What does everyone think about the controversial and non-direct question that i have about which engine to get. I am lookin to buy a 2003-4 A6 but am havin a slight change in thought as if i should go with the slower but so called "less problem, more reliable" 3.0 v6 or go with the s4 motor 2.7t and have a fun time driving it all the time. Let me know and mention which kind of car you have yr/model with engine type. I am not looking into the 4.2L v8 because its much worse on gas, unless someone has other reasons to believe that the 4.2 model i should be looking at. Let me know thanks.

 

by looking at your ID, I think you have subconsciously made up your mind...


I own a 03 3.0 auto cold/premium package;i don't have any real dislikes about the car. I'm not much speed demon if you will so the 2.7t wouldn't really be the car for me.I do like to cruise on the highway; which the car does beautifully.

My one complaint of the car (which others have) is the transmission not shifting as smooth as it should from 1st to 2nd, there is a little pop when it shifts (even after a transmission flush/service)

From my understanding the 4.2 is the most reliable of the 3 engines, (personally i wish went with it)

 

I am a 2 month owner of an '01 2.7T. I like speed so the 3.0 wasn't an option for me. It was between the 2.7T and the 4.2. I chose the 2.7T because of the upgradability of speed goodies I can add From what I've read, the V8 is almost as quick (0-60, 6.6sec) as the 2.7T. But one more interesting thing I found was that it gets the same gas mileage as the 2.7T and has a bigger gas tank (21.7 vs 18.5). BUT one thing I heard was that it was more costly to work on than the 4.2 and that they were prone to some engine issues. I also read that the '01 and the '04 2.7T were the most reliable out of the C5 series. Now, with all that being said, if you could afford both, and the 2.7T breaks first, does that mean the the 3.0 is more reliable? If the 3.0 breaks first, does that mean the 2.7T was more reliable? Basically what I'm saying is that eventually, something is going to break. The more moving parts (2.7T) the more chance of something breaking. I just had to spend $650 to replace my alternator. Do I wish I had gotten the 4.2? Nah. Cuz it would have cost that much or more anyway.

Bottom line is, test drive them all, find a good deal, buy an extended warranty. I found a company that gives 4 yr, unlimited miles warranty if you have under 100,000 miles for around $2800. If everyone on this forum told you the 3.0 was more reliable and you bought one and the transmission crapped out a week later, would it matter what we said? Get what you want and you won't have any regrets.

 

I have a 2004 A6 2.7T S-Line. Truthly, its all about what you really want, you are going to hear a lot of different answer, mainly that the 2.7Tare good for someone that wants to mod it, but at the same time, the perfomance parts for Audi's cost to much.....PERIOD! There are close to no mods for the 3.0, so it all depends on what you really want, you have to drive it, so might as well be happy driving it. The 2.7's arequote" unreliable", but it all depends on how you take care of the car. The 2.7's get the same gas milage as the 4.2's, give or take.......Get what you really want!

I was looking for rarity, that's the reason why I got the 2.7 S-Line.In 2004, the S-Lines were in production only for that year, now for 2008it's a $2,000 option only for the A4. I found out after I got it that it has the same motor as the S4 and an extra 15HP. I just knew I wanted the S-Line.

 

If you're asking about which one and reliabilty my guess is you need to steer toward the 3.0.. 2.7 is much more fun though

 

3.0l is more reliable.

 

Keep in mind it's basically the same car, except for the motor. If you read the postings, most if the issues are about suspension and electronics. So the engine doesn't matter. Other than that, the 2.7T's are typically available with a manual 6-speed. Not sure about the 3.0l.

Also, both are 6 cylinder engines. Both need basically the same maintenance. The kicker is the turbos. If you care for them properly, they should last a long time. But if they fail, you're looking at $3k. No issue for the 3.0l or 4.2l. In recent surveys, some guys are on OEM turbos at 160k.

I bought my 2.7T used with 37k and just flipped 103k last night. Only strange failure was an alternator around 60k. I chipped it at 79k and replaced the clutch and flywheel at 90k. Maybe related, maybe not (the original owner did some towing which could have weakened the clutch).

The 2.7T is definitely faster than the 3.0l. I suspect it's a toss-up with the 4.2l. All of them are electronically governed to around 133mph unless you change the ECU. And I'm sure all can hit the 133mph in stock form. Since chipping I've hit 150mph once before running out of road and courage.