S's FS in Denver, A6 impressions

[Ralph Poplawsky <rlpplsky@ix.netcom.com>]

I was at Prestige Imports in Denver recently.  WOW, they have lots of great
cars in inventory.  Most interesting to this list:  3X  '98 A8s, lots of '98
A6, A4 and Avant.  3X S6, 1X S4.  All the S cars are in great shape with
varying miles and prices.  I have no affiliation or friends at Prestige -
just the facts if anyone cares...

I took a '98 A6Q for a drive since we will replace my wife's ovloV 850 turbo
this year and I would love to get her in a Quattro.  Handling is pure
Quattro.  It stayed flat on the 180 degree on-ramp test with moderate
understeer at speed. The suspension is quite taut and well composed over
bumps. I disagree that the US version of this car is 'too soft'.  Steering
feel was OK, maybe not as communicative as my 200Q.  Brake feel is awful
(what, did Audi lose the formula?) which makes brake evaluation difficult.
The transmission seems OK but not very quick on kick-downs.   Tiptronic is
fine, but my foot kept looking for the clutch.  The engine was a big
disappointment.  Test conditions were 45f and 5300 feet elevation.  The car
was a dog off the line and fairly slow to 60mph.  60 to 80 passing power was
OK.  It will actually go fast when it gets to the right RPMs, but this is
infrequent.  I think the problem is not enough torque over a broad enough
range. The result is  a felling of unresponsiveness that takes the fun out
of driving.   All in all, a great car in need of a brake tweak and new
lungs.  If rumors of a 230 hp twin turbo version of the A6 are true, it
would be a fine successor to my 200Q and should help to lower the inflated
prices of used S4 and S6s. 

Ralph Poplawsky
'91 200Q not lusting for new yet...