The General's F13 M6 Coupe

[KPM3_30]

Well. Funny enough, I'm at this very point right now that's a battle in my head.

I've spent nearly half the value of the car on repairing it. There is still a little smoke (granted haven't seen any since Tuesday). Car drives great. Powerful. And smooth. Great place to be seated to be honest.
Has a few other little niggles to sort out that need some attention aesthetic wise.

I currently have a trade on deal ready for the trigger to be pulled. The car, a 2017 Audi TT 2.0TFSI is basic, unmodified, has a TTS/RS kit on.
So have a few internal battles going on, do I cancel the deal, drive the M6 another year and risk any "possible" missed or ignored issues on the M6, i.e the smoke.
I now know the engine history, condition and apart from a few things, the car is good.

Or do I let it go, forego the performance side of life for a little while, recover some financial standpoints and look again a little later on for something to scratch the itch.

The costs will relatively be similar, only cost saving is future maintenance and fuel and stress.
Financially, I'm fine with the car, on condition it doesn't need another massive repair or failure.
Brakes still have a good 40% left before havibg replacement, rear tyres are new, front tyres are 70%, motor is fresh, no leaks of any kind.

Downside for the Audi, it's higher mileage, 150000km, decent service history. I don't know much about the TFSI motor. And would hate to take on a car that has other mechanical issues to take care of.

I have been offered a long test drive Monday. So will drive the car around 50km open road, side roads, etc. I'm driving the car a fair bit this weekend to watch for and monitor the smoking issue.

So the mind is very busy right now, and torn in multiple places.

Just check production date, I know the EA888 engines up to 2017 had some reported issues with timing chains and high oil consumption, due to valve stem seals, etc.

That said, a run of the mill Audi vs M car, - cost of upkeep won't ever be similar.. Tough conundrum you're in, take your time to decide and research as much as possible.

 

[MR_Y]

Being an ex Audi Club member, all I can say is watch out for that DSG. It would be the DQ500 wet clutch unit, I assume. But still needs more babying and preventative maintenance than a ZF Auto. The 2.0 TSFI motors are a known quantity. Oil leaks with age will come. Being FWD (or AWD if you are looking at the Quattro 169kw 2.0T), it will not be as fun as your RWD cars.

I test drove a mk3 TTS back in 2020. These cars are ballistic straight-line missiles. But they lack soul. Also, the underpinnings being Golf derived means that it lacks the composure of a proper sports car. Small mid corner bumps upset the car's balance.

My advice is to get a Porsche Cayman or a 911 instead

Or a nice used M240i or M340i. I would take either over a TT or TTS.

 

[Bugger]

Well. Funny enough, I'm at this very point right now that's a battle in my head.

I've spent nearly half the value of the car on repairing it. There is still a little smoke (granted haven't seen any since Tuesday). Car drives great. Powerful. And smooth. Great place to be seated to be honest.
Has a few other little niggles to sort out that need some attention aesthetic wise.

I currently have a trade on deal ready for the trigger to be pulled. The car, a 2017 Audi TT 2.0TFSI is basic, unmodified, has a TTS/RS kit on.
So have a few internal battles going on, do I cancel the deal, drive the M6 another year and risk any "possible" missed or ignored issues on the M6, i.e the smoke.
I now know the engine history, condition and apart from a few things, the car is good.

Or do I let it go, forego the performance side of life for a little while, recover some financial standpoints and look again a little later on for something to scratch the itch.

The costs will relatively be similar, only cost saving is future maintenance and fuel and stress.
Financially, I'm fine with the car, on condition it doesn't need another massive repair or failure.
Brakes still have a good 40% left before havibg replacement, rear tyres are new, front tyres are 70%, motor is fresh, no leaks of any kind.

Downside for the Audi, it's higher mileage, 150000km, decent service history. I don't know much about the TFSI motor. And would hate to take on a car that has other mechanical issues to take care of.

I have been offered a long test drive Monday. So will drive the car around 50km open road, side roads, etc. I'm driving the car a fair bit this weekend to watch for and monitor the smoking issue.

So the mind is very busy right now, and torn in multiple places.

This is like having a wife and a mistress and a girlfriend for good measure.

 

[General.Massacre]

Being an ex Audi Club member, all I can say is watch out for that DSG. It would be the DQ500 wet clutch unit, I assume. But still needs more babying and preventative maintenance than a ZF Auto. The 2.0 TSFI motors are a known quantity. Oil leaks with age will come. Being FWD (or AWD if you are looking at the Quattro 169kw 2.0T), it will not be as fun as your RWD cars.

I test drove a mk3 TTS back in 2020. These cars are ballistic straight-line missiles. But they lack soul. Also, the underpinnings being Golf derived means that it lacks the composure of a proper sports car. Small mid corner bumps upset the car's balance.

My advice is to get a Porsche Cayman or a 911 instead

Or a nice used M240i or M340i. I would take either over a TT or TTS.

Thanks for the feedback here. I'd love a porsche, I'm just not there yet lol. And an M240i, possibly later. If I do sell the M6, I'm taking a break from the performance cars for a bit. The TT is "sports car-esque" but not technically a performance car. So will see.

That TT I'm interested in this one.

Audi TT Coupe 2.0TFSI for sale in Milnerton - ID: 28031020

Used 2017 Audi TT Coupe 2.0TFSI For Sale - R 329 995 - ID: 28031020

www.autotrader.co.za

It looks decent. It's not perfect by any means, but with what you're saying about valve stem seals, etc etc, at 150k, there is no record of major maintenance being done. Just services, and brakes.
Other than that, it's as it is.



Engine needs a thorough clean which they will apparently do as part of the valet.

The M6 is behaving today or most of the week, so can't complain about the car. Will report back tomorrow or Monday on the progress.

 

[MR_Y]

Thanks for the feedback here. I'd love a porsche, I'm just not there yet lol. And an M240i, possibly later. If I do sell the M6, I'm taking a break from the performance cars for a bit. The TT is "sports car-esque" but not technically a performance car. So will see.

That TT I'm interested in this one.

Audi TT Coupe 2.0TFSI for sale in Milnerton - ID: 28031020

Used 2017 Audi TT Coupe 2.0TFSI For Sale - R 329 995 - ID: 28031020

www.autotrader.co.za

It looks decent. It's not perfect by any means, but with what you're saying about valve stem seals, etc etc, at 150k, there is no record of major maintenance being done. Just services, and brakes.
Other than that, it's as it is.

View attachment 28552

Engine needs a thorough clean which they will apparently do as part of the valet.

The M6 is behaving today or most of the week, so can't complain about the car. Will report back tomorrow or Monday on the progress.

I had a Mk2 TT. As a sporty-ish car, it is decent. Cargo space is also good with the rear seats folded.
On my TT, besides phantom oil consumption (didn't know when it was going), coolant leaks are another thing to look out for.
But, these are basically a GTI in sexier clothing. With the number of GTIs out there, I doubt that parts and expertise will be hard to find. My gut feel is that it may give you less (or almost zero) headaches than the M6. Looking forward to the updates and appreciate all your experience as documented on this thread - a wealth of knowledge for potential M6 buyers 👍

 

[General.Massacre]

I had a Mk2 TT. As a sporty-ish car, it is decent. Cargo space is also good with the rear seats folded.
On my TT, besides phantom oil consumption (didn't know when it was going), coolant leaks are another thing to look out for.
But, these are basically a GTI in sexier clothing. With the number of GTIs out there, I doubt that parts and expertise will be hard to find. My gut feel is that it may give you less (or almost zero) headaches than the M6. Looking forward to the updates and appreciate all your experience as documented on this thread - a wealth of knowledge for potential M6 buyers 👍

Thank you man.
I can't deny it's a great looking car also, took it for a short test ride and it's snug, precise on the turns. It's got enough power for what it is, and looks the part too.

Yea your point about getting less or zero headaches as opposed to the M6, absolutely agree, it's a no fuss car in comparison, needing only but the basics for maintenance from what I'm seeing. However water pumps do seem to be a problem, as are timing chains higher in the odometer they go.

So a trade off of one concern for another concern possibly. Sigh... the decisions one must make in this life 🤣

 

[San11]

Thanks for the feedback here. I'd love a porsche, I'm just not there yet lol. And an M240i, possibly later. If I do sell the M6, I'm taking a break from the performance cars for a bit. The TT is "sports car-esque" but not technically a performance car. So will see.

That TT I'm interested in this one.

Audi TT Coupe 2.0TFSI for sale in Milnerton - ID: 28031020

Used 2017 Audi TT Coupe 2.0TFSI For Sale - R 329 995 - ID: 28031020

www.autotrader.co.za

It looks decent. It's not perfect by any means, but with what you're saying about valve stem seals, etc etc, at 150k, there is no record of major maintenance being done. Just services, and brakes.
Other than that, it's as it is.

Engine needs a thorough clean which they will apparently do as part of the valet.

The M6 is behaving today or most of the week, so can't complain about the car. Will report back tomorrow or Monday on the progress.

Just an idea, if you are considering downscaling for peace of mind motoring and financial stability whilst also wanting to retain the style of a sleek coupe, why not consider a 220D or 420D? I'm pretty sure that you would be able to find a far more decent example than this specific TT (for which the red flags already seem clear).

 

[swazi85]

For the meantime though, the 305 tyres were fitted to the rear, the old 295 tyres still had a fair bit of tread of them, but they showed age, so I didn't even bother keeping them to resell, so I left them at the TyreMart. As I noted some cracking etc on the rubber. So I left with the 305s.

Here is a Pic of them fitted.
View attachment 28462View attachment 28463
View attachment 28467

I also did a wash evening for the bike and the car as I did a bit of a Sunday ride with the bike.
View attachment 28464View attachment 28465

Some pics of the bikes.
View attachment 28468View attachment 28469View attachment 28471View attachment 28470

Seems like we have quite similar tastes. Also just picked up a xdiavel myself. Quite a machine compared to my Harley Vrod’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peter@AEW]

I would give the sewing machines a miss and keep the 6.
3 times the driving pleasure for twice the cost.

With regards the oil burn I would let the engine run in for a few more Kms before being concerned.
Rings take some time to settle.

 

[TurboLlew]

I don't think you'll go wrong barking up the Porsche tree. It might end up being the same/cheaper long term and the joy it brings vs. a TT is definitely tangible (ask @MR_Y )

If you have had an M6 already there is no going back. It may give you some peace of mind for a while, but VWs and Audis are not flawless/cheap and cheerful things either, even though their communities will make them out to be this way.

You tend to fixate on the current huge investment into the vehicle and have anxiety about more coming. When I have done this in the past, I have had the misfortune of watching the next owner enjoy it trouble free for a very long time, basically on my dime. I am sure there is some 'inverse' to the sunk-cost fallacy. You are also very nearly 'there' in terms of genuinely having nothing left to fix.

The other thing that this sort of experience does is that it makes you also look outside (much like if your relationship is on the rocks) and you imagine everyone else has it SO MUCH better or easier. You also start to get ever more nit-picky on small issues. If I think about going into a peasant 220d/420d repmobile after an M6, you may be happy for a while , but when funds return to 'normal' and R200K looks like a rounding error some distance into the future, you will regret it.

Bear in mind the 'replacement' for this in the current generation is an M8 Comp which is now R3.4M and your M6 was, towards the end of it's lifecycle, a R2.1M car. These repairs are the price you pay for owning it but the joy it brings is supposed to balance it out. For the performance/experience on offer, BMWs are not terrible vs. things of similar complexity and performance. If it no longer brings you this joy (or you can't see it happening) then maybe consider selling. Also don't forget a good portion of this pain is the botched repair work as well which is now rectified.

 

[Pisancho]

I don't think you'll go wrong barking up the Porsche tree. It might end up being the same/cheaper long term and the joy it brings vs. a TT is definitely tangible (ask @MR_Y )

If you have had an M6 already there is no going back. It may give you some peace of mind for a while, but VWs and Audis are not flawless/cheap and cheerful things either, even though their communities will make them out to be this way.

You tend to fixate on the current huge investment into the vehicle and have anxiety about more coming. When I have done this in the past, I have had the misfortune of watching the next owner enjoy it trouble free for a very long time, basically on my dime. I am sure there is some 'inverse' to the sunk-cost fallacy. You are also very nearly 'there' in terms of genuinely having nothing left to fix.

The other thing that this sort of experience does is that it makes you also look outside (much like if your relationship is on the rocks) and you imagine everyone else has it SO MUCH better or easier. You also start to get ever more nit-picky on small issues. If I think about going into a peasant 220d/420d repmobile after an M6, you may be happy for a while , but when funds return to 'normal' and R200K looks like a rounding error some distance into the future, you will regret it.

Bear in mind the 'replacement' for this in the current generation is an M8 Comp which is now R3.4M and your M6 was, towards the end of it's lifecycle, a R2.1M car. These repairs are the price you pay for owning it but the joy it brings is supposed to balance it out. For the performance/experience on offer, BMWs are not terrible vs. things of similar complexity and performance. If it no longer brings you this joy (or you can't see it happening) then maybe consider selling. Also don't forget a good portion of this pain is the botched repair work as well which is now rectified.


View attachment 28572

Agreed. My 640i cost about 100k total with mods (Hybrid turbo, 7.5inch race intercooler etc) and repairs (Valve cover, Brakes etc. All things that you would replace at 100k km for a typical BMW). Car is now at 110k km. Its done about 20k km in a year and initially you doubt the purchase as the typical person says German cars get expensive and they can be but its well worth it. And the car has been flawless in the last 20k km (done in a year) tuned also and never left me stranded.

The car makes me very happy and will be further upgrading it with an upgraded fuel pump and a Pure turbo when the current hybrid turbo hits 50k km. (I can then scare your M6 when I am in CPT for holiday at the robots wondering how the hell is a 640i taking me lol).

I will gladly spend another 100k to keep it on the road for over 200k km and can see myself hitting 300k with it. Your M6 would not be having all these issues if it wasn't for the mess created before. And your reference to the M8 is excellent. You need to spend over 3.4M to get the same as your M6. Whatever money you spent is a drop in the ocean compared to the M8. That is how I view it also with my 640i, with the money spent on upgrades and performance I am nowhere near half what the 840i costs new.

I would keep the M6 personally. You will sell it after having done all the work just for someone else to enjoy the car with no issues. It's like giving up on a business after spending years growing it just to give up when it's on the brink of taking off.

 

[Gordvisr]

I would keep the M if i were you, yes you did spend quite a lot of moola on repairs, hence knowing what has been done vs might go through it again. The Audi engines can also grenade on you. with bills on my guess higher than what you paid for repairs on the M6.
I would wait a while with the smoke as Uncle Peter mentioned. if they do not clear, replace the valve covers.

 

[tamgoem]

Wait after all this and all the money spent you now want to sell? Are you effing mad?

Honest question, how much did you buy it for, how much have you spent fixing it and how much of a loss are you gonna take once you sell it?

 

[M3boi]

Wait after all this and all the money spent you now want to sell? Are you effing mad?

Honest question, how much did you buy it for, how much have you spent fixing it and how much of a loss are you gonna take once you sell it?

Agreed. The last thing I would do after all of this is sell.

Keep it, use it, enjoy it. You're married now 😂

 

[Bugger]

These guys are sense now JD. If all else fails get yourself a cheap Hyundai i20 to run around to work in and dent and what not.

 

[MR_Y]

Wait after all this and all the money spent you now want to sell? Are you effing mad?

Honest question, how much did you buy it for, how much have you spent fixing it and how much of a loss are you gonna take once you sell it?

Just want to drop my 2c ....
I think even after spending big 💰 on a car, one can have had enough (pleasure and heartache) with a car and sometimes one needs to cut the losses and move on to the next adventure.
If you can afford (rather, stomach) the loss, then move on to the next adventure 👍

(Speaking from experience with an E85 money pit )

 

[tamgoem]

These guys are sense now JD. If all else fails get yourself a cheap Hyundai i20 to run around to work in and dent and what not.

This.

It is not a new car, it is a old BMW, a old BMW with all the associated old BMW issues, a old performant variant of a old BMW heavily depreciated that ends up in the hands of those who should not own it with the associated old BMW issues, a old M BMW with it's own unique set of problems.

No matter what you buy if it's gonna be a M car that is past motorplan age,perhaps even ready to go to highscool age you are gonna be in for bills. You can buy a AMG, or a RS audi it's still gonna be the same. You can get a porker and you will have your own set of other costs there.

Horsepower always comes at a cost.

 

[Greenz]

Traded in?

 

[ecKARd]

Traded in?

Think I saw it on FB, but the advert didn't mention the work done recently.

 

[General.Massacre]

Morning all.

So you update this. I had decided to continue with the car and keep it.
I ordered new oil to do a service and inspect oil with the correct oil going forward, this was done last week Tuesday.
What i found was concerning to me.


View attachment 20250610_091537.mp4

I know there is generally some residue after a rebuild, but this is 4000km and a total of 5 oil changes now post rebuild.

For context, when I purchased the car 2 years ago, @osiris and i did the customary oil changes as you will see in the start if this thread. And back then, after the main rebuild from the previous owner/shop, we saw the same gold glitter in the oil, and after research we put it down to the pist rebuild quirks of residual residue, fast forward to that we know now from the state of the bearings, it was not the case.
Here is an image of the oil after purchasing the car back in 2023.


The condition and glitter is identical.

So my thoughts here are very negative, and as such, I've decided to trade the car in. There is a possibility that the motor is fine, and this could just be post rebuild particulate that was trapped in the oil cooler etc. But, after what I've just been through, and the costs I've incurred, I am taking a logical step back.
I know a few people here would disagree with the decision, but it's not a risk im wanting to take right now.
As a positive, the M6 is very strong, and does drive impeccably, and when I say strong, it is STUPIDLY strong, just my views on the condition of the oil and what came out. Have put an enormous amount of doubt in my mind.

So as sad as a day it is, I need to put my emotional attachment to the car aside, this is not to say I won't own another one later on in my life, but for now, im taking a break.

As a side note, I would like to thank everyone's input in this thread, the advice and help I've received from many members has been invaluable. And this is not the end, just a sabbatical.
Ill post the new car replacement in a seperate thread, spoiler, it's not a BMW. And the reason was due to the trade value that a dealer could give me, I was looking fir the most I could possibly get.

Thanks again all. My M6 journey has come to end, and I've learnt a shit ton.