build quality and comparison of an a4 vs a6

[G Men 08]

hey guys im weighing my options for a 2001 a4 2.8 quattro, with the auto tranny, i am curious about the build quality of an a6 compared to an a4 like my 03 3.0, i know that the 1.8t are built with a little less quality than my 3.0.. i am also concerned about the ride, my a4 is stiff and the seats are pretty firm, which isnt too bad but can get kinda rough on longer rides. How is the comfort level of the a6?

[PMR2.7t]

If you really want a AUDI do not get one with a 2.8 motor they are the worst motors out there to many problems. 1.8T 2.7T or 3.0 motors are the best.

[G Men 08]

thats the first ive ever heard that.. not saying your wrong, just when ever i see comparisons as far as the a4 and a6 go the 2.8 is the best or close to, with the 1.8 being on the bottom, sure you can mod the piss out of the 1.8t but it also has tons more issues, from what ive heard, are the 2.7t in the a6 the same as the b5 s4 motors or are they single turbo?

[PMR2.7t]

The 2.7T is twin turbo. The A4 & A6 are almost built the same.

[oc-drop]

If you really want a AUDI do not get one with a 2.8 motor they are the worst motors out there to many problems. 1.8T 2.7T or 3.0 motors are the best.
i resent your statement only because it is a lie and the 2.8 motor is VERY RELIABLE... and it's about identical to the 3.0... so you're pretty off, but it's late so I'll let it slide

Now I'm not saying 2.8 is the best to get, because if I could do it over I would get the 2.7t [up]

and to answer the OP a little bit, the A6 are super comfy. the steering is much lighter as well, it definitely has a more refined/luxury feel than an A4
~and yes the A6 also has the 2.7t from the S4... they're not 100% identical but yes the A6 is also twin turbo

[G Men 08]

lol i thought that the 2.8 was pretty reliable and an overall good motor as we stated. the real reason for me shying away from the 2.7 is because of the turbos, im just weary on how reliable the motor really is, ive heard the b5 s4s are nice cars but they are also money pits, plus when the turbos let loose they are real expensive, so if you were in my shoes and were going for a reliable everyday driver with no modding in mind that can get low 20s for mpg which engine would you choose?

[oc-drop]

well there are considerable price differences amongst all of them

are you trading your 3.0 or whats the deal with that?

[G Men 08]

just weighing my options for now, i have a guy looking at mine on friday, id rather have something automatic, and possibly a little bigger

[skiroad'r]

lol i thought that the 2.8 was pretty reliable and an overall good motor as we stated. the real reason for me shying away from the 2.7 is because of the turbos, im just weary on how reliable the motor really is, ive heard the b5 s4s are nice cars but they are also money pits, plus when the turbos let loose they are real expensive, so if you were in my shoes and were going for a reliable everyday driver with no modding in mind that can get low 20s for mpg which engine would you choose?

You are dead on here. 2.7T is fun and easy to mod, but definitely a money pit, the 2.8 motor is highly reliable but not as powerful and not modable.

[G Men 08]

alrighty guys thanks!! if i get one it will probably have around 70,000 ish on the clock, anything to take note of?

[xpl0sive]

if u want a fast a6 without having to worry about turbos get a 4.2 :)

[lodit]

Dude, there's no comparison between an A4 and an A6, except for the 4 ring logo.

Both are great for their target markets, but they are different cars.

Perhaps the best question to ask is, "What would YOU rather be seen driving?"

Then there's no second guessing.

People have their opinions, so listen to them, but in the end it's YOURS that counts.

Btw, A6 4.2Q ftw... :)

[Kievskiy]

[o_o] 2.8 is the slowest one, but it is more reliable then any other, and def more reliable than any Turbo motor, 1.8, 2.7, etc....2.7t is good, but you need to realize what you're getting yourself into.......

If you really want a AUDI do not get one with a 2.8 motor they are the worst motors out there to many problems. 1.8T 2.7T or 3.0 motors are the best.

[skiroad'r]

alrighty guys thanks!! if i get one it will probably have around 70,000 ish on the clock, anything to take note of?

Not sure if the 2.8 motors have a timing belt or not. If so, plan on changing that and the waterpump soon.

[oc-drop]

alrighty guys thanks!! if i get one it will probably have around 70,000 ish on the clock, anything to take note of?
time for timing belt
and have the suspension looked at, specifically joints and bushings

and just be sure that regular maintenance was recorded, like oil changes etc and that they were performed regularly.

[Stampy]

Get a 4.2 and enjoy the widebody. You also can enjoy the most reliable Audi motor with enough power to keep you happy. If I didn't want the widebody I would have gotten a 2.8/3.0. The 2.7t is a VERY tunable motor. Other than that is a headache waiting to happen and the mother of all money pits. Imagine driving home from work at 20mph and then boom, a turbo goes for no reason.....byebye $4000+.

I was able to score my fully loaded 01 4.2 with 75k for $9100 at a dealer. These cars don't retain value for shit. That is why all these kids are driving them now.

[G Men 08]

stampy what is your fuel milage? lol or with a v8 should i say fuel feet[:D]

[Stampy]

I have been getting 20-23mpg the last 3 weeks. 22 gallon tank. It doesn't get the best mileage, but not the worst. If I did all highway honestly, I think I would get 25-28. I haven't gone on a long enough road trip yet to find out.

[G Men 08]

hmm thats not too bad i guess.. i get about the with my 3.0, as long as i can keep it within 20-25 mpgs ill be happy lol thanks for your help!! wish me luck for the am lol the potential buyer is coming to look at it!![confused]

[ukr77]

A coworker of mine has a 2003 A4 1.8T. REal nice car other than the fact that the console is loosing its textured finish. Actually a lot of surfaces are loosing their textured finish. HE heard that it was a problem with that year...

[G Men 08]

^^ yeah ive heard that the 1.8t arent build with the best of materials as say the a4 2.8 and 3.0, and after i drove a 1.8t same year as mine i see why theyve said that

[ukr77]

my 4.2 gets 13L/100km (18 miles per us gallons/22miles per imp gallons) city over the last month. I made a run from Calgary, AB to Vancouver over the Rockies (~1000km) and got 9.1L/100km (26 miles per us gallons/32 miles per imp gallons) driving pretty quick (NOT a flat drive!).

love the 4.2, enough power for these road these days.