A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
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From: Binghamton, NY
RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
I knew I wasn't the only 2.8er getting good mileage in the 30s (I didn't realize the 12v was pulling it too though), but I know what Trey25 is talking about. You wouldn't expect a car like this, with a pretty substantial curb weight, short gearing (3000RPM at ~70mph), awd, and a V6 to pull that kind of mileage. My Z was a little heavier (maybe an extra 200lbs or so), slightly shorter geared, and even on the non-turbo engine my mileage was far worse. On the twin-turbo setup, forget about it, but I didn't care at that point - with that kind of boost, mileage be damned
But for these cars to pull such high mileage with all the factors you'd think would counter it, I must say I'm very happy and not about to bitch about it.
But for these cars to pull such high mileage with all the factors you'd think would counter it, I must say I'm very happy and not about to bitch about it.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
Just in reading this thread it tends to confirm how the 4-cylinder will have higher resale value, since most seem to want it. Having said that, I wonder who buys the 8-cylinder A4's such as I saw at this dealer.
Although the color of body and interior is really a quite different issue than engine, they are significant, too. The 20K vs 30K odometer reading difference is a big piece of value, also. The 20K car looked just like new under the hood, and it had not been detailed. The 30K had been detailed under the hood and did not look as good as the as-received look of the 20K car.
I think I am now leaning toward the 2.0 car. On the flip side of that, an earlier poster talked about the experience as perceived from the driver's seat as being the important one. For me, that chooses the 3.2, as it was much smoother and much quicker. To be fair, however, I have an extensive history with 4-cylinders in MG, Triumph, and Austin Healey cars, so the 4 is not a stranger to me. Part of my problem, I realize, is that I really wanted an A6, but did not think I could afford an A6 in the condition that I would find acceptable, and these opportunities will yield very nice, late model cars. A 2006 A6 with 20-30K would have been enormously more money. The 3.2 A4 is kind of like a little A6, at least in feel.
The odd thing is that I am normally a very decisive person; view the facts, analyze, decide. This situation departed from that.
I appreciate everyone's input and look forward to hearing more, as the day is young. I don't have to decide until morning, when I speak to the dealer on the phone.
Please continue.... :-)
Although the color of body and interior is really a quite different issue than engine, they are significant, too. The 20K vs 30K odometer reading difference is a big piece of value, also. The 20K car looked just like new under the hood, and it had not been detailed. The 30K had been detailed under the hood and did not look as good as the as-received look of the 20K car.
I think I am now leaning toward the 2.0 car. On the flip side of that, an earlier poster talked about the experience as perceived from the driver's seat as being the important one. For me, that chooses the 3.2, as it was much smoother and much quicker. To be fair, however, I have an extensive history with 4-cylinders in MG, Triumph, and Austin Healey cars, so the 4 is not a stranger to me. Part of my problem, I realize, is that I really wanted an A6, but did not think I could afford an A6 in the condition that I would find acceptable, and these opportunities will yield very nice, late model cars. A 2006 A6 with 20-30K would have been enormously more money. The 3.2 A4 is kind of like a little A6, at least in feel.
The odd thing is that I am normally a very decisive person; view the facts, analyze, decide. This situation departed from that.
I appreciate everyone's input and look forward to hearing more, as the day is young. I don't have to decide until morning, when I speak to the dealer on the phone.
Please continue.... :-)
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Joined: Jun 2007
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RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
ORIGINAL: TorsenTaxi
One thing I haven't seen here is engine weight. The 2.0 is lighter, resulting in improved weight bias which translates into other areas in a good way.
One thing I haven't seen here is engine weight. The 2.0 is lighter, resulting in improved weight bias which translates into other areas in a good way.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,115
From: Des Moines
RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
ORIGINAL: bigsnowdog
What is the actual weight difference between the 2.0 car and the 3.2 car in 2006 model year?
ORIGINAL: TorsenTaxi
One thing I haven't seen here is engine weight. The 2.0 is lighter, resulting in improved weight bias which translates into other areas in a good way.
One thing I haven't seen here is engine weight. The 2.0 is lighter, resulting in improved weight bias which translates into other areas in a good way.
2006 A4 3.2 quattro = 3,649 lbs.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,670
From: Binghamton, NY
RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
As for who buys the V8 powered A4s (those are the RS4 models), they may be different walks of life, but they're all well-heeled and big into classy speed. Those cars are FAST and also very expensive (don't count on a lot of change from $80k). As for the 10k mileage difference on the odometer, to be honest, I'm not sure that variation will make too much difference down the road, as these cars seem to hold up very well and run forever as long as they're treated right. If you keep the car for 5 years as you mentioned before, maybe you'd be looking at selling a car at that point with 100k miles vs 110k. That really won't make a lot of difference in the sale. Maintenance records and running condition more than mileage will sell or ground the car at that point. That being said, I'm wondering if the resale aspect might be the opposite of what you're thinking. True, many people want the turbo engine, but there's always the chance that it might be viewed opposite at sale time - people may also assume (right or wrong) that the turbo car has been driven hard or possibly beaten on, since it's a turbo. We all know this isn't necessarily the case, but the general buying public may not. Many may look at a turbo car as being owned by a performance enthusiast, whereas the V6 may be owned by the more "mature" (as in, not willing to redline the car or race it) owner, again, right or wrong. Also, since the V6 sticker price when new is higher, it may be seen that the owner of the six-cylinder is the person who can maintain the car more stringently. Or it may be that people will research their potential purchase of your car on forums like this, see that the turbo fours were known for issues like oil sludge, and back away from them.
Keep in mind too, that these fours are about as far removed from the fours that you mentioned as they can reasonably be, while still being four-cylinder motors.
As for really wanting the A6, what about looking into a slightly older A6, one maybe with the 2.7T engine and a six-speed? This is the same engine as in the B5 chassis S4 - a biturbo V6 with 250hp and a LOT of potential for tuning, if you'd still like to mod the car.
I'm only trying to play devil's advocate here - I'm a boost junkie and would've loved to get a 1.8T (I simply couldn't pass up my 2.8 at the price I paid). I'm just trying to bring up as many issues and misconceptions as possible that you may encounter later on.
Keep in mind too, that these fours are about as far removed from the fours that you mentioned as they can reasonably be, while still being four-cylinder motors.
As for really wanting the A6, what about looking into a slightly older A6, one maybe with the 2.7T engine and a six-speed? This is the same engine as in the B5 chassis S4 - a biturbo V6 with 250hp and a LOT of potential for tuning, if you'd still like to mod the car.
I'm only trying to play devil's advocate here - I'm a boost junkie and would've loved to get a 1.8T (I simply couldn't pass up my 2.8 at the price I paid). I'm just trying to bring up as many issues and misconceptions as possible that you may encounter later on.
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RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
ORIGINAL: UpstateNYA4
As for who buys the V8 powered A4s (those are the RS4 models), they may be different walks of life, but they're all well-heeled and big into classy speed. Those cars are FAST and also very expensive (don't count on a lot of change from $80k). As for the 10k mileage difference on the odometer, to be honest, I'm not sure that variation will make too much difference down the road, as these cars seem to hold up very well and run forever as long as they're treated right. If you keep the car for 5 years as you mentioned before, maybe you'd be looking at selling a car at that point with 100k miles vs 110k. That really won't make a lot of difference in the sale. Maintenance records and running condition more than mileage will sell or ground the car at that point. That being said, I'm wondering if the resale aspect might be the opposite of what you're thinking. True, many people want the turbo engine, but there's always the chance that it might be viewed opposite at sale time - people may also assume (right or wrong) that the turbo car has been driven hard or possibly beaten on, since it's a turbo. We all know this isn't necessarily the case, but the general buying public may not. Many may look at a turbo car as being owned by a performance enthusiast, whereas the V6 may be owned by the more "mature" (as in, not willing to redline the car or race it) owner, again, right or wrong. Also, since the V6 sticker price when new is higher, it may be seen that the owner of the six-cylinder is the person who can maintain the car more stringently. Or it may be that people will research their potential purchase of your car on forums like this, see that the turbo fours were known for issues like oil sludge, and back away from them.
Keep in mind too, that these fours are about as far removed from the fours that you mentioned as they can reasonably be, while still being four-cylinder motors.
As for really wanting the A6, what about looking into a slightly older A6, one maybe with the 2.7T engine and a six-speed? This is the same engine as in the B5 chassis S4 - a biturbo V6 with 250hp and a LOT of potential for tuning, if you'd still like to mod the car.
I'm only trying to play devil's advocate here - I'm a boost junkie and would've loved to get a 1.8T (I simply couldn't pass up my 2.8 at the price I paid). I'm just trying to bring up as many issues and misconceptions as possible that you may encounter later on.
As for who buys the V8 powered A4s (those are the RS4 models), they may be different walks of life, but they're all well-heeled and big into classy speed. Those cars are FAST and also very expensive (don't count on a lot of change from $80k). As for the 10k mileage difference on the odometer, to be honest, I'm not sure that variation will make too much difference down the road, as these cars seem to hold up very well and run forever as long as they're treated right. If you keep the car for 5 years as you mentioned before, maybe you'd be looking at selling a car at that point with 100k miles vs 110k. That really won't make a lot of difference in the sale. Maintenance records and running condition more than mileage will sell or ground the car at that point. That being said, I'm wondering if the resale aspect might be the opposite of what you're thinking. True, many people want the turbo engine, but there's always the chance that it might be viewed opposite at sale time - people may also assume (right or wrong) that the turbo car has been driven hard or possibly beaten on, since it's a turbo. We all know this isn't necessarily the case, but the general buying public may not. Many may look at a turbo car as being owned by a performance enthusiast, whereas the V6 may be owned by the more "mature" (as in, not willing to redline the car or race it) owner, again, right or wrong. Also, since the V6 sticker price when new is higher, it may be seen that the owner of the six-cylinder is the person who can maintain the car more stringently. Or it may be that people will research their potential purchase of your car on forums like this, see that the turbo fours were known for issues like oil sludge, and back away from them.
Keep in mind too, that these fours are about as far removed from the fours that you mentioned as they can reasonably be, while still being four-cylinder motors.
As for really wanting the A6, what about looking into a slightly older A6, one maybe with the 2.7T engine and a six-speed? This is the same engine as in the B5 chassis S4 - a biturbo V6 with 250hp and a LOT of potential for tuning, if you'd still like to mod the car.
I'm only trying to play devil's advocate here - I'm a boost junkie and would've loved to get a 1.8T (I simply couldn't pass up my 2.8 at the price I paid). I'm just trying to bring up as many issues and misconceptions as possible that you may encounter later on.
I think the A6 is going to have to wait now for a couple of years. I had decided that given my current financial situation, I would not be able to buy an A6 of the condition/caliber that I really wanted.
I think you raise some good points, including the one about mileage. I do have some pretty strong feelings about the color issue, and maybe that will, in the end, make the decision. The light silver car will look less dirty than the dark car, as it accumulates the typical kinds of dust and mud found in the country. And in winter, as far as that goes.
Happily, I still have until morning to decide, so I still patiently watch this thread evolve. I find this forum to great bunch of enthusiasts, and truly appreciate the high level of participation I have seen in such a short time.
I am already thinking about some other kind of wheels, regardless of which one I get. :-)
I also wonder how many switch to winter tires and wheels.....
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,115
From: Des Moines
RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
ORIGINAL: bigsnowdog
I also wonder how many switch to winter tires and wheels.....
I also wonder how many switch to winter tires and wheels.....
I can't speak for everyone, but I know if I go and spend the money on a nice set of wheels, I'm DEFINITELY going to put studded snow tyres on my stock wheels and swap them out every winter.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 148
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RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
I am 4 days into an A4 B7 3.2 6MT S-Line Titanium and just crossed the 100mile mark on the clock (yeah, how sad is that after 4 days...?!!?!)
I have driven my buddies 2000 A6 2.7T APR-Chipped (91 octane) 6MT, and my gut and my butt tell me they pull about the same, but by the same token, his A6 is heavier, it's rated at ~300HP, and it's 8 years older, but his ride is damn nice... There are sections of the power band that his A6 trumps my A4, and there are sections of the power band that my A4 trumps his A6. It's really really hard to compare apples to apples when you are trying to compare a turbo'd 6-cyl with a naturally aspirated 6-cyl.
I have always believed that there's no replacement for displacement, but I will give credit to the chipped turbos to some extent.
I have driven my buddies 2000 A6 2.7T APR-Chipped (91 octane) 6MT, and my gut and my butt tell me they pull about the same, but by the same token, his A6 is heavier, it's rated at ~300HP, and it's 8 years older, but his ride is damn nice... There are sections of the power band that his A6 trumps my A4, and there are sections of the power band that my A4 trumps his A6. It's really really hard to compare apples to apples when you are trying to compare a turbo'd 6-cyl with a naturally aspirated 6-cyl.
I have always believed that there's no replacement for displacement, but I will give credit to the chipped turbos to some extent.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,670
From: Binghamton, NY
RE: A4 — 2.0 4-cylinder or 3.2 6-cylinder
Yep - I'm on stockers for now, but hopefully I'll be picking up a new set of 18s next weekend. If I am able to, I'll be putting Green Diamond carbide-embedded snow/ice tires on my stockers and garaging them for the summer, ready to go when the bad weather hits again. These cars are great even on all-season tires in the snow, thanks to quattro and a good suspension setup. On snow tires, they're damn near unstoppable.