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2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T?

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2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/4/2008 11:07:59 AM   
BiggerMike

 

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Didn't really find much in a search.

I posted recently that I was considering a Passat W8 or an A6 2.7T.  I'm a little skittish about the turbo problems I might experience in the 2.7T so the best of both worlds seems like it might be the A6 4.2L V8.

Any reason I shouldn't get the 4.2 over the 2.7T, aside from modability?  I can live with 300 HP/300 ft lb of torque.

Thanks.

Post #: 1
RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/4/2008 11:29:14 AM   
daroshi


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If you like a manual trans then 2.7T is your only A6 option...it's the reason I bought mine

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2002 A6 2.7T 6MT
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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/4/2008 11:29:31 AM   
Four Ring Circus


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Not to be mean or anything, but this must be one of the most commonly asked questions and there must be tons of threads dealing with this.  Rather than just say search a little more, I'll point out the main points off the top of my head. 

The 2.7T is the same engine in the B5 S4.  It makes good power stock, and has great potential (400 hp+) when modded.  The 2.7T variant also had a six speed manual option, if you prefer stick.  It has some minor weak points such as the diverter valves (can be upgraded for $80) and the throttle body boot can tear (again ~$80 to replace).  The engine itself has been labeled "bullet proof" by many owners here.  The turbos can go out, but that is just part of the deal when you get an engine with turbos.  They can last long when proper care is taken.

The 4.2 is a solid eight cylinder and is going to be smooth and powerful with none of the weak points listed above.  This engine is not very moddable, but you will never have to replace a turbo here.   Again, this engine is just as bullet proof if not more so.  No stick option here, but you get the nice wide fenders that many owners love that aren't available with the 2.7T. 

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/4/2008 11:46:04 AM   
BiggerMike

 

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Thanks for the responses.  I really did search and really didn't find a whole lot so I must have used the wrong terms or otherwise did a poor search.

I've always been a bigger displacement guy (currently have a 2.8L Passat and a 6.8L Ford Superduty) so I'll probably go with the 4.2.

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/5/2008 3:41:24 AM   
katcoota

 

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Good choice. Enjoy your new vehicle and post some pics...

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Audi S6 Avant 4.2 MT6 2001
Pipercross air filter
Tinting
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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/5/2008 3:47:08 AM   
Kevin

 

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You made a good choice with the 4.2, especially if you are not into mods.

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/5/2008 8:30:44 AM   
formulagigi


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It HAS got to be the most common thread on Audi Forums. I think Four Ring Circus summarized the main points. The cars in stock form are really close in performance, with the 4.2 having an edge with accelerations at higher speeds. The 4.2 has such a sexy behind and body flares, the wide bidy is really hot and can be further improved with RS6 parts. The 2.7T can be made to look sweet and has a sportier feel I think, the 4.2 felt heavier to me in its driving. The steering felt heavier.
Also you might fell into the mod addiction even though you don't think so now, and if you ever want to mod your car for HP performance, then the 2.7T is what you need. YOu might get ffrustrated when an apparently stock Gd Ma looking A6 2.7 runs circles around you b/c it's got a simple $500 chip ;) My neighbor didn't like my 2.7 beating his 4.2 :)
That being said, if you don't care to have more performance, then you can get the 4.2 and still mod it for better looks (RS6 grill, side skirts, spoiler...), handling(Sway bars, C/O...), braking (SS brake lines, pads, rotors, fluid, BBK...).. and you still have oe of the best A## in the industry.... I am always jealous when I drive behind a wide body A6... Food for thoughts... Good luck. I think you can't really go wrong with either...

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2004 A6 Stg 2+ and 99 TJ...mod

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/6/2008 10:17:34 AM   
gkb

 

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4.2

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/6/2008 10:35:22 AM   
dmrdennie

 


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4.2 

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2001 A6, 4.2, Black

2003 A6, 2.7T, Tan


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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/6/2008 11:27:04 AM   
cr!mz


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I go standard 

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/9/2008 8:36:42 PM   
BiggerMike

 

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Found a couple of cars:

a)  2001 2.7T tiptronic (premium package, cold weather package) with about 40K miles.  $11K or so.
b)  2002 4.2 (sport package, premium package, cold weather package) with about 40K miles.  $17K or so.

Cars are in comparable cosmetic and driving condition. 

For the difference, I'm inclined to go with the 2.7T.  Catch is that I smelled oil on the engine and worry that I may have to do the cam seals right away.  The 4.2 as far as I can tell needs no immediate maintenance.

If the cam seals cost $1K, I'm down to a $5K difference between the cars.  If I hit the 2.7 with a $600 chip, then I've got a slightly more powerful car with similar mileage for $4500 less or so.

Am I wrong in thinking that I should go with the 2.7T based on the scenario I described above?

< Message edited by BiggerMike -- 1/9/2008 8:41:33 PM >

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/10/2008 4:04:23 AM   
Kevin

 

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I would not buy a car with an unknown maintenance history where I can smell oil at 40k miles. 

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/10/2008 5:55:36 AM   
Limen

 

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I LOVE my 4.2  I test drove three 2.7T and one 4.2. I orignaly was looking to buy the 2.7T because of the moddablity, but as soon as I saw/drove the 4.2 I was hooked. The power was just so smooth, and the wide body with the doorblades just set the whole car off. But none of the 2.7T were chipped. I'm sure if one of the 2.7T were chipped or modded up a little bit, it would have been a much harder decision.

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2001 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro - My Daily Driver

1997 Lexus ES300 - Fullout sound system - Girllyfriends ride

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/11/2008 11:19:41 AM   
Y2gplaya69


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Since I own a 2001 2.7T... I am partial to it. I would say from my experience that Audi is top-notch with quality, and performance thus either one will work. Also, if you get a 2.7T there are much more performance mods. available for the vehicle and I believed a stock  2.7T run faster than a 4.2. However, if you are not sure about the car condition I would go with the safer bet (4.2).

(in reply to BiggerMike)
Post #: 14
RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/11/2008 3:38:45 PM   
Kevin

 

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2.7t is quicker to about 50 mph.  After that the 4.2 is quicker.

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Post #: 15
RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/11/2008 4:29:14 PM   
BiggerMike

 

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Did the deal today.  02 4.2 with sport, premium and cold weather packages, plus the 1st generation nav package.  Under 40K miles for a little under $18K.  Pretty good, not great, deal, but for this hard to find car in this condition, I am satisfied.

Talked to an indy mechanic who just did the MAF and replaced the thermostat.  He found dry rot in the outer CV boots so they are going to be replaced as part of the deal.

Only issue I have is that the car currently has some no-name tires (but with 80% tread).  So I'll probably drive with those for the balance of the winter then pimp my tires when it warms up.

Pics after I pick the car up.

PS.  If anyone can explain how that first generation nav deal works, I'd appreciate it.  Something about arrows on the dash?


< Message edited by BiggerMike -- 1/11/2008 4:33:51 PM >

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/13/2008 2:36:07 PM   
gkb

 

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4.2

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/14/2008 5:20:53 PM   
Audios 4.2

 

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I got a 2000 4.2 with 48k on it a few months ago....I agree with everyone about the wide body fenders! make the car look that much sexier!! its a bit sluggish off the start. tip tronics dont let 1s gear past 2000rpm unless you're flooring it. That usually takes like half a tank a gas though. Be prepared to spend around 200 dollars a week if you're a regular driver. I do moderate driving and spend between 120 - 200 a week on gas...that son of a bitch gets about 11 miles to the gallon in the city. 19 on the high way. but as they say "its not a problem if you can afford it"....as far as moding it...pretty much all you can do is just throw in a K&N air filter. (I couldnt find any intake systems for it at all)...get a full exhaust system, and re-map the ecu...+40HP.....thats about it.

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/15/2008 2:52:40 AM   
Kevin

 

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You made the right choice Big Mike.

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 1/15/2008 3:46:26 AM   
junshannon

 

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recently just acuired an 02 4.2 A6 with sports,cold and premium package.  Got the car last thursday and by sunday, due to rain, i had put on the M3 style trunk lid spoiler.  beautiful car inside and out.  i still have to figurre out all the nice little gadgets inside...fun stuff...any way can somebody give me a link for a full exhaust for the 4.2? 

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RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 3/13/2008 12:51:06 PM   
karolina18

 

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if anybody has audi a6 2001 or something similiar with a body kit could u send me a picture of it to my email. karoliukas2003@yahoo.com

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Post #: 21
RE: 2001-02 A6: 4.2L or 2.7T? - 3/13/2008 9:45:30 PM   
Keithr726


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A turbo engine is going to have a lot more required work than a NA car. If you want more power in the long run, and want to always have a better power band, choose the 2.7t. Nothing is better than boost, but only if its correctly tuned. Just be ready for the upkeep. As for the W8, if you can do the work yourself good luck trying to find a shop to trust or one that will "give it a go".

I'm not one to speak of the 4.2l. It does sound like it makes good power and is a nice engine just with my 4.4l BMW the can get kinda ridiculous, I mean it is a sedan after all.

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