rapyoke

Which would you guys choose? I currently have experience only with a B7 A4 2.0T which lacks a little oomph, but I'm absolutely sold on Audi's refined interior and driving experience.

rapyoke

I will be using it mainly for commuting on the highway and I'd like for it to have a little pickup, but I don't see the purpose in dealing with the S6's rarity and the gas mileage of a V10 if there's no use for it.

BigDYL

you meant 4.2 V8 right?

nosirrah

I have an 05 4.2 A6 and love it . It did not cost a am and a leg but still has decent power . I was just at the dealership today and the only other 4.2 on the whole lot (including customers) was a single A8L . On the road I have seen 2 other A6 4.2 in the last year . I have never seen an S6 in the real world but the 4.2 is also decently rare .

BlueCat_A6_allroad

I have had the 2.7T V6 (twice), the 4.2 V8 and now the 5.2 V10, in that order. I am obviously an Audi addict. I loved every one of those cars and enjoyed the power of each.

If you prefer not to spend an obscene amount of money on an S6 yet want to drive an impressively powerful car, go for the 4.2 V8. I might still have that A6 if not for a nasty hail storm that did more damage than I wanted to have fixed.

The other thing I recommend is the S-Line undercarriage, a component at least as important as the powerplant. The A6 mentioned above did not have S-Line where my previous two A6's did and the difference in handling was painfully obvious. Where I say "might still have" would change to "would still have" if it had S-Line. After driving two A6's that could dart around corners like a go-cart, the regular suspension on the 4.2 A6 felt like I was bouncing around on the moon. I had to be careful on mixmasters and intersections - like people in regular cars. Lame.

My (biased) recommendation: 4.2 V8 with S-Line.

Whichever way you go, enjoy the Audi experience.

KevinGary

My 4.2 is a great driving car. I have driven a few 3.2s and they are only ok. If you don't need the oomph of the 5.2 I would go with the 4.2.

audi40

What about the 3.0T?

JerryS4

If used is your goal for under say $40K, then the 4.2L is the only way to go, if you have ruled out the S6. Great power in either motor.

If new is a possibility, the 3.0T will give you most of the 4.2L power with all the latest features and model improvements...60/40 torque split, LED DRLs, new tail and front face and other tweaks.

The 3.2L will give you the best fuel mileage and is a fine car...I had it for three years and loved it. Just drive in "S" mode around town and it is plenty peppy.

I will be in this position next year and I will be looking at the S6 since gasoline is not an issue for my job. I may go the 3.0T route most likely and do a Chip upgrade, exhaust and suspension tweaks.

aceecaus

5.2 V-10, why??? Because you could...
Otherwise, the 4.2 is a great engine.

r1racer

I need to go test drive the 4.2 as the 3.2 has plenty get up in s or manual mode...not so much in normal mode. Is there a night and day difference in the two (both in s mode)?