The 2007 model year brought one of Audi’s most unexpected and notable cars to date: The V10-powered S6 sedan. For a brief period between 2007 and 2011, buyers could experience a touch of Lamborghini in their luxury sports sedans, and it remains a compelling option on the used car market today. Here’s what you need to know.
The S6 slots between the A6 and RS6, the latter of which was not offered in the United States from 2007 to 2011. Known as the C6 generation, Audi A6 cars from that era featured a 5.2-liter V10 FSI DOHC engine, which is related to the 5.0-liter mill used in the Lamborghini Gallardo at the time. The Audi engine was rated at 435 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, which reached all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. That combination was potent enough to deliver a 5.1-second 0-60 time in early models. Audi also quoted an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
The third-generation S6 started in the mid-$70,000 range when it was new, but used examples can now be had for a fraction of that number. At the time of writing in January 2026, there are four S6 sedans for sale on Autotrader. The least expensive example, priced at $4,750, has 149,000 miles, while the most expensive costs $15,500 with 94,000 miles.
Those are attractive prices for what is essentially a four-door supercar in a tuxedo with impressive specs. Still, it’s important to remember two things: First, a high-strung, sporty engine can be temperamental and may not be the most dependable vehicle for daily driving. Second, heavily depreciated cars don’t come with heavily depreciated maintenance costs. Parts, labor, and other factors come with costs aligned with the S6’s original MSRP, so it’s reasonable to expect more expensive visits to the repair shop.
Find a third-generation Audi S6 for sale near you.
What to Know About the Used Third-Generation Audi S6
Even the best cared-for examples can bring serious surprises down the road.
- Fuel Costs: The 2007 Audi S6 was rated at 14/19/16 mpg city/highway/combined. To put that into perspective, the full-size 2026 Chevrolet Suburban reaches 23 mpg combined. The fuel type for the S6 is premium gasoline.
- Parts Costs: The V10-powered S6 has larger brakes and other performance-oriented components that often cost way more than expected.
- Purchase Price: Some of the used models available for sale are priced aggressively due to having already accumulated some problems.
2007 Audi S6 Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Size & Type | 5.2L V10 spark-ignition direct injection |
| Horsepower | 435 hp @ 6800 rpm |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft @ 3000–4000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic and shift lock |
| 0–60 mph | 5.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | Electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) |
| Fuel Economy (EPA) | 14 mpg city / 19 mpg highway / 16 mpg combined |
Third-Generation Audi S6 Common Issues
Many owners cite carbon buildup as one of the most common issues, but it’s good to note that the S6’s direct-injection engine is not alone in experiencing this problem. Many similarly designed engines have this issue, which can reduce power and fuel economy and cause other problems.
Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Chris O’Neill contributed to the report.
Everyone should buy heavily depreciated German sport sedans… life is too short to spend driving boring reliable cars. There’s a real excitement to fixing old German cars, and the joy out of making a supposedly “unreliable” car into a reliable one is incomparable. I’ve been daily driving a 2000 540it for 38k miles now and it’s never left me stranded. It’s currently at 212k miles and I plan to keep driving it for as long as I can.
If you buy this, you should also be preparing for an engine out reseal at some point
my dad had a 07 s8 very cool but i would not touch it with a ten foot pole unless low miles and its your all time fave car. the v10 should last but its not without its issues i think my dad had to do injectors and tons of carbon build up cleanings he had the car from 20000km to about 100000km it got to a point where maintenance was $1500 to $3000 a year
That amount for maintenance on a car like this would be wholly reasonable. Hell, I average $2,500/year on my 2011 Mustang GT (when you include tires) and it’s been a reasonably reliable car. I would guess your dad was spending a lot more than that if he dumped it.
It really doesn’t make sense to buy unless you don’t mind spending plenty on maintenance and repairs. Look at the W211 E55. You can find many around $10k.
It may cost used Honda Civic money, but its maintenance cost for a year would equal about 5 years of maintenance for the Honda
Interesting:
“The cash price is $11499. The finance price is is $12499.”
I’ve bought a LOT of cars and thankfully haven’t come across that gem. Is that common? I know what price I would be looking to pay regardless. $11,499…or less.
It is semi-common, especially with bad credit dealerships.
Saw that too. “But look, we’re giving you a great interest rate!”
How is the Lambo V-10 reliability in general? This sounds like the perfect makings of an addition to Hoovie’s garage.
I believe he bought a silver one for his upcoming TV-series!