Life has gotten profoundly more busy this past year...both with the job...and the kids...so, since I'm no longer living off the public teet (aka, the USAF) whilst doing virtually no real work, except posting on AW, I rarely get to surf the web, nevermind post here...

But I did get to do something new...Audi A6-related. I brought the S6 in for yet another warped rotor problem (they finally actually replaced the rear rotors instead of turning them) and I was fortunate enough to receive a brand new A6 3.2 as a loaner (ok, it had 320 miles on it when I got it...it had been in service for 2 weeks). The wife and kids had gone to Tahoe for a long weekend with a couple of her girlfriends and their kids...so I had the weekend free...so, of course, a trip to Vegas was in order. Well, I gave 'em until mid-afternoon or so to have the S6 ready...but I really wanted to get there by 8-9 pm...so I debated back and forth about whether I should take the A6...I took it as a good omen that they gave me such a nice new car...as that I should go to Vegas...and should take the A6...so, off I go...
I felt a little guilty about planning on putting 600 or so miles on a brand new car...but decided to do it anyway...then, of course, there was a fatal major accident which closed the main road toward Vegas...detouring me ~150 miles out of the way to get around the closure!

To make a long story a little shorter...and to get to the point...the new A6 is several-fold nicer to drive than the C5 A6. The stiffer chassis, firmer more direct steering, and the smoother, more responsive transmission really made it such a sweet ride. The detour led me through some very cool and very twisty mountain roads which let me air it out...and push it around. It wasn't long before I found the limits to the marginal, flabby all-season tires...but overall it felt firmer and flatter than the S6, just the crappy tires held it back. The 3.2 engine is a huge upgrade from the previous 6's...but it did have to work a bit in hard uphill turns and straightaways...the S6 engine would have been far sweeter. The 3.2 is a great alternative for those wanting to save a few bucks and still be satisfied 98% of the time...plus, it gets damn good gas mileage...25 overall for the trip (over 500 miles on one tank!!!)
Otherwise, the interior is 'nice'...but I still prefer the classic look of the C5 interior...although I like the center console on the C6 better...plus it felt like it had a bit more width. The standard seats, while not as supportive as the C5 sport seats, are a huge improvement over the C5 standard seats...and one could forego the sport seats and still be satisfied. The leather wrapped steering wheel felt great...and the textures of the leather and plastics were very nice. The trunk is hugely deep...enormous!
Exterior-wise, there is still nothing Audi that looks as nice as the bulky-fendered C5 4.2-S6-RS 6 sedan. The C6 is too fem for me...especially the rounded front end...but it is still a nice looking car.

Not likely gonna get one...the wife loves the S6 and has no plans of getting rid of it for the next 5 years of so, and although I will likely pick up something sportier and smaller to cruise around in...in addition to the LR3, in the next year or so (hoping the S3 meets expectations).

The C6 is a great step forward chassis and transmission-wise...and was a very fun car to take on a little 800 mile trip to Vegas for the weekend...maybe someday they get bulk it up cosmetically to compete with the look of the C5 4.2 sedan. The S-line version is an improvement, but still has a way to go...

 

and flattering for the C6, especially from someone known for his, er..., discriminating tastes and strong opinions. ;-)

Glad things sound like they're going well, albeit busy. It's good to hear from some of the old timers -- things are a-changin' around here. Not too many left that have been around for a while, but some of us are holding steadfast. :-pp

How didja do on the tables?

 

What, no obligatory speedo pic? ;=)

 

ditto. felt the same way when I took a C6 4.2 out for a drive. Just classy.

 

AND... the C6 nose requires more blue painter's tape! (Thanks for stopping by!)

 

for the masses. But I just can't find enough to make up the difference in cost between the '01 book value and the new car price. I'm sticking with the '01 2.7 for now. Maybe in a few years.

 

lucky you - nice loaner. Good to hear from you-how's the LR3 holding up?

 

Did you blue tape up the front before you left?? :-)

 

Good to hear from you, gald eveything is good. Thanks for the review.

 

take the C5 body and interior and graft them onto the improved C6 chassis.

As the Guiness guys say, Brilliant!

Welcome back, BTW.