m4240z

I used to have a 2011 B8, Premium, with a 6-speed, and recently picked up a 2013 A6 2.0T. About a week after I got the A6, someone keyed the fender, so while it's in the shop, insurance rented me a 2013 B8, base car, automatic.

The 2013 B8 is a remarkable car, even in base trim. The new electromechanical steering, which I thought I would hate, isn't anywhere as bad as I would have thought. In fact, effort nicely balanced against speed, and the 8 speed in S mode makes the car quite perky. The steering feel is a bit heavier than that of the 2011, and has considerably better feel than the A6, especially when the A6 is in 'comfort' mode. In 'dynamic' mode the A6 steering effort picks up a little, but still not to the precision that I'm getting out the A4.

The smaller footprint, and lighter weight contribute to a car that is much more satisfying to drive hard -- and we're talking about a rental car. In fact, there have been changes, I think, but don't know where, in the suspension that really changes the feel of the B8 from 2011 to 2013. So much so, that the base car has a very sporting feel to it.

The A6 feels much heavier, and much larger, despite the fact that the curb weight difference is minimal, and dimensionally, the car isn't really all that much bigger. It has, frankly, very few sporting aspirations, which is fine with me, as I didn't get it for sport, but rather for size and hauling the family around.

I have to admit that I have a very slight sense of buyer's remorse in getting the A6, when the A4, especially the 2013 is so much car. Given that the base car is about 2/3 the price of the A6 for about 95% of the goodness, I think it's a great bargain.

Enjoy your rides.