Hi,

This is my first post, I have been reading this forums and there seems to be a lot of knowledge so hopefully you can help me with my questions.

I am looking for a new car and hace decided i don't wants anything too big like a 7 series or A8 and want something bigger than a 3 series and A4 so its either the BMW 540i or the A6 4.2.

First of all what is the difference between the S6 and the 4.2? Is it just 30bhp? how do the engine differ?
Why are the A6 4.2 so rare? i checked autotrader and could only locate 2 of these cars? Are they that rare?

What are these cars generally like? I haven't had time to test drive one but will get round to that.

Any common problems? or anything i should be made aware off?

Can the 2.7T really be tuned up to throw 300+bhp?

 

Also does this car have the aluminimum shell like the A8? If not does that mean the A8 is faster?

Just to clarify i wma talking about a 99/2000 modem A6 4.2 in the post above.

 

a6 reviews
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...+reviews&meta=

a8 reviews
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...+reviews&meta=

 

A few answers for you...

- In the US, the S6 is available in an Avant (wagon) only. Not sure of the engine tweaking that was done to produce the extra HP.
- The 4.2 are more rare because the car was more expensive and fewer people ordered them. Simple as that.
- Only way to understand what they're like is to drive 'em. They're wonderful.
- As background reading, I'd suggest you take a look at Stoney's Links (see my sig for the URL). Excellent resource that can help answer your "what can go wrong" question.
- Yes, the 2.7T can be taken WELL over 300 HP. People have taken it over 400 HP. Interestingly enough, the stock 2.7T outperforms (0-60) the 4.2 by about 0.1 with the tip (the only transmission available in the 4.2). The 2.7T in a manual outperforms it by 0.7 secs (6.0 for the 2.7T, 6.7 for the 4.2). The figures for modified ones get even more impressive. Because it's a naturally aspirated engine, the 4.2 cannot be modified anywhere near as much (in case you were going to ask).

Good luck with your search.

 

Rare? Well not as rare as the SR6 or the S6, but the 4.2s were lower in number simply because the factory did not make as many. The 2.8/3.0, 2.7T were more popular.

The stock 300 HP of the 4.2 is nice, but there is not much you can do to tuent he engine for higher output. If you are looking for more speed and more in-town driving, I would recommend that you consider the 2.7T. It is more agile, quicker off the line, more tunable for higher HP, and there are more to choose from.

However, if you like the raw power of the V8, then find a 4.2 and drive it...you'll understand why 4.2 owners love them!

I have owned both, and while I miss the 2.7T, the 4.2 is a great car!!! Gotta love those fender flares and the V8 growl!!! (disclaimer - I installed the sound-enhanced exhaust from an RS6, and the 4.2 now sounds like a small bock Chevy!).

 

Always great to have BD weigh in on the 4.2 vs. 2.7T debate. As somebody who's owned both, he's free of the "buy what I own!" taint. That and he sees the virtue of both and knows his A6es.

 

THe 4.2 is great on the highway, no matter what spped your driving it still has power when you want.
As BD and southboro said the looks are great with the flares. nothing beats a V8. Add the sway bars and it's really fun to drive. I went with the H&R sways vs the H sports. never follow

 

NEVER knew H&R made sway bars for the A6.

Anybody ever compare the two? Differences? Price?

 

I didn't compare the two. THe price was about the same. I also like the fact that they have teflon busshings, no greasing.
Handles likes it's on rails now. Just had to be a little different

 

Price? The only place I could find them online sold them separately (front & rear) and they were pretty expensive compared to the H-sports.