If I would be able to afford a new Audi, I would surely go with a 4.2.
The above proposition is loaded: what does it suppose to mean "otherwise identical cars"?
Manual transmission in both? Automatic transmission in both? Manual 2.7 versus Automatic 4.2?

From where I stand, I thought most people buy Audis because of the comfort, advanced ammenities, and PRESTIGE, more than buying a manual transmission or 4wd car.
I doubt are too many people who buy the Quattro just because they live in the woods or in state with a **** load of snow. If that's the case, then it makes for a very expensive "truck". But hell, people can do with their money whatever they like, and moreso if they have them.

Why would I buy an Automatic 4.2?
First of all, there are less things to worry about: clutch, turbos, differential, etc. And as you all know, owning an Audi is not a cheap proposition. The less times you have to pay a visit to the dealer's garage, the better is for the pocket.
Secondly, what would I want to have under my **** and know is there, 200 hp and change or 300+ ponies? Probably the latter is more re-"assuring", although as I was saying, driving here in the States is (for most folks) boring and uneventful, unless you take scenic routes once in a while and can do every now and then those needed powerful passes on 2-lane roads.

If I would really need a AWD, probably I would rather go with a Subaru.

 

man, youre reading wayyyyyyyy to much into it. i said nothing about amount of money to spend, reason for buying, which part of the country you live in, or what your tranny preferance is.

all i asked is "if you could choose between otherwise identical cars, which engine would you prefer"

 

It isn't about reading too much into it.
I only touched on the complexity side of a such question, and gave some personal reasons why I would rather choose a 4.2 automatic. That's all. You read too much into my post.

 

I live in Alaska, so having Quattro all-wheel drive did dictate my purchase of an Audi. Since then I would not buy an Audi unless equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive. And I would not buy anything but an Audi. I'm not sure if you have ever driven both a Subaru and an Audi in winter conditions. If so, I don't think you would make that statement.

 

I don't think anyone is reading too much into it. An opinion was asked for. Everyone has their own. chefro just happened to give a bit more detail about why he would want a 4.2.

Nobody should get upset with anyone else. We all have prioritized our reasons for buying an A6. And, we're all different.

 

I think you may be hearing more because everyone mods the hell out of them. 2.7t is what the gear heads want to play with. Sort of like a Harley, your going to do add on's sooner or later. Chips, Turbos you know the drill. If a turbo breaks and you can upgrade to a better one you would right, I sure would. But I hear the kids talking mods never maintenance so with beating they give the cars they should be breaking more. No matter what one you had you need to maintain the living snot out of it. The only other thing is you know there are alot more after market and used parts for a 2.7t than a 4.2.

 

I have driven both in wintery conditions, but not an Audi Quattro. You are in a small group of people (in my opinion) who buy the Quattro because they indeed need its better than average handling features in inclement weather road conditions.
If you look across the board, there are not too many people who bought the 2.7 Quattro brand new and specifically for handling their geographical location driving condition.
At least that's my perception and of course it can definitely be skewed. Probably are hundreds or thousands other Audi owners who never post on boards, buy their car brand new, with the Quattro feature for geographical location reasons, and just service it exclusively at the dealer.
I'm sorry my post came across as an "affront" to the owners who buy the 2.7 Quattro for the "right" reasons.

As cbock pointed out, I just gave my opinion. There's really no need to belittle my ability to make statements...

 

Ok so here is my 2c I have had a 2.7 for about a 18 months and 10,000 miles, if I were to make the choice again I would say I would go for the 4.2 mainly because they are simpler cars, less to go wrong.

I live in fear of the day when i will see plooms of white smoke out of the back of the tail pipes and the shops cash till starts to ring and I have to sell my kidney to replace the turbos, or sell the car for something else.

if you live in Alaska then that is a cold and unforgiving climate, turbos HATE nothing more than cold running conditions and you are more likely to be far from help when things go wrong. We all know that Audi's are not cheap cars to run and given that there is little diferance in fuel consumption between the 2.7 and the 4.2 then I would go for the 4.2 safe in the knowledge and pride that you bought the top of the range and safe in the knowledge that there is not the complexity of forced induction

 

I would pick the 3.0T

 

4.2 All the way.

This car was my first V8, I had been in 2 bangers in Ireland, 4 bangers and V6 in U.S., and currently IN LOVE with my V8.

Next step is likely to be actually the W12 but if I can only choose from 2.7 or 4.2, it would have to be the V8.