Big D

I know this area has been beaten to death but the lease is up soon and the realization that a 996 is just not doable with a newborn has hit pretty hard. Looking to get a used M5 or 540 or a used 4.2. I am really waiting for the new S4 and A6/S6 to make a decision in buying another Audi. I love my A6, dont get me wrong, but kinda in the mood for a change. I am certainly not leaving the marque permanantly. Not a big MB fan, and BMW and Audi are pretty much my choices. Thanks for your opinions.

Chuck540MZ

Very tough decision. Here's my heavily biased opinion on the A6 4.2 vs. 540. M5 is in a very different league with it's power and aggressive looks.

The 2 cars are overall equal, so you'll have to decide which of the following features is most important to you:

Looks: Likely a tie, but I still can't get used to the "insect-look" front-end of the A6 (Preying Mantis?). Somehow it works better on the new A4 and TT.

Acceleration/Power: 540, but not by a whole lot. The 540 has a lot more low end grunt off the line, but the A6 4.2 catches up very quickly.

Transmission: 540. I see a lot of posts from A6 owners complaining that their transmissions have to "unlearn" their softer driving habits before they can drive 100% spunky. 540 transmission "learns" your driving habits too, but if you put it in "Sport Mode", it has instant amnesia. If you want a 6-speed, the 540 offers that too.

Quality of construction: Tie

Reliability: Tie- According to all the posts I see here and on bimmer.org

Panache: If you want instant "snot-appeal"- 540. If you want "exclusive rarity"- A6 4.2.

Interior: I hate to admit it, but the A6 4.2 wins this one. 540 interior is very nice as well.

Room: A6 4.2 hands down. Back seat and trunk are much bigger.

Handling: 540- The first thing all magazines rav about is the 540's handling, so it must be true.

Traction: A6-4.2- If you live where snow and ice is a winter challenge, Quattro rules. 540's traction is only so-so, even with "Traction Control" and "Stability Control".

Price/Value: Likely A6 4.2, but shop around and deal. BMW dealers actually deal on the price because there is more mark-up than Audi's. Locally, I can buy a 540 for the same price as the A6 4.2.

Trade-in value: 540. For some reason A6's depreciate faster.

Options/Gadgets: Tie

"April Factor": Which one "pushes your buttons"? Only you can answer that.

rrussell

I just bought my wife a 2000 A6 4.2 with reg. suspension. I have a 97 540i with 6 spd, sport package and 52,000 mi. The A6 is a very nice car with many features and of course the AWD. However, even after 52,000 miles the 540i rides and handles much better than the A6. The longer wheel base and tighter suspension make for a much more pleasurable driving experience. I can't wait to upgrade the reg. suspension to a sport suspension. The A6 feels like its "floating" and steering feedback is "jiggly" compared to the always composed 540i. My wife loves her A6, but for me the 540i is much preferred except in the snow.

Big D

17 inch wheels are standard on the 4.2 right? Is the 605 pulled?

Chuck540MZ

I've driven the A6 4.2 with Sport Suspension and I think it's equal/better than 540 Non-sport susp.

Finman

they are standard...and not right on the 4.2.

I still feel like the steering is too light even with the 605 pulled.

Chuck540MZ

The one with no life, 1200 posts and 2 hard-earned "Moderated" posts (and darn proud of it). :-)

Finman

at least, maybe even calendar year '04 as an '05 model. Audi is really slow at getting these to the U.S., although with how well the S4 sold for those 2 1/4 years it was available here, it wouldn't surprise me much for them to hurry it up a bit this time.
The A6 will likely not change until the '05 model year...just a prediction.

RickS

Which Chuck are you?

RickS

BTW...ever use regular unleaded in your 540 on accident? I accidently grabbed the wrong pump while filling my X5, bow is it sluggish now, totally different car!