Find of the Day: 2003 Audi RS 6 Avant…In The States

words: Bill, photos: Bring A Trailer

I need to change the prescription of my glasses. I spotted this the other day on Bring A Trailer and thought it said S6 Avant not RS 6 Avant so I just skipped over it (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Too bad but not too late. In my defense, who would have thought a C5 RS 6 Avant would be legal in the States with our 25-year import law? So that begs the question…how is this legal in the States?

The thing I love most about Bring A Trailer are the very descriptive ads placed there. It’s not your typical Craigslist ad (ran when parked) and contains more than one or two photos taken with a camera phone from 2001. So I’ll let the ad describe how.

This 2003 Audi RS 6 Avant is finished in Light Silver Metallic over black leather and shows 87k miles. The car is a left-hand-drive model that was sold new in Japan and imported to the US by the selling dealer in 2018. It subsequently received EPA testing before being titled in Arizona in June 2019. Power is sent to all four wheels from a twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 paired with a Tiptronic five-speed automatic transmission. Servicing by the selling dealer has included a new intake manifold gasket, spark plugs, valve cover gaskets, transfer case fluid, front brakes, and more as described in the listing. This C5 RS 6 Avant is now offered by the selling dealer with importation paperwork from the EPA and NHTSA, as well as a clean Carfax report, Japanese records, factory manuals, and a clean Arizona title.

Compared to the contemporary A6 Avant, the RS 6 is distinguished by flared fenders, revised front and rear fascias, a twin-outlet exhaust system, satin silver mirror caps, and unique badging. As shown in the gallery, the paint code on the options label in the trunk is blank, and the seller believes this particular RS 6 was special-ordered in Light Silver Metallic. Both bumpers are said to show evidence of previous paintwork, with the front fenders also having been blended to bumper.

This RS 6 sits lower than stock on Aragosta coilovers, which were added while the car was in Japan. Within the past 200 miles the seller has installed new front brake pads and cross-drilled rotors, a wheel bearing, steering rack boots, and inner tie rod ends. The 19″ five-spoke alloy wheels were recently mounted with 255/35 Pirelli P Zero tires.

Per the seller, the original Euro-spec front seats were replaced with US-spec Audi S6 versions at the time of importation to satisfy NHTSA requirements. The removed seats do not accompany the sale. A Japanese-spec Navigation Plus head unit remains fitted, though it said to have reduced functionality.

Amenities include heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, an electronic stability program, onboard computer, an optional solar-powered sunroof, power accessories, and more. Several buttons show peeling finish, a common occurrence on Audis of this era. Just over 87k miles are shown on the odometer, approximately 200 of which were added by the seller.

In North American tune, the twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 produced 450 horsepower at 5,700 rpm with 415 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels through a five-speed Tiptronic transaxle and Quattro all-wheel drive with a Torsen torque-sensing center differential. Within the past 200 miles the seller has installed a new battery, hood strut, “suction jet” under the intake manifold, intake manifold gasket, spark plugs, and valve cover gaskets. An engine oil and transfer case fluid change was also performed.

Accompanying the vehicle are Japanese-language owner’s manuals, two keys, and a leather portfolio. Documentation in the gallery includes the EPA testing results, a compliance letter from the NHTSA, and stickers on the car for emission control and vehicle safety information.

As you can see, this C5 RS 6 Avant is great shape and can be yours without the hassle of importing and federalizing it but you had better hurry, the auction ends in several hours. You can find the ad HERE and let me know what happens… I’ll be at my optometrist.