Hello I posted this in the Tech section but it seems kind of dead over there so I thought I would try here since this appears to be a much more active forum.


I am considering the purchase of a used A4 or A6 quattro for my next car. Probably looking around the 2002-2005 model years. I am also leaning a little more toword the A6 since it has more room. There seem to a quite a few different drivetrain options available for both of these cars. The most common ones that I see around here are the 1.8t, 2.7t and 3.0.

I am interested to find out what you think is the least problematic Audi drivetrain? Also what will offer the best performance? I'm not looking to go supersonic here but I would like to have some power under my right foot.


I have also considered a used Allroad but not sure if thats right for me or not, I live in Michigan so good winter traction is a must but I prefer the look of the A4 and A6 sedans over the Allroad but at this point an Allroad is not out of the question.


Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

You sort of answered the question yourself.

Let's see. You want acceptable power and reliability, so go for 3.2 V8.

The 2.7 Turbo's are fun, if you don't mind dealing with the turbo lag, and higer maintenance, when compared to 3.2. It sounds like, that you are not the one that will go for chipping and mods, so 3.2 fits again in the picture.

Can't say for 1.8, but if you want to go for Allroad, than that is fine too.

Well I might do some mods. Probably a cold air induction and maybe a chip. I do like to drive fast on occasion....errr... make that everyday. I want something that can feel solid cruising down the highway 120+ mph when I feel the need. (or when some guy in a civic wants to go. lol) This doesn't mean i'm going to beat the snot out of the car but I do like to cruise down the highway at a good clip and have decent enough acceleration. I just don't need to get into something as extreme as an S4 or anything like that.

Basically I guess what i'm saying is I want to find out what you guys consider the most powerful engine for an A6 while still being the most reliable. A happy medium between the 2 is what i'm looking for.


So the 3.2? I have not seen this yet but my knowledge of Audi's is limited. Fortunatly after lurking around for awhile it's obvious that you guys know your stuff. I'm going to search for info on the 3.2

I am sorry...my bad..I meant 4.2 V8...just jumping between two forum website. Well, ifI have to choose between 3.0 and 2.7, then I will definitely choose 2.7. You can do more mods on that, and yes, you will be able to beat the guy in Civic..

Thanks!

what about 3.2 FSI?

FSI is very good engine. up to 2005 A6 though

Is the 3.2 available in the states?


The only ones i've seen around here for A6's are 2.7t, 3.0 and the 4.2.... is the 1.8t an A6 motor? I don't recall seeing one.

3.2 is in the US from 2005 to the present. 4.2 is the most reliable Audi engine.

ORIGINAL: thefunkyone

Is the 3.2 available in the states?


The only ones i've seen around here for A6's are 2.7t, 3.0 and the 4.2.... is the 1.8t an A6 motor? I don't recall seeing one.



Yes 3.2 is in the U.S. but only on newer models (after 2005 or 2006 I believe).
The 1.8T is not an A6 engine.

My choice would be the 4.2, I love the winder stance, that is if you can afford the extra gas associated with the V8.

Well I guess that would depend on how much extra gas we are talking about. I mean if the 2.7 gets 30mpg and the 4.2 gets 18mpg i'll save the cash and go with the 2.7.


How is the 3.0? I havent heard anyone mention that one yet. Is it a poor quality engine? Or really weak?

ORIGINAL: thefunkyone

Well I guess that would depend on how much extra gas we are talking about. I mean if the 2.7 gets 30mpg and the 4.2 gets 18mpg i'll save the cash and go with the 2.7.


How is the 3.0? I havent heard anyone mention that one yet. Is it a poor quality engine? Or really weak?



The least popular engine. Good, but not the best.

I think the 2.7 is probably what i'll look for. The V8 would probably cost more to insure. A 2.7t sounds pretty good. I just watched a vid on youtube of a guy going over 150 mph on the Autobahn in a 2.7t avant. That car seemed pretty stable at that speed too.

I once went 150mph in my friends 95 Z28.... THAT was scary. The car was all over the road.

Also a Michigan driver with a chipped 2.7T - I regularly make a Holland-Detroit-Holland run. The GIAC chip made a huge difference once the rpm's exceed 3000. It LEAPS forward in all gears. In stock form it is electronically limited to 133mph but the chip removes that - I had the speedo bouncing between 147-152 one night. It was solid at that speed, but I was coming up on traffic and had to slow down.

It is rock solid at 70-100+....so much so that I can take both hands off the wheel for 15 seconds and it will track straight. And it is fantastic in snow. I was out this past weekend in Detroit in 6+ inches before they plowed I275 and it had no problem. I could tell the ESP and ABS were working hard at times though, but it never felt out of control. I was driving 40-50 while most other cars were crawling in the 30s.

Best car I ever owned and I intend on doing the maintenance and repairs and keeping it for a long time.

Sweet! if you don't mind me asking did you buy from a local dealer? I work in Holland and was thinking about going to European Autohaus, also Rockford Motors north of GR usually has lots of Audi's.




ORIGINAL: ppgoal

Also a Michigan driver with a chipped 2.7T - I regularly make a Holland-Detroit-Holland run. The GIAC chip made a huge difference once the rpm's exceed 3000. It LEAPS forward in all gears. In stock form it is electronically limited to 133mph but the chip removes that - I had the speedo bouncing between 147-152 one night. It was solid at that speed, but I was coming up on traffic and had to slow down.

It is rock solid at 70-100+....so much so that I can take both hands off the wheel for 15 seconds and it will track straight. And it is fantastic in snow. I was out this past weekend in Detroit in 6+ inches before they plowed I275 and it had no problem. I could tell the ESP and ABS were working hard at times though, but it never felt out of control. I was driving 40-50 while most other cars were crawling in the 30s.

Best car I ever owned and I intend on doing the maintenance and repairs and keeping it for a long time.

Go for an Allroad... Yesterday when I was stuck in an unplowed parking lot, I just raised the suspension up another level and went right out!! ;-)

But Seriously, the 4.2 seems to be a more reliable choice and I don't think the mpg will be much different (a little lower) since the 2.7 is a twin turbo.

Do some searching, but the consensus is that the 4.2 gets better fuel economy on the highway than the 2.7. Not much as you are still in the low 20s either way, but fuel economy is no reason to choose a 2.7 over a 4.2.

Bob - also SE Michigan!

I purchased the A6 in March 2005 from a private party in GR, with 37k on it. Did the warranty work at Delta Imports but since then all work has been done by In-Tune in Holland (616-392-4155). As a matter of fact, it's going in for an oil change and plugs tomorrow.

Thanks guys!


Lot's of good info. The 4.2 is something I will consider. I think it will be either that or the 2.7T.


I'll avoid the 3.0

Yup, i chose the 2.7t just because there are more options as far as tuning is concerned. Also, the sound of a spooling turbo is music to my ears....

ORIGINAL: thefunkyone

Thanks guys!


Lot's of good info. The 4.2 is something I will consider. I think it will be either that or the 2.7T.


I'll avoid the 3.0



You're in the exact spot I was this summer. I ended up buying the 2.7T with a 6 speed because I've always owned a manual. Now that I got married, the wife would like me to havean automatic A6 so once I sell my car I'm getting a 4.2. I love these cars.

I'll probably go automatic. (I know, I know..)


The sound of a turbo is music to my ears as well. Hmmm.... we'll see. Hopefully in another couple months I will find one to my liking.

I think the most realiable combination would be a 4.2 with a manual 6 speed.

Autos still require more maintenance and on high mileage I would be less comfortable getting one. Anyway, what am I talking about. The option is not available in the US... :(

ORIGINAL: katcoota

I think the most realiable combination would be a 4.2 with a manual 6 speed.

Autos still require more maintenance and on high mileage I would be less comfortable getting one. Anyway, what am I talking about. The option is not available in the US... :(


Thanks for rubbing that in:(

How does reliability change in cold weather? I've decided to get an '04 A6, but am really leaning towards the 3.0 for reliability reasons. I don't know how turbos handle the bitter cold.

If I'm getting the 2.7T, though, I'll have to go all out and get the S-line. Then, I will probably keep the car until the day the body rusts off of the frame.

ORIGINAL: allhwydriving

How does reliability change in cold weather? I've decided to get an '04 A6, but am really leaning towards the 3.0 for reliability reasons. I don't know how turbos handle the bitter cold.

If I'm getting the 2.7T, though, I'll have to go all out and get the S-line. Then, I will probably keep the car until the day the body rusts off of the frame.


All I've noticed is that it takes longer to warm up the engine, but that's true for every engine in cold weather. And no engine will have top performance until the oil is warmed up to operating temp.

On a side note, I don't see why the S-Line is going all out? The only differences are cosmetic and a simple tuning. Wouldn't cost that much to make a standard 2.7T better than a S-line.

ORIGINAL: bdmstang
The only differences are cosmetic and a simple tuning. Wouldn't cost that much to make a standard 2.7T better than a S-line.


True, but I'm limiting myself to buying a certified car, and would only do minimal mods to it until the warranty runs out (about 1.5 years at this point)...so I'd rather pay for the S-line to get the higher performance up front.