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?

 

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

 

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, butas soon as Isaw/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.

 

Since I own a 2001 2.7T... I am partial to it. I would say from my experience that Audi is top-notchwith quality, and performancethus either one will work.Also,if you get a 2.7T there are much moreperformance mods.available for the vehicle and I believed a stock 2.7T run faster than a 4.2. However, if you are notsure about the car condition I would go with the safer bet (4.2).

 

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

 

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?

 

4.2

 

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.

 

You made the right choice Big Mike.

 

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?