Hi all,
I've been lurking on this forum for a while and am hoping you-all can provide some advice/info on a curious "feature" of the A6 . As background, I'm currently in the market for a solid, relatively high-performance, mid-sized 4-door. Like everybody and his uncle, my choices are the 528i, the A6 2.7t or 4.2 and the E320. The 528i engine has to be revved pretty hard to get power and is weak off-the-line. The E320 has a very nice formal interior but seems hopelessly overpriced. The 2.7t and 4.2 would be perfect (except I hate the center console/dash design but I can live with that; subjectively I prefer the E320 on that score).

But I've noticed ONE item which seems odd. Whenever I or someone else gets in and out of an A6 the WHOLE BODY seems to "bounce" up and down. When braking or slowing down, the entire body seems to pitch back and forth! Like a "dive" or as though it's a rocking chair! Now, this is rather worrisome. I've even seen this in A6's driven around town!

Is this because of the very "soft" suspension and will the "sport" (stiffer springs+shocks and lower stance) package alleviate that ? Or is this Audi cost-cutting ? I'd find these "rocking" and "diving" motions acceptable on an el-cheapo downmarket car but not in a $40,000-$50,000 machine. The BMW and the Merc (and, for that matter, the Lexus) stop and turn on a dime without any excessive body movement or "dive/rocking" and certainly don't "bounce/dive/rock" when you get in and out of them!

Anyone have any info/ideas on this one?
Thanks much!
- J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.

 

Very strange. My A6 2.7T doesn't even have PSK and it feels very stiff. It would take on heck of a stop to feel a rocking sensation. Now if you got the PSK it would be very stiff. I am sure they will comment on there feelings with there cars. Have you driven an A6. It may be just an optical allusion or something. I would drive a 2.7 or 4.2 if you haven't already and see what it feels like from the inside. I have seen clips of a 528i rubbing the sides wile going fast and turning on cones. All in all I would say try out the car.

Enjoy,
Nomad323 (Chris)<p>2000 A6 2.7T Tiptronic
Cashmere Gray
San Antonio, TX

 

I drove a GS 300 and the A6 2.7T sans sport package back to back. My impression was completely opposite. While the GS 300 (I'm assuming this is one of the models you're considering) was very smooth and quiet, it exhibited greater body roll in corners and nose dive with hard braking. It also lacked the pickup. After the Audi drive, my mind was made up and I ordered a 2001 2.7T. I've since driven an A6 with the sport package, and do like the slightly firmer ride/handling characteristics better than without, but can't live with the sport seats, so my first mod will be to add the sport springs. While I have not driven a 528i, I did consider it, but decided the Audi was a better overall value. I also believe the Audi with the sport package would go neck and neck in slalom and skid pad tests with the 528i. Car and Driver's last issue (May) compares the 2.7T to 7 others (doesn't include the E 320) and provides some good info. As far as center console/dash design...personal preference. I myself find the Audi very well laid out and functional. LOL.

 

...nearly as much as the E320. I tested a regular (non sport package) 2.7T and I didn't find it overly soft. I bought a sports package (PSK) and I'm very pleased with its handling. Of course , it isn't a kart, but roll is minimal and there is no perceptible dive. I suggest you test drive a PSK 2.7T. BTW, if you are demanding about handling, you probably should consider changing wheels/tires. There are also aftermarket suspensions for the A62.7T.<ul><li><a href="http://www.goapr.com">http://www.goapr.com</a</li></ul>

 

Thanks for the replies! I'm surprised no one else seems to have seen/experienced/noticed this. It was pretty pronounced on the A6's I saw/drove. I didn't get a chance to try the 2.7t as I was trying to catch a flight and had to leave quickly.

Maybe the following URL will show the "motion" I'm referring to. Notice how the A6 "bounces" a bit towards the end of the commercial when it stops (scene before driver pulls parking brake) ? THAT'S the kind of motion I'm referring to but MUCH stronger and more pronounced. It occurs even when people get in and out of the car. Kinda disturbing... I know that's not "normal" in sport sedans since, as I posted before, neither the 528i nor the E320 moved anywhere near those quantities when we got in and out of them or stopped (or saw people getting in and out or stopping).

The commercial is on the Audi UK page. You'll have to click on the link at the bottom. The "bounce" is towards the end (car stops and it's the scene before the driver pulls the parking brake). Very slow download - which is a pain.

Everything else about the car is fine. It's just this one last item that has got me concerned.
Thanks!
- J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audi.co.uk/main.html">http://www.audi.co.uk/main.html</a></li></ul>

 

I have an A6 2.7t without sport suspension. I had a 97 740il befor the Audi and my impression is that the Audi has a somewhat firmer suspension than the 740il with similar amount of body roll. I haven't noticed any unusual tendancy to dive on hard braking or any of the other conditions you mentioned. For my taste the Audi could use some heavier anti roll bars and, if performance driving is your desire, much bigger better tires. I put 235/45/17 Dunlop SP8000 tires and BBS RK wheels on mine and it will certainly skidpad with the 740il, which does better than the 528 or 540 by the way.

The A6 2.7t is much more powerful than the 528.

 

Well, Sturm, if you aren't 'puttin us on, then these gyrations may be caused by all the lead you have in the trunk.

 

I get it, you were just kidding. I would have been more suspicious if it had been April 1st (April fools day) ha ha.

Obviously the A6 does not have any unusual rocking motion etc., in fact you can notice that the car in the comercial dives and rocks less than most cars would. By the way, you had me going so well that I went out for a drive with my wife and son to see how much braking dive the A6 has and it is probably less than any other car I have owned. I even have a TR8 with a special mod to reduce dive and it has more than my A6 2.7t (no sport suspension).

 

no one seems to be able to replicate this, I'll just put it down to overwork and lack of sleep. (Observations were made before and during a mildly stressful business trip).

I'll check out the 2.7t and then throw away the stock bicycle wheels/tires and put in either Pole Position S-02's or Sport SP9000's. Hopefully, that'll address the only other real problem with the car.

Of course, if the car STILL seems to have this "rocking/bouncing/Elvis gyration" problem, I'm going to give up on a 4-door altogether and get a Boxster or a used 911 instead. That'll mean carrying the groceries on my back but...

Thanks for all the advice/info.
- J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.

 

as I wrote above, since no one seems to be able to replicate this, I'm putting it down to optics not mixing well with stress and lack of sleep!

As for the lead in the back, well hey, what good trooper leaves home without at least a small "emergency kit"??? (Just kidding, just kidding. I don't carry an assault arsenal in the boot!)

- J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.