A6 2.7T Turbo Question
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13
A6 2.7T Turbo Question
Hey
I am currently looking to buy a new (to me) car and the A6 has really interested me for many reasons. However, I can't decide between going for the 2.7T or the 4.2. I really would like the 2.7T for the manual trans and for the power. But I have never owned a turbo car and I was wondering how long these turbos last. I know all about how to care for turbos i.e. proper warming up/cooling down etc. but the cars I am looking at have 60-70k miles plus. I currently drive an 01 Camaro SS so most of my technical knowledge is from the V8 american muscle scene, but now I would like more room and I think AWD would be a good way to switch things up (and safer). Should I be concerned with looking for a 2.7T with that many miles, or am I just being too paranoid? And also, is there any huge reason why I would want a specific year between 2000 and 2003, or are they all going to be pretty close?
Thanks,
Michael
I am currently looking to buy a new (to me) car and the A6 has really interested me for many reasons. However, I can't decide between going for the 2.7T or the 4.2. I really would like the 2.7T for the manual trans and for the power. But I have never owned a turbo car and I was wondering how long these turbos last. I know all about how to care for turbos i.e. proper warming up/cooling down etc. but the cars I am looking at have 60-70k miles plus. I currently drive an 01 Camaro SS so most of my technical knowledge is from the V8 american muscle scene, but now I would like more room and I think AWD would be a good way to switch things up (and safer). Should I be concerned with looking for a 2.7T with that many miles, or am I just being too paranoid? And also, is there any huge reason why I would want a specific year between 2000 and 2003, or are they all going to be pretty close?
Thanks,
Michael
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 787
From:
RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
ORIGINAL: avant80@2.6
turbos don't need warming up these day
turbos don't need warming up these day
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
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RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
Thanks for the replies, but I have another question. From my understanding, the GIAC chip increases the boost, right? So IF (big if) i wanted to chip it sometime in the future, would that affect the reliability of the turbos at all?
Thanks again,
Michael
Thanks again,
Michael
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 787
From:
RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
Absolutely.
The more you boost, the more you stress the turbos. You can offset the added wear produced by chipping your turbos by engaging in good habits, making sure your diverter valves are in good shape, securing all potential leak points, etc., but few people will assert that chipping will not have an adverse effect on turbo life. It may not be enough to matter (i.e., the car will wear out before the turbos) but common sense, the collective experience of all the forums I've read, and conventional wisdom is that chipping reduces turbo life -- or at least increases the risk of turbo failure.
I'll probably have people take issue with what/how I've said this, but you get my gist. I'm still considering it, but have been happy to do other performance mods that don't tread on this particular patch of thin ice (wheels, beefier sway bars, etc.).
The more you boost, the more you stress the turbos. You can offset the added wear produced by chipping your turbos by engaging in good habits, making sure your diverter valves are in good shape, securing all potential leak points, etc., but few people will assert that chipping will not have an adverse effect on turbo life. It may not be enough to matter (i.e., the car will wear out before the turbos) but common sense, the collective experience of all the forums I've read, and conventional wisdom is that chipping reduces turbo life -- or at least increases the risk of turbo failure.
I'll probably have people take issue with what/how I've said this, but you get my gist. I'm still considering it, but have been happy to do other performance mods that don't tread on this particular patch of thin ice (wheels, beefier sway bars, etc.).
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,153
From: Baltimore MD
RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
the 4.2 v8 is the one i would reccomend unless you cant live without the manual. The 2.7t is less reliable and has a inevitable huge service cost, turbo replacement. The can range anywhere from 4-5 grand.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
From:
RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
Well..Here we go again..I am partial to the 4.2 because I own one. There are pro's and con's to both cars. Depends on what you like in the luxury/sport/performance department. Out of the box the 4.2 has a ton of power/torque and luxury refinements to fit almost anybodies needs. The motor is bulletproof and extremely reliable and are known to go 200-300k no problem. Mods are difficult because of the limited market space and there were a lot less of these 4.2's produced than the 2.7t (probably because of cost) The 2.7t has had reliabiliy issues but it's like anything else--comon sense and maintenance savvy will prevent problems. There are a lot more MODS for the 2.7t but again, anything you MOD from OEM specs might cause problems, but that is the risk you take as a speed junkie. You need to ask yourself some simple questions. What are you using the car for? What are your needs? How much will you drive the car? My advice is to go to a reputable AUDI dealership in your area and test drive both. One thing I can say is do not buy an A6 without the sport package (suspension). Both the 2.7t and 4.2 have this available. Also, try to get the premium and cold weather packages too. If you like V8 power and it sounds like you do (camaro), the choice is simple. If you want to be more racy and MOD to your broke, go with the 2.7t. Either way, you cant go wrong with picking an A6 for your next ride.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 787
From:
RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
ORIGINAL: prbayha
Well..Here we go again..I am partial to the 4.2 because I own one. There are pro's and con's to both cars. Depends on what you like in the luxury/sport/performance department. Out of the box the 4.2 has a ton of power/torque and luxury refinements to fit almost anybodies needs. The motor is bulletproof and extremely reliable and are known to go 200-300k no problem. Mods are difficult because of the limited market space and there were a lot less of these 4.2's produced than the 2.7t (probably because of cost) The 2.7t has had reliabiliy issues but it's like anything else--comon sense and maintenance savvy will prevent problems. There are a lot more MODS for the 2.7t but again, anything you MOD from OEM specs might cause problems, but that is the risk you take as a speed junkie. You need to ask yourself some simple questions. What are you using the car for? What are your needs? How much will you drive the car? My advice is to go to a reputable AUDI dealership in your area and test drive both. One thing I can say is do not buy an A6 without the sport package (suspension). Both the 2.7t and 4.2 have this available. Also, try to get the premium and cold weather packages too. If you like V8 power and it sounds like you do (camaro), the choice is simple. If you want to be more racy and MOD to your broke, go with the 2.7t. Either way, you cant go wrong with picking an A6 for your next ride.
Well..Here we go again..I am partial to the 4.2 because I own one. There are pro's and con's to both cars. Depends on what you like in the luxury/sport/performance department. Out of the box the 4.2 has a ton of power/torque and luxury refinements to fit almost anybodies needs. The motor is bulletproof and extremely reliable and are known to go 200-300k no problem. Mods are difficult because of the limited market space and there were a lot less of these 4.2's produced than the 2.7t (probably because of cost) The 2.7t has had reliabiliy issues but it's like anything else--comon sense and maintenance savvy will prevent problems. There are a lot more MODS for the 2.7t but again, anything you MOD from OEM specs might cause problems, but that is the risk you take as a speed junkie. You need to ask yourself some simple questions. What are you using the car for? What are your needs? How much will you drive the car? My advice is to go to a reputable AUDI dealership in your area and test drive both. One thing I can say is do not buy an A6 without the sport package (suspension). Both the 2.7t and 4.2 have this available. Also, try to get the premium and cold weather packages too. If you like V8 power and it sounds like you do (camaro), the choice is simple. If you want to be more racy and MOD to your broke, go with the 2.7t. Either way, you cant go wrong with picking an A6 for your next ride.
Bottom line: Drive both!! The one that is right for you will speak to you.
Good luck!
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 33
From:
RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
There were some fairly significant differences made to these cars between the 2002 and 2003 model years. First, the are called pre-facelift and post-facelift. Second they dropped the HP2 front brake calipers after 2002 and reworked the oil lines to the turbo's (i.e. emilinated the prone to fail F-hose, and increased the diameter). In 2003 they also dropped the front passenger memory seat. Further information regarding specific model years can be found at Audiworld.com (click resources and model guide from the homepage).
Read all you can on these cars and then buy which ever one fits your needs the best.
Read all you can on these cars and then buy which ever one fits your needs the best.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13
RE: A6 2.7T Turbo Question
First of all, thanks to everyone that posted replies. It really helps.
Today I went out and drove several cars including the 2.7t and 4.2 and I really loved them both. They both are great cars and I enjoyed driving them. I think I am sticking with the 2.7t, mainly for the better mpg and 6 speed. Coming from a 380hp rwd camaro is an entirely different experience but it is time for me to move on. Because of this forum and people like you guys I went into the market knowing a lot about these cars and what to expect. I really doubt I will ever chip it so I am no longer worried about that. I think I am going to leave the engine alone and stick with suspension mods and smaller stuff. Oh, and I never looked at anything that didn't include the sports package, but one of the first things i will (hopefully) do is sway bars. Maybe I'll be driving a new car soon.
Thanks once again,
Michael
Today I went out and drove several cars including the 2.7t and 4.2 and I really loved them both. They both are great cars and I enjoyed driving them. I think I am sticking with the 2.7t, mainly for the better mpg and 6 speed. Coming from a 380hp rwd camaro is an entirely different experience but it is time for me to move on. Because of this forum and people like you guys I went into the market knowing a lot about these cars and what to expect. I really doubt I will ever chip it so I am no longer worried about that. I think I am going to leave the engine alone and stick with suspension mods and smaller stuff. Oh, and I never looked at anything that didn't include the sports package, but one of the first things i will (hopefully) do is sway bars. Maybe I'll be driving a new car soon.
Thanks once again,
Michael
