[s-cars] Opinions: 00 A8 or A6 4.2s added to the stable with the 95S6 Avant.

[dave flagg]

Gotta weigh in here; we've had lots of all three cars A8,A6 4.2,A6 2.7T 
sport / 6speed.
A8 first; 97 and 98. Every car we had in these model years had a 
transmission issue either before we owned or sometime after. I think we 
dodged a few bullets here.  Not many shops are qualified or are willing to 
tackle this tranny.   00-01 we have experienced no tranny problems, but have 
heard of some. Had to tell exact causes, but plugged cowling drains and A/C 
drain put water in the footwells where the electronics are located. 
Otherwise very well engineered and built cars. Newer than that is a better 
car yet, but beyond your budget.

A6 4.2. This car is very close to the European S 6. Different chassis than 
the V6 A6. Longer in the nose and wider to accomdate the V8 and tranny. 
Excellent,Excellent car, but only available in the tiptronic in the US. Even 
has the light weight suspension pieces and hollow axel shafts for less 
weight. Also some aluminum body parts; hood and maybe trunk lid. Some are 
sport suspension and sport seats. The cars drive infinetly better with the 
sport suspension and 225/40 17s on the sport wheels; make sure you consider 
this. Sport seats are a definite plus over the barcoloungers.

A6 2.7 Turbo; same chassis as the anemic 2.8. available in 6 speed or 
tiptronic. Less car chassis wise that the 4.2. Still a very nice ride in the 
sport suspension 6 speed with sport 17's and sport seats. 00-01 within your 
price range. Here you really need to check out the tranny for noise and 
smooth shifting etc. if someone bangs a power shift and misses, shift forks 
have been known to get bent. Have seen this on several occations.
Rule of thumb on all these cars; if it's a really clean no paint work car, 
it most likely had it's oil changes and services done as well.

good luck
DF
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Shackelford" <93urs4 at rovershack.com>
To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 11:08 PM
Subject: [s-cars] Opinions: 00 A8 or A6 4.2s added to the stable with the 
95S6 Avant.


> Hey All,
>
> I am not getting rid of my (wife's) 95 S6 Avant.
>
> I am getting rid of my 91 318is because I can't get the kids in it safely
> when I need to work on the Avant.  I love my little bimmer because it gets
> 30MPG and is set up to autocross so it handles like crazy, but it just
> doesn't work well for a second car when the family's concerned.  So, I 
> have
> been looking at what to get, and have no idea, except that my budget is
> between 10-14K and I want to get something a little newer than another UrS
> and less miles.  So, I started looking into 99-02 A4 Avants.  They fell 
> into
> my price range for with under 100K miles.  Then on a whim, I wondered, 
> hmm,
> when did the 4.2 come out in the A6 and what prices can I get.  Bummer, 
> yes,
> they also fell into my price range.  Then, last night I was wondering, 
> with
> all the talk of the S8s, where the 97-01 A8 4.2 fell.  Guess what, it's
> within my price range.  Now I am totally confused.  I am sure I will get
> numerous good and bad opinions, but what do you think of either the 00 A6 
> or
> A8 4.2s?  I know they are tips, but I can live with that.  I have pretty
> much ruled out the A4s, I am 6'4" and want something a little bigger than 
> my
> 318 or an A4.
>
> Caveat, yes, I have vag-com and am willing to do almost anything 
> mechanical
> myself, even as far as transmission replacement.  So, I am not tooo 
> worried
> about maintenance.  Though, am weary of some of the A6 stories I have 
> heard.
> Would love the S8, but that's out of my price range.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> James (rovershack)
>
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