Wade(4.2-2.4)+T

My 2001 4.2 is a great car but it has several minor problems which annoy me a bit and the 2002 improvements are very attractive. I'm about ready to take the plunge. Answers to these questions could easily sway me.

Are 2002 interiors any less creaky?

If you downshift with the steering wheel buttons while in "D", how soon does the tranny shift back up if you're not accelerating?

With the trans in "S", does it perform better when accelerating after slowing to 10 or 15 mph? My '01 is reluctant to go to 2nd in such situations. Posts here indicate that the trans is much more responsive in "S". I'd love to get quicker downshifts.

Do the thicker glass and improved door seals really reduce noise?

Are the suspension and power steering improvements noticable?

Are the xenons better?

What tires are sport pkg 4.2s coming with? Which ones should I ask for?

Is the sport pkg. ride and handling any different?

Any input is appreciated!

Bada Bing

A lcoal dealer in SoCAl is adverising a low mileage 2001 A6 4.2 for $35,995. I don't know the details of the car or its options, but I think even if you get a good deal on a new 2002, you will have to fork over $12-15K for the upgrade. IMO, it's not worth it.

seattle audi

I'm upgrading from a 2001 allroad to a 2002 S6 (extra $$). The allroad didn't have many faults (only one, very squeeky rear brakes) but it didn't fit our lifestyle. Our lifestyle requires a wagon and going past my 40th birthday I was not ready to give up on performance. Thus, a S6 fits the bill. These kinds of choices rest with the purchaser. Best of wishes and luck with your decision. I know that the 4.2 (or S8) would be my choice if I didn't need a wagon.

Finman

Wind Noise:
Yes, there is reduced wind noise...now, how much of that is due to the alcantara in our S6, I don't know...but I'm convinced the wind noise is decreased.
Creaking interior:
Neither my '01 4.2 nor my S6 creaks...except for minor creaking of the passenger seatbelt latch when buckled in the S6.
Xenons:
No, no difference in 99.99% of the time. The low beams are the same, and I almost never use the high-beams, but honestly, it seems to make no difference even when I do...they are both very good high-beams.
Power Steering:
Yes, better than the '01 with a little more boost than the '02 with the new relay. Honestly, though, I do not mind any of the three 609, 628, or neither...but the new one is between the 609 and the 628...very good and very linear.
Tranny shifts, suspension, sport package...I cannot comment as the S6 is obviously not the same.

Good luck...how much is this gonna cost you?

Finman

Sorry you're soooo old...but good choice!

Green A6 Avant

On the transmission's S mode...much better than D.

Steve's 3.2 TT/Avant

The 02 interior may be a little less creaky, but I suspect that interior differences are more attributable to the specific car, rather than the model year.

You can't downshift with the steering wheel buttons while in "D." You still have to push the shift lever to the tip mode before you can use the steering wheel tip buttons.

"S" mode gives quicker downshifts for the same amount/speed of throttle movement, and holds upshifts longer.

Thicker glass and door seals have made the cabin noticeably quieter to my ears.

Suspension improvements are much better. This year's non-sport package drives much closer to last year's sport package, and this year's sport package seems much, much tighter than last year's sport package.

The 02's xenons appear a little brigher than the 01's, with a slightly higher demarcation. We've had the 01's raised as high as the service department says they can be raised, but they still seem lower than the 02.

My 4.2 came with ContiSportContact's. I don't like them, but I don't think you have a choice. Every 4.2 sport that I've seen this year has the Conti's.

Wade(4.2-2.4)+T

Thanks for the answers! The cost will actually be about $4K. The cost thing is kind of weird, though. Here's the deal: I'm leasing my '01. I don't plan on keeping it at the end. I'm driving too many miles, which will cost me, and I'll need an extended warranty. Together, those will cost about $6K. So, that $6K is already on the way out of my wallet. It's going to take $10K to get into the '02 (dealer already committed to deal). That's how I come up with the $4K mentioned above. The lease on the new one will have the same payments, more miles, and a good extended warranty (100K miles). So, theoretically, I won't have to cough up any cash at the end of the lease. Does all that make sense? Anyway, the way I do the math, I'll be getting a new, better car with a better lease and warranty for about $4K and the same payments. I could probably avoid the $4K outgo if I sold the car myself, but I'm hopelessly busy yet lazy. Impatient, too.

Wade(4.2-2.4)+T

The fork-over isn't going to be all that bad thanks to my lease circumstances (see my reply to Finman above). The only thing I don't like about the whole deal is no Cashmere/Tungsten available for '02. I'll have to settle for Silver/Ebony.

Finman

Sounds good to me...