I'm looking at getting a 2000-2003 A6 4.2LRelatively new to Audi's but I do love European cars. I just started selling cars at Maplewood Audi and definatley will be getting into one, however i dont know if the 4.3L is a good motor or if there are a lot of issues with this model. I used to be a Volvo fanatic and just 4 months ago purchased a 850R. I have always wanted this peticular car and now that I have it I want to upgrade to something newer and better. Being that I will be working for Maplewood Audi, I hope to get a good deal on a used 4.2L. If anyone has any facts for me to assist in my engine selection I'd appreciate it. Also love the wide body on the 4.2L. Thats probably what draws me to the 4.2L the most. I have a friend that just sold his RS6 a little over a year ago to get a Ferrari. He has always owned Audi so I think that with his experiences with them Its a safe bet on the 4.2L

The 4.2 is a great motor. I've heard from several that it's one of their most reliable. There's not much in the area of performance mods but it puts out a lot of "stock" power. It's not as "fun" to drive as the 2.7T IMHO but like you said, theres something about the wide body that draws you to it. Try to get the sport package. It looks a little better (larger wheels, sits lower, etc..). I bought mine new and I've never had a problem (knock on wood) but I'm pretty good about maintaining it. The 2.7 has "issues" but I bought it used just this year. Nothing major but most of it is due to lack of maintenance. Welcome and good luck.

4.2 is a good motor if you take care of it. The wider body definatly sets it apart. I agree with dennie, try and find one with the sport package. really nice cars with plenty of power!

I too am thinking about an A6 4.2, having just totaled my A6 2.8. I know where there is a 2000 with the sport pkg. but am very leary of the miles, 211K . I suppose if I could get it chaep enough I could afford to put some $ into it, but I don't know, those kind of miles scare me. Have not seen the car yet, there asking $7000.00 service records to 140K BENG

I drove Volvo 850's for years and loved them. I always wanted to get a R but just never got ride of my 93. Great car, traded it in with 313k miles on it for my 2000 A6 2.8l. Although I loved my 850 and would have loved a 850 R even more, I don't regret buying my A6 at all. The 2.8l A6 has more pickup then my 850 5cylinder so I could only imagine what the 2.7 or the 4.2 would feel like.

Hey since you are local to me (assuming you work for Maplewood Audi in MN) do I get a discount on parts?

guys guys. there are a lot of performance parts for our 4.2l you just need to know where to look.

so to convince youmstager

click on the link in my sig.

ORIGINAL: mstager

I'm looking at getting a 2000-2003 A6 4.2LRelatively new to Audi's but I do love European cars. I just started selling cars at Maplewood Audi and definatley will be getting into one, however i dont know if the 4.3L is a good motor or if there are a lot of issues with this model. I used to be a Volvo fanatic and just 4 months ago purchased a 850R. I have always wanted this peticular car and now that I have it I want to upgrade to something newer and better. Being that I will be working for Maplewood Audi, I hope to get a good deal on a used 4.2L. If anyone has any facts for me to assist in my engine selection I'd appreciate it. Also love the wide body on the 4.2L. Thats probably what draws me to the 4.2L the most. I have a friend that just sold his RS6 a little over a year ago to get a Ferrari. He has always owned Audi so I think that with his experiences with them Its a safe bet on the 4.2L



I always wanted a Yellow 850R....If you have a 850R, why not geta S60R\V70R?there're newer and better then the 850R. The V70R will be my next car, there not as big as the 4.2 A6, but there're way faster and a little less to keep up.

ORIGINAL: Baskin 4.2l

guys guys. there are a lot of performance parts for our 4.2l you just need to know where to look.

so to convince youmstager

click on the link in my sig.


I'll check out this link. Thanks.

I test drove a V70 while shopping for my next car last year. At the time I was still driving the 850 and was very dissapointed with the build quality of the v70. My 93 850 with 313k miles on it all the door panels were in perfect shape, still holding up very well. All the door handles worked, windows never game me any problems, people were always shocked that the car had 313k on it since it was in excellent condition (the inside that is). When I test drove the 2001 v70, the interior was made of really cheap plasitc, when you pulled the door shut the panel pulled away from the door. When you opened and shut the windows the panels moved in and out. Buttons on the climate control were worn, the headliner was falling, you push the sunroof button and the plastic surround moved with it. I looked at 3 S70's and 1 V70 and 1 S80 and they all had the same build quality. Ford build quality, not surprising since Ford owns them. I had a hard time seeing myself downgrade in quality and feel while gaining a car payment. Dissapointed, my partner kept telling me to drive the 00 A6 wagon in the corner of the lot (like the lemon I though Audis were having never heard a good thing about them). I get in and immediately feel like I just stepped into a quality car. Everything is firm, crisp and the attention to detail is amazing. I The dealer hands me the keys and I take it for a test drive. The engine is smooth, confident and doesn't sound like my Volvo's Hoover Vacuum. Needless to say I bought the Audi and will never go back to Volvo.

Volvos were great cars until Ford started to interfere with their build quality. Now I'm sure they are still great cars like Saabs. But all the Volvos/Saabs I have driven since Ford/GM takeovers have been huge dissapointments. I drove Saabs for years before I switched to Volvo, and I guess I'm onto Audi's now. I still think Saabs look hot.

edit: I know that was off topic, I just love talking cars.

i absolutely love mine and it's great for the winters here in indiana where we get a decent amount of snow/ice. the only other car that i would trade it for would be another audi, probably a newer s4, like a '04 or something so it still has the 4.2 v8 in it!

If you know anyone who wants my 97 850R its for sale. Red in color, has 18" wheels and 15" snow tires and wheels. Leather is two-tone suede and in great condition. far is a great and strong runner with no rust. asking $6000.00 b/o priced way under KBB has 170k on it but the previous owner was a 55 year old guy who had its service done at Kline Volvo and traded it into them for a new S60R. I want to sell it and get my A6 4.2L i also have a 95 850 wagon, black on black, 17' Volan wheels new motor being installed today will sell either one. The wagon will go for 3500.00 cuz of the 2000 I just put in on motor and install

Deffinitly get the 4.2 there are lots of mods for the 4.2. check out the guys atvastlike inbaskins sig I got a few things from them from all the searching I have done that is the place to go. I will do some tesing soon and post results..but deffinitly a cool car

The s60R is not faster than the 4.2 by any means. I test drove the 2006 s60r manual and was unimpressed with the feel and hard acceleration. Handling was mushy and the build, like others mentioned, was really cheap. I also drove the 2001 mercedes 430 coupe which was a huge dissapointment, the 540i manual which was dissapointing as well, and settled on the audi. Better acceleration/power, world class interior and just an all around better car. Build quality is fantastic. Volvo's ..aside form the s60 have always been underpowered soccer mom rigs. Aside from the viggen, the same goes for saab. They all have their pro's and con's butthe difference fromvolvo to audi is like comparing ground hamburger to filet mignon. The one car I did drive which was bad ass in build quality, power, and refinement was the 2005 Jaguar X-type R supercharged model. 400 horses at your foot and that car goes. The audi was cheaper in price. I've had the volvos and saabs in my family and IMHO they are to Europe what ford and chevy are to america. Basic cars. Nice, but basic.

ORIGINAL: prbayha

The s60R is not faster than the 4.2 by any means. I test drove the 2006 s60r manual and was unimpressed with the feel and hard acceleration. I've had the volvos and saabs in my family and IMHO they are to Europe what ford and chevy are to america. Basic cars. Nice, but basic.



This about sums it up for me as well...just add BMW...but BMW is a great car but now I have a Audi so they are not all that great

theyre all good motors if u treat them nice. the 4.2 will just eat more gas than the 2.7, but both are nice

I'm looking at a 2000 A6 4.2 with 157k miles and $8900. I also am concerned about the miles. Anyone out there have any experiences with a 200k miles or more 4.2?

ORIGINAL: prbayha

The s60R is not faster than the 4.2 by any means. I test drove the 2006 s60r manual and was unimpressed with the feel and hard acceleration. Handling was mushy and the build, like others mentioned, was really cheap. I also drove the 2001 mercedes 430 coupe which was a huge dissapointment, the 540i manual which was dissapointing as well, and settled on the audi. Better acceleration/power, world class interior and just an all around better car. Build quality is fantastic. Volvo's ..aside form the s60 have always been underpowered soccer mom rigs. Aside from the viggen, the same goes for saab. They all have their pro's and con's butthe difference fromvolvo to audi is like comparing ground hamburger to filet mignon. The one car I did drive which was bad ass in build quality, power, and refinement was the 2005 Jaguar X-type R supercharged model. 400 horses at your foot and that car goes. The audi was cheaper in price. I've had the volvos and saabs in my family and IMHO they are to Europe what ford and chevy are to america. Basic cars. Nice, but basic.



I don't know about that, The Volvo S60R dosea 14.2 1/4 mile time, V70R 14.4. The V70R manual was my first pick but I couldn't fine one. The S60 manualI looked at, I would have brought, but the back seat was to small for my car seat, so I got the A6 S-Line, I'm disappointed in the speed of the 2.7's auto, with the S4 engine I thought it would be faster stock then what it is. I like the S-Line build quality, it's off the hook, but it's just not fast enought for me and I cant see the 4.2's that much faster. I'm going to keepit for a year and trade it for a V70R

The dealer also had a 2005 Jag S-Type R, it was $5000 more then the Audi. Far as speed, the Jag is putting down RS 6 1/4 mile times, I researched this because I was thinking aboutbuying it, but I know the history of Jaguar bearking down on you.

Yeah..the reliability on the JAGS has always been sketchy but that car is pretty wild. I have been entertaining the idea of picking one up.

ORIGINAL: Baskin 4.2l

guys guys. there are a lot of performance parts for our 4.2l you just need to know where to look.

so to convince youmstager

click on the link in my sig.


What kind of numbers are you getting with the Vast upgrade.

I love my 4.2 and have had very little problems. 99% of the work that I've had done in the 3 years that I've owned it has been general maintenance. Mine has the sport package and I highly recommend getting some aftermarket mufflers installed. Nothing beats the sound with the V8.

ORIGINAL: prbayha

The s60R is not faster than the 4.2 by any means. I test drove the 2006 s60r manual and was unimpressed with the feel and hard acceleration. Handling was mushy and the build, like others mentioned, was really cheap. I also drove the 2001 mercedes 430 coupe which was a huge dissapointment, the 540i manual which was dissapointing as well, and settled on the audi. Better acceleration/power, world class interior and just an all around better car. Build quality is fantastic. Volvo's ..aside form the s60 have always been underpowered soccer mom rigs. Aside from the viggen, the same goes for saab. They all have their pro's and con's butthe difference fromvolvo to audi is like comparing ground hamburger to filet mignon. The one car I did drive which was bad ass in build quality, power, and refinement was the 2005 Jaguar X-type R supercharged model. 400 horses at your foot and that car goes. The audi was cheaper in price. I've had the volvos and saabs in my family and IMHO they are to Europe what ford and chevy are to america. Basic cars. Nice, but basic.



The S60R will blow the doors off of the 4.2! It's a smaller car and is built for speed. Those things are fast as hell. I would buy one in a heart beat if they had dual exhaust. That's the only thing that has kept me from buying one.

I've driven both and your wrong. In fact, about 2 hours apart from one another.

2nd that I have driven both as well. The S60 is a good performer Hp wise they are about the same 300. accel times are close as well.

Dmdrdennie

The 4.2l upgrades are hard to calculate for me because I have done so Manny

but I know they have a Cat back that should be good for 10
the EFK this gets rid of the heavy fan from the front of the motor that should be 5-10
I know they have the LWCP (light weight crank pulley) that should be good for 5-10 as well
the have the cold air intake....hp I don't know....3-7 more less I don't know
then they have the tuning. I know this made the most difference in my car say 25+

I would say total on the low side of the figures
10 for the exhaust
5 for the EFK
5 for the crank
5for the intake
20for the chip
= 45+hp

I am supposed to talk to the guys there later next week I will get some info for all that are interested and post

let me know if you guys are interested and I will do the digging I just checked there web site and they don't have it updated with any of the stuff so I will ask

I am interested in getting the details on the 4.2 mods. I wouls also like to know if they are any mods available for the 05 4.2

Ditto to the MODS. I will be out of warranty in July and would like to entertain the thought of that manual gearbox upgrade. My TIP is on the way out and will be too expensive to replace. I am also interested on the true gains when ECU Chipping. The gains reported don't seem worth the money spent. What are the best combination of MODS to get the most out of the motor without breakiong the bank?

BTW - 0-60 times on the S60 is 6.1 seconds. 4.2 is 6.0. Torgue in the higher end will be much better with the V8. I saw an S60 on youtube last night that was modded big time to beat an M5. That was cool butstock they are pretty much identical.

ORIGINAL: prbayha

I've driven both and your wrong. In fact, about 2 hours apart from one another.


I'm not sure if your thinking about the S60R or not? I have a 4.2 A6 and I have also driven the S60R and the R is much quicker. I'm not talking about a stock S60. Not wrong...

ORIGINAL: Baskin 4.2l

let me know if you guys are interested and I will do the digging I just checked there web site and they don't have it updated with any of the stuff so I will ask


Yea, I'm interested. Let me know if it's no problem. I assumed that there had to be more available than what the website listed. Thanks.

ORIGINAL: prbayha

Ditto to the MODS. I will be out of warranty in July and would like to entertain the thought of that manual gearbox upgrade. My TIP is on the way out and will be too expensive to replace. I am also interested on the true gains when ECU Chipping. The gains reported don't seem worth the money spent. What are the best combination of MODS to get the most out of the motor without breakiong the bank?

BTW - 0-60 times on the S60 is 6.1 seconds. 4.2 is 6.0. Torgue in the higher end will be much better with the V8. I saw an S60 on youtube last night that was modded big time to beat an M5. That was cool butstock they are pretty much identical.


http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt1848.shtml4.2 A6 15.5 1/4 mile time
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2237a.shtmlS60 R 14.4 1/4 mile time (6 speed)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGrbGVHXqZQVideo of the 2007 Audi RS 4 from motorweek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmsTSw0zuQEVideo of the 2008 VW R32 from motorweek

I saw that video too, I think both cars was stock.
Earlier I said the S60R could beat the 4.2 A6, here are the numbers from motorweek, they test drive new cars if you haven't seen the show before, it come on the speed channel and the MPT network.

Thank you for the research. Sure looks like the S60R is a little quicker...

The S60R is a sled! Back in 2005 I was in the market for a new car and drove the 05' S60R at Cherry Hill Volvo in Nj and asked the sales consultant if the emergency brake was on. This car suffers from soomuch turbo lag it is ridiculous. Forget the numbers, get in the cars and drive them. I was sold on the S60R from everything I read and researched until I drove it. Then there's the interior, argh! So much plastic! The one thing I will say about the Volvo is that the quality and typeof leather used on the interior was excellent.
-Just a thought-