joshh

hey all

i am looking at getting a used audi for my wife. we used to have a 2002 s4 avant, and have both missed it since we sold it. it was just a bit too small.

i am now deciding between a 2002 s6 and allroad's. the s6 is a great deal and in great condition. only issue is i live in truckee ca, and we get nuked with snow at least twice a year (nuked = 3-6ft overnight). i know the allroad with its height adjustable susp would be the obvious choice, but they seem so heavy to me. the s6 i drove was pure joy. it felt much like the s4, but with a super linear tq curve (which i loved about the 2.7tt) and more room for my 5 yo and a buddy.

anyway, i am curious if anyone here has experience with s6's in extreme weather/mountain living. OR has a good arguement for getting yhe allroad...

thanks

josh

Just Me

Put 225/55/16 Dunlop M3s on 16 x 7.5 x -35mm wheels. This is +2.8% rolling circumfrance compared to stock. This gives you a narrow contact patch, a bit of extra ground clearance in the white stuff, and excellent protection against rim damage (3 load ratings above stock).

Its great. It fits. Its the right offset for steering geometry.

very low bling factor, however.
I'm so ashamed.

Grant

Muckraker

I first read 4 - 6 INCHES...what are you worrying about!? Hah... yea... definitely what Just Me writes below...

The S6 is an amazing car and mine has seen upwards of a foot of snow without any complaints... but you're right the Allroad would buy you a little more clearance... perhaps a 4.2 Allroad? Not the same though, I know, I test drove one before buying the 02 S6/

MP4.2+6.0

And used my stock 4.2 there since new in late 1999. I have beached only once on a road plow berm, and with quattro got it off easily w/ no damage. We get berms well over 18" at Tahoe Donner where I am toward the back high up (Wolfgang). By contrast I have beached the Sienna AWD with much more nominal ground clearance and had to dig it out once or twice since its AWD system is much more basic.

For the 3 feet you mention (and that's extreme for Truckee even over toward Norden), that's powder. In practice I have found with perhaps 12-14" on a minor arterial road (like Alder Creek) before it gets plowed again in the middle of a storm dump, the 4.2 just skims right over it, with the engine belly pan just pushing it down. I have exited our uphill driveway with 18-24" on occasion w/out issue--Dunlop M2/M3's of course.

Do figure compared to an S4, you will lose HP if you go non-turbo at altitude, maybe 15%. The 2.7 allroad though would be right back with your S4, just somewhat heavier. But, net my 4.2 has plenty of power up at 6600-6800 feet where we are. S6's are geared lower than 4.2 sedans, so that will help.

Finally if you have the incremental $$ and can find one (very, very low volume), you could look at the 2004 allroad with the 4.2--the marriage of the S6 and the older 2.7T allroad. And I think it had the newer chain drive cam system at the back of the motor to fit it in the allroad body clip w/out having to go to the 3" stretched 4.2/S6/RS6 front clip. Thus lower maintenance cost longer term too. I think it was back at 300HP rather than the S6's 340, but all the S6 HP increment really is up above the 4.2 redline as you go up to 7000RPM. I suppose if you wind it out it still matters, but I rarely hit redline to begin with.

CALL AAA

With all the snow and crap on the ground, the tupperware on the bottom of the Allroad won't get f'ed up like the bottom of an S6. It's a bit more rugged, and you get the extra clearance for snow and the right lane of the 80 through over the Pass. (ok, it's not THAT bad, but the trucks have DESTROYED that stretch of road)

I kind of like the idea of having winter wheels that LOOK like winter wheels. I bought a set from the guy who somd me my car. I wanted something that said, "Yup, these are my snow wheels, cuz I'm keeping my S wheels clean," but he insisted and I got a set of S wheels that are 1/2" narrower than S6s. (S4 wheels?) I didn't get a chance to drive it in deep snow, but it did AWESOME on hard and soft pack. I got a lot of compliments from the 4WD truck drivers, saying, "Damn, that thing handles awesome!"

But in your case, it's a tough call. If you could get an S6 to cruise around the lake in the summer and an Allroad or something to drive during the winter, you'd be all set.

Final thoughts: Get an Allroad and chip it with the money saved from not buyng an S6. They're nice cars, and I don't think they're too heavy.
Get some dedicated snow wheels/tires, and do some donuts. Post pictures.

If you are looking for one, call Audi Bob in Irvine, CA (near LA). He sells S6s, S8s and Allroads, and nice ones at that.
1(800) 444-AUDI
audiquattro@verizon.net
Let me know if you need any more info on him.

EvergrinS6

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/115718/dsc01540.t.jpg"></center><p>Have had great luck with my '02 S6 here in the Front Range west of Denver. Live at 8000+ ft and commute down to Denver (5280 ft) and, with Blizzaks, have never been stopped. Photo is of last 2ft snow storm. Plowed the drive uphill for 50 yds with the S6. Great car.

BrianG

For snow and hauling kids, the allroad is the better car. They aren't much different in weight, at least in the way they feel, so I certainly wouldn't say the S6 feels much lighter. For everything else, the S6 is better. I have a set of Blizzaks on the stock S6 wheels and use it in the winter and it does fine, but its no match for the allraod with the adjustable ride height- especially in a place that gets alot of deep snow.

Egil A64.2s - S6

Compared to a SUV with winter tires then no. I have the ML500, A6 and an S6, all equipped with dedicated winter tires.

In extreme weather conditions the ML is King.

joshh

.. which is a totally different vehicle.

joshh

i live in glenshire, which for truckee, is really a banana belt. my reservations of the S6 really make me lean toward the 04 v8 allroad. i love the tunability of the 6tt, but it also scares me the maintenance cost down the road. i have a "problem" as my wife puts it. i always find ways to max a cars ability.

whateveer i get, i will get 19" "summer" tires and wheels. then for sure blizztaks for winter on stockers. other than that, i have no real extra mods besides the 402, and other vag tool mods.

thanks again for the help! it is a big decision...

josh