+1, i'm gona go ahead and say the same thing, and i own one as well. granted i've only owned the car for a few weeks now, it's a great car to drive and hasn't given me a single problem. definitely a great car on the highway, it's hard to tell how fast you're going because the car is just so smooth and accelerates quite quickly.

 

Wow, thanks for all of the replies. Seems like the 4.2 is the choice to make, and i just ordered ROUNDTRIP plane tickets to go check it out (that way i have NO obligation to buy it at all). I don't think getting a dealer inspection right away will be possible, but there is a 1 month, 3,000 mile warranty on it. so as soon as i get it home assuming i don't find anything wrong with it prior, it will get a full inspection. The dealer said they did a full inspection, and they do deal with german cars, but they probably don't know very much about them. it is a small dealer.

So, reliability speaking, is this car more reliable than an 02 Dodge Stratus (that is what i am upgrading from)? Surely it must be!!! All of this talk about the warranties though, what is the deal. is there a series of common issues with the car? And I have read that thetiming belt and water pump should be replaced from 60k-70k miles, is this accurate? I must assume it has not been replaced. The carfax shows no services, and the dealer said they dont have the service records. where else might i find them? Thanks again for all of your replies. And i will consider the extendo warranty, but I generally drive 100 - 150 miles a day (weekends too),so that will burn up a warranty pretty fast

 

done. here's what i bought for $17,400 (hopefully not too much)
http://www.autorevolution.com/inv/ve...fby=dealersite

After driving both, i did like the v8 better.

 

i like my 2.7T just fine. both can go fast, but the V8 will eat more gas

 

I'm a 4.2 fan, I love mine.

 

A 2002 A6 4.2 will allow you to take advantage of APR's power chip which is reliable (per general info available on web), inexpensive (ca. $700 or so), and adds around 50 hp to stock. 4.2 has meaner, more agressive look, especially if you get the sport version (which is somewhat rare) that lowers the car even more than the 4.2 is already lowered.

 

i would get the 4.2 when those twinturbos on the 2.7 goes bad,there about $1600 each

 

4.2. Great highway car and better reliability/durability.

 

I'll basically say the same thing everyone else has. The 4.2 is more reliable, and you don't have to worry about the turbos failing. Additionally, the timing belt does not have to be replaced until 105k, whereas the 2.7 is a much shorter mileage span. The 4.2 has better highway pickup, but the 2.7t has better 0-60 pickup. (Probably due to the fact it is lighter, and sportier gearing.)

The 4.2 usually comes with almost all available options, whereas the 2.7 may or may not. The 4.2 also has the additional fender flares, and slightly adjusted design. (Like a longer nose, to accomdate the bigger engine)

The fuel mileage figures vary from site to site you look at. As someone else said, it makes a huge difference how you drive it. Generally, it's accepted the 4.2 gets *slightly* better mileage, but not good enough to factor in your choice.

Personally, I purchased the 4.2 for around the same price the 2.7t's go for. The 2.7 is indeed easier to modify for power, but if you are leaving it stock then the 4.2 is certainly the one I would go with.

Plus, the roar of the 4.2 at wide open throttle kicks butt!

 

One reason I picked the 2.7T is the M6 transmission. Shifting gears is a big part of the driving experience for me, and the 4.2 does not offer that option.