Buying tools...

I am new to the Audi family and am wanting to purchase a code reader to diagnose any problems that may come up with my 2000 A6 4.2. I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on what I should buy and price ranges. Please keep in mind that I am a novice when it comes to auto repair, especially with the foreign type.

Any obd2 code reader will pull faults for the engine control system.  Other may be able to pull faults in other modules like the brakes and trans as well.  The best you can buy is a vag com.  It will comunicate with all modules on your car.  It will also be able to give you data blocks for all modules which can be very helpful in diagnosis.

Does the Vag Com also work on other makes and models, or is this strictly an Audi, VW component?

VagCom is designed for VW/Audi's, however it still functions as OBDII reader for any OBDII compliant car (that's 1996 and up). It won't give as much detail on non-Audi's, but will show the fault codes. 

You'll also find that VagCom works to unlock several features of your car.  On my 99 A4, I was able to have it reprogrammed so that the horn does not beep when I arm the alarm, the windows can be opened and closed by using the remote, and the doors lock at 15mph automatically and unlock when the engine is shut down and the key removed.  There are other features that are accessible too, depending on your year and make - for example, you can change the country code in the computer from US to Canada and daytime running lights will be enabled (might get you a little break on your insurance).  VagCom is definitely the way to go - it does everything a generic code scanner can do, plus far, far more.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=audi+code+reader&category0=
 

Hey, UpsateNYA4, good points on some of the things Vagcom can do. Just curious, do you know any body that has enabled their DRL (daytime running lights) on an Audi using Vagcom? I'm not sure that this can be done, I paid over $ 150 to have my indie wire up DRL oln my '01 A6, and I have the Vagcom.
 I like having all my windows go up/down with a push of the FOB on a hot summer day, lets the heat out before I even get inside.

I was told that you have to go to the comfort/convenience module in Vag and you'll find the country setting there.  Change it to Canada and it should enable the DRSs.  However, I'm not sure at what model year this was introduced.  I have a pre-facelift 2.8 30v (1999), and was told that my car does not have this - it may be that they could be enabled on facelift cars, or it may be that it's only on the B6 and newer cars - I'm just not sure.  Hiwords and I spent some time going through the system and couldn't find it on my car.  If your car is of a similar model year, you probably won't have it either.

100% agreed on the hot day venting - I used to turn the key in the door lock to vent the car, but now I can do it on the way to the car.  Now if it'd just warm up enough to matter... :)

Thanks for the link, Crazyhawk. It looks like there are Vag Com handhelds along with the PC software version. Anybody have a preference and why? I am guessing one has more options then the other. Is this accurate?