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Re: The other sports sedan class [zgreatlife]
Written by: markcincinnati on Apr 7, 2007 4:37:20 PM
The only more or less official data is 265HP. A 10HP boost. The torque does not rise. There have been several less official statements (perhaps just rumors) that there will be a more powerful V6. The 3.2, with the typical conservative Audi bi-turbo treatment would easily match the engine that is in the 335 and 535. If Audi does not rise to the challenge, I would argue they will HAVE to ... Read More
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Re: Is there a difference? [zgreatlife]
Written by: markcincinnati on Jan 13, 2007 7:11:05 PM
WOW. I had the following (not a complete list): 1995 S6 1997 A8 1999 A6 2.8 2000 A6 4.2 comfort 2001 A6 4.2 sport 2003 allroad 2.7T 2005 A6 3.2 with 18" wheels and 245 x 40 x 18" tires At the same time, my wife had multiple A4's, three TT's and one BMW X3 3.0. The A6 is the quietest of the bunch (including the A8), it also is both ... Read More
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Re: Car People [pat]
Written by: markcincinnati on Oct 7, 2006 9:56:37 AM
Selling England by the Pound -- Genesis. You win the cupie doll, Pat! Here in Cincinnati, the new generation of BMW's with that spanky new "35" twin turbo engine are rolling out -- at this point, the 335 sedan and coupes are RWD, but already the 328 is offered with AWD and next year the X drive option will be added for about $1900. It promises to be a brisk seller. ... Read More
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"The Itch. . ."
Written by: markcincinnati on Sep 28, 2006 8:47:27 AM
Back in the days when smoking (in a car) was even done, a friend of mine -- a smoker -- would kid me and say "Mark gets a new car every time the ash tray gets full." Since I am not a smoker, I only related to this comment in a symbolic way. My friend, now not a smoker (and I never permitted him to smoke in my cars in any ... Read More
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The Link Between Engine Sludge and Oil Change Intervals
Written by: legendman on Dec 5, 2005 12:06:41 AM
Appropos of our recent discourse on the merits of oil change interval frequencies, I thought that the article below might prove illuminating as regards Audi and Volkswagen engines, and other makes as well. In light of the observations detailed in this article, the wisdom of 10,000 mile oil change intervals continues to evade me. This is particularly true as regards the majority of the so-called "synthetic oils" like Castrol, which in ... Read More
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8,500 miles
Written by: markcincinnati on Oct 29, 2005 6:40:52 AM
Issues: #1 four starter button replacements #2 DSP won't retain settings #3 OE 18" A/S tires are inadequate to the job -- tires need to be UHP A/S's perhaps from Continental or Yokohama. After, in order since 1997, an A8, A6 2.8, A6 4.2, A6 4.2 sport, allroad 2.7T 6spd and now an A6 3.2, I can say this is NOT the most powerful of the lot but it is much ... Read More
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6,000 miles
Written by: markcincinnati on Sep 30, 2005 8:10:14 AM
My 2005 A6 3.2 has now passed 6,000 miles. It is getting better all the time in every way I can imagine to share with you. It has two "issues": #1 I make a lease payment and I get a new Advanced Key "start engine" switch (I am on switch #4). The dealer's A6 "expert" (service, not sales expert) says he believes a "fix" is in the works (a new switch ... Read More
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Re: A6 3.2 vs M35x [richcream]
Written by: markcincinnati on Mar 2, 2005 10:33:38 AM
I believe it [the Infiniti M35x] is 6.6 to 60mph. And, I believe TECHNICALLY, the Audi is 7.1 to 100kph. A nit? Perhaps. For the life of me, I can't figure out why you would let your outgoing SLine A6 2.7T with a 5spd tip, offer up 6.4 seconds and replace the car with one that comes in at 7.1 seconds and, generally speaking, costs a bit more, comparably equipped. Moreover, ... Read More
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Re: New A6 3.2l Acceleration Concerns [luckylindy]
Written by: markcincinnati on Feb 8, 2005 1:15:09 PM
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was: 1997 A8 5spd NON tip but "adaptive" auto 1999 A6 5spd tiptronic 2000 A6 4.2 5spd tiptronic 2001 A6 4.2sport 5sped tiptronic -- all had EXACTLY the tip lag or combination transmission+drive by wire lag symptoms. On the other hand none of the other two dozen Audis that we have had since our first one in 1977 that ... Read More
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Re: My thoughts.... [jgaines]
Written by: markcincinnati on Dec 30, 2004 1:01:58 PM
Tiptronic Lag. This condition, called tip-lag, has been discussed and discussed to death, here and elsewhere -- it has been a topic in the Quattro Quarterly, a publication of the Audi Car Club of NA. FWIW, this condition is not an Audi-only condition. Scant better that makes me feel. Hence I am now off the fence again and thinking I just cannot take another auto transmission (my 1997 A8, ... Read More
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The more posters the merrier. . .
Written by: markcincinnati on Dec 20, 2004 8:17:31 AM
. . dissent is wecome, needed in fact. However, it is difficult for me to imagine that one who has not had the experiences or may not ever consider a brand for whatever reason can be lent much credence. I have read, for example, plenty on the new RL -- most of it good. I have test driven the TL, and I liked everything about it, except torque steer. The ... Read More
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Re: Should I buy one? [triumphbobk]
Written by: markcincinnati on Jul 13, 2004 7:09:23 AM
Run away from this scenario. The 2.7T is a great performing engine -- the 2001 may have some parts issues that, although probably able to be CPO'd to 100K or 2 years, still makes a newer car less money. The brake rotors on the 2001's are notorius for warping. The 2.7T engine will need a serpentine belt replacement by 60K miles (this is a four figure job). Around 60K miles, maintenance ... Read More
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Re: [sapparo] Tough time? [markcincinnati] [bmwccc] [markcincinnati] [jeqq
Written by: markcincinnati on Aug 9, 2004 7:13:05 AM
Since 1977 -- my first Audi lease -- probably about 12 of the 27 Audis we have had were "early outed" with assistance from Audi Financial (known as V-Crest -- or VW Financial or VW Credit for several years before Audi Financial became a sep entity). My wife early outed from a 2000 TT (24 month lease, and they wiped the slate clean after 7 months so she could get a ... Read More
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Get yer red hot A6's -- buy one, get one free!
Written by: markcincinnati on Jul 1, 2004 9:19:30 AM
The inventory levels of A6's -- including the sweet Slines (if you can take an automatic) -- are fairly high right now. I see, in my crystal ball, deep unhealable discounts coming within 60 days -- you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be amazed! Come one come all -- the discounts are coming, the discounts are coming. And, yes, there are discounts every year -- but this year is special. Since 1997 ... Read More
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Re: auditor [auditor #222]
Written by: markcincinnati on Jun 25, 2004 1:07:46 PM
I hate to give half-baked answers, so I'll try to give you enough information to make an educated decision. My 1997 A8 had the standard suspension, I ordered the S8 suspension kit and had the Audi dealer put it on for me (lower springs, swaybars, struts, lower profile and wider tires). Big diff in handling, little diff in ride quality. Bought a 2000 A6 4.2 w/standard suspension but 17" wheel/tire option. ... Read More
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Comparisons. . .
Written by: markcincinnati on May 3, 2004 8:15:25 AM
. . .I personally don't mind the comparison talk on this thread -- specifically since our fellow contributor lexusguy continues to take the high-road and is attempting to appeal to our left-brain side. As an admitted left-brain person, I also believe that most of us, regardless of our brain orientation, buy "at the moment in time of the purchase" based on a right brain "push." Having said this, I read somewhere ... Read More
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By the same token. . .
Written by: markcincinnati on May 1, 2004 7:04:03 AM
. . .I suspect that fans of Audi will not be influenced by the reliability scores of other brands. We all, I presume, want our cars to be more reliable. I hope it is possible for Audi to improve reliability and not lose drivabiliy. However, if they become as reliable as a Lexus apparently is, and simultaneously lose their "fun to drive factor" -- I would think there would be a ... Read More
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Leased almost every one. . .(paid cash for one, a used 1987 5000 TQ. . .)
Written by: markcincinnati on Mar 24, 2004 11:28:22 AM
Of the cars since 1977 we have had, we leased the majority of them -- longest term, as I recall, 36 months, shortest 12 months (I leased a 1999 A6 for 12 months when I was coming upon 50,000 miles on my 1997 A8 while I was waiting for my 2000 A6 4.2 to arrive). My last Audi I leased for 30 months, the current one 36 months since I was ... Read More
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Brakes.
Written by: markcincinnati on Nov 14, 2003 11:54:48 AM
I don’t blame you for not searching this town hall for the prose on this very subject. The 2000 and 2001 A6 4.2’s that I owned had 9 sets of rotors (additive, not each) and some number fewer of brake pads. I kept the two cars for a combined mileage of around 55 to 60K miles. The final set of 4 rotors and pads on the 2001 were, apparently “perfect.” I ... Read More
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A6 Review On Found Mercedes Board
Written by: mbnut1 on Jul 26, 2003 8:15:53 AM
Audi A6 & Mercedes E-class, comparison test I should be in bed as I write this. Being a male car enthusiast, only 2 things are likely to prevent me from doing so. One is female. The other is a rather good car. And I have just returned from a 250 mile one-night trip in one. The other day I took my first real drive in a W210 E-class, a 2000 E240 ... Read More
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Mod issues
Written by: markcincinnati on Sep 3, 2002 7:50:01 PM
I have leased virtually all of the Audis I have ever "owned" -- I paid cash for a 1987 500 CS turbo quattro. I have chipped only 1 of the Audis I leased -- the dealer did it for me. Some dealers are offering chipped and otherwise modified cars as "dealer/performance" options. My dealer will, from time to time, put ground effects, aftermarket wheels, tires, etc. on cars and mark them ... Read More
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Manual transmissions in Audi's RIP
Written by: markcincinnati on Aug 20, 2002 10:47:21 AM
Here is what I think is happening: 1. the TT will have an automatic in it in the 2003 model year, I heard if you got the 180HP model that it will "soon" only come in auto 2. the base A6 has lost the manual, the 4.2 never had it, ditto S6, and most of the 2.7T's by far have been autos (ditto the allroad) 3. on the dealer's lot, about ... Read More
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Torque peak
Written by: markcincinnati on Apr 14, 2002 8:46:41 AM
The 2.7T equipped A6 is quicker (not faster) than the 4.2 A6. The torque, while less on the 2.7T comes on "immediately" which in the quickness world, is all the difference in the world. In fact, the Audi literature I have says that the 2.7T is quicker than the S6 -- and this is Audi's own literature -- true it is .1 and it is between the manual 2.7T and the ... Read More
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A friend of mine bought the BMW. . .and On*star
Written by: markcincinnati on Apr 7, 2002 1:48:11 PM
After what I thought was a completely objective (ha!) series of visits to European car dealers all involving test drives,my friend had pretty much decided on an Audi. A few weeks later when I next saw him he said come see my new car -- another Audi convert I thought to myself. Lo and behold a new metallic black BMW (330, I think -- RWD). The car is very nice -- ... Read More
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Audi/VW Platforms
Written by: timcar on Aug 28, 2001 10:55:59 AM
Jared, here's a complete list of Audi platforms from Audi AG. The W8 does ride on a DIFFERENT larger platform than other Passats, the same one used for the A6. I'd forgotten about this until I got a recent issue of Auto Week, noticed the car looked bigger and longer. I discounted it until I looked up this table again, and apparently, it is bigger and longer. The same photo's are ... Read More
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Sway bars 101
Written by: markcincinnati on Aug 9, 2001 8:51:27 AM
Anti-sway bars are engineered to reduce "body roll." They keep your vehicle flatter in the turns by transferring the pressure exerted on the outside wheels and applying opposite pressure on the inside wheels. In this way weight is more evenly applied to all four wheels, helping the vehicle stay more level with the road. Your car will corner "flatter" -- sometimes this is discussed using the term "body lean" (as in ... Read More
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Re: advice on Sway Bar and Springs for - chicago27t1
Written by: markcincinnati on Aug 9, 2001 5:14:13 AM
From the Audi Web site - www.audiusa.com -- I made a similar modification on a 1997 A8 that I owned (and also switched tires, which for Chicago would mean either a summer and a winter tire/wheel combo -- or, my current fave Yokohama AVS db's which are Ultra High Perf All seasons). I loved the improvements and found nothing to complain about re ride. I later added front and rear sway ... Read More
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Audiphiles- 17" wheels? by rambo7 Response
Written by: markcincinnati on Jul 15, 2001 8:16:46 AM
I had a 1997 A8, purchased new with the 17" option. Tires were 225 x 55 x 17 Goodyear GSD. At 18,000+ miles, the treadwear indicators started poking through -- at that exact moment in time no GSD tire (which other than the miles, I liked) was available.) New A8's started coming in with Goodyear LS tires (same size); they were about $100/each -- so I bought four of them. Mistake ... Read More
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Tire size and other things jk
Written by: markcincinnati on Jul 12, 2001 6:34:19 AM
JK Ralph, at Northland Audi in Cincinnati, told me the 2002 A6 2.7T has a great deal of the look of a 2001 A6 4.2 -- flared front fenders, below the grill spoiler/air intake, etc. Now this tells me that it would be possible for the tire size to be 255 x 40 x 17. But, based on past experience with Audi's, they will probably have a somewhat smaller tire -- ... Read More
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jkendall's new 2002 A6 2.7T
Written by: markcincinnati on Jul 11, 2001 6:39:17 AM
Congratulations -- it sounds like you will have a great car -- I would have added the Nav pkg personally, but other than that -- sounds great. Amulet red is a knockout -- currently it is avail on the TT. I think the interior will be a little closer to "carmel" or ecru -- in that it will have a hint more "natural" color than the melange that I have (which ... Read More
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AWD and ESP a request for a fun and factual debate to continue!
Written by: markcincinnati on Jun 28, 2001 2:23:49 PM
I still have no quarrel with your beliefs and your right to choose any vehicle that you want and are willing to vote for -- financially. Any time there is a "relatively new" not widely "included in the price" technology there will be some ramp up time until the technology makes it into the mainstream. And this means that I wish the technology were mandatory. I wouldn't force you to purchase ... Read More
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no title
Written by: markcincinnati on Jun 18, 2001 11:08:32 AM
I must admit my 2000 A6 was leased through a bank -- term 27 months. I bailed out of the car @ 17 months and 23,000 miles. I got Audi of America to make the first payment on the 2001 A6 (on an AFS 30 month lease, no money down and no sec dep). I walked out of the dealer with the new car with 29 payments to go.) I still ... Read More
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S8 suspension upgrade II
Written by: markcincinnati on May 31, 2001 12:43:26 PM
The ride with the S8 suspension and new Pirelli PZero tires size 245 X 50 X17 actually improved. The squirm in the butt went away and the sometimes floaty nature of the Comfort Suspension + the Comfort Seats (i.e., non-sport seats) was all but vanquished. I also put a "high performance" air filter on this 1997 A8 and truth be told, the only real difference I could tell there was the ... Read More
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Warranty
Written by: markcincinnati on Mar 27, 2001 6:51:51 AM
I have been sniffing around, trying to find out the anecdotal reliability of some of my friends and associates cars. Saab: my friend loved the car (an upper range turbo), kept it 8 years and had many trips to the dealer, most of them paid for by Saab -- and while he loved the car he traded it on a Volvo (V70): and kept this 3 years, sold it to his ... Read More
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re: 867 (16" vs. 17" Wheels on the 2.7T) by rwish
Written by: markcincinnati on Mar 1, 2001 8:07:57 AM
Rwish: I leased a new 1997 A8 with the 17" wheel/tire option -- put Pirelli PZeros @ 245 45 17 on the car -- then called Joe Hoppen and he sent an S8 suspension to Northland Audi here in Cincinnati. The components were springs, struts and sway bars -- the cost was about $2500. The installation was in two steps -- one day to do the work and an all wheel ... Read More
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Audi Problems -- Eye of the Beholder
Written by: markcincinnati on Feb 19, 2001 3:52:41 PM
While not trouble free entirely, my wife and I have had 24 Audi's between us since 1978 -- our only "lemon" was a 1979 Audi Silver Fox, which seemed to consume a quart of oil every 150 miles or so. The brakes on my 1997 A8 (the rotors that is) and the front rotors on my 2000 A6 4.2 had to be replaced a couple of times before they got a ... Read More
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ESP question & a response to gs4rx3 & 4.2's in general
Written by: markcincinnati on Feb 2, 2001 11:56:57 AM
No, ESP cannot be installed on a car that does not have it "from the factory" -- or better said, it is not available to be installed on a car without it from the factory -- Audi did offer a retrofit on TT's -- but financially they had to take it in the shorts. It is complicated, so they say, to retrofit this technology and since it is only $500 MSRP(from ... Read More
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A6 4.2 Responses
Written by: markcincinnati on Jan 31, 2001 7:31:12 AM
I started ordering Audi cars back when they were still called 4000's, 5000's then 80's, 90's 100's and 200's -- then of course follwed by the "A" cars. Audi cars ordered from a dealer -- in my experience -- will take 4 to 5 months to get from the day you order (and this appears to be based on the "build date vs. order date" difference.) Sometimes the difference between one ... Read More
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Which would you buy: Audi, BMW, or Lexus?
Written by: erager on Jan 18, 2001 10:30:01 AM
I'm considering purchase of a used car, and I'm interested in input from Audi owners. I'm considering 1998 cars because I don't like buying new cars considering dealer hassles and depreciation. There are lots of 98s coming off lease now. My wants: *"Near Luxury" (i.e. nice car for driving with friends and business clients) *Reliability *Decent fuel efficiency *Safety *Roomy enough back seat to seat two comfortably Since my query on ... Read More
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rwish...wheel size. . .17" = harsh ride
Written by: markcincinnati on Jan 5, 2001 3:16:03 PM
Rwish: My 1997 A8 came with 17" wheels and 55 series tires, I "plus zero'd" them to 50 series tires and even replaced the stock US A8 suspension with the German "S8" sport suspension -- what little harshness I noticed was minimal (a stiffer ride, better performance, yes -- hardly harsh). Both of my A6 4.2's (one with sport suspension and one with standard suspension) came with 255 x 40 x ... Read More
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V8 doesn't Back Off
Written by: markcincinnati on Dec 1, 2000 2:51:58 PM
I have had one A8 (V8) and two A6 4.2's (V8). I have EXTENSIVELY driven several S4's (Turbo V6, same as 2.7T A6, and my wife has a 2001 TT 225hp coupe). I can induce some turbo lag in the TT, by "improper" gear selection, I had no problem in the S4's (stick shift). My A6 4.2's both had or have 5 speed Tiptronics, my A8 (1997) had a five speed ... Read More
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Tires
Written by: markcincinnati on Nov 28, 2000 6:53:29 PM
I have had 24 Audis since 1978 -- only 1 of them came with good tires (personal opinion). Audi is not alone in "undertiring" their cars. I have certainly never replaced the tires when new, but when I replace the tires, I generally upgrade with what is called "plus 0" sizing. For example, if the car comes with 205 x 55 x 16 tires, 225 x 50 x 16's will work ... Read More
