2004 vs. 2005 A6?

[new audi guy]

soo. could use some advice on whether to get a '04 or '05

looking at 2004 2.7t s line or, 2005 3.2 / or 4.2

both around 40k miles used....


what are pros and cons that are important for the new style vs. old style?

i like the appearance of the 2004 better, and don't like the mmi, but i havent driven the 2005 yet. is it vastly better in any way performance wise?

is it possible to add navi to a 2004 if it wasnt factory included?


thanks for any good info!


also looking at extended warranties... seems like $3500 is typical for 3-4 years... is that worth it?

[Kevin1]

The 05 is significantly larger than the 04. In addition, the 05 4.2 has significantly more horsepower than the 04 2.7. With the 05 you will have to check out the MMI to make sure that it has been updated. The early versions of the MMI software (versions 7 and 10) had several bugs that were later corrected with versions 33 and 41. I would go with the 05 4.2, but I am biased since that is what I drive.

[A62TURBO]

^^^ They say the 05' and up A6's are more reliable, but if you are looking at doing any modding what so ever you should get the 2.7t. As far as navi goes you can retrofit an RNS-E for about $1500 which in my opinion is well worth it, heres an example of the RNS-E in an A4.

[Kevin1]

There are few mods for the 05 4.2. However, off the show room floor it has 335 hp with 310 torque. Unitronic has a chip that for $550 brings the numbers on the 05 4.2 to 355 HP and 329 torque. In comparison the 04 2.7 off the show room floor has 250 HP and 258 torque. However with a chip you can bring the 04 2.7's numbers up to 318 HP and 382 torque. If you plan on going beyond just a chip, the numbers for the 04 2.7 just keep climbing. Unfortuantely with the 05 4.2 there is not much to do beyond the chip.

On the reliability/maintenance side, not only is the 05 reportedly more reliable, but it also has a timing chain. The 04 2.7 has a timing belt, which will need to be replaced around 75K miles.

[A62TURBO]

If you're looking for stability, go for the 05', if you wanna have fun and probably pay a bit more for maintenance, go 03'-04'.

[new audi guy]

cool. thanks for the info guys.


i was thinking of chipping the '04 to get it to 315 hp.

sounds like the'05 4.2 is way more reliable and still fast though.


hmmmm....

[mcaanda]

I have an o4 S-line, and kinda wished that I had the front end of the o5's. I will say that the sheer "super sized-ness" of the o5's is what lead me to the o4's.

It's small enough to still get a bit of fun out of, and larger than the pre o5 A4's which allow me to stuff the kids and all our gear into the car without feeling cramped.

Now, it seems that the o5 and newer A4's are about the same size as my o4 A6, but with less power so I guess its a wash when you really think about it.

Wow, talk about a ramble. Belt or not, I'd kick the tires of the new A6's and see what you come up with.

GL.

[Stone825]

cool. thanks for the info guys.


i was thinking of chipping the '04 to get it to 315 hp.

sounds like the'05 4.2 is way more reliable and still fast though.


hmmmm....

Personally I would get the '05 A6. You get a newer car, MMI, a better interior imo, and a more reliable car. Just my thoughts. In addition the 4.2 does 0-60 in 6.0 seconds which should be plenty for you :)

[KiloByte]

I have an o4 S-line, and kinda wished that I had the front end of the o5's. I will say that the sheer "super sized-ness" of the o5's is what lead me to the o4's.

It's small enough to still get a bit of fun out of, and larger than the pre o5 A4's which allow me to stuff the kids and all our gear into the car without feeling cramped.

Now, it seems that the o5 and newer A4's are about the same size as my o4 A6, but with less power so I guess its a wash when you really think about it.

Wow, talk about a ramble. Belt or not, I'd kick the tires of the new A6's and see what you come up with.

GL.

Have you ever sat in the back seat of a B7 A4? They are nowhere near as spacious as the C6 A6s. B8 A4 is where Audi finally gave the rear more leg room. I really don't care how much room is back there though.

[mcaanda]

Have you ever sat in the back seat of a B7 A4? They are nowhere near as spacious as the C6 A6s. B8 A4 is where Audi finally gave the rear more leg room. I really don't care how much room is back there though.

Myself no - I was putting kids and car seats back there and found that the C5 A6 seemed to fit better.

[A62TURBO]

^^^ I was gonna trade my C5 for a B7 S4 but there was no room at all in the back, I need room in the back for me and my girl haha

[HOFFY11]

4.2 if you want just a fast car doing lil mods and its reliable..2.7t if your gonna do heavy mods and waste alot of money making it fast..but id say if you want just a fast car, gor s4 with the 2.7t and get beastin

[Stampy]

Why not an 04 with the 4.2? You said you prefer the looks, but this way you get reliability, 300hp, widebody, and I think a timeless design.

But if you are in between the cars you suggested, I would get the C6 even though I hate the rear end on that thing.

[wofman]

..2.7t if your gonna do heavy mods and waste alot of money making it fast..

Hoffy -- I thought you had decided to turn a new leaf and behave yourself.... "heavy"? "waste"? "alot"? Takes very little for 2.7 to surpass the 4.2.... Hey, speaking of hot 4.2 mods, did you get the new floor mats yet?

[Stampy]

It's true....

Good thing you brought up the floor mats Wofman, I need a new pair. I'll order them now.

[A62TURBO]

Hoffy -- I thought you had decided to turn a new leaf and behave yourself.... "heavy"? "waste"? "alot"? Takes very little for 2.7 to surpass the 4.2.... Hey, speaking of hot 4.2 mods, did you get the new floor mats yet?

haha +1 wofman

[new audi guy]

so sounds like smart move is the 2005 4.2

of course it will hold value better so i could ditch it more easily.


thanks...

any truth to the reviews i've read that the seats are less comfortable in the '05? or is that just the tighter suspension making it feel rougher...

[04A6SLine]

if you gonna get the C6.. better 4.2 or else we will disown you here in the forum!!!!

[Stone825]

so sounds like smart move is the 2005 4.2

of course it will hold value better so i could ditch it more easily.


thanks...

any truth to the reviews i've read that the seats are less comfortable in the '05? or is that just the tighter suspension making it feel rougher...

I have a C5 and rode in my friends dad's C6 on the way up to Penn State and let me tell you that was absurdly comfortable :)

[HOFFY11]

Hoffy -- I thought you had decided to turn a new leaf and behave yourself.... "heavy"? "waste"? "alot"? Takes very little for 2.7 to surpass the 4.2.... Hey, speaking of hot 4.2 mods, did you get the new floor mats yet?

ok since you want to get into it ill talk some "sense" into you..You WILL WASTE ALOT of MONEY trying to make an 2.7 fast..it was never made for the speeds people want to get them to, its a luxury car that weighs over 4000 lbs..you simply have a dream if you think your going to get an a6 2.7 any where near fast...i didnt say to surpass the 4.2, i said to heavily mod it its an expensive lossed cause, and its true...get a lighter s-class audi if your looking for speed. comprende?

[A62TURBO]

ok since you want to get into it ill talk some "sense" into you..You WILL WASTE ALOT of MONEY trying to make an 2.7 fast..it was never made for the speeds people want to get them to, its a luxury car that weighs over 4000 lbs..you simply have a dream if you think your going to get an a6 2.7 any where near fast...i didnt say to surpass the 4.2, i said to heavily mod it its an expensive lossed cause, and its true...get a lighter s-class audi if your looking for speed. comprende?

lol I think he meant that a lightly modded stage 1 2.7t will def. smoke a 4.2. In your first post you made it sound like the 2.7t is shit when in fact is a beast after even only slight modding.

[HOFFY11]

lol I think he meant that a lightly modded stage 1 2.7t will def. smoke a 4.2. In your first post you made it sound like the 2.7t is shit when in fact is a beast after even only slight modding.

well beast as in mid 13's in the quarter? lol there is only so much you can do to a car with such weight..thats why its stupid to go for an a6 if your looking to mod to make it fast, its not going to happen..and if your gonna make it fast its by wasting alot of money to put it in a 2.7t, or by buying the rs6, or new s6.

[Stone825]

From the start isn't the 2.7T just as fast as the 4.2? So with a simple chip you're ahead of the 4.2 already if I'm not mistaken.

B5 S4 = 3100lbs
C5 A6 2.7T = 3759lbs

And I wonder how fast a GT28r A6 is
If the CTS-V can be quick then there isn't any reason that the 2.7T C5 can't.

CTS-V = 4200lbs curb weight.

[HOFFY11]

From the start isn't the 2.7T just as fast as the 4.2? So with a simple chip you're ahead of the 4.2 already if I'm not mistaken.

B5 S4 = 3100lbs
C5 A6 2.7T = 3759lbs

And I wonder how fast a GT28r A6 is
If the CTS-V can be quick then there isn't any reason that the 2.7T C5 can't.

CTS-V = 4200lbs curb weight.

ok idk what you all consider fast, but im thining your not fast unless you get the quarter mile in atleast high 11's...find a 2.7t guy that achieved this and ask him the price it took him to get it there..that will easily prove my point..alot more money than its worth in my opinion..get an rs4, s4 if you wanna mod for some luxery and more speed

[HOFFY11]

soon enough ill do some pulls with the 2.7t that lives by me and ill tell the results

[A62TURBO]

ok idk what you all consider fast, but im thining your not fast unless you get the quarter mile in atleast high 11's...find a 2.7t guy that achieved this and ask him the price it took him to get it there..that will easily prove my point..alot more money than its worth in my opinion..get an rs4, s4 if you wanna mod for some luxery and more speed

lol does your car do the 1/4 in the 11's???

edit: To make a stock 4.2 do the 1/4 mile in the high eleven's will take just as much money if not more to achieve.

[Stone825]

soon enough ill do some pulls with the 2.7t that lives by me and ill tell the results

Videoo! I haven't seen a 4.2 vs. 2.7T up yet so if you could post one that would be awesome.

[wofman]

so sounds like smart move is the 2005 4.2

of course it will hold value better so i could ditch it more easily.

If they are both same price now, then I guess you've proven that s line 2.7 is better at value -- what am I (you) missing on that?

As for Hoffy, he is what he is. 2.7 "slightly" modded is faster, handles a tad better and C5 is, to many, a better looking style. 4.2 has wider body which is its plus. I gather you're looking at auto trans in either case? (only 2.7 gives 6 sp MT option) If you are thinking 3.2 we're done. '04 S line.

Seat comfort is a red herring. And yes, you can add navi, ipod, etc.

As for the "way more reliable" that's a big overstatement, for sure. Timing belt issues sooner on 2.7. Cont'l arms, tie rods for both. Sometimes tranny issues with 4.2, sometimes turbos on 2.7 (though I keep hoping for the latter, my stocks run like new at 120K -- upgrade to RS4 turbos would be sweet!)

Good luck either way. And Hoffy, try to exercise some control, would you?

wofman

[Stampy]

Boys and girls....this isn't a 2.7t -vs- 4.2 debate.

[wofman]

Boys and girls....this isn't a 2.7t -vs- 4.2 debate.

well, son ... it's sort of part of it, no?

[02 A6 2.7T]

ok idk what you all consider fast, but im thining your not fast unless you get the quarter mile in atleast high 11's...find a 2.7t guy that achieved this and ask him the price it took him to get it there..that will easily prove my point..alot more money than its worth in my opinion..get an rs4, s4 if you wanna mod for some luxery and more speed

B5 S4 (2002) 6MT = 3593 lbs
C5 A6 (2002) 6MT = 3759 lbs

My math says I have a 166 lb weight penalty vs a B5 S4, and a LOT more room. I'll take the weight penalty, and enjoy the space!

[Stampy]

ok....fine Wofman I'll play. You 2.7 guys. What kind of coin do you have to drop to be stage 3? I think APRs kit is 8K and that includes no DP's or exhaust. It does have the necessary fuel upgrades though. Once you add the full exhaust, clutch, intercoolers, install, etc, you are easily at 11K+ right? Same thing with the AWE kit($8300).

I understand the point HOFFY is making. That being said, no doubt you have a lot more fun driving around in a manual 2.7t. With say $2k you can chip/exhaust, and probably be happy. To reach that next level to what I agree would actually be fast... will take some serious coin.

[wofman]

Checkle, chuckle... Yeah, we get back to this pretty often. I suspect your numbers are pretty close. Cheapest bang for buck is chip ($500 or thereabouts), then comes downpipes (Vast at low end, say $1K, APR up near $2K installed). By then 4.2 is toast. Add abot 10 more HP with air intake for a couple hundred and you're pretty much around 250p at wheels.

At least $10K for full blown stage 3 seems about right -- about $7K for turbos, fueling components, intercoolers, misc -- plus labor. Of course, you'll then want boost gauge, and then you'll want.... Thanks for reminding me why I really don't want my K03s to wear out yet. But if they do....

[Stampy]

It's cool man....I have the same fear about my trans.

[HOFFY11]

Good luck either way. And Hoffy, try to exercise some control, would you?

wofman

im sorry man.. i just start twitchin and drewling like a rabid dog...still lovin all my a6 guys no homo

[HOFFY11]

ok....fine Wofman I'll play. You 2.7 guys. What kind of coin do you have to drop to be stage 3? I think APRs kit is 8K and that includes no DP's or exhaust. It does have the necessary fuel upgrades though. Once you add the full exhaust, clutch, intercoolers, install, etc, you are easily at 11K+ right? Same thing with the AWE kit($8300).

I understand the point HOFFY is making. That being said, no doubt you have a lot more fun driving around in a manual 2.7t. With say $2k you can chip/exhaust, and probably be happy. To reach that next level to what I agree would actually be fast... will take some serious coin.

good thing i tagged stampy in...go stamp goo!!! haha

[Stampy]

I got Your back HOFFY! I won't let these 2.7 bullies do too much damage

[new audi guy]

Haha... i love this debate. i really didnt mean to start such a brawl.


i'm gonna price out the 2.7t with about 2k in upgrades and the 4.2 with no upgrades and see where it comes out.


some dealer in Queens, NY is offering a 2005 4.2 for 17,900 with 40k miles. if you finance with them.

www.kgsuzuki.com

sounds shady as hell, but who knows...

thanks for all the responses! very educational

[A62TURBO]

Haha... i love this debate. i really didnt mean to start such a brawl.


i'm gonna price out the 2.7t with about 2k in upgrades and the 4.2 with no upgrades and see where it comes out.


some dealer in Queens, NY is offering a 2005 4.2 for 17,900 with 40k miles. if you finance with them.

www.kgsuzuki.com

sounds shady as hell, but who knows...

thanks for all the responses! very educational

Watch out for the Queens dealers lol Make sure what ever you do that it is still covered under factory warranty and you should be fine.

[c6bel]

i'm partial to the c6, but either is a fine choice. just remember, the c5 is "old technology". the electronics, engine management, transmission, abs and air bags in a c6antiquate the c5.

but if power is what you want, and money isn't really an option, go for the 2.7...just be sure it's a manual.