Hey guys whats up? I am new to the Audi world I was wondering if I could get some advice What are the pros and cons of an A4 over an A6? Which would you prefer if they were about the same price? A4 1.8t or A6 2.7t.
Thanks Alot
Joe

 

What are you looking for in a car? A4 is obviously much smaller, and hence nimble(r) and easier to whip around. A6 is a lot more comfy and luxurious with more features. As far as the motors are concerned, 1.8 is very doggy motor. You have to wind it up high to get anything out of it. If you want fast and better handling car, then consider used S4. If you want all day highway cruiser with all the amenities, I would go for an A6 w/ 2.7. They really are apples and oranges if you ask me.

 

Theres nothing wrong with a 1.8t, chip it and you will be happy. I owned two A6's (2.8) before i got my A4. The A6 is much larger and better for highway cruising etc. The A4 is smaller, lighter and more fun to drive IMO. The 1.8t will also be easier to work on in most cases. If you want sportiness go for the A4/S4.

 

my friend has a 1.8 a4 and its been nothing but problems, it seems everyday he has a problem with it or something just breaks on it, hes really careful and babys it but it doesnt seem to last, my a6 on the other hand has 180k miles on it and its still runs like the day it was just driven off the lot, and my interrior is in much better condition than his, and he only has 60k on his a4, i know id never buy an a4 at least one thats newer than 02.. its like there breaking point. Also from driving both of them i hate how loud the a4 is and how much it vibrates, its not as smooth as an a6 .

 

I think I can speak with some authority on this one, as I own both. I've had my A6 for just under 4 years and 90k miles and added a 2003 A4 3.0 MT6 with 70k miles at the beginning of the summer. I test drove a number of 1.8Ts and 3.0 A4s. I found the 3.0 to be a strong pulling engine with solid torque from low rpm right up the rpm range. The 1.8T seems to have less power until the turbo kicks in. Because of the turbo effect, it is not as smooth an accelerating car. The 3.0 is also much more nicely appointed than the 1.8Ts -- almost identical to the A6 in amenities. One could argue that the 1.8T is more reliable than the 3.0 but with the 3.0 you don't have to worry about turbo failure, a big expense.

I originally started out looking at a 3-series BMW and passed on it due to price and the small backseat. I kind of fell into the A6 without realizing what a fine car it was. The big difference is that it can handle four passengers on long trips. The A4 is definitely cramped by comparison. The longer wheelbase of the A6 makes it a better touring car on the highway than the shorter wheelbase A4.

If you want sportiness, the S4 with a 2.7T should beat the A6 2.7T just because it is 300-400 lbs lighter. There are a lot of performance upgrades for both the 1.8T and 2.7T engines. Little/none for the 2.8/3.0/4.2 engines. If you want serious power, there are some decent RS4s (with the 4.2 engine) available but be prepared to pay in the mid-high 20s. Alternately, look for a later model A4 with the 2.0T.

I'm very happy with both cars. The A6 has been pretty reliable (only an alternator, clutch and flywheel) while the A4 is too "new" to tell, but it has been throwing a code which could mean just an occasional engine miss or an O2 sensor or catalytic converter. If the latter, I'll be second-guessing the purchase.