing for sure.

Looks: Damn- I like the RS but only when I look back. Ive always said I like to drive a car that is equal or better as a driver than its looks. This RS might be a tie in that regard. The RS is alot of fun on the open road as a GT car.

Interior: I got the RS Red package and that definitely makes the car special inside. The alcantara trim and adds are luxe in nature and the leather is a level up over my prior M's as the leather super supple. I actually don’t mind the MMI of Audi but Im not a infotainment junky as long as the main things I need to make the driving experience are accessible. The B&O is great and while the exhaust is the real soundtrack; the system is excellent. The RS is better here and it better be- I like the guts arguably better than even my prior M8’s too. The HUD in the RS is one of my faves- full rpm, speed, and oil temps with excellent clarity but still not visionally obtrusive to my down the road optic needs.

Overall: The RS is a great GT car with an amazing interior that can also get going and kick some ass on the road. Its not a track car or even a quarter miler, but it can launch like a bat and roars brilliantly. Its not a cross shopper to the CS's or even the G80's and there is no Estate option here in the US so if anyone wants a cool wagon style and doesnt feel attracted to the G99; this is the car. BTW I didnt even consider the G99. Im not sure why but I just didnt even give it a chance.








BEFORE DROP

love your rides man!! how are you liking the rs6 if you have it still have it that is lol. any reliability concerns longer term on these after warranty expires?

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by vip

love your rides man!! how are you liking the rs6 if you have it still have it that is lol. any reliability concerns longer term on these after warranty expires?

Yep still got and yes still enjoying it quite a lot. I just added the ABT sways which really helps in the turns as this thing is 4800 plus lbs.

I am not worried about the warranty as that is a 4/50 and I wont keep it that long.

[Mercedes Rock]

Nice car my friend. What a looker.

I thought it was time to join this place. I'm picking up my 2026 M3 Comp/xdive tomorrow and I'm sure I'll be flooding your pm box once again. Rest up.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Rock

Nice car my friend. What a looker.

I thought it was time to join this place. I'm picking up my 2026 M3 Comp/xdive tomorrow and I'm sure I'll be flooding your pm box once again. Rest up.

Oh lord... you finally went to the right side?

[Mercedes Rock]

I've been eyeballing these for a long time. When my Alfa Quad blew its engine at 2,500 miles it was time to make the switch. I've got a lot of reading to do. My first line of business if to correct the stance without screwing up the ride. I know I have to creep on your old threads.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Rock

I've been eyeballing these for a long time. When my Alfa Quad blew its engine at 2,500 miles it was time to make the switch. I've got a lot of reading to do. My first line of business if to correct the stance without screwing up the ride. I know I have to creep on your old threads.

Dravit?

Looks great---

KW HAS for lowering- what I have on my CS. And 15mm square spacers---

[Mercedes Rock]

Yes, Dravit. Your cars always have the perfect stance. Thanks for your help my friend.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Rock

Yes, Dravit. Your cars always have the perfect stance. Thanks for your help my friend.

This bad boy is getting a full ECU tune tomorrow via APR

r33_RGSport Good Ole' Ben tuning Audis while modding Bimmers LOLOL

Dave if you want the KW HAS hit him up- he does all my cars and I mean all since 2018.

RGSport in Irwindale, CA

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by Vic55

This bad boy is getting a full ECU tune tomorrow via APR

r33_RGSport Good Ole' Ben tuning Audis while modding Bimmers LOLOL

Dave if you want the KW HAS hit him up- he does all my cars and I mean all since 2018.

RGSport in Irwindale, CA

Please post your impressions on the tune. I on the fence but it’s calling me!!

[Mercedes Rock]

Originally Posted by Vic55

This bad boy is getting a full ECU tune tomorrow via APR

r33_RGSport Good Ole' Ben tuning Audis while modding Bimmers LOLOL

Dave if you want the KW HAS hit him up- he does all my cars and I mean all since 2018.

RGSport in Irwindale, CA

So don't just add the front Eibach springs and spacers? The full KW HAS kit is the way to go?

I'm really interested in the outcome of your APR tune. My 25 RS6 is finally scheduled next month for APR Stage 1, CETE Lowering Module and the 034 Resonator Delete. The APR tune is the only item that makes me a little nervous. I have used APR in the past on a C7 RS7 with no issues except the tune was detected after the dealership resold my car after the trade-in. They weren't too happy with me. Haha!

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Rock

So don't just add the front Eibach springs and spacers? The full KW HAS kit is the way to go?

I'm really interested in the outcome of your APR tune. My 25 RS6 is finally scheduled next month for APR Stage 1, CETE Lowering Module and the 034 Resonator Delete. The APR tune is the only item that makes me a little nervous. I have used APR in the past on a C7 RS7 with no issues except the tune was detected after the dealership resold my car after the trade-in. They weren't too happy with me. Haha!

Yeah I think the Eibach thing is a preference but I like a more balanced front and rear equal drop so I went with KW.

Ive been rocking KW on cars for decades and KW is the private label maker of the BMW's own HAS aka MPP.

Yeah the tune is going on and I can always pull it and reset the counter. I already have the AWE exhaust which makes the car roar but the APR will add more pops and bangs via the ECU.

Ill update tomorrow about the tune as right now I have a RaceChip piggyback on the car. That has been good with some decent gains but no exhaust adjustments and other cool things that the APR does as you know... and it doesnt have the same amount of gains either.

[Vic55]

Ok so more modding via r33_RGSport aka Ben once again. He sourced all the tools and the process even though he has no love for Audi or my RS6 LOL. Solid service yet again and he actually bought me a coffee too.

APR 91 octane tune is in (sht cali gas)
APR rev limiter pulled
APR POPs and Bangs Enhancement
Few other things like boost gauge stuff and any other options they offered.
Estimated gains on 91 are around 100-120 awhp and 150 awtq = much needed on this 4800 lb sled.

So Ive been running a RaceChip piggy back and while its been good its also been not so fluid with the boost just exploding in the low gears but then not coming on when Im at a higher cruising speed (slower to boost up).

The APR is more powerful for sure- how much? IDK but its stronger. The key is in the higher range where its just more prevalent- in the lower range its very progressive and I love that its like that as its more predictable and linear. Id fathom Im about 20-30 hp stronger than the piggy with a better overall gain(s) thru the rpm curves of course. Its a great add on.

The idle rev limiter removal is geat!!! I have the AWE exhaust and my lord the car is louder by about 40% at a standstill of course since its hitting the higher rpms.

The Pops and Bangs mod is amazing. Its just so enhanced especially in the lower gears where you can just hear it roar and erupt. The downshifts are incredible and the coast down manual ones are just a smile creator. Yes the AWE is great and I have the 11mode Valve Controller to heighten the sensations but Id guestimate that that in the lower coast down and upshifts, the APR mod gives the car about 30% more noise; its that much of an improvement. As for higher speed cruising from like 80-130; the pops and bangs are obviously not as obvious since its higher gear upshifts but you can still tell the car has transformed.

So since my car is a 2025 with a newer build; my tech (Ben at RG Sport in Irwindale CA) rented the Europrice tool (its actually a free deposit) and paid 60 bucks for their SFD2 unlock. This opens the gateway for 90 min and then we used the APR tool to install the tune. The whole process was about 1 hour from SFD2 to tune install.

I recommend it but its not for all as the warranty gets exposed- Im happy.

The smaller tool is the APR install and the larger is the Eurprice thingy

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by G MONEY

Please post your impressions on the tune. I on the fence but it’s calling me!!

Knowing you with better fuel and some other mods- the tune is gonna be superior

[Vic55]

Shit iphone revs

[Mercedes Rock]

That sounds pretty sick, Vic (not trying to be a poet). Anyways, have you had a chance to put a few more miles on the car since the tune? Are you still impressed with this APR tune?

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Rock

That sounds pretty sick, Vic (not trying to be a poet). Anyways, have you had a chance to put a few more miles on the car since the tune? Are you still impressed with this APR tune?

Hey Dave- the tune (around 2k all in) is clearly worth it to me:

Pops and Bangs add
Fluid throttle
Fluid power vs an eruption

Im on 91 so my gain is circa 120 crank awhp so under 100 to wheels and about 120 tq to the crank as well. But this is based of their dynos on 91. I can tell its a better tune than having the piggyback which, while really good and bang for the buck (Racechip) was very strong down low with immediate boost bumps but not great up top over 100 mph. The APR is a true ECU tune and you can tell that its well built/engineered.

[South Ocean1]

Wanted to send along a shout out to Vic55 for highlighting his RS6 purchase. Thanks!

Like many car fans, I have always admired the RS6 but never owned one. Vic’s thread rekindled my interest and as of last week I somehow find myself owning a 24 RS6. My wife is a little less happy than I am right now.

As Vic noted, it is not the fastest or the sharpest handling or the loudest car I have owned, but it really does a remarkable job at being very good at all of those things and being surprisingly comfortable at the same time. I am super impressed. I can now see why they have developed such a loyal following.

I remember trying a 2021 RS6 when they first came out and the Performance model upgrades for 2024 really seem to spice everything up a notch which is very welcome. I also have the Dynamic Ride Control option and that really sharpens up the handling relative to the air suspension model I drove in 2021 which helps too. I will have to live vicariously through the upgrades Vic is making to his RS6 as the Performance model is just enough for me.

Sadly, these RS6s are are getting harder to find with prices going up, as any new production for MY 2026 ended all the way back last summer.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by South Ocean1

Wanted to send along a shout out to Vic55 for highlighting his RS6 purchase. Thanks!

Like many car fans, I have always admired the RS6 but never owned one. Vic’s thread rekindled my interest and as of last week I somehow find myself owning a 24 RS6. My wife is a little less happy than I am right now.

As Vic noted, it is not the fastest or the sharpest handling or the loudest car I have owned, but it really does a remarkable job at being very good at all of those things and being surprisingly comfortable at the same time. I am super impressed. I can now see why they have developed such a loyal following.

I remember trying a 2021 RS6 when they first came out and the Performance model upgrades for 2024 really seem to spice everything up a notch which is very welcome. I also have the Dynamic Ride Control option and that really sharpens up the handling relative to the air suspension model I drove in 2021 which helps too. I will have to live vicariously through the upgrades Vic is making to his RS6 as the Performance model is just enough for me.

Sadly, these RS6s are are getting harder to find with prices going up, as any new production for MY 2026 ended all the way back last summer.

This!!!!

Congrats, post up pics here of the beaut!

[South Ocean1]

Happy to share. Found a Bronze Edition. Love the color combo inside and out.

Need to line up my M5 CS and the RS6 for a photo shoot to see how the BMW gold bronze compares to the Audi matte gold.