Wantyboy

Anyone heard anything about A6 2.7T *Avant*? Will it be available with manual trans? (nt)

Wantyboy

I lusted after the 5-cyl S4/S6 wagons of the early 90s, but I wasn't in a position to get one. Now I can get an S4 Avant OR an A6 2.7T.

YAY!!!!!

Anyone want to share thoughts on S4 Avant vs. A6 2.7T Avant?

Obviously, the A6 is bigger and heavier (by 170 lbs, or one medium-sized human, no big deal). I'm not worried about weight anyway...engine mods can compensate for that if necessary ;-)

Anyone have thoughts on S4 vs A6 for long highway drives, for instance? Ski weekends? Long daily commutes? Dashes up mountains?

I guess it just comes down to a choice that has to be made...

--Wanty

Kendall

Re: The dealer told me that there is no A6 2.7T Avant expected here as a 2000 model

peterhe

The A6 is obviously a lot more spacious inside (maybe not in all dimensions?), but the big thing for me there is the option of a rear-facing 3rd seat.

I'm on the phone with AoA right now to check on the safety implications, but when I talked to Volvo of NA about it they said they'd done extensive testing with up to 80lbs. dummies (lifeless ones) and that they'd seen no leg damage at all (no intrusion into the leg space) and very high protection from side impacts because of the central seating location (only 2 seating positions) and the axle's resistance to compression.

Just FYI. Don't know if that's anywhere near what you were looking for :-)
- peter

peterhe

AoA just told me the 2.7T Avant is expected - they just don't know when...

Wantyboy

thanks peterhe, interesting data point!

April

Yes,

AOA says yes now to 6spd as is the current 2.8Q

April
ABS

peterhe

Er, the current 2.8q is a 5-sp...

Jim M

The standard A4 Avant and A6 Avant have a huge difference in feel. The A6 is larger, but feels a lot larger. If you don't need the room, get the S4. If you need the room, get the A6 2.7 and order the sport suspension if it's offered.

The S4 will be more fun around town for obvious reasons. The A6 is nice on the highway, where the longer wheelbase pays off big. Also, the interior room is welcome on long drives with multiple passengers. You wouldn't want to put adults in the back of an S4 for more than a short drive.

jm

cbf

Last year we were shopping for an A6 Avant with third row rear facing seat. Turns out Audi pulled the seats from the US market in the middle of the model year. (Not a formal recall, but they actually asked all dealer's parts depts to *return* any that they had in stock.) One local Seattle dealer claimed due to safety reasons. However, we never got confirmation of that and now it appears to be back for 2000 model year. Still wondering what was going on.

Decided to wait at least for A6 2.7T Avant, and perhaps the new Volvo V70XC. However, the safety of the third row seats is still much on our mind. I have seen almost nothing written on the subject. I wouldn't mind getting Volvo's test results in writing before I put my kids in that seat on the highway.