Thanks.

I'm was originally staying away from the v8s cause I'd like to stay in the mid 20's for mpg. I drive a ton and don't want to suffer too bad. On the flip side I bought a TDI thinking I wanted mpg but now all of my other wants/needs are suffering. I felt considering the A6 2.7t and 530 put me somewhere between the ability of the v8s and the TDIs.

I'm not so sure if I'd be happy with an Acura or Lexus. I haven't considered all of the models but I don't see any on the road that catch my eye. I need to visit some lots and take a look at all of the models. Does lexus have a model that compares to a 530?

Thanks
Jared

 

Well....the german cars, in my opinion, have better styling features. Lexus and Acura tend to be a bit boring in this category, as well as the luxury refinements and bells/whistles. So, not really man..I cant think of one that would compare to a 530...size wise would be the Acura TLor the Lexus IS350??...Ha..just buy an AUDI, you'll love it. [8D]Sounds like the 2.7t is what your after.

 

Hi,
look at here BMW vs Audi:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4TfbcvRg7MY

 

the audi is going to have more options. and for an 02 you're still going to get the older body style. if you're in a climate where there is snow like i am i could never be more happy to have the quattro system. the maintainence is going to be about the same. i work at the Sewickley Car Store (BMW PORSCHE AUDI) and i would recommend audi every day of the week.

 

definitely a A6 4.2 quattro. I just sold my 2005 SUV Tahoe for a A6 4.2 WOW what a car. I luv the handling, Blizzak wsa tires are awesome in the winter. I leased a 4x4 truck, forget it. I drive my A6 everyday and can not believe the handling, cornering and stop light holeshots. AWESOME car... jtv4.2

* Affordable Changes needed for awesome ride... tires, shift pattern changed, cold air K&N system, new dual exhaust and sway bars.

 

Thats an awesome video..I have seen it before. I wish there was a way to have it translsated, but the vid speaks for itself..Truly superior AWD technology..

 

That's a great video, and of course the Quattro technology is superior. But....the choice of tires is so important, I can't help but wonder how the other cars would have done with the same tires as the Audi.

Which reminds me of an A6 wagon I bought new in '94 (actually, it was still called a 100S at that point). Only FWD, it came with Goodyear tires that were so bad in the wet that I pulled them off and threw them away at 1,000 miles. Even today I carry some resentment towards Audi for putting those things on the car.

In '94, btw, Audi USA sold about 14,000 cars. They were still recovering from the hit they took on the unintended acceleration slander.

 

Between those two, I would get the 5 series.
The e39 was the best looking 5 series ever, and is definantly worth the premium over the 02' A6.

However, I think the new 5 series is horrendous.
The new A6 is much better.

 

Jared -

I can't compare BMW to Audi, but I did choose my '03 A6 2.7T MT6 over an '03 330i, mostly on price and interior room. The BMW dealer would not budge on price - I bought the Audi through a private owner including an extra set of rims/summer tires for about $5k less than the BMW. The A6 has a rear seat that actually holds passengers and a large trunk, at least compared to the 330i.

I drive the Audi about 30k miles per year, mostly winter. (I drive an 05 Crossfire about 10k each summer.) If I drive conservatively at 60-65mph I get about 24-25mpg; 70-75 returns 22-23mpg (this is my usual highway cruising speed); and 80-90 returns about 20mpg.

Reliability has been average. I bought the car in March 04 with 34k miles and now have 86k. I had to replace a rear tranny seal (under warranty) and an alternator. And I face the dreaded timingbelt replacement next summer for about $900.

Final statement - the car flat out rides in snow like it is on rails. I live in western Michigan and regularly drive around the midwest and Canada (two kids play hockey) and it goes through the slush and packed snow like it wasn't there. We had a 10" dump earlier this year, and other than bouncing around the ruts and the snow hitting the plastic shield under the engine, I had to deliberately stamp on the gas to make it starttofishtail before the ESP brought it back.Even in the deep snow, I just turn the wheel and give it some gas and it goes where I point it. I've even had to stop on glareice, and the ASB brings it down in control without sliding. All I worry about are the SUV drivers who have no sense andthink 4WD=4Wstop.

 

Maybe I'm in a positionto comment. I sold my 2003 BMW 540/6 Sport for a 2004 A6 Avant 3.0 because I needed a wagon for my business. I initially wanted a 540 Wagon. However, after test drivingone, I came away unimpressed with the handling and feel of the car. A sport 540 is a different beast to a stock 540 altogether.After some research I drove the A6 and was impressed. Obviously the biggest thing lacking is the raw horsepower. 292 to 220 is a big difference but then who gets to really use that power in the US? Beyond that, the build quality, comfort, audio system (with factory XM) came across as far superior. I'm aware of the resell value, I picked up this Avant with 20k miles on it for 25k, this is almost impossible for a Bimmer. But then,I don't plan to sell this car for at least6 years and the depreciation stabilizes after the first few years. Bimmers get alot of mechanical gremlins after 6 years/75k miles, some are expensive. My research shows Audis seem less prone to issues. Then there was Quattro. This was the last selling point for me.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my Bimmer but I needed a reliable, yet sporty,daily driver. I'm glad I made this move.