On the fence for a long time....

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

I have a stage 3 a4 and i love it but i have a kid on the way. I need more room. I looked into a b7 a4 avant but the legroom is still to small. My next loves will be a 05+ C6 Audi A6 or an 04+ Audi Allroad.
I have a few questions if you ladies and gents can assist me in my decision making process i will greatly appreciate it.

1) Which car has more interior room?

2) Should I trust a 2.7T engine? If I were to buy the car certified would the turbo's be under warrenty?

3) Would a car seat fit comfortably in either rear seat area unlike my teeny a4?

4) How important is it topurchase a certified car? Why or why not?

I sincerely appreciate your time and responses.

[Affinitive]

2.7T cars are nothing but toys. An 04 Allroad also came with the 4.2. I'd recommend the 4.2 over the 2.7 any day. Long term expenses will be far less. Not much difference in gas either as that 4.2 will hardly ever have to work hard. Also comes with a much better transmission (5HP24 instead of the 5HP19). The Allroads are C5 chassis even though they went through 05. A C6 chassis is a very different world. Somewhat more software intensive car. Preferrably you'll wana find one of the few folks like me with a certified 5052 to take care of the car. The AllRoad will be a little more flexible as far as indypendent shops are concerned, but not much more. The Allroad also has air suspension. It seems to be somewhat hit or miss wether there'll be problems or not. Seems like they either have tons of problems with air suspension or none at all. ?????
The certified things means a tech at the dealer spent 5 minutes looking at the car to milk the flat rate. Regardless, take the car to an independent shop specialising in Audi who can check it out, again though, indy's with c6 experience is still a little tuff to find.
Extended/Aftermarket warranties are a must now a days and it will pay for itself 2 - 3 times over when you have someone who can work em and knows the cars. Then again, it boils down to finding the right person to take care of the car for you.

I myself would go for a C6.

C

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

Thanks for your input. I know if i get the 2.7t i might be tempted to chip and upgrade and if the turbos go i would stage 3 it. Making it a money pit again. I'm not sure if the speed is out of my system as yet.
im leaning toward the sedan because my fiance doesnt fancy wagons as much as i do...
Im was leaning toward the allroad because it's cheaper.
I have a stage 3 a4 i have a trustworthy mechanic. I was wondering how many people actually have things replaced under warranty... (i'm gonna read the sticky...)

[Daft]

Affinitive makes a bunch of good points.

Unfortunately, I could not ignore the call of the 2.7T. It's was beckoning me closer for 7 years before I finally got one.

I did not get a CPO. I got chipped. Lost a turbo. Paid for K04s & inlets. Ditched the chip. Got Stage 3 fueling. Got intercoolers. Car is F A S T.

All that stuff aside, I love the space of the C5. I had a 1998.5 A4 1.8T before this (you might remember) and it was a good little car but, little is the key word here. I kid you not, I can't reach the back seat from the driver's seat. Both of my sons still use booster seats and they aren't able to kick the back of the seats if my wife and I are up front. If some freakishly tall person rides in the passenger seat, it will put the seat back into kid kicking territory and the battle will begin.

As for the gearbox. I took the time to locate a 6-speed. Best way to go hands down. Good for power, just as good when the snow arrives. I commute 120 miles per day and I drive 92 miles of it on an interstate highway in an area that is mostly Ski country in the winter. This car owns the highway with a set of sport snow tires. Granted, I won't get through a foot of snow in this car but, most cars won't anyhow. If I had to get through that much, an SUV would be needed anyhow.

As for the Allroad, it's a great car. I test drove the allroad 2.7T before I bought the A6. My problem was that it was sluggish and it didn't brake very well for a premium vehicle. It weights a good 4100+ Lbs and I had to stop short while on the test drive and I really had to lay into in for a bit to get it to start digging in. The salesman even got nervous.

The 4.2L is by far the simplest way to go if you want 300HP and no fuss for the time that you own it. There are just a few things you should keep in mind. The V8 will burn gas. 16City/21Hwy. 18.5Gal tank just like the 2.7T cars. Expect 340-350 miles from a tank of gas. It takes 9 quarts of oil per oil change. The only other issue I can see is that you can't get a manual if you wanted to.

As with any car, get out and test drive one of each car you're considering and you'll just have to make the choice for yourself.

In your scenario, you are going to be a dad soon and once the baby arrives your free time will magically disapear. So tinkering on the car won't be as easy anymore. So perhaps the 4.2 would be less time consuming, just more expensive on gas and oil changes.

[RAUDIS6]

I went your route, dumped a ton into a B5 A4, then went B5 S4, and dumped a ton to get to Stage 3, had a baby boy, wife wanted more room, tried to talk her into a S4 Avant, but she was not buying it, not enough room, then ended up with a C5 S6 Avant, alot more room (night and day), alcantara interior, pillars, roof, etc..love the car, and hardly drive the S4 anymore, plus it is cool to drive a car that only about 1200 made it to the states, you just don't see them that often. The 4.2's are very thirsty, and only get about 16-18 MPG, but there is not much to do mod wise to that enigine, so you are not even tempted. Oil filters are expensive, and it takes 9 quarts, so if you do not do your own oil changes, get ready for $120 oil changes. You should be able to get a good deal on one with how gas prices are hammering V8 resales. I was going to sell my 2002 LS430 to Carmax, and they offered me $16,900 on a $21,000 book, and I turned it down, but after not finding a buyer, went back 5 weeks later and only 200 more miles on her, and they only offered me $10,500. I was like WTF!!! The rep told me that V8's are taking a blood bath, so I have a LS430 for sale if anyone is interested. LOL!!!!


Good Luck on your next purchase.

[IMG][/IMG]


Good Luck.

[Sheeple]

I was in the same boat as you as well. I had a beautiful 05 S6 that I loved but the pregnant wife hated. She hated the recaros, the ride, basically everything I loved about the car. When our son was born she hated riding in the passenger seat because the baby carrier HAD to be behind the passenger seat. There was no way I could drive the car if it was in the middle of the backseats. The passenger seat had to be moved way up and the passenger suffered for it. When the boy got big enough for a forward facing car seat he was able to kick the back of the passenger seat and get my alcantara dirty.

So we need more room and I found a 2002 S6 cheaper than my lease buyout so I went for it. The family is much happier and after modding a little so am I. The funny thing is when I brought it to work people were asking why I just bought the same car in red! haha

Good luck on finding your next ride. I do love the C6 Avants too.

FTW!

Tim

[jon c]

love the black doorblades!

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

Thanks guys...
Yall are gonna hurt my pockets i havent seen a c6 a6 avant for sale in my area (11215)
DAft you always been helpful in the b5 forum. YOu must have forgot i nominated you for member of the year before... Lol
Any way raudis6 amd sheeple your cars are sick and I love how they look sleek and timeless... Damn...
I have to show the wife wat station wagons i mean avants are suppose to look like...

[Stampy]

Honestly man, I would recommend you look at the C5 4.2. You get more than enough power. You get the widebody. The only real 4.2 problem is the tranny can go BOOM. My opinion is that it is the most reliable motor Audi ever made. Just do the maintenance, and the TB and you are good. All 4.2's have a 22 gallon tank. Every time my MTE thing says 0, I fill up 18.5-19 gallons. I have averaged anywhere from 17mpg mostly city to 23.5mpg on a heavy mix but probably 80% of that highway. Since you have your B5 you know the common Audi issues that are possible. I have been lucky with this C5, no really issues at all. That being said, I was heavily considering the 2.7T. Until I read the thread that DAFT posted about when his turbo went out. That is just something I don't want to deal with. I am pretty good with maintenance and stuff, but I knew DAFT is really on top of his. Unless you are going to be proactive and swap out the K03's right away, I wouldn't do it. As with the B5S4 it is a potential bomb always waiting to go off. If this is supposed to be a reliable family cruiser, I would stick with the 4.2. The 4.2 is cheap as sin now. I got my white one in March for $9100 with 75k on it.

4.2 with widebody = good times and sweet cruiser

[LA_AudiTR]

I have a stage 3 a4 and i love it but i have a kid on the way. I need more room. I looked into a b7 a4 avant but the legroom is still to small. My next loves will be a 05+ C6 Audi A6 or an 04+ Audi Allroad.

Wow - this looks a lot like my current situation. It was a hard decision to let my B6 Stage3+ car go (SLEEEPER). fortunately it will be going to a friend who will take good care of it (I hope). But I've actually made an offer to purchase a C5 S6 avant already and am getting restless waiting for the transaction to close!!! I also considered the 2.7T but I could not find one in an avant (dont know if a 2.7T was made in an avant). And i doubt i would be in any position to mod the heck out of the 2.7T given I now have a 1 year old and planning for another one.

[jon c]

You'll find enough ways to spend money even without the 2.7t...

[LA_AudiTR]

SWEEEtness!!!!

[LA_AudiTR]

[IMG][/IMG]

Another hot ride!!!!

I like the clear corners!!! is your car dropped?

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

I was looking at my budget and it apppears an allroad or c5 maybe be in the budget.
Stampy where did you score a 4.2 for $9.5k???
Wat MY is your car?

[Stampy]

It's a 2001 and I got this one at a Mazda dealer here in IL. If you aren't in a rush to buy, I would take the time and search. I almost got an 03 S6 with 51K on it for $16,000. They were asking 21K and it sat for 4 months. I offered them 17k at first and then they came calling four months later saying they would sell it for that. I offered them 16k and they wouldn't do it. My A6 appeared on Autotrader like the same day. I went to look at it and it was perfect. They were asking $10,500, but to make the deal work they sold it for $9100. I guess the big thing is that I wasn't in a rush. Most of them were sitting here in the area around $11,500-$14,000. I wasn't opposed to paying that much, at that price I expected it to be in damn good shape though. Depreciation is a mofo.

[RAUDIS6]

Another hot ride!!!!

I like the clear corners!!! is your car dropped?

Actually not at this time, I was about to, and after I put the wheels on, the gaps did not look too bad, so just on stock sport springs. I will be one day.

[dparnas]

Same boat here too a while back. Went from a Supercharged B5 A4 to a C5 A6 2.7T w/ Giac X chip. When the turbos starting leaking oil and they wanted $5k+ for new ones I dumped it for a 2005 allroad 4.2. As awesome as the 2.7T engine is, would never go back to that unless under warranty just because of the outrageous cost to repair. It's a robbery that they put the turbos in a location that requires pulling the engine to replace. Give me an f'ing break. Now I don't have to worry about turbos or the fever to mod. The Tip tranny also was updated, so the torque converter is solid. Great car, lots of room and versatile. Picked up an extended warranty to cover the air bags and other mechanicals so now I don't have to worry for 5 years.

[m-avant]

I was in the same boat - except this was because of my 2nd child, more room was is need. My Avant is CPO, and it has paid for a new torque converter, numerous interior items, and a passenger mirror.

I went from a B5 Avant:


To a C5 Avant:


I still miss the B5, but the C5 has the room and comfort that my growing family needed. The trunk space is more than adequate for gear and kid essentials and such. The interior room is also a plus. I have 2 Recaro baby seats in the back, and there is still room for an adult to sit back there. I can take a pic of the back seat with the 2 car seats and post it - if you are interested in seeing it. Also, my older one can't kick the back of the seats in the A6 (she could with the A4) which is cool - until her legs grow some more :-)

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

hell to the yeah... And where to purchase said recaro baby seat is wanted as well.

[Stampy]

I have the beige baby Recaro. That thing is awesome...sometimes I wish my fatass fit in it...

[m-avant]

try here: http://www.elitecarseats.com

this is what I have for my older child:


and this is what my younger one uses:


I also have a pair of these in my other cars:


They all have side impact protection, and grow with your child. The first one I posted (Start) even has built in speakers in the headrest portion of the seat.

[Daft]

Thanks guys...
DAft you always been helpful in the b5 forum. YOu must have forgot i nominated you for member of the year before... Lol

Ohhhh yeah! I forgot about that. Thanks agian man!

[bigmerle]

I was in the same boat - except this was because of my 2nd child, more room was is need. My Avant is CPO, and it has paid for a new torque converter, numerous interior items, and a passenger mirror.

I went from a B5 Avant:


To a C5 Avant:


I still miss the B5, but the C5 has the room and comfort that my growing family needed. The trunk space is more than adequate for gear and kid essentials and such. The interior room is also a plus. I have 2 Recaro baby seats in the back, and there is still room for an adult to sit back there. I can take a pic of the back seat with the 2 car seats and post it - if you are interested in seeing it. Also, my older one can't kick the back of the seats in the A6 (she could with the A4) which is cool - until her legs grow some more :-)

Love the B5...esp the wheels and the front lip

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

Did they ever make a c5 a6 4.2 avant?

[Daft]

Did they ever make a c5 a6 4.2 avant?

No, only as a 2.8L from 1995-2001 and then a 3.0L from 2002-2004.

You could always put a supercharger on the 3.0L....

That would bump the 3.0L to 318HP/267TQ.

[Sheeple]

C5 S6 or Allroad in 4.2l

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

No, only as a 2.8L from 1995-2001 and then a 3.0L from 2002-2004.

You could always put a supercharger on the 3.0L....

That would bump the 3.0L to 318HP/267TQ.

Thats another option to consider if i cant find a 4.2. I see that the sc are going for reasonable prices brand new...

[LA_AudiTR]

i jsut got my s6 avant but was considering a few other options. where are you located? there are a few listings that i can send to you that i was also considering but decided not to go with. let me know

[04A6SLine]

DAM!! wish i have never read this thread or wish i had before i bought my car... all this trashing on the 2.7t makes me wanna trade mine in for a 4.2

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

i jsut got my s6 avant but was considering a few other options. where are you located? there are a few listings that i can send to you that i was also considering but decided not to go with. let me know

I'm in Brooklyn, NY


04a6sline where did you purchase your car from?

[LA_AudiTR]

oh - nevermind. LOL IM in CALI. BUt take a look at autotrader.com and ebay motors. I think there were a couple from the east coast.

best of luck!

[04A6SLine]

I'm in Brooklyn, NY


04a6sline where did you purchase your car from?

i got it from PA dealer auction!!!.. YA BABY!!!!

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

what are some common problems associated with the allroad and are they expensive?

[Daft]

what are some common problems associated with the allroad and are they expensive?

The most noteworthy one would have to be the problems with the airbags. They have a habit of leaking and being rather pricey to replace. Otherwise, it depends on the motor you have in your allroad to list other potential isues.

[Kievskiy]

lol, 6 speed manual sukaaazz :D:D:D:D

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

The most noteworthy one would have to be the problems with the airbags. They have a habit of leaking and being rather pricey to replace. Otherwise, it depends on the motor you have in your allroad to list other potential isues.

the 2.7t because finding a 4.2 is like a needle in a hay stack...
Also Daft:
body wise wat are the difference between the years?
Is it possible to swap headlights or tails from the later years (04 - 05) to the older year (01- 03)?